ARISTOTELES

Protected Area

Badija i otoci oko Korčule

Why dive here

With 95+ marine species recorded in the area - including dolphins, octopuses, sea turtles and sperm whales - ARISTOTELES offers some of Dubrovnik & South Coast's richest wreck diving.

Marine lifeDolphins, Octopuses, Sea Turtles and Sperm Whales · 95+ species recorded

CharacterWreck dive · max 2m

StandoutRich in charismatic marine life

Aristoteles, a 115-metre motor vessel, ran aground back in 1977. She’s since become one of our favourite shallow wrecks in the Dubrovnik area. You’re looking at a max depth of 2 metres here, so forget the tanks and grab your mask and snorkel. We love how accessible she is, even for kids who are confident in the water. This is a true shipwreck playground. The Aristoteles lies broken in two, with her bow and stern sections forming distinct islands for exploring. You can spend hours swimming through the cargo holds, poking your head into the old accommodation blocks, and imagining the ship’s final moments. Sunlight filters down, illuminating schools of small silversides darting between the decaying metal. Look closely, and you’ll spot blennies tucked into crevices and anemones waving gently on the plates. It’s a fascinating glimpse into history and marine life.

Typical ARISTOTELES Dive Profile

Illustrative profile based on site depth and type. Actual dive profiles vary - always follow your dive computer and training.

Safety Notes

Wreck site - avoid penetration without wreck diving certification. Watch for sharp metal and entanglement hazards.

Today05:0718:4213h 34m daylightGolden hour 18:03

ARISTOTELES Wreck History

Year Sunk

1977

Vessel Type

cargo ship

Cause

grounding

Tonnage

2,476 GRT

The MV Aristoteles was a Greek cargo ship built in 1952 in Lübeck, Germany. For 25 years, she faithfully served her owners, transporting goods throughout the Mediterranean and beyond. In November 1977, she was undertaking a short coastal journey from Ploče to Bar in what was then Yugoslavia.

On November 11th, the vessel's journey came to an abrupt end when she ran hard aground on the rocky shores of Olipa, a small, uninhabited island near the stunning coastline of Dubrovnik. The relentless forces of the sea and the unyielding shore proved too much for the vessel's hull, and she was declared a total loss, left to be broken apart by the elements in the shallow Adriatic waters.

Because the Aristoteles wrecked in just 2 meters of water, she is not a traditional scuba dive. Instead, her scattered remains offer a fascinating site for snorkelers, freedivers, and kayakers exploring the beautiful Elaphiti Islands. The wreckage is heavily broken up after decades of exposure to waves, with sections of steel plating and machinery strewn across the seabed, now encrusted with marine life. It serves as a stark, easily accessible reminder of the power of the sea just off the Croatian coast.