AMALFI - Istria Peninsula

The Amalfi wreck, off the coast of Istria, is a proper time capsule. We love how it’s not just a pile of metal, but a genuinely dangerous wreck, which really adds to the excitement. She lies upright on a sandy bottom at 29 metres, surprisingly intact for a cargo ship sunk over a century ago. You can still make out the superstructure, the deck, and even some of the holds. What makes the Amalfi special is the life that’s claimed it. We’ve finned past schools of glinting damselfish flitting through the open hatches, and watched moray eels peeking from the gloom of the engine room. Our favourite memory is finding a huge conger eel curled up in the anchor chain locker, practically posing for photos. Visibility here can vary, but on a good day, the light filters down, giving the wreck an eerie, almost ghostly glow. It’s a dive for those who appreciate history and don’t mind a bit of a current sometimes. Definitely bring a good torch; there’s plenty to illuminate inside if you’re comfortable with wreck penetration.

Location
Istria Peninsula, Croatia, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
45.219444, 12.844444
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
29m

Wreck History - AMALFI

Year Sunk
1915
Vessel Type
warship
Cause
torpedo
Tonnage
10,118 tons

The Amalfi was a formidable Pisa-class armored cruiser of the Italian Royal Navy (Regia Marina), launched in 1908. Representing the cutting edge of naval technology of her time, she and her sister ship Pisa were powerful warships, designed for speed and heavy armament. With the outbreak of World War I, the Amalfi was actively involved in patrolling the Adriatic Sea against the forces of the Austro-Hungarian Navy.

Her career was cut short in the early morning of July 7, 1915. While on a reconnaissance mission near Venice, she was spotted by the German submarine UB-14, which was operating under the Austro-Hungarian flag to avoid implicating Germany in the Mediterranean conflict. The submarine fired a single torpedo that struck the Amalfi, causing catastrophic flooding. Despite efforts to save her, the mighty cruiser listed heavily and sank within 30 minutes, taking 67 of her crew with her to the bottom of the Adriatic.

Resting upside down at a depth of around 30 metres off the Istrian Peninsula, the Amalfi is now one of Croatia's most famous and impressive wreck dives. The sheer scale of the 140-metre-long hull is breathtaking. Divers can explore the inverted deck, peer into the casemates where the secondary guns are still visible, and see the massive propeller shafts and rudder. The wreck is a protected cultural monument and war grave, demanding a respectful visit. It has become a magnificent artificial reef, attracting a dense population of fish and marine invertebrates, creating a vibrant ecosystem on a tragic piece of history.

Best Time to Dive in Istria Peninsula

The warmest water temperatures in Istria Peninsula occur in August, averaging 26.1°C. The coolest conditions are in March at 11.8°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

  • January: 13.5°C
  • February: 11.9°C
  • March: 11.8°C
  • April: 13.4°C
  • May: 17.0°C
  • June: 22.4°C
  • July: 25.6°C
  • August: 26.1°C
  • September: 23.6°C
  • October: 20.3°C
  • November: 17.8°C
  • December: 15.8°C

Nearby Dive Sites in Istria Peninsula

Nearest Dive Centres to AMALFI

Marine Life in Istria Peninsula

Home to 48 recorded species including 28 reef fish, 7 sharks & rays, 3 other, 2 crabs & lobsters, 2 octopus & squid, 1 whales & dolphins.

Notable Species

Recommended Packing List for AMALFI

Based on average water temperature of 18.3°C, currents 2 cm/s.

  • Wetsuit (3-5mm) - comfortable for 18°C water
  • Mask - essential for every dive
  • Fins
  • BCD - buoyancy compensator
  • Regulator - your most safety-critical piece of gear
  • Dive Computer - tracks depth, time, and NDL
  • Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) - essential for boat pickups
  • Dive Torch - useful for crevices and colour at depth
  • Underwater Camera - capture your diving memories