AMALFI

Best months: Jul–Aug

Why dive here

With 46+ marine species recorded in the area - including dolphins, sea turtles and cuttlefish - AMALFI offers some of Istria Peninsula's richest wreck diving. Water ranges 12-26°C, warmest July, August, September.

Best timeJul–Aug

WetsuitA 3mm shorty or thin full wetsuit

Marine lifeDolphins, Sea Turtles and Cuttlefish · 46+ species recorded

Water12-26°C · warmest July, August, September

CharacterWreck dive · max 29m

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.

Typical AMALFI Dive Profile

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

Safety Notes

Depth of 29m - Advanced Open Water certification recommended.

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

Always perform a 3-minute safety stop at 5m before surfacing.

Today06:1917:3311h 13m daylightGolden hour 16:53

AMALFI Wreck History

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.

Nearest Dive Centres to AMALFI

Dive shops near AMALFI

Albarella Diving Center SSDRL

42km away

Web

Phone

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Reviews for AMALFI

Conditions

Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for AMALFI

AMALFI Ocean Conditions

Monthly averages for AMALFI, sourced from Open-Meteo marine data + Copernicus Marine (EU) - nearest station: Open-Meteo marine grid (45.08, 14.15) (21km away)