HM MTB 655 - Istria Peninsula

The HM MTB 655 isn’t your average Croatian wreck. This torpedo boat, sunk in 1945, rests upright at 49m, making it a serious technical dive. What we love about her is the immediate sense of history; you can almost hear the rumble of her engines. Descending through the blue, the wreck materialises slowly, her lines still sleek despite the passage of time. At 33.5m long, she’s a compact but incredibly atmospheric dive. We typically start our exploration around the bow, where the damage from the mine strike is still evident. From there, we work our way along the deck, peering into the open hatches that hint at the machinery below. Shoals of small fish, usually silversides or juvenile sea bream, flicker around the superstructure, and we’ve often spotted lobsters tucked into crevices. The visibility here can be spectacular, sometimes stretching to 30m, which really allows you to appreciate the scale of the wreck as you circle her. Our favourite spot is usually the stern, where the twin propellers are still perfectly intact, a testament to the build quality. She’s definitely one for advanced wreck enthusiasts comfortable with deeper profiles and decompression. Go early to avoid any boat traffic, the surface can get busy.

Location
Istria Peninsula, Croatia, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
44.833332, 14.178667
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
49m

Marine Protected Area: Otok Zeča

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 HM MTB 655

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 HM MTB 655

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