HMML 558 - Istria Peninsula

The HMML 558, sitting upright at 27 metres, is a proper dive, a bit of history resting on the seabed. We love how intact it is for a wreck that met a mine in the closing days of WWII. You can still make out the superstructure, the outline of the bridge, and even what looks like the gun mount at the bow. It’s a medium-sized vessel, a launch, so you can easily circumnavigate it in one dive, really getting a feel for its scale. Our favourite part is the engine room access. It’s a tight squeeze, not for everyone, but if you’re comfortable with overhead environments and good on your trim, peeking inside is genuinely cool – you can almost picture the engineers at their stations. Outside, the wreck is a magnet for marine life. Schools of damselfish shimmer around the masts, and we’ve often spotted conger eels tucked into the darker crevices, their heads poking out, eyeing you as you drift past. It’s a quiet, reflective dive, perfect for wreck enthusiasts who appreciate a good story and a well-preserved piece of maritime past.

Location
Istria Peninsula, Croatia, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
45.293335, 13.446667
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
27m

Marine Protected Area: Vrsarski otoci

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 HMML 558

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 HMML 558

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