Lina wreck - Istria Peninsula

The Lina wreck, resting off the Istrian coast, has a captivating history. She was a sailing ship, built in 1879, and met her end in 1914, running aground in a fierce storm. We think it’s this backstory that adds a layer of intrigue to the dive. The bow sits at around 20 meters, while the stern slopes deeper to 55 meters, so this isn't a casual drift. You need some experience here, especially if you want to explore the whole length. What we really love about the Lina is how the wreck has become a living reef. The wooden hull, still largely intact, is draped in life. We’ve seen incredible colonies of Sunset cup coral and Scarlet Coral here, their colours popping against the dark wood. Look closely and you’ll find Pink Plate Weeds swaying with the subtle currents. Congers are a common sight, peering out from shadowy crevices, and we’ve often spotted the vivid Red snapping shrimp too. On the deck, Damsel fish flit between the remaining structures. Our favourite part has to be the mast, still standing proud, completely encrusted with sponges and anemones. It's a real vertical garden. We’d suggest diving this one early to avoid any boat traffic if you can, the visibility tends to hold better then.

Location
Istria Peninsula, Croatia, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
45.102432, 14.279067
Type
wreck

Marine Protected Area: Podmorje kod Rabca

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 Lina wreck

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 Lina wreck

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