Maona wreck - Istria Peninsula

The Maona wreck, not far from the Istrian coast, isn't a massive freighter, but it's a wonderfully atmospheric dive. We’ve always found it a great alternative to some of the more well-trodden wrecks in the area. What you get here is a smaller wooden hull, well-preserved considering its age, sitting upright and pretty much intact. We love dropping onto the stern, where the prop is still clearly visible, often covered in little nudibranchs if you look closely. Visibility here is typically good, around 15-20 meters on a calm day, letting you really appreciate the way the light filters down through the old wooden decks. You can peer into the cargo hold, which is now home to schools of small fish-sometimes juvenile barracuda hang out there, just observing you. On a deeper section, the bow points towards the seabed, and we’ve often spotted lobsters tucked into crevices. It’s a dive that rewards careful exploration rather than grand theatrics. This site suits divers looking for a relaxed, historical dive with plenty of chances to spot smaller reef life.

Location
Istria Peninsula, Croatia, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
45.041782, 13.610730
Type
wreck

Marine Protected Area: Otoci rovinjskog područja - podmorje

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 Maona 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 Maona 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