Wreck Tihany - Istria Peninsula

We love a good history lesson with our dives, and the Wreck Tihany delivers. This isn't just a pile of metal; it’s the remains of a 1917 Hungarian cargo ship, lying upright with its stern section surprisingly intact. Dropping down, you immediately get a sense of its scale. Sunlight often filters through to reveal the skeletal structure, which makes for some incredible photos. Our favourite part has to be exploring the cargo holds. They’re open and inviting, allowing you to peek inside without feeling constricted. You’ll find Grohmann's Scaldfish flitting in the shadows and common brittlestars clinging to the bulkheads. The decks host surprisingly vivid patches of sunset cup coral and bushy coral, contrasting against the rusted steel. Look closely, and you might spot a shy Cape Shark tucked away. While the killer alga can be a bit of an eyesore in spots, the sheer amount of life that has claimed this wreck is impressive. This site is perfect for wreck enthusiasts who appreciate a wreck with a story and good penetration opportunities.

Location: Istria Peninsula, Croatia, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates: 44.636234, 14.230333
Type: wreck

Marine Protected Area: Podmorje otoka Unije

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 Wreck Tihany

100 x 100 Diving - PADI, TECREC, DAN, EFR
ACQUASUB VICENZA TEAM asd
Albarella Diving Center SSDRL
Apnea Slovenija
Aquaemotion SSD SRL
Aquanautic Elba - SSI

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

Corb (Sciaena umbra) - Reef Fish
Cape Shark (Squalus acanthias) - Sharks & Rays
conger (Conger conger) - Reef Fish
Common lobster (Homarus gammarus) - Crabs & Lobsters
Common Eagle Ray (Myliobatis aquila) - Sharks & Rays
poor cod (Trisopterus minutus) - Reef Fish
Blue Stingray (Pteroplatytrygon violacea) - Sharks & Rays
Common smoothhound (Mustelus mustelus) - Sharks & Rays
Painted Comber (Serranus scriba) - Reef Fish
Wrasse (Coris julis) - Reef Fish
Blackspotted Smoothhound (Mustelus punctulatus) - Sharks & Rays
Damsel fish (Chromis chromis) - Reef Fish
Leidy's Comb Jelly (Mnemiopsis leidyi)
loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta)
Cowfish (Tursiops truncatus) - Whales & Dolphins
Slender Seagrass (Cymodocea nodosa) - Seagrass & Algae
hake (Merluccius merluccius) - Reef Fish
Mullet (Mullus barbatus) - Reef Fish
european squid (Loligo vulgaris) - Octopus & Squid
common cuttlefish (Sepia officinalis) - Octopus & Squid

Recommended Packing List for Wreck Tihany

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