Wreck Varese - Istria Peninsula

Diving the Varese always feels like stepping back in time. This isn't one of those wrecks where you struggle to make out what you're looking at. She's a WWI Austro-Hungarian torpedo boat, sunk in 1915, and the outline is still remarkably intact. We love how she sits upright on the seabed at 38 metres, giving you a proper sense of her former glory. Dropping down, the bow comes into view first, usually draped in schools of damselfish. You can still see the torpedo tubes, which is a rare treat, along with the deck guns. Inside, we’ve found the engine room surprisingly accessible for a wreck of this age; just watch your buoyancy in there. Look closely, and you’ll spot resident scorpionfish tucked into crevices and moray eels peeking from the shadows. Our favourite part has to be the stern, where the prop is still visible, often surrounded by curious wrasse. It’s a dive best suited for intermediate divers comfortable with depth and wreck penetration, offering a tangible link to history. We always try to hit it on a calm morning for the best visibility.

Location
Istria Peninsula, Croatia, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
44.499100, 13.414000
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
38m
Difficulty
Intermediate

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 Varese

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 Wreck Varese

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