BRIGITTA MONTANARI
Protected Area
Kakanski kanal
Why dive here
With 91+ marine species recorded in the area - including dolphins, octopuses, sea turtles and cuttlefish - BRIGITTA MONTANARI offers some of Kornati Islands's richest wreck diving. Water ranges 14-26°C, warmest July, August, September.
Brigitta Montanari has always been one of our favourite Kornati wrecks. This tanker went down in 1984, but she’s in remarkable shape considering her age and the Adriatic’s winter storms. We love that she’s mostly intact, lying on her port side at 30 metres, offering a proper sense of her scale as you descend. You’ll spot the huge propeller first, then the stern section with her rudder, a classic silhouette against the blue. Visibility here is usually good, often pushing 25 metres, which really lets you appreciate the deck furniture, the open bridge, and the cargo holds. Swim into the engine room if you’re comfortable, it’s a tight squeeze but worth it to see the machinery. Schools of damselfish often swarm over the superstructure, and we’ve seen conger eels poking out from pipes near the bow. This site suits divers who appreciate a wreck with a story, one you can actually explore rather than just observe. Bring a torch, even on a sunny day, to peer into the darker corners.
Typical BRIGITTA MONTANARI Dive Profile
Illustrative profile based on site depth and type. Actual dive profiles vary - always follow your dive computer and training.
Safety Notes
Depth of 30m - Advanced Open Water certification recommended.
Wreck site - avoid penetration without wreck diving certification. Watch for sharp metal and entanglement hazards.
Always perform a 3-minute safety stop at 5m before surfacing.
BRIGITTA MONTANARI Wreck History
Year Sunk
1984
Vessel Type
tanker
Cause
grounding
The Brigitta Montanari was a Dutch-built tanker vessel constructed in 1970. For over a decade, she served as a commercial tanker, transporting various liquid cargoes across European waters. In November 1984, she was tasked with carrying a shipment of liquid vinyl chloride, a hazardous material, through the Adriatic Sea.
On the night of November 16, 1984, the Brigitta Montanari was caught in a severe storm while navigating the Kornati archipelago. Battered by strong winds and high waves, the vessel ran aground on a reef near the island of Murter. The crew was successfully rescued, but the ship's hull was critically damaged. She slipped beneath the waves and came to rest on the seabed.
Today, the wreck of the Brigitta Montanari lies on its port side at a depth of 30 meters. It is a popular and impressive dive site, with the ship's structure almost entirely intact. Divers can explore the large propeller, rudder, and the superstructure, including the bridge and masts. The hazardous cargo was salvaged shortly after the sinking, making the wreck safe to explore. Its size and preservation make it a memorable dive in the clear waters of the Kornati National Park.
Nearest Dive Centres to BRIGITTA MONTANARI
Dive shops near BRIGITTA MONTANARI
Moana
Fundiving
Tramonto
Coronata
Aquanaut Diving Centar Murter
"AQUANAUT"
Reviews for BRIGITTA MONTANARI
Conditions
Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for BRIGITTA MONTANARI
BRIGITTA MONTANARI Ocean Conditions
Monthly averages for BRIGITTA MONTANARI, sourced from Open-Meteo marine data + Copernicus Marine (EU) - nearest station: Open-Meteo marine grid (43.77, 15.33) (2km away)
October Averages
Sea Temperature
21°C
71°F · Range: 18.7–23.3°C
Current Speed
5 cm/s
Direction: NW (306.9°)
Salinity
39 PSU
Based on 4 years of monitoring data · Data sources: Open-Meteo marine data + Copernicus Marine (EU)
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