BRIGITTA MONTANARI - Kornati Islands

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.

Location
Kornati Islands, Croatia, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
43.700000, 15.683333
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
30m

Wreck History - BRIGITTA MONTANARI

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.

Marine Protected Area: Kakanski kanal

Best Time to Dive in Kornati Islands

The warmest water temperatures in Kornati Islands occur in August, averaging 25.6°C. The coolest conditions are in March at 14.1°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

  • January: 15.3°C
  • February: 14.3°C
  • March: 14.1°C
  • April: 14.7°C
  • May: 17.6°C
  • June: 21.8°C
  • July: 24.7°C
  • August: 25.6°C
  • September: 24.0°C
  • October: 21.4°C
  • November: 19.5°C
  • December: 17.1°C

Nearby Dive Sites in Kornati Islands

Nearest Dive Centres to BRIGITTA MONTANARI

Marine Life in Kornati Islands

Home to 91 recorded species including 64 reef fish, 10 sharks & rays, 6 octopus & squid, 3 crabs & lobsters, 3 other, 3 hard corals.

Notable Species

Recommended Packing List for BRIGITTA MONTANARI

Based on average water temperature of 19.2°C, currents 3 cm/s.

  • Wetsuit (3-5mm) - comfortable for 19°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