Coal Wreck - Kornati Islands
The Coal Wreck in the Kornati Islands is one of those sites we always come back to. Not because it’s a deep, challenging technical dive, but because it’s just so… accessible. Resting at a comfortable 26 metres, it’s a perfect introduction to wreck diving for beginners, or a relaxing second dive for anyone. You’re looking at the remains of a small cargo ship, believed to be sunk during World War II. The timbers are long gone, but the hull frames, engine block, and a scattering of coal provide a fascinating skeleton. We love poking around the mangled metal, imagining the final moments of this old coaster. What makes it special are the surprises you find tucked into the nooks. Schools of small damselfish shimmer around the frames, and moray eels often peer out from under the collapsed plates. We’ve seen quite a few lobsters here too, tucked deep within the structure. For such a relatively shallow wreck, it really holds your attention. Our favourite time to dive it is late morning, when the sun penetrates the water at just the right angle, illuminating the ghostly remains.
- Location
- Kornati Islands, Croatia, Mediterranean & Europe
- Coordinates
- 43.564000, 15.878400
- Type
- wreck
- Maximum Depth
- 26m
- Difficulty
- Beginner
Marine Protected Area: Uvala Grebaštica
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
- Alains cliff - 15-40m (wall)
- Amfiteatre dive - 25m
- Anchor dive
- "AQUANAUT" - 15-40m (cave)
- Aquanaut Diving Centar Murter - 5-30m (wall)
- Arta Vala
- AVALA - 10m (wreck)
- Babuljasi
- Balun
- Big Blue Diving - 20-40m (wall)
- Blue Lagoon - 14m (reef)
- Božava Diving - 10-30m (reef)
- Brbišćica - 10-25m (cave)
- Brbiscica Cave - 10-30m (cave)
- BRIGITTA MONTANARI - 30m (wreck)
Nearest Dive Centres to Coal Wreck
- Albamaris - SSI
- Ancora
- Anma Diving center - SSI, PADI
- Aqualis Diving Center Hvar - PADI, SSI
- "AQUANAUT"
- Aquanaut Diving Centar Murter
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
- hake (Merluccius merluccius) - Reef Fish
- pilchard (Sardina pilchardus) - Reef Fish
- anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus) - Reef Fish
- Capelin (Trisopterus capelanus) - Reef Fish
- Painted Comber (Serranus scriba) - Reef Fish
- blue whiting (Micromesistius poutassou) - Reef Fish
- Bogue (Boops boops) - Reef Fish
- Norway Lobster (Nephrops norvegicus) - Crabs & Lobsters
- lesser argentine (Argentina sphyraena) - Reef Fish
- Mullet (Mullus barbatus) - Reef Fish
- dogfish (Scyliorhinus canicula) - Sharks & Rays
- Thornback skate (Raja clavata) - Sharks & Rays
- megrim (Lepidorhombus whiffiagonis) - Reef Fish
- Split (Scomber scombrus) - Reef Fish
- Gurnard (Trigla lyra) - Reef Fish
- dory (Zeus faber) - Reef Fish
- common cuttlefish (Sepia officinalis) - Octopus & Squid
- Common octopus (Octopus vulgaris) - Octopus & Squid
- Frie's Goby (Lesueurigobius friesii) - Reef Fish
- Wrasse (Coris julis) - Reef Fish
Recommended Packing List for Coal Wreck
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