BRIONI
Protected Area
JI strana o. Visa
Why dive here
With 138+ marine species recorded in the area - including dolphins, octopuses, sea turtles and cuttlefish - BRIONI offers some of Vis & Biševo's richest wreck diving.
We've spent a fair bit of time on the wrecks around Vis, and the Brioni steamship is one that really sticks with you. She’s a passenger and cargo vessel, an Austro-Hungarian steamship, sunk way back in 1917, and now she sits upright at a comfortable 20 metres. That depth makes her incredibly accessible, perfect for divers who are newer to wreck diving or just want a relaxed exploration without the pressure of deeper profiles. Our favourite thing about the Brioni is how intact she feels. You can swim along her decks, peer into the holds, and really get a sense of her scale. Sunlight filters down, illuminating schools of small fish that dart through the deck openings, and we’ve often found conger eels tucked away in the darker corners. The prop is still there, a great spot for photos, and the bow section has a real presence, jutting out into the blue. There’s a quietness to the site, a feeling of history preserved, that we find genuinely captivating. Come here on a calm morning, and you’ll have great visibility to really appreciate her.
Typical BRIONI 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 20m - 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.
BRIONI Wreck History
Year Sunk
1943
Vessel Type
passenger ship
Cause
aircraft
The SS Brioni was a small Italian passenger ship that operated along the scenic Dalmatian coast, ferrying people and goods between the many islands and coastal towns. Her civilian career was cut short by World War II. Following the Italian armistice in September 1943, German forces seized control of the region and pressed many local vessels, including the Brioni, into military service for transporting troops and equipment.
In early 1943, while operating near the strategically important island of Vis, the Brioni was spotted by Allied air patrols. A squadron of British Royal Air Force Beaufighters swooped in to attack. The small steamship stood little chance against the heavily armed aircraft and was quickly sunk, becoming another casualty in the intense battle for control of the Adriatic supply lines.
Today, the Brioni is one of Croatia's most beloved wrecks, resting perfectly upright on a sandy bottom at a maximum depth of 20 meters. Its shallow depth and excellent condition make it an ideal dive for all skill levels. The wooden superstructure has long since rotted away, revealing the ship's inner framework and creating fantastic swim-throughs. The wreck acts as a thriving artificial reef, teeming with fish, conger eels, and scorpionfish, offering a perfect blend of history and marine biology.
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