ARMANT

Best months: Aug–Oct

Why dive here

With 52+ marine species recorded in the area - including sea turtles and sperm whales - ARMANT offers some of Larnaca's richest wreck diving. Water ranges 18-30°C, warmest July, August, September.

Best timeAug–Oct

WetsuitA 3mm shorty or thin full wetsuit

Marine lifeSea Turtles and Sperm Whales · 52+ species recorded

Water18-30°C · warmest July, August, September

CharacterWreck dive · max 14m

steam ship vessel. sunk 19790112. BUILT 1948 BY W GRAY & CO. LTD., HARTLEPOOL. OWNED AT TIME OF LOSS BY THE EGYPTIAN NAVIGATION CO. SANK IN MERSIN ROADS AFTER A FIRE. VESSEL HAD BEEN LOADING COTTON BOUND FOR VENICE & TRIES. Dimensions: 102.3m x 14.4m. Classification: Dangerous wreck.

Typical ARMANT Dive Profile

Illustrative profile based on site depth and type. Actual dive profiles vary - always follow your dive computer and training.

Safety Notes

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.

Today05:4517:1211h 27m daylightGolden hour 16:37

ARMANT Wreck History

Year Sunk

1979

Vessel Type

cargo ship

Cause

fire

Tonnage

1,847 GRT

The SS Armant was a post-war steamship built in 1948 in Hartlepool, UK, for the Egyptian Navigation Company. Her final, fateful voyage began in January 1979 in Mersin, Turkey, where she was taking on a highly flammable cargo of cotton. A fire broke out deep within her holds, and despite efforts to control it, the blaze became an inferno, sealing the ship's fate. She subsequently sank in the Mersin Roads.

The story doesn't end there. The wreck was later re-floated and towed to Cyprus, where it eventually sank again just outside Larnaca. Today, the Armant lies in just 14 metres of water, making it a fantastic and accessible dive for all levels, including beginners. The shallow depth allows for long, relaxed bottom times and provides excellent natural light for underwater photographers. Divers can easily explore the ship's structure, peering into the holds that once carried the cargo that led to her demise.