B-17 Bomber Wreck - Corsica

The B-17 in Calvi Bay is easily our favourite Corsican wreck. We've dived it many times, and it never fails to impress. It’s a genuine piece of history, a Flying Fortress resting upright on the sandy seabed at 27m. You drop down, and suddenly, the distinct silhouette of a bomber takes shape, remarkably intact, with its wings spread and the fuselage largely complete. Swimming around it, you can make out the cockpit area and gun turrets, a poignant reminder of its wartime past. There’s a certain eeriness to it, but also a quiet beauty as the Mediterranean has reclaimed it. Cardinal fish dart through the bomb bay, and we’ve often spotted scorpionfish camouflaged on the fuselage. Green wrasse flit over the wings, and occasionally, you'll see a rough pitar burrowed into the sand nearby. It's an intermediate dive, straightforward enough for those comfortable at depth, but with enough character to keep experienced wreck divers happy. Visibility is usually excellent, often 20m plus, so you get a full view of the bomber from a distance before you descend onto it. We always recommend getting there early to avoid the afternoon boat traffic, it makes for a much more peaceful dive.

Location
Corsica, France, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
42.560000, 8.740000
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
24-29m
Difficulty
Intermediate

Wreck History - B-17 Bomber Wreck

Year Sunk
1944
Vessel Type
aircraft
Cause
unknown

The Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress was one of the most iconic heavy bombers of World War II, renowned for its ability to sustain heavy damage and still bring its crew home. This particular B-17 was returning from a bombing raid on February 14, 1944, when it was crippled by enemy fire. With one engine out and another failing, the pilot, 2nd Lt. Roswell F. Hoskings, realized he couldn't make it back to base. He skillfully performed a controlled water landing in the calm, protected Bay of Calvi, allowing all ten crew members to escape safely before the aircraft sank beneath the waves.

Today, the B-17 rests upright on a sandy seabed at a depth of around 27 meters, making it one of the most famous and best-preserved aircraft wrecks in the Mediterranean. The visibility is often superb, revealing the bomber in stunning detail. Divers can explore the remarkably intact cockpit, gaze out through the plexiglass nose cone, and swim along the enormous 32-meter wingspan, where the four powerful engines are still in place. The wreck is a poignant memorial to the aircrews of WWII and an unforgettable dive experience.

Marine Protected Area: Vallée du Fango

Best Time to Dive in Corsica

The warmest water temperatures in Corsica occur in January, averaging 13.9°C. The coolest conditions are in December at 13.9°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

  • January: 13.9°C (air: 9.4°C)
  • February: 13.9°C (air: 10.7°C)
  • March: 13.9°C (air: 11.2°C)
  • April: 13.9°C (air: 13.4°C)
  • May: 13.9°C (air: 17.4°C)
  • June: 13.9°C (air: 22.3°C)
  • July: 13.9°C (air: 25.5°C)
  • August: 13.9°C (air: 25.3°C)
  • September: 13.9°C (air: 21.6°C)
  • October: 13.9°C (air: 17.9°C)
  • November: 13.9°C (air: 13.8°C)
  • December: 13.9°C (air: 10.8°C)

Nearby Dive Sites in Corsica

Nearest Dive Centres to B-17 Bomber Wreck

Marine Life in Corsica

Home to 225 recorded species including 146 reef fish, 35 sharks & rays, 9 seagrass & algae, 8 whales & dolphins, 8 other, 5 hard corals.

Notable Species

Recommended Packing List for B-17 Bomber Wreck

Based on average water temperature of 13.9°C.

  • Wetsuit (5-7mm) - recommended for 14°C water
  • Hood & Gloves (3-5mm) - helps retain warmth
  • 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