Canadair Wreck

Best months: Jul–Aug

Protected Area

Zones de quiétude du Balbuzard pêcheur

Why dive here

With 213+ marine species recorded in the area - including blue sharks, dolphins, great white sharks, hammerhead sharks and mobula rays (devil rays) - Canadair Wreck offers some of Corsica's richest wreck diving. Water ranges 15-28°C, warmest July, August, September.

Best timeJul–Aug

WetsuitA 3mm shorty or thin full wetsuit

Marine lifeBlue Sharks, Dolphins, Great White Sharks, Hammerhead Sharks and Mobula Rays (Devil Rays) · 213+ species recorded

Water15-28°C · warmest July, August, September

CharacterWreck dive · max 15-30m

StandoutExceptional marine biodiversity

The Canadair wreck is a compelling dive, a plane brought down during a firefighting mission in 1980. It sits in two main sections, a ghostly reminder of a dramatic event. We love dropping onto the fuselage first; the cockpit is still mostly intact, and you can imagine the final moments. The wings are draped over the seabed, creating overhangs and little nooks that make for great exploring. What really sells this site for us is the way marine life has claimed it. Sunset cup corals burst with orange against the metal, a stark contrast. We’ve spotted devil fish darting in and out of the broken fuselage and often find large schools of barracuda circling the tail section. It’s a site that feels alive despite its tragic history, a real magnet for Mediterranean species. The wreck isn't too deep, making it accessible for advanced open water divers, though we’d suggest good buoyancy control to avoid kicking up silt inside. It’s an easy boat dive, usually calm, and best enjoyed in the late morning when the light penetrates nicely into the wreck’s interior.

Typical Canadair Wreck 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.

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Canadair Wreck Wreck History

Vessel Type

aircraft

Cause

unknown

Shrouded in mystery, the 'Canadair Wreck' is a unique and captivating dive site in the clear blue waters of Corsica. While specific historical details about the crash are scarce, the name strongly points to it being a Canadair CL-215 or CL-415, the iconic amphibious water-bomber aircraft famous throughout the Mediterranean for fighting forest fires. These aircraft are a common sight in the skies above Corsica, and it's believed this one met a tragic end during one of its missions.

For divers, this site offers a dramatic change from a typical shipwreck. Instead of a ship's hull and decks, you are greeted by the unmistakable shape of an airplane. Depending on the wreckage, divers can explore the fuselage, the broad wingspan, and the powerful radial engines that once roared through the sky. The lightweight structure of the aircraft creates a fascinating and photogenic underwater playground, now encrusted with marine growth and home to local fish species seeking shelter within its metallic frame.