Canadair Wreck - Corsica

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.

Location
Corsica, France, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
42.101933, 8.686934
Type
wreck

Wreck History - Canadair Wreck

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.

Marine Protected Area: Zones de quiétude du Balbuzard pêcheur

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 Canadair 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 Canadair 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