wreck

Log This Dive

JOLLY GIALLO

The Jolly Giallo isn’t some deep, technical dive, and that’s precisely why we love it. This old ferry, which ran aground south of Bastia back in '74, now sits in a mere 10 metres of water. It’s perfect for a relaxed dive, especially when a Mistral has kicked up a fuss offshore and you’re looking for something sheltered. What you get is a big, broken-up wreck, a real playground of twisted metal and shadows. Sunlight dapples through the shallower sections, highlighting the rust-coloured hull, and the way the superstructure has collapsed creates lots of nooks to poke your head into. We always find the scale impressive, even in pieces. The bow section is particularly intact and feels quite eerie as you swim along its deck. It’s home now to schools of juvenile barracuda, glinting silver as they dart through the gaps, and often some decent-sized dusky groupers lurking in the darker corners. You’ll spot nudibranchs grazing on the algae, and octopuses are surprisingly common, tucked away in the crevices. It’s a photographer's dream for wide-angle shots with that shallow light. A genuinely rewarding dive, and a brilliant spot for newer wreck divers or anyone who just wants to enjoy a longer bottom time without the pressure of depth.