P-47 Thunderbolt - Corsica
The P-47 Thunderbolt off Corsica isn't just a dive, it's a history lesson suspended in the big blue. This isn't a wreck you penetrate, but the sheer scale of the aircraft spread across the seabed is impressive. We love tracing the wing outlines, imagining the moments just before it went down. You’ll find the engine separated, a poignant detail, and the fuselage largely intact, though the years have started to soften its edges. What makes this Thunderbolt special is how the Mediterranean has adopted it. Schools of damselfish shimmer around the cockpit, and we’ve spotted moray eels peeking from beneath the wings more than once. The ambient light here is often stunning, filtering down through the relatively shallow water, casting shadows that make the wreck feel even more ethereal. It’s a site that suits experienced divers who appreciate military history and a contemplative dive. Our tip: go on a calm day, the visibility then is usually at its best, letting you take in the full scene from a distance before you get up close.
- Location
- Corsica, France, Mediterranean & Europe
- Coordinates
- 42.746918, 9.467617
- Type
- wreck
Marine Protected Area: Cap Corse Et Agriate
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
- A-20 Havoc, plane wreck - 21m (wreck)
- A Casaïola - 13m (reef)
- ADERNO - 55m (wreck)
- AFRICHELLE - 45m (wreck)
- Aile - 19m
- ALBERI (POSSIBLY) - 12m (wreck)
- Aquarium - 19m
- B-17 Bomber Wreck - 24-29m (wreck)
- Bagheera - 9m
- BAGLIETTO (PROBABLY) - 5m (wreck)
- Banc provencal - 40m
- Barakouda Diving Centre
- Benguigui
- BETTOLINA (POSSIBLY) - 12m (wreck)
- Cala dei Santi - 23m
Nearest Dive Centres to P-47 Thunderbolt
- ACQUASPORT di Mazzi Stefano & C.S.n.c.
- A PIAGHJA DIVING CALVI - SSI, PADI
- Aquanautic Elba - SSI
- ARGENTARIO DIVERS SRL - PADI, SSI, UTD
- ARGENTARIO - OBI DIVING
- A.S.D. AMICI DI NEMO - SSI
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
- Mediterranean tapeweed (Posidonia oceanica) - Seagrass & Algae
- Blue-white Dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba) - Whales & Dolphins
- Dusky grouper (Epinephelus marginatus) - Reef Fish
- Moonfish (Mola mola) - Reef Fish
- Cowfish (Tursiops truncatus) - Whales & Dolphins
- Razorback (Balaenoptera physalus) - Whales & Dolphins
- Corb (Sciaena umbra) - Reef Fish
- Scarlet Coral (Balanophyllia (Balanophyllia) europaea) - Hard Corals
- Bushy Coral (Cladocora caespitosa) - Hard Corals
- Wrasse (Coris julis) - Reef Fish
- Damsel fish (Chromis chromis) - Reef Fish
- Red coral (Corallium rubrum) - Soft Corals
- Blotched Picarel (Spicara maena) - Reef Fish
- Bogue (Boops boops) - Reef Fish
- Sunset cup coral (Leptopsammia pruvoti) - Hard Corals
- Painted Comber (Serranus scriba) - Reef Fish
- Ornate Wrasse (Thalassoma pavo) - Reef Fish
- Devil fish (Mobula mobular) - Sharks & Rays
- loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta)
- Salema (Sarpa salpa) - Reef Fish
Recommended Packing List for P-47 Thunderbolt
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