ANNE BEWA - Marseille & Calanques

The *Anne Bewa* is a bit of a story, a cargo ship that caught fire back in '71, carrying everything from chemicals to cars before she was beached off Cap Cepet. What we love about this one is the atmosphere. It’s shallow, only ever reaching ten metres, which makes it perfect for a long, relaxed dive, really letting you soak in the details. We’re talking about exploring a surprisingly intact wreck here, a ghostly structure on the seabed. You can poke around the remains of the holds, imagining the chaos of that fire. The light penetration is excellent at this depth, catching the metallic sheen of the hull and illuminating the schools of damselfish that dart through the structure. For such a shallow site, it really pulls you in. Our pick for a second, easy dive when you want something more than just reef.

Location
Marseille & Calanques, France, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
43.067333, 5.947333
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
10m

Wreck History - ANNE BEWA

Year Sunk
1971
Vessel Type
cargo ship
Cause
fire
Tonnage
1,185 GRT

The ANNE BEWA was a modern Danish motor freighter on a routine voyage from Marseille, France, to Alexandria, Egypt, in August 1971. Her holds were packed with a diverse mix of general cargo that included paper, chemicals, and, most notably, brand-new motor cars. Shortly after leaving port, a fire was discovered raging in the number one hold. Despite the crew's best efforts, the blaze, fueled by the flammable cargo, quickly grew out of control.

Faced with a potential catastrophe, the captain made the difficult decision to intentionally beach the vessel near Cap Cépet to prevent her from sinking in a busy shipping lane and to give firefighters a chance to save her. The attempt was ultimately futile. The fire consumed the forward section of the ship, and after being declared a constructive total loss, she was abandoned to the sea, eventually breaking in two and sinking just offshore.

Resting in a mere 10 meters of water, the ANNE BEWA is now one of the most popular and accessible wrecks in the Marseille region. Its shallow depth and typically calm Mediterranean conditions make it an ideal site for novice wreck divers, photographers, and night dives. The wreck is broken into several sections, allowing for easy exploration of the holds where divers can still see the skeletal chassis of the cars she was carrying. The structure is covered in colorful sponges and is home to a rich variety of marine life, including moray eels, octopus, and schools of damselfish.

Marine Protected Area: Cap Sicie - Six Fours

Best Time to Dive in Marseille & Calanques

The warmest water temperatures in Marseille & Calanques 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: 8.8°C)
  • February: 13.9°C (air: 10.5°C)
  • March: 13.9°C (air: 11.6°C)
  • April: 13.9°C (air: 13.8°C)
  • May: 13.9°C (air: 17.8°C)
  • June: 13.9°C (air: 22.3°C)
  • July: 13.9°C (air: 24.9°C)
  • August: 13.9°C (air: 24.7°C)
  • September: 13.9°C (air: 21.3°C)
  • October: 13.9°C (air: 17.8°C)
  • November: 13.9°C (air: 13.2°C)
  • December: 13.9°C (air: 9.9°C)

Nearby Dive Sites in Marseille & Calanques

Nearest Dive Centres to ANNE BEWA

Marine Life in Marseille & Calanques

Home to 163 recorded species including 101 reef fish, 17 sharks & rays, 10 whales & dolphins, 6 crabs & lobsters, 6 octopus & squid, 5 hard corals.

Notable Species

Recommended Packing List for ANNE BEWA

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