wreck

Log This Dive

Le moteur d avion

Le moteur d'avion is one of those sites we always make time for when we're diving out of Marseille. It’s not a massive wreck, but the story behind it, and how it’s settled, make it really special. You're diving on the remains of a German Junkers 88 bomber, shot down in 1944. The main attraction is the engine, remarkably intact, resting on a sandy bottom at around 30 metres. We love the way the light filters down, illuminating the details of the twisted metal. Schools of damselfish shimmer around the propeller blades, and moray eels often peer out from nooks and crannies within the engine block. It’s an easy dive, perfect for advanced open water divers who appreciate a bit of history with their marine life. Our favourite moment is always circling the engine, imagining the plane in flight before settling into its final resting place. We’d suggest going in the morning; the visibility tends to be at its best then, before the afternoon boat traffic stirs things up.