Marseille & Calanques, France
    Iles du frioul

    Novi Wreck

    Best months: Aug

    Protected Area

    Iles du frioul

    Why dive here

    With 157+ marine species recorded in the area - including blue sharks, dolphins, dwarf minke whales, humpback whales and mobula rays (devil rays) - Novi Wreck offers some of Marseille & Calanques's richest wreck diving. Water ranges 14-25°C, warmest July, August, September.

    Best timeAug
    WetsuitA 3mm shorty or thin full wetsuit
    Marine lifeBlue Sharks, Dolphins, Dwarf Minke Whales, Humpback Whales and Mobula Rays (Devil Rays) · 157+ species recorded
    Water14-25°C · warmest July, August, September
    CharacterWreck dive
    StandoutExceptional marine biodiversity

    The Novi Wreck. Ah, the Novi. She’s one of those dives that sticks with you, even if you’ve explored countless wrecks. We've spent many hours finning along her length, and she’s a standout for good reason. Lying between 25 and 30 metres, the Novi is a classic Mediterranean freighter, sunk during the Second World War. What makes her special isn’t just the history, though that’s palpable when you brush a hand along her rusted hull. It’s the way she lies, upright and mostly intact, offering a genuine sense of exploring a ship rather than just a pile of metal. You can spend a whole dive just on the bow section, peering into the collapsed holds where schools of glinting silversides hang, creating shimmering curtains of fish. Our favourite part? Definitely the stern. The propellers are still there, massive and barnacle-encrusted, providing shelter for moray eels and the occasional inquisitive octopus. The light here, especially on a sunny afternoon, filters through the water in shafts, illuminating the sponges and gorgonians that have started to colonise the metalwork. Visibility can swing wildly here, like much of the Med. We’d suggest aiming for a calm morning after a few days of settled weather; that’s when the water turns that deep, clear blue and the wreck truly reveals itself. Strong currents aren't usually an issue, making her a really enjoyable dive for advanced open water divers looking for a proper wreck experience without too much challenge. Just watch your bottom time; it’s easy to get lost in the details.

    Safety Notes

    Wreck site - avoid penetration without wreck diving certification. Watch for sharp metal and entanglement hazards.

    Today05:4817:0411h 17m daylightGolden hour 16:26

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    Conditions

    Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for Novi Wreck

    Novi Wreck Ocean Conditions

    Monthly averages for Novi Wreck, sourced from Open-Meteo marine data - nearest station: Open-Meteo marine grid (43.11, 5.89) (32km away)

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    October Averages

    Sea Temperature

    21°C

    69°F · Range: 15.7–23.1°C

    Air Temperature

    18°C

    64°F

    Wind Speed

    6.69 m/s

    13.0 knots

    Atmospheric Pressure

    1016.9 hPa

    Based on 4 years of monitoring data · Data sources: Open-Meteo marine data

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