Novi Wreck - Marseille & Calanques

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.

Location: Marseille & Calanques, France, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates: 43.269600, 5.327933
Type: wreck

Marine Protected Area: Iles du frioul

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)

Nearest Dive Centres to Novi Wreck

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

Mediterranean tapeweed (Posidonia oceanica) - Seagrass & Algae
Moonfish (Mola mola) - Reef Fish
Blue-white Dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba) - Whales & Dolphins
hake (Merluccius merluccius) - Reef Fish
Atlantic Spotted Flounder (Citharus linguatula) - Reef Fish
grey gurnard (Eutrigla gurnardus) - Reef Fish
Capelin (Trisopterus capelanus) - Reef Fish
Thornback skate (Raja clavata) - Sharks & Rays
dogfish (Scyliorhinus canicula) - Sharks & Rays
Black-bellied angler (Lophius budegassa) - Reef Fish
conger (Conger conger) - Reef Fish
Soldier (Chelidonichthys cuculus) - Reef Fish
Red coral (Corallium rubrum) - Soft Corals
Mullet (Mullus barbatus) - Reef Fish
Pollock (Trachurus trachurus) - Reef Fish
Jac (Helicolenus dactylopterus) - Reef Fish
lesser argentine (Argentina sphyraena) - Reef Fish
Gurnard (Trigla lyra) - Reef Fish
Cowfish (Tursiops truncatus) - Whales & Dolphins
Red Band-fish (Cepola macrophthalma) - Reef Fish

Recommended Packing List for Novi Wreck

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