ATHENSBURG - Alonissos Marine Park

We’re big fans of the Athensburg, a carrier vessel that went down in ’73. It’s a proper ship, 78 metres long, lying upright on the seabed at 20 metres, which makes it pretty accessible. The structure itself is still largely intact. You can swim into the cargo holds, where the light shafts down through the open decks – it’s a bit eerie, but in a good way, and the sense of history is palpable. What makes this wreck special, for us, is the way the Mediterranean has completely taken it over. Schools of barracuda hang off the bow, almost blending in with the rusted metal. Inside the holds, you'll spot moray eels tucked into every crevice, and the walls are fuzzy with vibrant sponges and tube worms. It’s a great dive for anyone keen on wreck penetration without extreme depths, and the marine life adds a fantastic bonus. Our tip: go in the morning; the light penetration into the holds is best then.

Location
Alonissos Marine Park, Greece, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
38.815666, 23.516000
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
20m

Wreck History - ATHENSBURG

Year Sunk
1973
Vessel Type
cargo ship
Cause
grounding
Tonnage
1,999 GRT

Launched in Lübeck, Germany, in 1953 as the 'Bilbao', this classic mid-century cargo carrier spent two decades plying trade routes under various names. In 1972, she was purchased by the Hercules Shipping Corporation and renamed Athensburg. Her new career would be short-lived.

In January 1973, while on a passage from Piraeus, the Athensburg encountered severe weather. On January 14, she struck a reef and foundered just off the coast of Alonissos island. The crew was safely rescued, but the ship was a total loss, sinking to the seabed where she remains today.

The Athensburg now lies on a sandy bottom at a depth of 20 metres, making her a perfect and highly accessible wreck dive within the Alonissos Marine Park. The vessel is upright and largely intact, allowing for easy and enjoyable exploration of her decks, cargo holds, and superstructure. The clear Aegean water and abundant marine life have turned this 20th-century freighter into a beautiful artificial reef, popular with divers of all levels.

Marine Protected Area: THALASSIA PERIOCHI KAI YFALOI VOREIOANATOLIKIS EVVOIAS

Best Time to Dive in Alonissos Marine Park

The warmest water temperatures in Alonissos Marine Park occur in August, averaging 27.2°C. The coolest conditions are in February at 13.9°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

  • January: 14.5°C
  • February: 13.9°C
  • March: 14.2°C
  • April: 15.4°C
  • May: 18.7°C
  • June: 23.5°C
  • July: 26.5°C
  • August: 27.2°C
  • September: 25.3°C
  • October: 22.8°C
  • November: 19.9°C
  • December: 16.9°C

Nearby Dive Sites in Alonissos Marine Park

Nearest Dive Centres to ATHENSBURG

Marine Life in Alonissos Marine Park

Home to 16 recorded species including 3 whales & dolphins, 3 reef fish, 2 other, 2 hard corals, 2 crabs & lobsters, 1 seagrass & algae.

Notable Species

Recommended Packing List for ATHENSBURG

Based on average water temperature of 19.9°C, currents 3 cm/s.

  • Wetsuit (3-5mm) - comfortable for 20°C water
  • 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