CONTI MINI (PROBABLY) - Dodecanese

Look, if you’re coming to the Dodecanese specifically for the *Conti Mini*, you’re probably going to be a bit disappointed. This isn’t a deep wreck, or even a proper wreck in the traditional sense. It’s a rusted motor vessel, beached in shallow water near Rhodes. We're talking a maximum depth of 1 metre, so you’ll be snorkelling, not diving. But we love it for what it is: an accessible, fascinating piece of recent history. The *Conti Mini* was arrested with illegal immigrants onboard, left in disrepair, and eventually beached. You can see the hull breaking the surface, a stark, rusty skeleton against the blue. It’s a poignant sight, and surprisingly photogenic, especially at golden hour. We’d suggest bringing a good wide-angle lens for surface shots, capturing that dramatic contrast of decay and light. Around the hull, we’ve spotted small shoals of juvenile fish darting amongst the barnacles and algae, and we’ve even seen a few octopus tucked into crevices. It’s perfect for a relaxed afternoon exploring, maybe with kids, offering a different kind of underwater experience that’s more about contemplation than coral.

Location: Dodecanese, Greece, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates: 36.441334, 28.236166
Type: wreck
Maximum Depth: 1m

Marine Protected Area: Kremastis - Paradeisiou Dimou Petaloudon Nisou Rodou

Best Time to Dive in Dodecanese

The warmest water temperatures in Dodecanese occur in August, averaging 28.7°C. The coolest conditions are in March at 17.0°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

January: 18.6°C
February: 17.4°C
March: 17.0°C
April: 17.8°C
May: 20.3°C
June: 23.2°C
July: 26.5°C
August: 28.7°C
September: 27.7°C
October: 25.5°C
November: 23.5°C
December: 21.1°C

Nearest Dive Centres to CONTI MINI (PROBABLY)

Marine Life in Dodecanese

Home to 26 recorded species including 8 reef fish, 4 whales & dolphins, 3 other, 3 seagrass & algae, 2 sea snails & nudibranchs, 2 hard corals.

Notable Species

loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta)
Red lionfish (Pterois miles) - Reef Fish
Marbled Spinefoot (Siganus rivulatus) - Reef Fish
Silver-cheeked Toadfish (Lagocephalus sceleratus) - Reef Fish
Long-spined sea urchin (Diadema setosum) - Sea Urchins
Redcoat (Sargocentron rubrum) - Reef Fish
Studded Pufferfish (Torquigener flavimaculosus) - Reef Fish
Species code: Hs (Halophila stipulacea) - Seagrass & Algae
Blue-white Dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba) - Whales & Dolphins
Blue Crab (Callinectes sapidus) - Crabs & Lobsters
Mediterranean tapeweed (Posidonia oceanica) - Seagrass & Algae
Cowfish (Tursiops truncatus) - Whales & Dolphins
Sperm Whale (Physeter macrocephalus) - Whales & Dolphins
Goldband Goatfish (Upeneus moluccensis) - Reef Fish
Slender Seagrass (Cymodocea nodosa) - Seagrass & Algae
Common brittlestar (Ophiothrix fragilis)
Three-tooth Cavoline (Cavolinia tridentata) - Sea Snails & Nudibranchs
Black coral (Antipathes dichotoma) - Hard Corals
Black coral (Leiopathes glaberrima) - Hard Corals
Abalone (Haliotis tuberculata) - Sea Snails & Nudibranchs

Recommended Packing List for CONTI MINI (PROBABLY)

Based on average water temperature of 22.3°C, currents 8 cm/s.

Wetsuit (3-5mm) - comfortable for 22°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