wreck

Log This Dive

PHILIPPOS D

The Philippos D is less a dive and more a fascinating snorkel, but don’t let that put you off. This grounded motor vessel, beached in 1982 after developing leaks, offers a rare chance to get up close and personal with a substantial wreck without needing to even get your hair wet. We love drifting over the enormous hull, which sits just shy of the surface, its vastness making you feel tiny even from above. The ship's skeletal remains are a playground for light. Sunlight filters through the gaps in the deck, illuminating schools of small silvery fish darting in and out of the rusted metal. You’ll see sea bream nosing around the collapsed sections and iridescent damselfish guarding their territories. Our favourite detail is the way the metal has warped, creating these strange, organic shapes that are now completely encrusted with algae and the odd anemone. It’s an easy, rewarding stop, perfect for a surface interval or for anyone who appreciates the eerie beauty of a shipwreck colonised by the sea. Just watch for boat traffic if you’re venturing out a bit.