ANNUNZIATA MADRE
Protected Area
Oasi blu di Monte Orlando
Why dive here
With 136+ marine species recorded in the area - including blue sharks, hammerhead sharks, mobula rays (devil rays), octopuses and sea turtles - ANNUNZIATA MADRE offers some of Naples & Campania's richest wreck diving.
The Annunziata Madre is a proper dive, a deep slice of history sitting quietly on the seabed. She was a merchant ship, torpedoed in 1943 during WWII, and her stern is still largely intact, upright in the sand at 14 metres. We love how accessible she is, even for newer divers getting their first taste of wreck diving. You can swim through the main cargo hold, a wide-open space now home to schools of glinting damselfish and the occasional inquisitive octopus peering from the shadows. The bow section is more broken up, scattered debris forming mini-reefs where we’ve often spotted colourful nudibranchs grazing. The light filters down beautifully on a sunny day, illuminating the wreck's skeletal structure. It’s not a drift dive, just a gentle exploration, giving you time to really absorb the atmosphere. We'd suggest aiming for a calm morning; visibility can drop after a strong southerly wind, but generally, it's clear enough to appreciate the scale.
Typical ANNUNZIATA MADRE Dive Profile
Illustrative profile based on site depth and type. Actual dive profiles vary - always follow your dive computer and training.
Safety Notes
Wreck site - avoid penetration without wreck diving certification. Watch for sharp metal and entanglement hazards.
Always perform a 3-minute safety stop at 5m before surfacing.
ANNUNZIATA MADRE Wreck History
Vessel Type
fishing vessel
Cause
unknown
Resting in the shallow, historic waters of the Gulf of Naples, the Annunziata Madre is an accessible and intriguing dive. While the specific history of this vessel and the cause of its sinking have been lost to time, its designation as a 'dangerous wreck' on nautical charts tells a story of its own-that a significant structure remains, posing a hazard to surface traffic but creating a perfect habitat for marine life. At a comfortable depth of just 14 meters, the wreck is ideal for novice wreck divers and photographers looking for a site with ample bottom time and natural light.
Divers exploring the Annunziata Madre will find the scattered but recognizable remains of what was likely a local fishing or small cargo vessel. Over the years, the Mediterranean has claimed the wreck, transforming its metal bones into a thriving artificial reef. Expect to see schools of damselfish, curious octopuses hiding in crevices, and colorful nudibranchs making their way across the encrusted superstructure. It serves as a beautiful reminder of how the sea constantly reclaims and repurposes the man-made world.
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Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for ANNUNZIATA MADRE
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