KASTEL LUANDA - Naples & Campania

The Kastel Luanda, just off Ponza Island, is our pick for a proper Mediterranean wreck dive. She’s a carrier vessel, built in Trieste in '57, went down in heavy weather in '74. She’s a big girl, 71 meters long, sitting upright and mostly intact at 20 meters. We love how the light plays on her deck in the morning, creating these shifting patterns as you swim along her superstructure. Dropping onto the stern, you can explore the holds, which are often swarming with schools of barracuda. Inside, it's dark and cavernous, but completely safe for penetration if you've got the training. Look out for moray eels tucked into the crevices of the engine room. We’ve even seen octopus here, flattened against the rust, perfectly camouflaged. The bow section has collapsed a bit, but that's where you find some impressive gorgonian corals. This is a brilliant site for wreck enthusiasts or anyone looking for a substantial dive with some history, particularly on a calm day. The current can pick up, so check conditions.

Location

Naples & Campania, Italy, Mediterranean & Europe

Coordinates

40.950000, 13.033333

Type

wreck

Maximum Depth

20m

Marine Protected Area: Fondali circostanti l'Isola di Zannone