Airplane Wreck WWII - Portofino & Liguria

There’s something about a plane wreck that just hits differently than a ship, isn’t there? The Airplane Wreck in Portofino Bay delivers that unique, eerie charm. We love diving this site because it feels like stepping into a moment frozen in time, a poignant reminder of WWII just off the Italian coast. You’ll drop down onto the sandy seabed and find the remains of a German Junkers JU 88 bomber, scattered but still recognisable. The cockpit section is particularly striking, often home to a grumpy moray eel peeking out from the gloom. We’ve spent whole dives just exploring the various pieces, imagining the impact, the sudden silence. Look closely at the wings and fuselage – they’re encrusted now with vibrant gorgonians and sponges, providing shelter for colourful nudibranchs and small schools of damselfish. The visibility here can be excellent, especially in late summer, giving the wreck a dreamlike quality. It's a fairly shallow dive, around 20 metres, making it accessible for open water divers who want a taste of historical wreck diving without the deep saturation. Our favourite time to go is first thing in the morning; you avoid the boat traffic and often get the wreck to yourself.

Location
Portofino & Liguria, Italy, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
42.916460, 10.611076
Type
wreck

Wreck History - Airplane Wreck WWII

Year Sunk
1943
Vessel Type
aircraft
Cause
unknown

In the deep blue waters of the Ligurian Sea, near the famed Portofino peninsula, lies the remarkably intact wreck of a German Junkers Ju 88 bomber. This versatile and widely used Luftwaffe aircraft was a key player in World War II, serving as a bomber, dive bomber, and night fighter. This particular plane was shot down by Allied forces in 1943 while on a mission in the Mediterranean, its crew perishing as it plunged into the sea.

The wreck was discovered by local fishermen in the 1990s and has since become one of the most sought-after technical dives in the Mediterranean. It rests upside down on a muddy seabed at a depth of around 52 meters (170 feet), requiring advanced trimix certification. Divers who make the descent can clearly identify the twin engines, the cockpit with its 'greenhouse' canopy buried in the silt, and the long, slender fuselage. The aircraft is now a haven for marine life, draped in sea fans and home to conger eels and lobsters, offering a poignant and unforgettable glimpse into history.

Marine Protected Area: Isole di Cerboli e Palmaiola

Nearby Dive Sites in Portofino & Liguria

Nearest Dive Centres to Airplane Wreck WWII

Marine Life in Portofino & Liguria

Home to 73 recorded species including 37 reef fish, 9 sharks & rays, 8 whales & dolphins, 4 sea snails & nudibranchs, 3 hard corals, 3 crabs & lobsters.

Notable Species