MAREN 1 - Portofino & Liguria

The Maren 1 sits in the relatively shallow waters off Portofino, a bit of an anomaly for a wreck of its size. We’re talking a massive cargo ship, 137 metres long, that decided to scuttle itself after a rather dramatic fire involving polyvinyl chloride back in ’88. Don’t worry, it’s all inert now, but that history gives the wreck a certain gravitas. What you get is a really approachable wreck dive. At just 14 metres, it’s perfect for open water divers looking to get their teeth into something substantial without the added pressure of depth. The sheer scale is impressive as you descend, the bow and stern still largely intact, reaching up from the seabed. Our favourite part is exploring the superstructure, where the flames really did a number, creating these twisted metal abstract sculptures. Shoals of glinting damselfish dart in and out, and we’ve often spotted conger eels peeking from shadowy crevices within the holds. You can spend a good hour just finning around, piecing together its story. For a relatively easy dive, the Maren 1 delivers a proper sense of adventure.

Location

Portofino & Liguria, Italy, Mediterranean & Europe

Coordinates

44.393333, 8.928333

Type

wreck

Maximum Depth

14m

Marine Protected Area: Fondali Boccadasse - Nervi