wreck

Log This Dive

TRIESTE (PART OF)

The Trieste, or at least this particular section of it, is one of our favourites in Portofino. It’s a merchant cruiser, broken into a few pieces, and this part sits in about 22 metres. When you descend, the first thing you notice is the way light filters through the water, illuminating the metal structure. It’s completely encrusted now, a living reef in itself. We love tracing the outline of the hull, spotting the nudibranchs that cling to the rust-coloured plates. There are decent swim-throughs here, not too tight, which makes it engaging for most divers. Look closely into the nooks and crannies; you’ll often find conger eels peering out or small octopus tucked away. The schools of damselfish hover above the wreck, a constant shimmer of silver. We always feel a sense of history down here, imagining the ship’s past life. It’s not a huge wreck, but the way it's been taken over by marine life makes it endlessly interesting. We’d suggest going in the morning if you can, before any afternoon boat traffic stirs things up.