ADELCONCITA
Protected Area
Capo Testa
Why dive here
With 74+ marine species recorded in the area - including blue sharks, dolphins, mobula rays (devil rays), oceanic whitetip sharks and ocean sunfish (mola mola) - ADELCONCITA offers some of Sardinia's richest wreck diving.
Adelconcita, off Sardinia’s Capo Testa, isn’t just another sunken ship. This motor vessel went down in 1981, and we’ve seen how decades underwater transform metal into a thriving habitat. Dropping down, the first thing you notice is the sheer scale – it’s a big wreck, sitting upright on the seabed at 35 metres. We love how the stern section is still largely intact, allowing for some great swim-throughs if you’re comfortable with overhead environments. Exploring the Adelconcita, you’ll find schools of barracuda often circling the superstructure, their silver bodies flashing in the shafts of sunlight. The deck is carpeted with colourful gorgonians and sponges, and we’ve spent ages just watching moray eels peek out from every crevice. Our favourite spot is usually the bow, where the mast lies across the seabed, creating a kind of artificial reef that’s always busy with damselfish and small wrasse. It’s a dive that really benefits from good light, so we’d suggest an early morning dip if the weather looks calm. Strong currents can pick up here, so pick your day carefully; a smooth surface means a much more enjoyable descent. This site is perfect for experienced wreck divers looking for a substantial, explorable structure with plenty of character.
Typical ADELCONCITA Dive Profile
Illustrative profile based on site depth and type. Actual dive profiles vary - always follow your dive computer and training.
Safety Notes
Deep dive (35m) - monitor air consumption closely. Advanced certification recommended.
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.
ADELCONCITA Wreck History
Year Sunk
1981
Vessel Type
cargo ship
Cause
grounding
The Adelconcita was a motor vessel whose final voyage ended abruptly on September 23, 1981. While navigating the famously beautiful but treacherous waters off northern Sardinia, the ship ran aground near Capo Testa and subsequently sank. It now rests on a sandy bottom at a depth of 35 meters, a site well within the range of advanced recreational divers. The wreck is classified as non-dangerous, making for a relatively straightforward exploration.
Diving the Adelconcita offers a glimpse into a maritime accident frozen in time. The vessel is largely intact, and divers can explore its deck, superstructures, and holds. The clear Mediterranean waters often provide excellent visibility, revealing the ship's features and the abundant marine life that has taken up residence. Schools of damselfish and bream are common sights, and the wreck's surfaces are often decorated with sponges and soft corals, creating a colourful and photogenic underwater scene.
Nearest Dive Centres to ADELCONCITA
Dive shops near ADELCONCITA
ASD FOCUS
AREA11 DIVING CENTER
Nautica Sabatani
SCUBA REVOLUTION
ORSO DIVING CLUB
KALLISTE PLONGEE
Reviews for ADELCONCITA
Conditions
Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for ADELCONCITA
ADELCONCITA Ocean Conditions
Monthly averages for ADELCONCITA, sourced from NOAA buoy data - nearest station: Open-Meteo grid (39.61, 8.94) (0km away)
August Averages
Air Temperature
26.16°C
79°F
Wind Speed
5.49 m/s
10.7 knots
Atmospheric Pressure
1013.9 hPa
Based on 5 years of monitoring data · Data sources: NOAA NDBC
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