BYBLOS
Protected Area
Area naturale marina protetta Capo Gallo - Isola delle Femmine
Why dive here
With 60+ marine species recorded in the area - including dolphins, sea turtles and sperm whales - BYBLOS offers some of Ustica's richest wreck diving. Water ranges 15-29°C, warmest July, August, September.
The Byblos is a peculiar wreck, sitting upright in just nine meters of water. We’re talking about a huge ship, 96 meters long, deliberately run aground in 1992. You drop onto the stern, which is surprisingly intact, and can swim forward along the deck. The light penetration here is fantastic, illuminating the growth that's taken over the metalwork. You’ll see damselfish darting between the railings, and sometimes a big grouper peeking out from under a plate. Our favorite part is the sheer scale of it, visible even from the surface. We’d suggest going early in the morning for the best visibility, before any boat traffic stirs up the sand. It’s an easy dive, perfect for extended bottom times and a proper look around. For photographers, the way the sunlight slices through the water onto the superstructure creates some dramatic shots.
Typical BYBLOS Dive Profile
Illustrative profile based on site depth and type. Actual dive profiles vary - always follow your dive computer and training.
Safety Notes
Wreck site - avoid penetration without wreck diving certification. Watch for sharp metal and entanglement hazards.
BYBLOS Wreck History
Year Sunk
1992
Vessel Type
cargo ship
Cause
grounding
The M/V Byblos began its life far from the warm Mediterranean waters where it now rests. Built in 1963 at the Krasnoye Sormovo shipyard in Gorky, Russia, it was originally a 'Baltiyskiy' class cargo vessel, a workhorse of the Soviet merchant fleet. After decades of service under various names, including Samar and Baltuyskiy, it was owned by the Capitol Shipping Co. for its final voyage. In November 1992, while en route from Fos, France, to Beirut, Lebanon, the ship was deliberately grounded on the shores of the island of Ustica.
Today, the Byblos offers a fantastic and incredibly accessible wreck dive. Lying in just 9 meters of water, the vessel is suitable for divers of all levels, and even snorkelers can get a commanding view from the surface. The deliberate grounding means the ship is largely intact and sits upright, making navigation straightforward. Divers can explore the ship's deck, peer into its cargo holds, and observe the rapid colonization by vibrant Mediterranean marine life, which has transformed this piece of Cold War history into a thriving artificial reef.
Nearest Dive Centres to BYBLOS
Dive shops near BYBLOS
DIVING CENTER SARACEN
Sailing Bubbles A.S.D.
Ditta Francesco Genchi
A.S.D. EVOLUTION DIVER
Centro Sub Atlantis
LUNA BLU DIVING CENTER
Reviews for BYBLOS
Conditions
Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for BYBLOS
BYBLOS Ocean Conditions
Monthly averages for BYBLOS, sourced from Open-Meteo marine data - nearest station: Open-Meteo marine grid (38.1, 14.46) (15km away)
October Averages
Sea Temperature
24°C
75°F · Range: 22.1–25.7°C
Air Temperature
22°C
71°F
Wind Speed
7.27 m/s
14.1 knots
Atmospheric Pressure
1018.1 hPa
Based on 4 years of monitoring data · Data sources: Open-Meteo marine data
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