50m
    Budva & Bar, Montenegro
    Spomenik prirode Sopot

    AGIP MARCHE (MIDSHIPS SECTION)

    Best months: Jul–Aug

    Protected Area

    Spomenik prirode Sopot

    Why dive here

    With 66+ marine species recorded in the area - including sea turtles and cuttlefish - AGIP MARCHE (MIDSHIPS SECTION) offers some of Budva & Bar's richest wreck diving. Water ranges 14-27°C, warmest July, August, September.

    Best timeJul–Aug
    WetsuitA 3mm shorty or thin full wetsuit
    Marine lifeSea Turtles and Cuttlefish · 66+ species recorded
    Water14-27°C · warmest July, August, September
    CharacterWreck dive · max 50m

    We love a good deep wreck, and the AGIP MARCHE’s midships section off Budva & Bar delivers exactly what we look for. Dropping down to 50 meters, this is strictly for experienced divers comfortable at depth, but the reward is a truly substantial piece of maritime history. The sheer scale of the tanker’s hull is immediately apparent; it’s a dark, imposing structure on the seafloor. We’ve always found the story behind its sinking, breaking from its tow in a storm, adds to its melancholic presence. Visibility can vary, but on a good day, the light plays beautifully across the massive plates of steel. You’ll see schools of sardine shimmering over the deck, and we've spotted some impressively large groupers taking shelter in the deeper recesses. Our favourite part is navigating around the twisted metal, imagining the immense forces that ripped this section free. The stern section is some way off, making this a focused dive on a single, dramatic piece of industrial architecture. Just be mindful of decompression limits; this isn't a dive to rush.

    Typical AGIP MARCHE (MIDSHIPS SECTION) Dive Profile

    15m30m45mSafety Stop0m50m max~15 min estimated bottom time

    Illustrative profile based on site depth and type. Actual dive profiles vary - always follow your dive computer and training.

    Safety Notes

    Maximum depth 50m exceeds recreational limits (40m). Technical diving certification and equipment required.

    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.

    Today05:5617:1311h 18m daylightGolden hour 16:35

    AGIP MARCHE (MIDSHIPS SECTION) Wreck History

    Year Sunk

    1987

    Vessel Type

    tanker

    Cause

    storm

    The wreck known as the Agip Marche is not a complete ship, but a colossal fragment of a maritime giant. The original vessel was a supertanker of immense proportions, measuring a staggering 349 metres in length. In November 1987, this midships section was under tow by the tug 'Porto Salvo' when they encountered severe weather off the Montenegrin coast. The unforgiving sea proved too powerful; the tow line snapped, and the massive section of hull was cast adrift to sink beneath the waves.

    Diving this site is a surreal and humbling experience, suitable only for technical divers prepared for its 50-metre depth. What awaits is not a recognizable ship, but a vast, artificial wall of steel-a city block of wreckage lying on the seabed. The sheer scale is difficult to comprehend, with decks, pipes, and structural elements creating a complex and fascinating landscape to explore. It’s a stark and powerful testament to the forces of nature and a truly unique dive that showcases the incredible size of modern tankers and the drama of their loss.

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    Conditions

    Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for AGIP MARCHE (MIDSHIPS SECTION)

    AGIP MARCHE (MIDSHIPS SECTION) Ocean Conditions

    Monthly averages for AGIP MARCHE (MIDSHIPS SECTION), sourced from Open-Meteo marine data - nearest station: Open-Meteo marine grid (42.45, 18.66) (9km away)

    ExcellentGreatGoodFairPoor★Best monthsThis month

    October Averages

    Sea Temperature

    22°C

    71°F · Range: 18.7–24°C

    Air Temperature

    17°C

    62°F

    Wind Speed

    3.37 m/s

    6.6 knots

    Atmospheric Pressure

    1018.3 hPa

    Based on 4 years of monitoring data · Data sources: Open-Meteo marine data

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