AGIP MARCHE (MIDSHIPS SECTION) - Budva & Bar

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.

Location
Budva & Bar, Montenegro, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
42.546900, 18.251583
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
50m

Wreck History - AGIP MARCHE (MIDSHIPS SECTION)

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.

Marine Protected Area: Spomenik prirode Sopot

Nearby Dive Sites in Budva & Bar

Nearest Dive Centres to AGIP MARCHE (MIDSHIPS SECTION)

Marine Life in Budva & Bar

Home to 71 recorded species including 40 reef fish, 16 sharks & rays, 4 other, 3 seagrass & algae, 3 whales & dolphins, 2 octopus & squid.

Notable Species