AURORA (PROBABLY)
Why dive here
With 66+ marine species recorded in the area - including sea turtles and cuttlefish - AURORA (PROBABLY) offers some of Budva & Bar's richest wreck diving.
Aurora. Or maybe not. Even the local dive centres aren’t entirely sure about this one’s identity, but we love it regardless. What we do know is that it’s a merchant vessel, sunk in 1992 after a collision near Dubrovnik. It sits upright, proud, and surprisingly intact at a comfortable 10 metres. The bow points seaward, and the stern, where the impact likely occurred, shows the most damage. Dropping down, the first thing you notice is the way the light filters through the clear Adriatic water, illuminating the main deck. It’s a shallow wreck, meaning plenty of bottom time to explore the cargo holds, now open to the sea. Schools of damselfish flutter in and out of the superstructure, and if you peek into some of the darker corners, you might spot a moray eel or a grumpy scorpionfish. We’ve even seen small octopuses tucked away in crevices on the hull. It’s a melancholy dive, knowing its history, but the life that has embraced it makes it an engaging site for anyone who enjoys easy wreck penetration and clear visibility.
Typical AURORA (PROBABLY) 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.
AURORA (PROBABLY) Wreck History
Year Sunk
1992
Vessel Type
merchant ship
Cause
collision
The sinking of the merchant vessel Aurora was a modern maritime tragedy. On May 6, 1992, while approaching a berth in Dubrovnik, the ship was involved in a catastrophic collision with the Yugoslavian roll-on/roll-off ferry 'Ilirija'. The impact was devastating, and the Aurora sank almost immediately. Of the 86 passengers and four crew members aboard, only 22 were rescued, marking a significant loss of life in the Adriatic.
Today, the wreck lies in just 10 meters of water between Budva and Bar in Montenegro, making it an extremely accessible dive for all skill levels, including beginners. Despite its shallow depth, the site is a somber one, serving as a memorial to those who perished. Divers can explore the largely intact structure of this relatively recent wreck, but are reminded to do so with respect for its tragic history and the souls lost in the disaster.
Nearest Dive Centres to AURORA (PROBABLY)
Dive shops near AURORA (PROBABLY)
D.C. Blue Planet
DIVING DUBROVNIK D.O.O.
EPIDAURUM
Sea Star Diving
RK ADRIATIC BLUE
Reviews for AURORA (PROBABLY)
Conditions
Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for AURORA (PROBABLY)
AURORA (PROBABLY) Ocean Conditions
Monthly averages for AURORA (PROBABLY), sourced from NOAA buoy data - nearest station: Open-Meteo grid (42.32, 18.74) (0km away)
August Averages
Air Temperature
25.13°C
77°F
Wind Speed
3.48 m/s
6.8 knots
Atmospheric Pressure
1012.2 hPa
Based on 5 years of monitoring data · Data sources: NOAA NDBC
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