BOLANA

Best months: Jul–Aug

Protected Area

Park prirode Stari Ulcinj

Why dive here

With 66+ marine species recorded in the area - including sea turtles and cuttlefish - BOLANA 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 25m

We love a wreck with a story, and the Bolana has a cracker. This tugboat, sunk by the Allies in 1943, lies upright and relatively intact at 25 metres. It’s a proper dive for wreck enthusiasts, especially those with some buoyancy control under their belt – we’d suggest Advanced Open Water divers will get the most out of it. Dropping down, the Bolana slowly takes shape, dark against the blue. You’ll spend most of your bottom time circling the superstructure, peering into what were once doorways and windows. Big groupers often lurk in the shadows, and we’ve seen schools of damselfish flitting around the mast, which still stands proud. It’s not a massive wreck, but there’s enough here to explore for a good 30 minutes, picking out details like the davits or the outline of the funnel. Our favourite part is the stern, where you can often spot nudibranchs clinging to the metalwork. Go in the morning; the light then really highlights the wreck’s profile.

Typical BOLANA Dive Profile

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

Safety Notes

Depth of 25m - Advanced Open Water 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.

Today05:5117:1011h 19m daylightGolden hour 16:32

BOLANA Wreck History

Year Sunk

1943

Vessel Type

unknown

Cause

unknown

The wreck known as the Bolana is a World War II mystery resting in the beautiful Adriatic waters of Montenegro. It sank on October 18, 1943, a period of intense military activity in the region following the Italian armistice. While its specific identity and the exact cause of its sinking are not definitively known, its date of loss places it squarely in the middle of the conflict, making a wartime event-such as an air attack or a naval mine-the most probable cause.

Lying at a maximum depth of 25 meters, the Bolana is a fantastic dive for advanced recreational divers. The wreck is significantly broken up, its 'dangerous' classification a testament to the violent nature of its demise. This scattered structure, however, has created a complex and fascinating artificial reef. Divers can weave through sections of the hull and superstructure, which are now heavily encrusted with sponges and home to schools of fish, octopus, and moray eels. The Bolana offers a poignant glimpse into history, an anonymous casualty of war now enjoying a second life as a vibrant marine habitat.