ASTREE - Costa Brava

The Astree, a motor vessel, sits upright in 38 metres off the Costa Brava, making it one of our favourite deep wreck dives in the Med. Dropping down, the first thing you notice is the sheer size of the hull appearing out of the blue, often with schools of barracuda hanging just off the deck. We love that you can swim right into the cargo hold, where light filters through openings, illuminating lobsters tucked into corners and conger eels peeking from pipes. It’s a proper exploration dive, with plenty of external features to circumnavigate – the bow, the stern, and the superstructure are all intact enough to give a real sense of the ship. We’d suggest a torch for peering into the darker recesses; you’ll often find scorpionfish camouflaged on the deck plates. This site suits experienced wreck divers who appreciate a relatively undisturbed historical wreck, rather than those seeking vibrant coral gardens. Expect a thermocline around 15-20 metres, so a decent wetsuit is a good idea, even in summer.

Location
Costa Brava, Spain, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
42.518600, 3.140600
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
38m

Wreck History - ASTREE

Vessel Type
cargo ship
Cause
unknown

Resting in the deep blue waters of Spain's Costa Brava, the Astree is a mystery wreck for advanced divers. Little is known about the history of this motor vessel or the circumstances of its sinking. Its name, French for 'starry', hints at a possible French origin, but its story remains submerged with its steel hull. The wreck is classified as 'dangerous,' suggesting it may be unstable, broken, or present entanglement hazards from lost fishing gear.

Sitting at 38 meters, this dive requires careful planning and is best suited for experienced divers with deep and wreck certifications. The depth means bottom time is limited, so every moment counts. The vessel's structure has become an artificial reef, attracting a rich diversity of Mediterranean marine life. Divers often encounter large schools of fish, conger eels, and colorful invertebrates that have made the silent, shadowy corridors of the Astree their home.

Marine Protected Area: Cap de Creus

Best Time to Dive in Costa Brava

The warmest water temperatures in Costa Brava occur in August, averaging 23.7°C. The coolest conditions are in January at 11.2°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

  • January: 11.2°C
  • February: 11.4°C
  • March: 12.7°C
  • April: 14.5°C
  • May: 17.5°C
  • June: 21.5°C
  • July: 23.5°C
  • August: 23.7°C
  • September: 22.0°C
  • October: 19.3°C
  • November: 15.6°C
  • December: 12.8°C

Nearby Dive Sites in Costa Brava

Nearest Dive Centres to ASTREE

Marine Life in Costa Brava

Home to 46 recorded species including 36 reef fish, 2 whales & dolphins, 2 sharks & rays, 1 worms, 1 seagrass & algae, 1 other.

Notable Species

Recommended Packing List for ASTREE

Based on average water temperature of 17.1°C, currents 2 cm/s.

  • Wetsuit (5-7mm) - recommended for 17°C water
  • Hood & Gloves (3-5mm) - helps retain warmth
  • Mask - essential for every dive
  • Fins
  • BCD - buoyancy compensator
  • Regulator - your most safety-critical piece of gear
  • Dive Computer - tracks depth, time, and NDL
  • Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) - essential for boat pickups
  • Dive Torch - useful for crevices and colour at depth
  • Underwater Camera - capture your diving memories