AVVENIRE - Costa Brava

The Avvenire, sunk in a pea-souper fog in '71, is a proper Costa Brava classic. We always appreciate a wreck with a bit of a story, and this one, originally sailing from Viareggio, certainly has that. She ran aground hard, then went down fast, and now sits in two main sections, just shy of the shore near L’Escala. Drop down and you're immediately struck by the sheer amount of life that's made this 47-metre motor vessel home. Dusky groupers eye you from shadowy nooks, their scales catching the light as they slowly shift position. The hold is our favourite part to explore, a dark cavern where conger eels often lurk, their heads protruding from pipes and crevices. We’ve had some fantastic dives here when the visibility is good, around 15-20 metres, and the sun pierces the surface, illuminating schools of damselfish that shimmer above the deck plates. Keep an eye out for nudibranchs on the bow section; there’s a surprising variety if you slow down and look closely. It’s a solid dive for advanced open water divers who enjoy penetration and a bit of history.

Location
Costa Brava, Spain, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
42.115665, 3.148833
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
0m

Wreck History - AVVENIRE

Year Sunk
1971
Vessel Type
cargo ship
Cause
grounding

The MV Avvenire was an Italian motor vessel that met its end on Spain's famously rugged Costa Brava. In May 1971, while on a passage from Viareggio to Barcelona, the ship sailed into a thick bank of fog. Blinded by the poor visibility, the crew was unable to avoid the treacherous near-shore rocks close to the town of La Escala. The Avvenire ran hard aground, and the sea quickly overwhelmed the stricken vessel, sending it to the bottom.

Lying in extremely shallow water, the remains of the Avvenire are now scattered across the rocky seabed where it sank. The depth is listed as 0m, indicating that parts of the wreckage may be at or near the surface, making it an excellent site for snorkelers and novice divers. Over the decades, the relentless wave action has broken the ship apart, but divers can still identify large sections of hull plating, machinery, and other debris. The twisted metal has been fully reclaimed by nature, now forming a vibrant artificial reef encrusted with marine life and home to schools of local fish.

Marine Protected Area: El Montgrí-Les Medes-El Baix Ter

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 AVVENIRE

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 AVVENIRE

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