PYTHEAS - Costa Brava

Pytheas, now there’s a proper dive. We’re talking about a WWI steamship, torpedoed in 1918 by a German U-boat, U-35, if you’re into the history. She lies in two main sections, a casualty of war transformed into a vibrant artificial reef. The most striking part is the bow, still impressively intact, with the anchor chains draped across the deck. You can picture her sailing, can't you? For us, the real magic happens as you weave through the wreckage. Schools of barracuda hang motionless in the current, their silver scales catching the light. We've seen moray eels peeking out from every nook and cranny, and nudibranchs in colours that feel almost tropical, which is always a surprise in the Med. Our favourite moment is finning over the cargo holds, imagining what she carried, now just a skeleton for marine life. It's a dive that combines a real sense of history with some genuinely engaging marine encounters. Strong currents can be a factor here, so we’d suggest timing your dive for slack tide to properly explore the nooks and crannies. This is a dive for those who appreciate wrecks with a story, and don't mind a bit of a current.

Location
Costa Brava, Spain, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
42.521633, 3.122850
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
6m

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 PYTHEAS

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 PYTHEAS

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