AUDIERNE - Medes Islands

Audierne isn’t your typical Medes Islands dive, and that’s precisely why we love it. Forget the dramatic rock formations for a moment; this is a proper wreck dive, sitting upright and mostly intact at a comfortable 16 metres. It’s an old mobile crane vessel, scuttled back in the 90s, and it’s had plenty of time to really settle into its role as an artificial reef. We always make a point of dropping down to the bow first. The structure here is fantastic for exploring, with plenty of nooks and crannies to peer into. You’ll find moray eels tucked deep inside, just their heads visible, and clouds of damselfish swirling around the main crane structure. It’s pretty shallow, so you get decent light penetration even on a cloudy day, which makes the whole place feel less imposing than some deeper wrecks. Our favourite part has to be the deck area; it’s covered in jewel anemones, creating these incredible bursts of colour against the rusted metal. It’s a great site for photographers looking for something a bit different, and it’s calm enough for divers who are just getting comfortable with wrecks.

Location
Medes Islands, Spain, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
43.379166, 4.971667
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
16m

Wreck History - AUDIERNE

Vessel Type
barge
Cause
unknown

The history of the mobile crane vessel known as the 'Audierne' is shrouded in mystery. Unlike many wrecks with dramatic stories of storms or warfare, the date and cause of this vessel's sinking are not well-documented. It came to rest in the sheltered, clear waters of Spain's Medes Islands, a renowned marine reserve, where it has since transformed from a piece of industrial equipment into a thriving artificial reef.

Lying at a shallow 16 metres, the Audierne is a fantastic dive for all experience levels, from beginners to seasoned photographers. The main attraction is the large, intact crane structure, which juts from the hull and provides a complex, three-dimensional habitat for a huge variety of marine life. Divers can expect to find moray eels peering from pipes, octopus hiding in crevices, and dense schools of damselfish and bream swarming the superstructure. While classified as a 'Dangerous Wreck' due to potential sharp edges, it offers a unique and photogenic underwater landscape, blending industrial decay with vibrant Mediterranean life.

Best Time to Dive in Medes Islands

The warmest water temperatures in Medes Islands occur in August, averaging 23.1°C. The coolest conditions are in February at 13.3°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

  • January: 14.1°C
  • February: 13.3°C
  • March: 13.5°C
  • April: 14.4°C
  • May: 16.8°C
  • June: 20.5°C
  • July: 22.7°C
  • August: 23.1°C
  • September: 21.6°C
  • October: 19.4°C
  • November: 17.3°C
  • December: 15.0°C

Nearby Dive Sites in Medes Islands

Nearest Dive Centres to AUDIERNE

Marine Life in Medes Islands

Home to 78 recorded species including 56 reef fish, 8 sharks & rays, 5 octopus & squid, 4 whales & dolphins, 2 crabs & lobsters, 1 seagrass & algae.

Notable Species

Recommended Packing List for AUDIERNE

Based on average water temperature of 17.6°C, currents 14 cm/s.

  • Wetsuit (5-7mm) - recommended for 18°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