BARTOLO
Why dive here
With 77+ marine species recorded in the area - including blue sharks, dolphins, ocean sunfish (mola mola), octopuses and sea turtles - BARTOLO offers some of Medes Islands's richest wreck diving. Water ranges 14-24°C, warmest July, August, September.
Bartolo isn’t just some random pile of metal. We love it because it’s a proper wreck, one with a story you can feel. She was a steamship, torpedoed by a British submarine back in ‘43, and now she sits upright in two main sections, easy enough to navigate at 28 metres. You’ll fin over the bow, still fairly intact, then across a break where the stern starts. Look for conger eels poking out from the gaps in the hull plating, and often you’ll spot a big school of barracuda hanging in the blue just off the mast. It’s a great dive for anyone who appreciates a bit of history with their marine life, offering enough swim-throughs and details to keep you exploring for the whole bottom time. We always suggest getting here earlier in the morning before the day boats crowd the mooring. That way, you get the sense of isolation this old girl deserves.
Typical BARTOLO 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 28m - 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.
BARTOLO Wreck History
Year Sunk
1943
Vessel Type
cargo ship
Cause
torpedo
Tonnage
1,115 GRT
The Bartolo, originally the Italian steamship Bartolo G, met its end during the Second World War in the supposedly neutral waters of the Spanish coast. On March 6, 1943, the 1,115-ton vessel was transporting a cargo of oranges when it was intercepted near the Medes Islands. The British submarine HMS Taurus, on patrol in the Mediterranean, identified the Bartolo as a target supporting the Axis war effort and fired a torpedo.
The strike was decisive, and the Bartolo sank quickly, settling upright on the sandy seabed. The event was a stark reminder that even commercial shipping far from the main theatres of war was not safe from conflict. The wreck became a silent casualty of the long and brutal Battle of the Mediterranean, its cargo of fruit never reaching its destination.
Today, the Bartolo is one of the most celebrated wreck dives in the Medes Islands marine reserve. Resting at a maximum depth of 28 metres, it is perfectly preserved and accessible to advanced divers. The hull is largely intact, allowing for exploration of its deck, holds, and superstructure, which are now completely encrusted with vibrant gorgonians and sponges. Divers can expect to see abundant marine life, including large groupers, conger eels, and schools of fish that have made this piece of WWII history their home.
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Conditions
Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for BARTOLO
BARTOLO Ocean Conditions
Monthly averages for BARTOLO, sourced from Open-Meteo marine data + Copernicus Marine (EU) - nearest station: Open-Meteo marine grid (43.2, 5.22) (37km away)
October Averages
Sea Temperature
20°C
69°F · Range: 17.4–22.8°C
Current Speed
9.85 cm/s
Direction: SW (246°)
Chlorophyll-a
0.182 mg/m³
Clear water
Salinity
38.21 PSU
Based on 4 years of monitoring data · Data sources: Open-Meteo marine data + Copernicus Marine (EU)
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