BETTINA - Medes Islands
Bettina isn't the deepest dive on the Medes, but it's one of our favourites for a relaxed afternoon. The old sailing vessel lies in a mere 10 metres of water, making it a perfect second dive or a really gentle introduction to wreck diving. What we love here is how the wreck has just completely fused with the reef; the bow, in particular, feels more like a cave system than a boat, covered in thick red gorgonians and sponges. You can swim right through parts of it, feeling the cooler water as you pass from open sea to the shelter of the hull, and often get a chuckle from the resident moray eels peeking out from every crevice. We’d suggest going early or late in the day to really appreciate the light filtering through the mast and rigging. It’s not about big pelagics here, but the sheer density of small stuff-damselfish, wrasse, and blennies-makes it feel incredibly alive. It’s a gentle exploration, totally unhurried, and genuinely charming.
- Location
- Medes Islands, Spain, Mediterranean & Europe
- Coordinates
- 43.332233, 4.714867
- Type
- wreck
- Maximum Depth
- 10m
Wreck History - BETTINA
- Vessel Type
- sailing vessel
- Cause
- unknown
Resting in the protected waters of the Medes Islands, a world-renowned marine reserve, the wreck known as the Bettina offers a shallow and intriguing dive. Little is known about the history of this sailing vessel or how it met its end, but its location makes it a popular site. At a depth of only 10 metres, it's perfectly suited for divers of all levels, including beginners, and is a great option for a second dive of the day. The classification as a 'Dangerous Wreck' suggests divers should be cautious, watching for potential entanglement hazards or unstable sections. The clear, life-filled waters of the Medes Islands ensure that the wreck is now a thriving artificial reef, adding to its appeal.
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
- Abyss Garden (wreck)
- Aiguablava
- Aigua Xelida - 10-30m (reef)
- Amphores du frioul
- Andromède
- ANGELA - 8m (wreck)
- Arche du plannier - 10-30m (cave)
- Arroyo
- Atoll Plongée (reef)
- AUDIERNE - 16m (wreck)
- Badia de Tamariu - 5-25m (reef)
- Barda de Fitor (wall)
- Barda de l'Illa Negra (wall)
- Barda de Pere el Flaquer (wall)
- BARTOLO - 28m (wreck)
Nearest Dive Centres to BETTINA
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
- hake (Merluccius merluccius) - Reef Fish
- Moonfish (Mola mola) - Reef Fish
- Capelin (Trisopterus capelanus) - Reef Fish
- grey gurnard (Eutrigla gurnardus) - Reef Fish
- Mediterranean tapeweed (Posidonia oceanica) - Seagrass & Algae
- Black-bellied angler (Lophius budegassa) - Reef Fish
- Atlantic Spotted Flounder (Citharus linguatula) - Reef Fish
- dogfish (Scyliorhinus canicula) - Sharks & Rays
- Thornback skate (Raja clavata) - Sharks & Rays
- Mullet (Mullus barbatus) - Reef Fish
- Pollock (Trachurus trachurus) - Reef Fish
- lesser argentine (Argentina sphyraena) - Reef Fish
- conger (Conger conger) - Reef Fish
- Blue-white Dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba) - Whales & Dolphins
- blue whiting (Micromesistius poutassou) - Reef Fish
- Red Band-fish (Cepola macrophthalma) - Reef Fish
- Gurnard (Trigla lyra) - Reef Fish
- Soldier (Chelidonichthys cuculus) - Reef Fish
- Jac (Helicolenus dactylopterus) - Reef Fish
- Norway Lobster (Nephrops norvegicus) - Crabs & Lobsters
Recommended Packing List for BETTINA
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