Diving in Tabarka
Why dive here
Tabarka offers some of Tunisia's richest diving, with 156+ marine species recorded in the area - including dolphins, great white sharks, mobula rays (devil rays), octopuses and sea turtles. Water sits around 17°C.
Tabarka often surprises people. We're used to thinking of Tunisian diving as fairly standard Mediterranean stuff, but the Coral Coast around Tabarka is genuinely different. We love the dramatic rock formations that plunge into the blue, creating an almost canyon-like feel in places. You'll often find yourself drifting along a wall, with schools of Atlantic chub mackerel zipping past. The red coral here is the real draw, though, vibrant and healthy, a genuine spectacle. This isn't really a beginner's spot; the currents can pick up, especially around the exposed points. We'd suggest going in late spring or early autumn for the best visibility and calmer seas. Keep an eye out for the odd Leatherback Sea Turtle cruising by, or a curious Fork-beard peeking from a crevice. Our favourite dive, a particular reef that drops steeply, always seems to have a few big groupers eyeing you with suspicion, and the chance of spotting a Phaeton Dragonet on the sand patches is a bonus. It’s a rugged, honest sort of diving, and we appreciate it for that.
Tabarka Dive Site Map
Dive sites and dive centres in Tabarka
Tabarka Dive Sites
56 dive sites in Tabarka
ANNA CATERINA
The Anna Caterina isn't the deepest wreck in Tabarka, but it’s one of our favourites for a proper explore. This old fishing trawler went down in ’91, and now she sits upright on the seabed at 60 metres. Dropping down, you’ll see the light fade and the stern emerge first, covered in a shaggy carpet of sponges and hydroids. We love heading into the wheelhouse, it’s still pretty intact, and the open hatches let you peer down into the holds where schools of glasseyes dart through the shadows. Look for the resident moray eels that have made their home in the engine room – sometimes you’ll catch them peeking out. Current here can be a factor, so we’d suggest timing your dive for slack tide to really take your time and soak it all in. This is a dive for experienced wreck lovers, comfortable with depth and overhead environments, who appreciate the quiet history of a working vessel.
BENIVENTO
The Benivento wreck holds a special place in our hearts in Tabarka. It’s a huge steamship, sunk in 1943, lying broken but still impressive on the seabed. We love the sheer scale of the ship; at 125 meters long, you’re not going to cover it all in one dive. Our favourite part is navigating the scattered sections of the hull, feeling the history as you fin through the open spaces where the decks once were. This isn't a dive for chasing tiny critters, though you’ll spot plenty of scorpionfish tucked into crevices and schools of barracuda circling the superstructure. It's about the wreck itself, the way light filters through the broken plates, the sense of exploring a vast, silent monument. We'd suggest at least two dives to properly appreciate its size and the various swim-throughs. The stern section, in particular, offers some dramatic photo opportunities with the sunbeams cutting through the metal. It’s a dive for those who appreciate history and the atmosphere of a large wreck, rather than a coral garden.
BESSY G.
The Bessy G. is a proper old girl, a freighter that ran aground off Ras el Koran back in '78. We love a wreck with a story, and this one, sitting upright at just 12 metres, tells hers pretty clearly. You can see the damage from the grounding on the port side, where the hull is buckled. Descending onto the deck, you’ll fin past the superstructure, now completely colonised by sponges and soft corals. Our favourite part has to be exploring the cargo holds, where sunlight streams in from above, illuminating shoals of damselfish darting between the decaying metal. Look closer and you'll spot moray eels peering from crevices, and the occasional octopus tucked into a dark corner. We'd suggest going in the late morning; the light penetration is just lovely then, really bringing out the colours of the gorgonians. It’s an accessible wreck, ideal for anyone comfortable with finning around a decent-sized structure, and offers a real sense of history beneath the waves. The visibility here can be hit-or-miss with strong winds, but on a good day, it’s a magnificent dive.
BLOSSOM (STERN SECTION)
The Blossom’s stern section, resting in a mere 8 metres, is a real favourite of ours in Tabarka. We love how accessible it is, a perfect second dive or even a checkout dive if you’re keen on wrecks. This tanker met a dramatic end in 1981, splitting apart after an explosion, and what remains is a substantial structure. You’ll find the stern upright, a stark silhouette against the often-bright Mediterranean light. We’ve spent hours exploring the prop, huge and covered in growth, and the rudder, which still looks ready to steer. Inside, the engine room is largely open, allowing for some easy swim-throughs – just watch your buoyancy to avoid stirring up the fine silt. Shoals of glinting damselfish often hang around the superstructure, and we’ve regularly spotted octopus tucked into crevices. Keep an eye out for nudibranchs on the metal plates too; the colours can be surprising against the rust. This site suits anyone looking for an easy wreck dive with plenty to see without needing to go deep. It’s got that raw, industrial beauty we appreciate in a wreck.
BRANDARIS
The Brandaris sits in the shallow waters just off Tabarka, a rather accessible wreck at a maximum depth of three metres. This motor vessel went down in 1988, apparently due to a lack of maintenance, and now she’s a home for smaller reef fish. You’ll find schools of damselfish darting in and out of the hull, and often a few inquisitive octopuses tucked into crevices. It’s a nice, easy dive, perfect for extended bottom times or for those wanting to explore a wreck without the deeper commitment. We think it’s a good spot for newer divers getting comfortable around an artificial reef.
CARMELO MARULLO II
Carmelo Marullo II isn’t just another sunken boat. This fishing vessel, resting at 50 metres, holds a peculiar stillness, a kind of melancholic charm that we find truly compelling. Dropping down, the silence here is profound, broken only by your own bubbles, and the light quickly fades to a deep blue, adding to the atmosphere. We love the way the wreck has settled upright, its stern now a habitat for small groupers and even a few moray eels peeking from crevices. Exploring the deck, you’ll notice the fishing gear still somewhat intact, a ghost of its former purpose. The stern is our favourite part, with a slight list that creates interesting angles for photography. You’ll often find schools of damselfish flitting around the superstructure, and occasionally, a larger amberjack cruises by in the blue. It’s a dive that suits experienced deep divers who appreciate the quiet dignity of a well-preserved wreck rather than a frantic reef. Visibility here can vary, but on a good day, the sight of the Carmelo Marullo II emerging from the deep blue is genuinely striking. Just be mindful of your bottom time; 50 metres sneaks up on you quickly.
CHRISTIAN MICHELSEN
The Christian Michelsen off Tabarka is one of those wrecks that really sticks with you. She’s a Liberty Ship, sunk by a German U-boat in 1943, and at 134 metres long, she’s a proper imposing structure to dive. We love that the main deck sits at a very manageable 16 metres, making it accessible for most divers. You descend onto this huge, flat expanse, and the sheer scale is impressive; you can swim for ages without feeling like you’re doing laps. Our favourite part is the bow section. It’s still quite intact, and you can poke around in some of the cargo holds if the visibility is good. We’ve often seen schools of barracuda hanging around the mast structures, and the ambient light filtering through the decks creates some really atmospheric moments. Keep an eye out for moray eels tucked into crevices, and we’ve even spotted big groupers patrolling the deeper parts of the hull. This site is brilliant for wreck enthusiasts who appreciate a bit of history and don't mind a longer swim. Just be mindful of local currents, which can pick up, especially if you plan to explore the full length of the ship.
CONGELSA
The Congelsa wreck in Tabarka is a proper shallow water playground, a really interesting dive if you’re into poking around history without the pressure of deep deco stops. This old motor vessel, which ran aground back in '76, now lies broken up over a rocky seabed at a mere five metres. We love it because it’s so accessible; perfect for a long, relaxed dive or even a snorkel if you just want to peek down. You’ll find its scattered remains draped across the rocks, like a rusty metal quilt. There’s the bow section, quite distinct, and then plates and ribs fanning out behind it. The light penetration is fantastic here, casting shimmering patterns over the metal and illuminating every crevice. We’ve spent ages just watching the damselfish flitting in and out of the rusted hull plates, and there are always plenty of little blennies perched on the rocks. Keep an eye out for octopus tucked away in the darker spots – they seem to appreciate the shelter the wreck provides. It’s a site that tells a story, a slow decay that’s now become a home.
Dive-X Active Sport - Cala Gadir
A dive site in Tabarka, Tunisia, Dive-X Active Sport - Cala Gadir is worth adding to your dive plan.
Dive-X Active Sport - Cala Tramontana
Dive-X Active Sport - Cala Tramontana offers diving in Tabarka, Tunisia.
EMPIRE SONG (POSSIBLY)
Dropping onto the *Empire Song* is a dive into a specific moment in wartime history. This old steamship, built in 1940 and sunk just a year later during Operation Tiger, lies deep at 50 metres, a dramatic sight. Her sheer size, 141 metres long, means you're not seeing it all in one dive; we usually pick a section and really explore it. Look for resident groupers peering out from the deeper sections, and schools of barracuda often circle the mast structures, which are now heavily encrusted. It's a deep dive for experienced wreck enthusiasts, a proper deep penetration if you are qualified and briefed, and one that gives you plenty to think about on the long ascent.
HELENE CLIPPER
The Helene Clipper wreck sits deep off Tabarka, a proper technical dive at 60 metres. We love it because it’s a big beast, an old motor vessel that went down in a gale in '75. Dropping onto the deck, you really feel the scale, the way it lists hard to starboard, almost resting on its side. It’s dark down there, the Mediterranean deep blue, and your lights pick out huge schools of barracuda, shimmering like chrome, weaving through the rigging. For us, the real magic happens exploring the superstructure. The bow is particularly striking, still pointing defiantly into the current. You can push into the cargo holds, if you’re comfortable with overhead environments, finding remnants of its last voyage now encrusted with sponges. Groupers have made it their home, some of them massive, lurking in the shadows. We’d suggest saving this dive for calm days; the deep can be unforgiving with surface chop. It’s a dive for those comfortable with depth, with a bit of experience under their belt, but it rewards you with a tangible piece of history reclaimed by the sea.
Tabarka Dive Centres
2 dive shops and operators in Tabarka
Ocean Wildlife in Tabarka
156 species recorded in Tabarka
Tabarka Daylight & Sunrise/Sunset
Sunrise and sunset times for Tabarka, calculated from coordinates
Today - Monday 24 August
Sunrise
05:45
Sunset
19:03
Daylight
13h 17m
Golden Hour
18:28
First light (dawn) at 05:18 · Last light (dusk) at 19:30
Monthly Averages
| Month | Sunrise | Sunset | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 07:34 | 17:26 | 9h 52m |
| Feb | 07:12 | 18:00 | 10h 48m |
| Mar | 06:34 | 18:27 | 11h 53m |
| Apr | 05:49 | 18:54 | 13h 6m |
| May | 05:14 | 19:21 | 14h 7m |
| JunLongest | 05:01 | 19:42 | 14h 41m |
| Jul | 05:12 | 19:42 | 14h 30m |
| AugNow | 05:37 | 19:15 | 13h 39m |
| Sep | 06:02 | 18:32 | 12h 30m |
| Oct | 06:28 | 17:47 | 11h 19m |
| Nov | 06:59 | 17:13 | 10h 14m |
| DecShortest | 07:27 | 17:05 | 9h 38m |
Times are approximate local times based on longitude. Actual times may vary slightly depending on the exact timezone observed in Tabarka.
Where to Stay near Tabarka
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Marine Protected Areas near Tabarka
12 protected areas near Tabarka - please respect local regulations when diving
Archipel De La Galite
Archipel De La Galite
Zembra et Zembretta
Complexe lac de Tunis
Complexe lac de Tunis
Lagune de Ghar El Melh et delta de la medjerda
Lagune de Ghar El Melh et delta de la medjerda
Zembra and Zembretta Iles
Zembra and Zembretta Iles
Îles Chîkly
Lac Bizerte
Lac de Rades et Salines
Getting to Tabarka
Tabarka
Tunis
Annaba
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