BENIVENTO - Tabarka

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.

Location
Tabarka, Tunisia, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
37.266666, 10.066667
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
0m

Wreck History - BENIVENTO

Year Sunk
1943
Vessel Type
cargo ship
Cause
torpedo
Tonnage
5,251 GRT

The SS Benivento had a fascinating and multinational history, reflecting the turbulent politics of the early 20th century. She was built in the UK at the end of World War I as the 'War Finch', a standard cargo ship. After the war, she was sold to France and renamed 'Fort de Souville'. With the outbreak of World War II and the fall of France, she was seized by the British, and later transferred to the Italian government in 1941, where she received her final name: 'Benivento'.

Her final voyage came on April 1, 1943, during the climax of the North African campaign. Loaded with a vital cargo of ammunition and military vehicles, she was en route from Naples to Tunis to supply the struggling Axis forces. She was spotted by the British submarine HMS Unruffled, which fired a torpedo that found its mark. Crippled by the explosion, the crew heroically managed to beach the ship near Cape Serrat, Tunisia, to prevent her from sinking in deep water and to salvage what they could.

Today, the Benivento lies exactly where she was left, at a depth of 0 meters. Her remains break the surface, constantly battered by the Mediterranean surf. While not a scuba dive, the wreck is a spectacular sight for snorkelers, kayakers, and coastal explorers. The massive, twisted steel plates and scattered debris in the shallows offer a tangible connection to a critical moment in WWII history, a visible scar of the naval war that raged along these shores.

Marine Protected Area: Lagune de Ghar El Melh et delta de la medjerda

Best Time to Dive in Tabarka

The warmest water temperatures in Tabarka occur in January, averaging 16.7°C. The coolest conditions are in December at 16.7°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

  • January: 16.7°C (air: 14.4°C)
  • February: 16.7°C (air: 14.5°C)
  • March: 16.7°C (air: 14.8°C)
  • April: 16.7°C (air: 16.1°C)
  • May: 16.7°C (air: 18.8°C)
  • June: 16.7°C (air: 22.7°C)
  • July: 16.7°C (air: 26.0°C)
  • August: 16.7°C (air: 26.7°C)
  • September: 16.7°C (air: 25.3°C)
  • October: 16.7°C (air: 22.6°C)
  • November: 16.7°C (air: 19.2°C)
  • December: 16.7°C (air: 16.1°C)

Nearby Dive Sites in Tabarka

Nearest Dive Centres to BENIVENTO

Marine Life in Tabarka

Home to 162 recorded species including 104 reef fish, 20 sharks & rays, 7 octopus & squid, 6 other, 5 whales & dolphins, 4 crabs & lobsters.

Notable Species

Recommended Packing List for BENIVENTO

Based on average water temperature of 16.7°C.

  • 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