BESSY G. - Tabarka

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.

Location
Tabarka, Tunisia, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
37.333332, 9.666667
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
1m

Wreck History - BESSY G.

Year Sunk
1978
Vessel Type
cargo ship
Cause
grounding

The MV Bessy G. was a modern motor vessel, built in 1961 by the Clelands Shipbuilding Company. For seventeen years, she plied the seas as a typical short-sea cargo carrier. Her final voyage began in July 1978, when she departed Antwerp with a cargo destined for Tripoli, Libya. The journey through the English Channel, across the Bay of Biscay, and into the Mediterranean was routine, until she approached the coast of Tunisia.

On July 12, 1978, the Bessy G. ran hard aground near the port of Tabarka. The exact cause of the navigational error is not recorded, but the result was terminal. Despite being a relatively new and well-founded ship, the efforts to refloat her failed. She was declared a total loss and abandoned to the sea, which would slowly begin the process of breaking her apart.

Lying in just one meter of water, the wreck of the Bessy G. is a highly accessible site for novice divers and snorkelers. Having been pounded by decades of Mediterranean storms, the vessel is thoroughly broken up. Divers can explore a wide debris field consisting of steel hull plates, sections of the superstructure, and parts of her engine and machinery. The shallow, sunlit waters have encouraged marine life to colonize the wreckage, turning this modern maritime casualty into a vibrant artificial reef.

Marine Protected Area: Lac Bizerte

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 BESSY G.

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 BESSY G.

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