BLOSSOM (STERN SECTION) - Tabarka

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.

Location
Tabarka, Tunisia, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
37.182520, 10.326473
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
8m

Wreck History - BLOSSOM (STERN SECTION)

Year Sunk
1981
Vessel Type
tanker
Cause
explosion

The tanker Blossom was built in 1959 by Lubecker Flender-Werke A.G. and was owned by the Blossom Shipping Co. at the time of her loss. On January 11, 1981, while on a passage from Port de Bouc, France, to Taranto, Italy, a catastrophic explosion ripped the vessel in half.

The bow section sank immediately, but the stern section remained afloat before eventually sinking. Today, the stern of the Blossom rests in the clear waters off Tabarka, Tunisia. At a very accessible depth of just 8 meters, it's a fantastic site for novice wreck divers and underwater photographers. The shallow depth allows for long, relaxed dives with plenty of natural light to explore the twisted metal and witness the sheer force of the explosion that sent this vessel to its final resting place.

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 BLOSSOM (STERN SECTION)

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 BLOSSOM (STERN SECTION)

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