HMS Fearless - Tabarka

Okay, let's clear up some confusion right away. The *Deepwater Horizon* wreck, the actual rig that sank, isn't in the Florida Keys. It went down in the Gulf of Mexico, miles offshore from Louisiana. What we *do* have in the Florida Keys, and what we suspect the data is pointing to, is the **USS *Spiegel Grove***, a massive landing ship dock often *mistakenly* referred to by people thinking of a big, deep wreck. If that's the case, then we can talk. The *Spiegel Grove* is a proper beast of a wreck, sitting upright about six miles offshore from Key Largo. We love big wrecks, and this one certainly delivers on scale. Dropping down, the sheer size hits you first – 155 meters long, originally intended as an artificial reef, but she decided to roll over on her side during the sinking in 2002. Eventually, Hurricane Dennis in 2005 righted her, so now she sits upright, just as planned. Penetration is a major draw here, but only if you're appropriately trained and equipped. There are dozens of entry points into cargo holds, crew quarters, and the massive well deck. For those without overhead environment training, there’s still plenty to explore on the exterior. Barracuda often hang motionless near the bridge, looking you over. Schools of jack swirl around the upper decks, and if you keep an eye out in the blue, you might catch sight of a passing tuna or even a dolphin pod. Our favourite spot is the stern, where the prop wash vents attract a surprising amount of smaller reef fish and offer some interesting photographic angles. We’d suggest diving this one on a calm day, as currents can pick up and make finning around this massive structure a bit of a workout. Visibility usually hovers around 20 meters, but it can drop after strong winds, so pick your day.

Location
Tabarka, Tunisia, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
37.666668, 8.333333
Type
wreck

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 HMS Fearless

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 HMS Fearless

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