VERCELLI - Tabarka
The Vercelli, near Tabarka, is one of our favourite Mediterranean wrecks. She was a steamer, sunk in 1943, and lies at a very manageable 15 metres. We love how accessible she is; it’s a brilliant site for newer wreck divers, but still interesting enough for those who’ve spent a lot of time poking around sunken ships. Her sheer size is impressive, a full 100 metres long, and you can swim alongside the hull, feeling the cool shadow it casts. Look into the cargo holds; we've seen schools of juvenile barracuda shimmering there, catching the light from above. The superstructure is a jumble, home to moray eels peering out from gaps and octopus tucked away in crevices. Sometimes, if you hit it right with the thermocline, you get these incredible light rays cutting through the water and illuminating the bow. It’s not a vibrant coral garden, but the sense of history is palpable, and the marine life that has claimed her is fascinating to observe. We'd suggest going in late morning; the light penetration is usually best then.
- Location
- Tabarka, Tunisia, Mediterranean & Europe
- Coordinates
- 37.200000, 10.283333
- Type
- wreck
- Maximum Depth
- 15m
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
- ANNA CATERINA - 60m (wreck)
- BENIVENTO - 0m (wreck)
- BESSY G. - 1m (wreck)
- BLOSSOM (STERN SECTION) - 8m (wreck)
- BRANDARIS - 3m (wreck)
- CARMELO MARULLO II - 50m (wreck)
- CHRISTIAN MICHELSEN - 16m (wreck)
- CONGELSA - 5m (wreck)
- Dive-X Active Sport - Cala Gadir
- Dive-X Active Sport - Cala Tramontana
- EMPIRE SONG (POSSIBLY) - 50m (wreck)
- HELENE CLIPPER - 60m (wreck)
- HERMES - 1m (wreck)
- HMS AVENGER - 60m (wreck)
- HMS Bedouin (reef)
Nearest Dive Centres to VERCELLI
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
- loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta)
- hake (Merluccius merluccius) - Reef Fish
- Pollock (Trachurus trachurus) - Reef Fish
- Mullet (Mullus barbatus) - Reef Fish
- european squid (Loligo vulgaris) - Octopus & Squid
- Pandora (Pagellus erythrinus) - Reef Fish
- Bogue (Boops boops) - Reef Fish
- Annular Seabream (Diplodus annularis) - Reef Fish
- pilchard (Sardina pilchardus) - Reef Fish
- Common octopus (Octopus vulgaris) - Octopus & Squid
- common cuttlefish (Sepia officinalis) - Octopus & Squid
- red mullet (Mullus surmuletus) - Reef Fish
- Split (Scomber scombrus) - Reef Fish
- Painted Comber (Serranus scriba) - Reef Fish
- Ribbonfish (Lepidopus caudatus) - Reef Fish
- Brown Comber (Serranus hepatus) - Reef Fish
- dory (Zeus faber) - Reef Fish
- Snapper (Sparus aurata) - Reef Fish
- Garrupa (Serranus cabrilla) - Reef Fish
- dogfish (Scyliorhinus canicula) - Sharks & Rays
Recommended Packing List for VERCELLI
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