PAMBOLA - Tyre

Pambola is, hands down, one of our favourite shallow wrecks in the Eastern Med. We love a good shipwreck, but Pambola hits different because it’s so accessible and surprisingly intact for its age. This old motor vessel, a cargo ship believed to have gone down sometime in the 1960s, sits upright in just two metres of water, right off the coast near Tyre. When you drop in, it’s like swimming through a time capsule. The stern, in particular, is just incredible – the propeller and rudder are still there, almost perfectly preserved. Sunlight filters down, illuminating the rusty hulk, making the metal glow with oranges and browns. You can spend ages just finning slowly around the deck, peeking into the small compartments that are still open. Schools of silvery damselfish dart in and out of the superstructure, and we’ve often spotted small groupers tucked away in shadowy corners. Look closely, and you’ll find nudibranchs clinging to the hull, tiny pops of colour against the rusted steel. It’s a perfect spot for snorkelers or new divers, honestly. Even experienced divers will get a kick out of how much there is to explore without the pressure of depth or complex navigation. The visibility here is usually excellent, especially on a calm morning, and there’s virtually no current to worry about. Go early to have it mostly to yourself.

Location

Tyre, Lebanon, Red Sea & Middle East

Coordinates

34.499000, 35.966167

Type

wreck

Maximum Depth

2m

Marine Protected Area: محمية جزيرة النخل وجزيرة سنني وجزيرة رامكين الطبيعية