wreck

Log This Dive

PAOLA A.

The *Paola A.* is a proper old tanker, sitting upright, split into three main sections after an explosion back in '85. We love how shallow it is, maxing out at seven meters, which means plenty of bottom time and lots of light penetration, even on an overcast day. You can spend a whole dive just circling the stern, watching schools of sergeant majors flutter around the superstructure. Look for the engine room; it's a bit of a squeeze but worth it to see the machinery still mostly intact. Our favourite detail has to be the huge propeller, completely encrusted now, serving as an apartment block for blennies and gobies. This isn't a wreck for penetration, given its "dangerous wreck" classification, but there are plenty of swim-throughs and broken sections to explore from the outside. The bow section is particularly good for finding frogfish if you've got a keen eye, and we've spotted eagle rays cruising over the sand nearby. It's an excellent site for photographers, especially macro, and brilliant for newer wreck divers wanting to get a feel for a substantial wreck without the depth or current challenges often associated with them. The visibility here can be hit or miss depending on the plankton blooms, but even in average vis, the sheer size of the wreck keeps it interesting.