Diving Wreck of Zenobia with Easy Divers
The Zenobia Wreck is so popular that it is rated top 4th shipwreck dive site in the world!
Quick Facts about the Zenobia Wreck
- 172 m long
- roll-on roll-off ferry
- Swedish origin
- loaded with 108 trucks
- depth: 16-42m
- sunk: 1980
When you first dive into the water above Zenobia you will instantly notice how clear it is. On most days it’s easy to see her from the surface. Once you start your descent underwater you will be awestruck with the shear size of the wreck.
Description of the dive
There is a large chain from a surface marker buoy down to the Zenobia Wreck. Many dives use this line to descend slowly and equalize their ears safely. The line leads down to the starboard side of the vessel, where you can adjust your buoyancy and get yourself ready for an amazing dive on the Zenobia Wreck.
On the first of two dives we usually see the massive propeller, loading doors and we swim above suspended trucks. All of that is in the stern of the ferry.
During our second dive we concentrate on visiting bow. We swim through the bridge, find an enormous anchor and life boats. More experienced divers might even dive through the cafeteria.
After every dive on the Wreck of Zenobia you must always make a safety stop to allow nitrogen gas to leave your body gradually. A simple 3-minute safety stop at 5 meters, preceded by slow and controlled ascend allows residual nitrogen to safely leave your body.
Highlights of the Zenobia Wreck dive
- massive propeller
- loading doors
- suspended trucks
- life boats
- huge anchor
- bridge and caffeteria
ZENOBIA half day trip includes
⇒ 2 guided boat dives
⇒ transportation
⇒ full equipment rental
⇒ boat & conservation fees
⇒ buffet lunch on the boat
⇒ FREE Nitrox for EANx certified divers
EUR 150/person
Dive safely with NITROX
We offer FREE Nitrox for all EANx certified divers on Zenobia Wreck dives.
If you’re not yet Nitrox certified diver that’s an excellent opportunity to learn something new, earn new certification and extend your bottom time.
Benefits of using Nitrox include:
- longer dive times at given depth
- shorter surface intervals
- less fatigue
Dive Prerequisites
⇒ Advanced Open Water Diver
⇒ 20 dives
Zenobia trip schedule
7:30 – pickup from hotel
8:30 – embarking on a dive boat
9:00 – leaving port (2 dives, lunch)
13:30 – coming back to port
14:30 – return
Artificial Reef
Wreck of Zenobia became protected artificial reef. Many species of fish made the ferry their home. Sea creatures often spotted on the Zenobia Wreck are:
- Dusky and Striped Groupers
- Sea Bass
- Amber Jacks
- Barracuda
- Parrot fish
- wide variety of Bream and Wrasse.
The marine life in and around the wreck is unique, and the Zenobia dive site is currently rated top 4th wreck dive site in the world!
A bit of history
The Zenobia Ferry sunk just outside of Larnaca seafront in June 1980. It carried 140 passengers, all of them were fortunately evacuated in time. Unfortunate event happened on her maiden voyage in the Mediterranean Sea, opposite Larnaca’s old fishing harbour.
The most popular theory surrounding the sinking of the Zenobia Wreck claims computerized ballasting system developed a fault while on route to Larnaca. A specialized ferry maintenance team was sent aboard Zenobia to solve the problem. Experts successfully managed to correct the list to 5%. At 5pm on 6th of June 1980 the Captain mistakenly dismissed them, dispatching them back to land.
This later proved to be a fatal mistake as the following day at 2am the Zenobia ferry sank, taking her cargo to her final resting place.
