Diving 3 Days – Explore the Zenobia

„Explore the Zenobia program“ means we take you on a 3 day adventure at this unique wreck, the very large ferry Zenobia.

Over 3 days, you’ll experience wreck diving in a way that’s different to what you’ve probably experienced before, according to your knowledge and skills.

Truck-loaded decks, restaurant, guest cabins, kitchen and side rooms, the captain’s bridge and crew quarters are just a few of the options we can explore with you.

General info

You don’t have to do the 3 days in a row, just arrange your days with us. We will pick you up in the morning at your hotel (region Larnaca / Agia Napa – if you are staying outside this region, there might be an extra charge for the transfer, but of course we will tell you this beforehand), drive to the dive site and bring you back to the hotel.

We are happy to take your diving equipment back with us, rinse and dry it. You don’t have your own equipment? No problem. You can borrow everything you need, air and weights are included in the programme.

The Zenobia

The 172 metre long wreck of the Zenobia is probably the best wreck in the Mediterranean that you can explore as a recreational diver. The Zenobia wreck is often referred to as the Titanic of the Mediterranean and is regularly voted one of the top 5 to 10 best wrecks in the world.

The Zenobia sank in the early hours of 7 June 1980 and lies on its port side at a maximum depth of about 45m and the starboard side is only 16m from the surface.

The Zenobia was a ro-ro ferry and on its maiden voyage from Malmö (Sweden) to Tartus (Syria), loaded with over 100 trucks, semi-trailers and trailers. Forklifts, tractors, the captain’s Lada and lots of cargo were also on board. At first, the journey went smoothly, passing through the straits of Gibraltar, heading for Crete and then Athens. On the way there, the Zenobia began to tip to port, probably due to a problem with the computer used for ballast equalisation, because it was pumping excess water into the port ballast tank. In Athens, the problem was supposed to have been solved and the voyage could be continued, but then it reappeared even worse than before and got worse, so that the Zenobia had to be brought to the port of Larnaka. Here, however, the problem could not be fixed and the Zenobia was towed out of the shipping lanes. Then at 2.30 a.m. the ship capsized and sank to the bottom on the port side less than a mile from shore with a cargo worth over 200 million goods.

Over time, various conspiracy theories emerged and continue to emerge. There is speculation about insurance fraud, espionage, a cache of weapons on board. The captain could not be questioned intensively because he committed suicide after the sinking.

The Zenobia Wreck

Due to the huge size of the wreck, there is the possibility to do a lot of different dives and one full dive week is still not enough to have explored everything. Already on the outside of the wreck there is a lot to see: the two huge propellers, the Roro doors, the trucks on the outer decks, the funnels, the bridge, the cafeteria, the large bow area and the accommodation. On the Zenobia, numerous safe dives into the interior are possible, as there is a lot of ambient light and you can quickly get back to the open water area without any problems.

One day on the Zenobia wreck is never enough and therefore many divers return again and again to explore more of the wreck. Many divers therefore opt for this 3-day wreck diving programme, some even a whole week, because there really is so much to discover and see on this huge wreck.

For deep divers or technical divers, there are many options to do dives on the outside to explore what Zenobia has to offer on the seabed, and many dives deeper into the decks and interiors of the wreck. The 3 cargo decks are full of trucks, some still loaded, from many countries in Europe, Arabia and Africa. Of course, we also make extensive dives to the captain’s quarters, the laundry, the accommodation and into the engine room.

With depths ranging from 16m to around 45m metres, the wreck is perfect for all levels of experience. As the shallowest areas are no more than 18m, even Open Water Diver level divers can get their money’s worth here.

This is what our programme costs

The 3 days Individual Dive Programme costs, if you come alone as a diving guest, 599 Euro, if you come with a diving partner 549 Euro each, if you come in a group of 3 or 4 the price is reduced to 499 Euro.

Transfer, boat trips, air and weights are included, rental equipment is charged separately, but is max. 50 Euro for 3 days. You can pay for your programme by card, cash on site or bank transfer in advance.

This is what you need to bring and how you can book

Please bring your ABC equipment (mask and fins or boots) and normal swimming gear. If you are under 18 years old, we need the consent of your parent or guardian and, depending on your age, also their escort.

Write a short email to service@sancytours.com, tell us which certification you have, how many dives you have logged and when your last dive was. It is also important to know when you want to dive.

 
or use our booking system

Tags:
adventure dive, padi divecenter, private diev guide, private guiding, wreck diving, zeobia wreck