The MS Zenobia is regularly called "The Titanic of the Mediterranean"—and the comparison isn't just marketing. At 172 metres long, she's one of the largest accessible wrecks in the world. Unlike the actual Titanic, sitting 3,800 metres down in the Atlantic, you can dive Zenobia in warm, clear water just 15 minutes from Larnaca harbour.
Why "The Titanic of the Mediterranean"?
The comparison works on multiple levels:
Scale: Zenobia is massive. At 172 metres, she's longer than most recreational wrecks. Swimming her length takes minutes, not seconds.
Intactness: Unlike many wrecks that break apart over decades, Zenobia remains largely whole. Her superstructure, decks, and even the trucks in her cargo hold are recognisable 40+ years later.
Tragedy: Like Titanic, she sank on what should have been a routine voyage. The cause—a computerised ballast system malfunction—makes her story uniquely modern.
Legacy: Both ships became more famous in death than they ever were in life.
The Numbers
- Length: 172 metres
- Depth: 17-42 metres
- Cargo: 104 trucks (many still visible)
- Value lost: £200 million (1980 pounds)
- Annual divers: 45,000+
- Visibility: 20-40 metres typical
What Makes Zenobia World-Class
Accessibility
Fifteen minutes by boat from Larnaca. No expedition, no remote location, no special permits. You can dive Zenobia and be having lunch in town an hour later.
Depth Range
The wreck offers something for everyone:
- 17m: Upper hull (accessible to advanced freedivers)
- 25m: Main deck and trucks
- 33m: Bridge and accommodation areas
- 42m: The seafloor beneath
Water Conditions
Cyprus delivers Mediterranean perfection: 20-40 metre visibility, 20-28°C water temperature, and calm seas most of the year. You don't need a drysuit or struggle through murky water to appreciate this wreck.
Marine Life
Forty years underwater has transformed Zenobia into a reef. Grouper, barracuda, moray eels, lionfish, and clouds of smaller fish have colonised every surface. The wreck is as alive as any coral reef.
The Trucks
Perhaps no other wreck offers such a surreal sight: articulated trucks still strapped to the deck, their cargo long scattered, sitting in silent rows beneath the sea. Some remain chained in place; others tumbled when the ship rolled.
The Diving Experience
Approach
The boat ride builds anticipation. You kit up watching the Larnaca shoreline recede, knowing what waits below.
Descent
Even scuba divers experience the drama: descending through blue water, the wreck gradually materialising below. For freedivers reaching the upper hull, the reveal is intensified by the single-breath timeline.
Exploration
You could dive Zenobia for years without seeing everything. The exterior alone—hull, superstructure, lifeboats, trucks—offers multiple dives. The interior, for qualified technical divers, adds vehicle decks, accommodation, and the engine room.
Wildlife Encounters
Large grouper are almost guaranteed. Barracuda school in the open water. Lionfish—invasive but beautiful—hide in crevices. The wreck pulses with life.
Planning Your Visit
Best Season
April through October offers optimal conditions. September often delivers the best visibility—post-summer clarity with still-warm water.
Certification Requirements
- Open water certification minimum for scuba
- Advanced/deep certification recommended
- Technical certification for interior penetration
- AIDA 2+ and 18m comfort for freediving
What to Expect
Morning departures from Larnaca harbour. Multiple dives over 3-4 hours. Surface intervals on the boat with views of the coastline. Professional dive masters who know every corner of the wreck.
Zenobia vs. Other Famous Wrecks
| Wreck | Location | Depth | Accessibility |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zenobia | Cyprus | 17-42m | Easy |
| Thistlegorm | Egypt | 16-30m | Moderate |
| President Coolidge | Vanuatu | 20-70m | Moderate |
| Titanic | Atlantic | 3,800m | Expedition only |
Zenobia combines the scale of legendary wrecks with accessibility few can match.
The Story Continues
The Zenobia's story didn't end in 1980. Every year brings new marine growth, new fish populations, new discoveries by divers exploring her depths. The ship that sank due to a software bug has become a living monument—more vibrant underwater than she ever was afloat.
Some wrecks are interesting. Zenobia is unmissable.
At Underwater Journeys, we run regular trips to the wreck for both scuba divers and qualified freedivers. Whether you're experienced or working toward your first Zenobia dive, we can help you experience why this ship deserves her title.
The Titanic of the Mediterranean is waiting.
