Zenobia Wreck Diving Site
Zenobia Wreck Diving Site
5
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The best wreck in the world with best instructors, we will keep you safe on a magical mystery tour of this epic wreck that sank on the 7th June 1980 with 104 articulated lorries still fully laden with cargo on board. Contact us now for our summer special of 90 euros for 2 dives with equipment :)
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379 reviews
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CookieHH
Kingston upon Thames, UK32 contributions
Oct 2022 • Couples
Another great diving holiday on the amazing Zenobia wreck. Surely one of the world’s best wreck dives. Hosted again by the super team at Viking Divers in Larnaca, our group from Richmond SubAqua Club UK had a brilliant time.
Written October 13, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Roberts69
Northampton, UK18,987 contributions
Aug 2020
As an experienced advanced open water and speciality deep diver with nearly 300 logged dives I was looking forward to my 2 dives on the wreck of the MS Zenobia and it didn't disappoint. The water visibility was excellent and this massive wreck, 172m long, had plenty to see. We went down to the prop's at 40m and also did a swim through the canteen. Plenty of marine life including a nice moray eel. Plenty of Cypriot Dive Centres offer dives here, many of them operating from the Larnaca Marina based "Queen Zenobia". This was an excellent dive vessel with plenty of room, easy entry and exit and an excellent lunchtime BBQ.
Written October 20, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Amazing to hear from you and so glad you had an awesome time on the wreck.
Best regards,
The Alpha Team
Written October 19, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Powerscourt
United Kingdom51 contributions
Sep 2022
Fabulous dive location close to the harbour. Well preserved and an interesting dive site.
More marine life than other dive locations in Cyprus.
Needs dozens of dives to do it justice. Will go back at the first opportunity.
More marine life than other dive locations in Cyprus.
Needs dozens of dives to do it justice. Will go back at the first opportunity.
Written October 12, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Amazing to hear from you and so glad you had an awesome time on the wreck.
Best regards,
The Alpha Team
Written October 19, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Dr Stephen
Ashbourne, UK2,866 contributions
Aug 2015 • Friends
I dived Zenobia eight times over four days in August 2015. This is truly an amazing wreck, particularly if you have a few days, and a good guide who can show you around her. She lies on her port side in 16 metres (to the top of the wreck; her starboard side) to 42 metres (the sea bed), so there is diving here for all qualified divers.
I suggest you start with relatively simple orientation dives - go to the bridge and the bow, and then go to see the funnel, car ramps and propeller at the stern. These are probably two dives as the wreck is so large.
There are penetration opportunities, but I HIGHLY recommend a guide for this. I dived with Alpha Divers - see my separate review of them. Having made x6 deep penetrations this week, I believe you could easily get lost inside her with the obvious consequences.
Inside, there are 104 trucks, a forklift truck, and the Captain's (Lada) car. On the upper car deck, there is some light. But on the lower decks, it is absolutely pitch black - torches are obviously essential.
Zenobia sank unexpectedly in 1980, just outside Larnaca port. She has not been prepared for divers, so you should expect a few tight hatches and rough edges.
The Times newspaper listed this a few years back as 'a top ten wreck'. I am a PADI DiveMaster and Master Scuba Diver with over twenty years' diving experience. Believe me, you won't find many wrecks better than this one.
If my review has helped you, please reward me with a "Helpful" vote - thank you.
I suggest you start with relatively simple orientation dives - go to the bridge and the bow, and then go to see the funnel, car ramps and propeller at the stern. These are probably two dives as the wreck is so large.
There are penetration opportunities, but I HIGHLY recommend a guide for this. I dived with Alpha Divers - see my separate review of them. Having made x6 deep penetrations this week, I believe you could easily get lost inside her with the obvious consequences.
Inside, there are 104 trucks, a forklift truck, and the Captain's (Lada) car. On the upper car deck, there is some light. But on the lower decks, it is absolutely pitch black - torches are obviously essential.
Zenobia sank unexpectedly in 1980, just outside Larnaca port. She has not been prepared for divers, so you should expect a few tight hatches and rough edges.
The Times newspaper listed this a few years back as 'a top ten wreck'. I am a PADI DiveMaster and Master Scuba Diver with over twenty years' diving experience. Believe me, you won't find many wrecks better than this one.
If my review has helped you, please reward me with a "Helpful" vote - thank you.
Written September 1, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dm_Scuba
Cambridge, UK158 contributions
Oct 2013 • Couples
hi, all,
it's probably the best wreck diving destination in Europe. Highly recommended.
Just be aware of the following, actually it's an advise for Trimix qualified divers with an overhead training and experience. Similar applies to CCR divers who can bring their equipment to Larnaka.
If you have some kind of package deal from one of local Dive Centers and travel there with a mid or large group of people, especially in a middle of a busy season, then be aware that most of the dives will be boring and quite badly organised
I'll try to explain
the typical "package" deal is about 10 dives
2-3 dives will be "look around"
1 dive will be "visit some other wreck nearby"
3-4 dives will be "some simple penetration"
and other couple of dives will be kind of "proper penetration"
Simply Dive Center needs to keep you "entertained" ...
any penetration dive in a mid or large group looks like this:
One guide at the front, all of you in the middle (5-7 divers!!!), one guide at the back.
Most of the divers will be with 15 L. No stages, not even pony bottles.
Step left - forbidden, step right - forbidden. I.e. when you enter one of the sections of the wreck then the guides will be pushing you "keep going, keep going" (simply 15 L doesn't allow you much, also not mentioning safety aspects [ no extra gases ]).
Also the "kind of penetration" dives are routed via some narrow corridors or UNDER some tracks/lorries. If you are at the end of the "chain" then vis will be bad (thanks to your "buddies").
So, if this kind of diving is OK for you then ... have a lovely holiday and safe diving.
If not then my advise is following:
1) get there during off-season period. Yes, there is a chance of wind and bad weather, but the dive center will be not busy at all and you'll be able to get from them what you need
2) your group should be 2-3 dives MAX. Ideally 2.
3) Everyone should have same gases and same dive plan. Your dive guide must have the same gases and plan (no any kind of rubbish like : "guys, i'll lead you with 15 L bottle, it's OK for me").
4) be ready for a one long dive a day. If mid of Feb dives for 90+ minutes are too cold for you - bring your dry suit
5) 2x12 twinset (with 21/35), one stage bottle (which mix - up to you, just remember that some exits from the wreck are at 20-22 m), and extra 100% or 80 % bottle waiting for you at the deco station under the charter boat. Yes, Helium is VERY expensive in Larnaka. However, price of the three very good trimix dives is the same as the price of the 10 rubbish dives what most of dive centers offer you as part of the package by default.
6) good torch. Plus backup torch. Your overhead environment training should include light signalling.
7) the most important you need to agree with the dive guide in advance that when you are inside some section of the wreck then he'll give you at least 8-10 mins to look around. Of course do not go anywhere far away, use frog kick, keep vis good.
8) agree with the guide that there should be no any kind of "let's keep us entertained" routes under tracks or lorries. There is always a way to pass them around. Except if you enjoy pot hole dives with side-mount :-)
in this case 3 dives will be more than enough to see the whole wreck. And you'll enjoy them. All of them.
best regards
it's probably the best wreck diving destination in Europe. Highly recommended.
Just be aware of the following, actually it's an advise for Trimix qualified divers with an overhead training and experience. Similar applies to CCR divers who can bring their equipment to Larnaka.
If you have some kind of package deal from one of local Dive Centers and travel there with a mid or large group of people, especially in a middle of a busy season, then be aware that most of the dives will be boring and quite badly organised
I'll try to explain
the typical "package" deal is about 10 dives
2-3 dives will be "look around"
1 dive will be "visit some other wreck nearby"
3-4 dives will be "some simple penetration"
and other couple of dives will be kind of "proper penetration"
Simply Dive Center needs to keep you "entertained" ...
any penetration dive in a mid or large group looks like this:
One guide at the front, all of you in the middle (5-7 divers!!!), one guide at the back.
Most of the divers will be with 15 L. No stages, not even pony bottles.
Step left - forbidden, step right - forbidden. I.e. when you enter one of the sections of the wreck then the guides will be pushing you "keep going, keep going" (simply 15 L doesn't allow you much, also not mentioning safety aspects [ no extra gases ]).
Also the "kind of penetration" dives are routed via some narrow corridors or UNDER some tracks/lorries. If you are at the end of the "chain" then vis will be bad (thanks to your "buddies").
So, if this kind of diving is OK for you then ... have a lovely holiday and safe diving.
If not then my advise is following:
1) get there during off-season period. Yes, there is a chance of wind and bad weather, but the dive center will be not busy at all and you'll be able to get from them what you need
2) your group should be 2-3 dives MAX. Ideally 2.
3) Everyone should have same gases and same dive plan. Your dive guide must have the same gases and plan (no any kind of rubbish like : "guys, i'll lead you with 15 L bottle, it's OK for me").
4) be ready for a one long dive a day. If mid of Feb dives for 90+ minutes are too cold for you - bring your dry suit
5) 2x12 twinset (with 21/35), one stage bottle (which mix - up to you, just remember that some exits from the wreck are at 20-22 m), and extra 100% or 80 % bottle waiting for you at the deco station under the charter boat. Yes, Helium is VERY expensive in Larnaka. However, price of the three very good trimix dives is the same as the price of the 10 rubbish dives what most of dive centers offer you as part of the package by default.
6) good torch. Plus backup torch. Your overhead environment training should include light signalling.
7) the most important you need to agree with the dive guide in advance that when you are inside some section of the wreck then he'll give you at least 8-10 mins to look around. Of course do not go anywhere far away, use frog kick, keep vis good.
8) agree with the guide that there should be no any kind of "let's keep us entertained" routes under tracks or lorries. There is always a way to pass them around. Except if you enjoy pot hole dives with side-mount :-)
in this case 3 dives will be more than enough to see the whole wreck. And you'll enjoy them. All of them.
best regards
Written January 15, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mark
York, UK102 contributions
Jun 2018 • Solo
How you feel about the Zenobia will very much depend on how much you enjoy wreck diving. It is, as you would expect, very busy with divers throughout the day, though I never felt crowded as it provides almost an encyclopedia of wreck dives - from the more basic at 18m to the more challenging and extreme on the lower decks.
My overriding feeling, though, was one of awe and actual vertigo in looking up at this absolute monster of a ship. Just remember to breath steadily folks!
My overriding feeling, though, was one of awe and actual vertigo in looking up at this absolute monster of a ship. Just remember to breath steadily folks!
Written July 2, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Martutd
Lancashire, UK301 contributions
Aug 2013 • Family
After reading so much about this wreck, i thought it may have been over hyped - how wrong I was. I have just completed several dives on this wreck over a 2 week period, & it blew me away. Most of the dives I did were penetration dives, & were done with Chris Martin at Alpha Divers - who has 10 years experience diving the wreck; his knowledge of the wreck is first rate & I was totally at ease inside an unfamiliar wreck to myself.
I can recommend Alpha divers also due to their focus on safety - some other dive operators I saw on the wreck left me amazed.
I can recommend Alpha divers also due to their focus on safety - some other dive operators I saw on the wreck left me amazed.
Written August 14, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Laimac
Jodoigne, Belgium13 contributions
Aug 2013 • Couples
The Zenobia is by far the most impressive dive I have done in my (admittedly short) diving career. The boat is in amazing condition, easily accessible and really really huge.
We had a great time diving on the Zenobia in particular thanks to the diving outfit we selected, Alpha Divers, and despite this being the first wreck dive for some of us we felt completely safe thanks to the care and attention that Alpha Divers give to every aspect of every dive. We were especially happy to have chosen Alpha Divers when we saw the many "diving outfits" that operate on the Zenobia but do not have their own boat and operate (in apparent total disorganization) from the large "bus boat" (50-100 people on board). I strongly suggest you avoid those or at least ensure you have done your research on the outfit you select.
We had a great time diving on the Zenobia in particular thanks to the diving outfit we selected, Alpha Divers, and despite this being the first wreck dive for some of us we felt completely safe thanks to the care and attention that Alpha Divers give to every aspect of every dive. We were especially happy to have chosen Alpha Divers when we saw the many "diving outfits" that operate on the Zenobia but do not have their own boat and operate (in apparent total disorganization) from the large "bus boat" (50-100 people on board). I strongly suggest you avoid those or at least ensure you have done your research on the outfit you select.
Written August 12, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Katie C
14 contributions
May 2019 • Couples
If you want to view this wreck save yourself €12 and don’t use the glass bottom boat. The wreck is over 10m deep and you will not see it unless you dive or snorkel. If you like to see the sea and fish then do the boat.
Written May 23, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Pariya z
Paphos, Cyprus66 contributions
Dec 2018 • Family
Amazing , massive ship wreck, you will need a few dives just to see the outside, suitable for all levels of divers, as there is diffrent levels
the top is at 18m , seabed at 42
the top is at 18m , seabed at 42
Written January 15, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I have PADI open water 18 metres, with 25 dives. Would I be able to dive this wreck.? Thank you
Written August 10, 2022
We are coming to Larnaca next week. How can we buy tickets for the submarine? We are 10 people
Written September 1, 2018
Hi guys, the submarine no longer exists but we can take you scuba diving on a discover scuba experience which is awesome :)
Written September 2, 2018
The Zenobia is only for certified divers but as long as you are then it's 90 euros for 2 dives with equipment with Alpha Divers :)
Written August 24, 2018
Can you snorkel if you're not comfortable diving?
Written May 18, 2018
Yes of course you can... only certified divers are allowed to dive on the Zenobia anyway... safety first. Anything else is just mickey mouse... you should come and do a course with Alpha Divers and we will get you ready for diving on the Zenobia... :)
Written May 19, 2018
Yes it is... please mail Alpha Divers in Larnaca and they will arrange asap :)
Written October 13, 2017
Lyubov T
Jaipur, India
Hello everyone! I'm thinking of visiting Larnaca and diving.
Can I do that without any beginner courses (haven't dive ever in my life)? )
Written July 19, 2016
You can do a padi discover scuba diving experience
You will be able to dive to 12m with an instructor then make further dives with a padi professional
Unfortunately the Zenobia is a bit too deep to see on a dsd
Written July 31, 2016
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