Dive the Zenobia Wreck, Cyprus
Wreck the Ordinary.
172 metres of shipwreck.
42 metres deep.
1 unforgettable dive.
Welcome to one of the most legendary shipwreck dives in the world, the MS Zenobia wreck in Larnaca, Cyprus.
Sitting just 1.5 km off the coast, this enormous Swedish ferry has become one of the most famous wreck dives on the planet. Massive, mysterious and alive with marine life, the Zenobia is consistently ranked among the Top 10 wreck dives in the world.
Once you descend alongside the wreck, you’ll immediately understand why divers travel from across the globe to experience it.
Scuba Dive the MS Zenobia Wreck – Larnaca’s Underwater Giant
The Story Behind the Zenobia
The MS Zenobia was a Roll-on/Roll-off (Ro-Ro) Swedish cargo ferry built in 1979. On her maiden voyage from Malmö, Sweden to Tartous, Syria, disaster struck.
While docked in Larnaca in June 1980, a software malfunction in her ballast control system caused her to take on water and list to one side. Efforts to correct it failed. After being towed out of the Larnaca port for safety reasons, she sank just 3 days later, settling gently on her port side.
The Zenobia went down with over 100 fully loaded articulated lorries still on board and they’re still down there today, cargo and all. From trucks stacked like Lego blocks to tyres and rusted-out machinery, the Zenobia ship wreck is an intact time capsule from the 1980s, frozen in silence beneath the sea.
Today, the wreck lies at a depth of 16m–42m, making her accessible to advanced recreational divers, tech divers, and photographers seeking the ultimate underwater playground.
Zenobia Wreck Dive Profile
Key facts about the MS Zenobia Shipwreck, Larnaca, Cyprus
Distance From Shore
1.5km from Larnaca coast
Max Depth
42m / 137ft
Wreck Length
172m / 564ft
Date Sunk
7th June 1980
Cargo & Artefacts
104 articulated trucks, Persian rugs, tractors, eggs and much more!
Experience Level
Minimum AOW diver certification, ages 16+, wreck lovers & tech divers.
Sealife
Groupers, turtles, nudibranchs and more.
Dives
Massive scale and epic swim-throughs
Fun Facts About
the Zenobia Wreck
The MS Zenobia isn’t just an incredible dive, it’s packed with stories, surprises and a bit of legend. Here are a few fun facts about this iconic wreck.
The cargo on board at the time of sinking was worth an estimated £200 million
One of the lorries was reportedly carrying a shipment of eggs, still visible decades later
No lives were lost during the sinking – just a lot of shocked insurance companies!
The Zenobia was once dubbed the “Titanic of the Mediterranean”
The ship is so big, most scuba divers only see a fraction of it on a single dive
Technical divers can explore internal decks, engine rooms, and cabins (with proper training)
Advanced Open Water | Max Depth 40MThe Zenobia Wreck in Larnaca isn’t just a dive. It’s a journey.
With over 172+ metres of wreck to explore, every dive is shaped around your experience level, the conditions on the day and the kind of dive you want.
Currents, visibility and diver comfort always come first. What you’ll see down there depends on the route we take. No two Zenobia dives are ever the same.
Wreck the Ordinary
Dive the Zenobia Your Way
Some of the Routes We Dive
Orientation Dive – a guided tour around the outside, perfect for your first Zenobia experience
Canteen & Accommodation Block – see cabins, toilets, carpet, and even the restaurant’s old drinks machine
Upper Cargo Deck – stacked trucks, some still with windscreens, chained in place
Middle Cargo Deck – colourful cabs, tarps, cargo still inside… plus the Captain’s car and the ship’s forklift
Crew & Captain’s Quarters – eerie and atmospheric, complete with fixtures still intact
Auxiliary Engine Room – for advanced divers seeking more depth and challenge
Chain Locker & Engine Room – technical routes with incredible penetration diving
Deep Bow & Propellers – massive, jaw-dropping props that remind you just how big this beast really is
Each route is progressive in difficulty, and always guided with care. No two divers are the same and we tailor every dive on the Zenobia to match your skill, comfort level, and goals. Whether you're here for the fish life when diving in Cyprus or for the thrill of peeking into an untouched cargo hold from 1980… we’ll show you the Zenobia your way!
Let's Plan Your Dive
Thinking about diving in Cyprus? Tell us a little about yourself and what you’re interested in, and we’ll help you plan the right dive for you. No pressure, no rush, just great diving.