_edited.png)
Wreck the Ordinary.
172 metres of wreck.
42 metres deep.
1 unforgettable dive.
MS Zenobia Shipwreck - Larnaca
Scuba Dive the MS Zenobia Wreck – Larnaca’s Underwater Giant
Welcome to one of the most legendary shipwrecks in the world, the MS Zenobia. Sitting just 1.5km off the coast of Larnaca, Cyprus, this sunken Swedish ferry is a must-dive for every wreck diving lover. Massive, mysterious, and alive with marine life, the MS Zenobia is considered one of the Top 10 wreck dives globally, and once you’re underwater, you’ll understand why.
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, this ship wreck is an intact time capsule from the 1980s, frozen in silence beneath the sea.
Today, she 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
Max depth: 42m / 137ft
Cargo: 104 articulated trucks,
many still visible
Wreck length: 172m / 564ft
Advanced divers, wreck lovers
& tech divers
Distance from shore: 1.5km from
Larnaca coast
Groupers, turtles, lion fish,
nudibranchs & more
Date sunk: 7th June 1980
Massive scale & epic
swim-throughs
Zenobia Wreck Dive Profile
Key facts about the MS Zenobia Shipwreck, Larnaca, Cyprus
Max depth: 42m / 137ft
Cargo: 104 articulated trucks, many still visible
Wreck length: 172m / 564ft
Advanced divers, wreck lovers & tech divers
Distance from shore: 1.5km from Larnaca coast
Groupers, turtles, nudibranchs & more
Date sunk: 7th June 1980
Massive scale & epic swim-throughs
Fun Facts About the Zenobia 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)
Fun Facts About the Zenobia 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)
Wreck the Ordinary – Dive the Zenobia Your Way
The Zenobia isn't a dive. It's a journey. With over 172 metres of wreck to explore, we tailor every route based on your experience level, conditions on the day, and what kind of dive you're after. Currents, visibility, and diver comfort always come first, but what you’ll see down there? That depends on the path we take. No two Zenobia dives are the same.
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!
Book Your Zenobia Wreck Dive Today
This isn’t your average dive trip in Cyprus. This is Wreck the Ordinary!
Explore sunken trucks, hidden cabins, towering propellers, and an entire ecosystem that now calls this artificial reef home.
-
Message us to plan your Zenobia dive
-
Available for Advanced Open Water Divers and above
-
Departing mornings from Larnaca Marina on the dive boat
-
Small groups. No rush. Real diving.
Come diving in Cyprus with Pineapple Dive Club. Wreck the Ordinary. Dive the Zenobia.
Book Your Zenobia Wreck Dive Today
This isn’t your average dive trip in Cyprus. This is Wreck the Ordinary!
Explore sunken trucks, hidden cabins, towering propellers, and an entire ecosystem that now calls this artificial reef home.
-
Message us to plan your Zenobia dive
-
Available for Advanced Open Water Divers and above
-
Departing mornings from Larnaca Marina on the dive boat
-
Small groups. No rush. Real diving.
Come diving in Cyprus with Pineapple Dive Club. Wreck the Ordinary. Dive the Zenobia.