Snorkeling tour to the wreck of the “Chrisso” off Tavolara

From Olbia | Duration approx. 4 hours.

The snorkeling tour with DST Sardegna off the island of Tavolara was one of the best experiences we had in Sardinia – a day full of color, adventure and impressions that we will not soon forget. As soon as we cast off from the marina in Olbia, the salty sea air blew towards us. The large inflatable boat glided over the calm water, which glistened in the morning sun, and a panorama of rugged rocks, wide bays and the imposing massif of Tavolara, which rises out of the sea like a sleeping giant, opened up around us.

After a journey of around half an hour on a large inflatable boat, our first stop was at a real insider tip for snorkelers: the wreck of the “Chrisso”. As soon as we dived into the crystal-clear water with our snorkeling dive guide, another world opened up. The wreck lay beneath us at a depth of O to around 10 meters, which is actually just below the surface of the water. Like a silent witness to times gone by, covered in colorful algae and taken over by marine life. Shoals of small fish bustled in the cracks and openings, flashing silvery in the sunlight and making the scenery look almost like a living spectacle. It was a fascinating feeling to glide over the remains of this ship – a little mysterious, a little adventurous and incredibly peaceful at the same time. It’s just great to be able to see a wreck like this while snorkeling.

After visiting the wreck, we drove to a very nice snorkeling area nearby. The water was turquoise, just like in the Caribbean. However, there were lots of other dinghies and snorkelers, as the wreck and this coastline are very easy to reach from the surrounding harbors. But that doesn’t matter, as the area is large and there is plenty of space for snorkeling. So off into the water to look at the fish. All we could hear was the steady sound of our breathing through the snorkel and the crackling of the Mediterranean – and the outboard motor.

The wreck of the “Chrisso”

The Cypriot-flagged cargo ship “Chrisso” ran aground on the rocks in the area of Punta La Greca on the night of December 31, 1974 during a heavy sea. Due to strong winds, the crew was unable to retrieve the anchor and seek shelter in a safe harbor. – However, there is also a story circulating that the crew had been celebrating New Year’s Eve and were simply too drunk. The anchor did not hold, and by the time the crew realized that the wind was driving them onto the rocks, it was simply too late due to the stormy weather.

Fortunately, both the crew and the ship were largely unharmed. A fire then destroyed the ship for good and the Chrisso was abandoned.

Finally, in 2018, a strong storm, a mareggiata, caused the Chrisso to sink.

Today, the wreck is a popular destination for apnea, snorkeling and scuba divers, as it lies in relatively shallow waters (maximum depth of around 10 m).

Nature reserve on the island of Tavolara

After this impressive experience, we took the dinghy to the coast of the island of Tavolara. The island juts out over 500 meters almost vertically from the sea. Some fisherman erected a total of twelve Madonna figures in the rocks and on the summit a long time ago. The island, with its very steep rock faces and green vegetation, is an overwhelming sight from the boat. We also made a stop there before the return trip and were able to swim or snorkel. The water was so clear and turquoise that you could see every detail on the bottom even at a depth of several meters. Between the rocks were colorful schools of small fish that glistened in the sunlight.

The crew from DST Sardegna made the trip perfect: friendly, attentive and with a palpable enthusiasm for the sea. You could tell that they were happy to share their passion with the guests, be it with little anecdotes about the island or tips on where to discover the most beautiful fish.

Approach

Contact DST Sardegna Diving & Snorkeling Team

Bookings for the tours can be made easily via the DST Sardegna website.

You receive a booking confirmation and information about the meeting point and time. Very good communication.

Snorkeling equipment and fins are provided.

Tours depart from Aranzos (Golfo Aranci) and from the Olbia marina.

Tip

Sunscreen is very important because the sun burns fiercely on the water – and you don’t notice it.

Take a sun hat or cap with you. Unless you like burning your brain.

Enough water and a sandwich. There is a snack and a drink, but it’s more of a nice gesture. A tiny bag of chips and an o.1 liter cup of iced tea. That’s not enough.