All dive sites
Where to dive

Diving the wrecks of Civitavecchia

The stretch of sea between Santa Marinella and Civitavecchia is a small submerged museum: wrecks full of history, wrapped in blue and marine life. These are dives for those seeking strong emotions, with the right training. Here’s what they are and the certification you need.

Top One Diving Club

Updated: August 2026

Depth30–46 m (and beyond for the technical wrecks)
Levelfrom Advanced/Wreck up to technical
From Romeabout 1 hour from Rome + boat
Seabedwrecks on a sandy bottom
Best seasonspring–autumn

The Asia dredger, queen of the wrecks

The most famous wreck is the Asia, a large dredger of about 56 metres deliberately sunk in 1987 to counter trawl fishing. Today it lies broken into two sections: the stern, with its characteristic superstructure and funnel, is around 30–37 metres; the bow, deeper (about 46 metres), drops beyond the recreational limit and is ground for technical divers.

The wreck is colonised by marine life: an encounter that blends history, atmosphere and biology.

Not only the Asia: the other wrecks

Not far away there are other wrecks loved by enthusiasts: the Liburna (around 40 metres), the Transmit and the Aderno. Each wreck has its own depth and story: we choose them based on your certification and the sea conditions.

Which certification you need

It depends on how you want to experience the wreck: to explore it from the outside down to about 40 metres you need the SSI Wreck Diving certification; to go inside it (penetration), still within 40 metres, you need the SSI Extended Range Wreck Diver; for wrecks beyond 40 metres (such as the bow of the Asia) you need a technical certification (SSI Extended Range – XR – Technical Wreck Diving).

Don’t have these certifications yet? We train you, step by step, from the base courses up to the technical level.

FAQ

Which certification do I need for the Asia wreck?

For the stern (30–37 m) you need at least an advanced/Wreck certification; for the bow (about 46 m) you need a technical certification. We guide you all the way to the right level.

Can you go inside the wreck?

Penetration requires the SSI Extended Range Wreck Diver certification and is always guided. Without that level you can still explore the wreck from the outside.

Is it suitable for a beginner?

The deep wrecks aren’t, but it’s an achievable goal: you start from the base courses at Santa Marinella and move up with us. For a first taste there’s the free pool try-dive.

When are these dives done?

Mostly from spring to autumn, with calm sea and good visibility. Dates are in the calendar.

Want to dive with us?

Check the next outings in the calendar or write to us: we’ll suggest the right site for your level.