Diving the Zenobia in Cyprus

In June 1980, just off the coast of Larnaca, Cyprus, a roll on roll off ferry suffered some computer problems and put in a call to the Cyprus authorities for assistance. In the following hours, the ship would list from side to side, her computers over correcting the ballast problems she was suffering, until eventually, in the early hours of the morning she gave up and sank to her watery grave 42 metres underwater.

Zenobia still lies 1500 metres off the Cyprus coastline and has become one of the top ten wrecks in the world to dive. Her siren song attracts divers from around the world for the chance to dive her just once. One dive on Zenobia is never enough and the majority of divers can spend a whole week exploring her passageways, lorry decks and cargo. No salvage has been done on Zenobia and so there is plenty to see.

At 172 metres long and 28 metres wide, Zenobia is a phenomenal wreck to see under water and it takes at least 2 no decompression dives (or one decompression dive) just to see the basics around the outside of the wreck. From the giant propellors, where you can meet our resident moray eel, Monty, around  the stern doors to the bulk of the lorries, which once hung on chains from the deck of the Zenobia but have, in the years underwater, fallen and found their final resting place on the seabed among their spilling cargo. This cargo includes cow bones, wing mirrors and even chicken eggs???!!!

The Zenobia contains 104 of these massive articulated trucks and fully loaded trailers. The diver can see some of them on the seabed out in the open waters of the mediterranean or, for more advanced divers, you can swim through the lorry decks to investigate the lesser seen cargo.

The main lorry deck is a relatively open space which is 70 metres long. A lift shaft has been opened up approximately three quarters of the way through the passage for entry and exit in case of emergency. Otherwise, looking in through the entrance of the lorry deck, on a clear viz day, you can see the envelope sized exit at the far end of the lorry deck.

The lower lorry decks are only accessible to divers with Technical Diving training and is usually at the instructor/dive centre's discretion.  This training is available from TDI (Technical Diving International)

Moving from the bulk of the Cargo of trucks on the seabed, you come to the bridge and the mast of the wreck. The wreck sits on her side so she can be a little dis-orientating but if you tilt your head to one side you can orientate her in your mind to get an idea of how she looked on the surface.

After the bridge, you come to the canteen area. If you take a torch you can look at the gorgeous reds of the once tartan carpet on the floor while ahead of you is the counter where staff and passengers alike would queue and get food and drinks. Even the pop drink machine is still there.  Passing through the doorway above the counter will take the diver through the accommodation block. However, few dive centres will take students and divers through this area now as it is falling down quite badly and it is quite a risky area to dive.

The bow of the Zenobia is Majestic. A straight drop to 42metres with a giant anchor. There is a hatch about half way down the bow area, which leads to the chain room but again, this is an area only available to divers with Technical Diving training

Having the top of the Zenobia wreck at 18metres and the bottom at 42metres with different levels in between and plenty of penetration opportunities including the Engine Room, makes the Zenobia a perfect training platform for all of diver from PADI Advanced Open Water Diver to TDI Trimix Divers and all Diving courses inbetween.

For more information about Diving the Zenobia, contact those that know the wreck best, the Cyprus Dive Centres