Marianna Shipwreck

Located between Naxos and Paros. The shipwreck “Marianna” has become an artificial reef continuum of nature and has thus been transformed into an important core of underwater life offering the opportunity for an unforgettable dive. The 91-meter-long, 15-meter-wide cargo ship was built in Dutch shipyards in 1961, and bought in 1980 by Greek shipowners, and renamed Marianna. Max Depth is 24m. Experience: Open Water and Advanced divers.

It is one of the most beautiful shipwrecks of the Greek seas, which has been transformed, over the years, into an important habitat for underwater life, offering the opportunity for an unforgettable dive.

On 24th July 1981 the cargo ship with a total capacity of 3,000 g.t., 91 meters in length and 15 meters in width, “Marianna”, originally named “Niels Maersk” by Dutch shipyards, loaded mainly with ore and also barley, sheet metal, tubes, marbles, and pesticides crashed into a reef just south of the Amarides islets located in the middle of the crossing between Naxos and Paros islands.

The 24 crew members were rescued by locals as the ship was initially stranded and slowly submerged with a large part of it lying above the surface. After about a year and because the shipwreck was obstructing safe navigation it was decided to be destroyed and big parts of it to be transported for recycling. The ship was cut off and sat partially on the sandy bottom at 23 meters depth.

Today, the bulk of the ship, which is maintained in very good condition, reaches 37 meters. The stern with the side decks, the bridge, the rooms, and one of the ventilators from the loading cranes emerging a meter above the surface, is almost intact. Thousands of colorful sponges, large shoals of fishes, tonna galea are everywhere. Due to the small inclination of the shipwreck, the ship stands almost upright ready for a tour around and inside it. “Marianna” is perhaps the top dive destination for scuba divers who choose Naxos for their holidays.