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Amoco Cadiz

On March 16, 1978, a significant marine incident occurred off the coast of Brittany, France. The renowned oil tanker, Amoco Cadiz, experienced a tragic grounding, resulting in a devastating oil spill. This unfortunate event left the ship stranded off the shores of Portsall in North Finistère.

Within the depths of this remarkable wreck, divers can encounter a diverse array of marine life. Lobsters, conger eels, and pout gracefully roam through the hidden chambers of the ship. Additionally, the wreck is now becoming a home to various forms of marine flora, including Laminaria, Spirographia, and pearl anemones, enhancing the underwater ecosystem.

Being one of the largest wrecks globally, the Amoco Cadiz offers an unparalleled diving experience. With a length of 330 meters and a width of 50 meters, this impressive structure invites advanced and expert divers to explore its depths. The diving depths range from 10 meters to a maximum of 34 meters, allowing for an immersive adventure. Moreover, there is also an opportunity to venture inside the wreck, further enhancing the appeal for dive enthusiasts.

Divers can expect a visibility of approximately 9 meters, providing a clear view of the captivating underwater surroundings. The maximum depth of the dive site reaches 22 meters, allowing for an exhilarating exploration experience. Due to the complexity and depth of the wreck, this dive site is recommended for advanced and expert divers, ensuring a rewarding and safe diving experience.

Located in the picturesque region of Finistère, this dive site is easily accessible from various nearby locations, including Enez Naig, Porsguen, Portsall, Ploudalmézeau, Brest, and other coastal towns. As this wreck encapsulates a significant moment in maritime history, diving enthusiasts will surely appreciate the opportunity to explore this iconic site in Metropolitan France.

Diving Conditions Score for Amoco Cadiz

6.4
Above Average

Decent conditions, proceed with caution.
The score is based on a calculation of the current weather and sea conditions.

Dive Site Overview for Amoco Cadiz

Depth

22m

Visibility

9m

Experience Level

advanced
expert

Weather Conditions for Amoco Cadiz

Wave Height

0.5m

Wind Speed

20.9 m/s

Water Temp

21.2°C

Visibility

33.4km

Cloud Cover

11%

Wave Period

5s

Air Temperature

19.6°C

Precipitation

0 mm

Detailed 7-Day Diving Forecast for Amoco Cadiz
Alpha

Dive Score Chart for Amoco Cadiz

Best time to dive: 15:00 with score 7.793535353535354/10. Water conditions: Waves 0.48m, Wind 28.1 m/s.Best night dive time: 23:00 with score 7.300740740740741/10.

Chart showing hourly dive conditions including wave height, wind speed, water temperature, and visibility throughout the day.

Sunrise at Amoco Cadiz : 06:00
Sunset at Amoco Cadiz : 18:00

Optimal diving conditions at Amoco Cadiz are affected by daylight hours. Sunrise occurs at 06:00 and sunset at 18:00, which impacts visibility and water temperature for scuba diving and snorkeling.

🌞
Best Overall
15:00

Score: 7.8/10
Waves: 0.48m (4.95s), Wind: 28.1 m/s

🌙
Best Night
23:00

Score: 7.3/10
Waves: 0.48m, Wind: 15.8 m/s

Seasonal Analysis for Amoco Cadiz
Alpha

Historical patterns and best seasons for diving at Amoco Cadiz

The dive score combines all factors to rate overall diving conditions throughout the year. Higher scores indicate better diving conditions.

Monthly Dive Score Analysis - Seasonal Diving Conditions

Higher values indicate better diving conditions

Seasonal DiveScore Chart

This chart displays monthly diveScore data throughout the year, showing seasonal patterns. The data is presented as a bar chart with an overlaid line graph.Dive scores range from 1 to 10, with 10 being optimal conditions.

Higher values indicate better diving conditions

Best Season for Amoco Cadiz

Winter

Avg. Score: 10.0/10

Winter offers the best overall diving conditions with calmer seas and better visibility, despite cooler temperatures.

Best Months for Amoco Cadiz

January
Score: 10.0
February
Score: 10.0
December
Score: 9.9

Ideal Conditions for Amoco Cadiz

Water Temp

Thermometer Emoji

24.9°C / 76.8°F

June

Visibility

Telescope Emoji

20.1m / 65.9ft

October

Wave Height

Wave Emoji

0.2m / 0.7ft

January

Wave Period

Wave Emoji

8.0s

January

Seasonal Insights for Amoco Cadiz

Amoco Cadiz shows typical northern hemisphere patterns with June being the warmest month (24.9°C) and December the coldest (20.9°C). The calmest conditions typically occur in January with average wave heights of 0.2m and wave periods of 8.0s. The most comfortable wave conditions are in January with a low wave steepness ratio, creating gentler swells. January offers the longest wave periods (8.0s), creating more comfortable and predictable conditions for boat entries and exits. Ocean currents are slowest in January (0.5m/s) and strongest in January (0.5m/s). January is usually the driest month with 0.0mm of precipitation. For beginners, the best time to visit would be during January to March, when ocean conditions are calmer with long-period waves and currents are typically weaker. Experienced divers might enjoy the challenges and potentially better visibility during the shoulder seasons, with moderate currents that can improve marine life encounters.

Scoring Legend:
9-10 (Excellent)
7-8 (Good)
5-6 (Average)
3-4 (Poor)
1-2 (Dangerous)

Last updated: 1 min. ago - Jun 22, 2026

Note: This dive site is not a verified dive site. Please dive with caution. This dive site might have incorrect information by the community.

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