Çeşme & Ildır · Turkey · Wreck
Monem
A full-length cargo ship that newly certified divers can explore
The Monem is a 75 m cargo ship, built in Germany in 1956, that sank in a storm off Çeşme in 2004. It now rests on sand as an artificial reef and is one of the highlights of the Çeşme coast. Its shallow seabed puts a full-size wreck within reach of newly certified divers.
Also known as Monem Wreck, Monem Batığı.
Where it is and how deep
38.4202° N, 26.2848° EApproximate position — the dashed circle shows where the site lies; your operator's briefing has the mooring.
The dive
The descent ends on a sandy seabed at around 18 m, where the hull of the Monem rests. Years on the bottom have turned the ship into an artificial reef, and its masts have collapsed over time, leaving a wreck that carries little risk for any level of diver. Groupers hold the best sheltered spots inside the wreck and stay put, so a sighting is close to certain.
The wreck
- Vessel
- Monem
- Type
- Cargo ship
- Length
- 75 m (246 ft)
- Built
- 1956
- Sunk
- 2004
- Cause
- Sank during a storm
- Lies
- On a sandy seabed at around 18 m off Çeşme
Marine life and season
- Groupers
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Off-season | Off-season | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Prime | Prime | Prime | Good |
Season follows Çeşme & Ildır: Diving stops in January and February; September is among the best months, and the stingrays mate in October and November.
Know before you go
- The site has no shelter from the wind and is dived only in calm weather.
Dive videos
Çeşme Monem Batığı · River King Dive on YouTube
Questions divers ask
Can an Open Water diver dive the Monem wreck?+
Yes. An Open Water Diver or CMAS one-star diver can dive the wreck, which lies on sand at around 18 m. Boats go out to it only on calm days.
Sources
- Çeşme eyes dive tourism with rich marine life — Hürriyet Daily News
- İzmir'in en güzel dalış noktaları — Yeni Bakış Haber
- Monem Wreck — DivePlanner Pro
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