Sozopol & St. Ivan Island · Bulgaria · Wreck · Artificial reef
Chavdar
A 1964 fishing vessel sunk off Sozopol as an artificial reef
The Chavdar is a fishing vessel built in 1964 and sunk off Sozopol to become an artificial reef and a dive site. The dive runs among the ship's structures and goes deeper than the Pioneer, down to 27 m over a seabed at 30 m.
Also known as Chavdar Shipwreck.
Where it is and how deep
No published position for this site — the map shows Sozopol & St. Ivan Island and its other sites; operators know the mooring.
The dive
The vessel sits on a seabed at 30 m, and the dive works around and among the ship's structures to a maximum of 27 m, exploring the wreck as it turns into an artificial reef.
The wreck
- Vessel
- Chavdar
- Type
- Fishing vessel
- Built
- 1964
- Cause
- Sunk deliberately to create an artificial reef and dive site
- Lies
- On a seabed at 30 m off Sozopol
Marine life and season
The sources we used don't single out particular species here.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fair | Fair | Fair | Good | Good | Prime | Prime | Prime | Good | Fair | Fair | Fair |
Season follows Sozopol & St. Ivan Island: June and July pair water that feels quite warm with the last of the seahorses; the sea stays quite warm into September and feels very cold from December to April.
Dive videos
Гмуркане до кораба Чавдар край Созопол 30.08.2025 · Krasimir Belezhkov on YouTube
Questions divers ask
What certification does the Chavdar wreck need?+
Advanced Open Water Diver is the minimum, as the dive among the ship's structures reaches 27 m.
Sources
- Dive sites near Sozopol, Bulgaria — Sozopol Diving Center
- Fishing vessel Chavdar sunk off Sozopol to create artificial reef and dive site — Radio Bulgaria (BNR)
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A living reef that fishing nets cannot work
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