Epave Ricardo, Djerba: exploration d'un cargo militaire de 1943

The Epave Ricardo presents the remains of a large Italian military cargo vessel, a steel hull that stretches over 150 metres across the sandy seabed. Located off the coast of Djerba, this wreck offers a distinct dive experience compared to the shallower reef sites of the area. As you descend, the sheer scale of the cargo ship begins to emerge from the blue, a testament to its past operational life before its sinking on January 19, 1943.

Upon reaching the wreck, typically between 19 and 28 metres, you’ll find the structure largely intact, presenting various points of interest for exploration. While not a reef or wall dive in the traditional sense, the wreck itself acts as a substantial artificial structure in an otherwise open sandy environment. The dive profile largely consists of circling and penetrating parts of the wreck, allowing for a comprehensive overview of its massive hull and superstructure.

The resident marine life on the Ricardo is well-established, with various species having claimed parts of the wreck as their home. You will often encounter forkbeard sheltering within the darker sections and black seabream schooling around the more exposed areas. Groupers, always a welcome sight, patrol the larger cargo holds and the more cavernous spaces, using the structure for hunting and protection.

Exploring closer, the smaller details of the wreck reveal themselves. Hermit crabs can be spotted scuttling across the metal surfaces and within crevices, making their homes in discarded shells. Nudibranchs, with their varied colours, are also frequently observed on the wreck’s surfaces, adding small, vibrant touches to the rusted metal.

The current around the Ricardo is variable, as is common for offshore wreck dives exposed to open sea conditions. While not consistently strong, conditions can change with the weather and sea state, requiring divers to be prepared for differing flow patterns. This variability means you might experience anything from calm conditions allowing for detailed exploration to more noticeable currents that require a considered dive plan.

What sets the Ricardo apart from other Djerba sites is its depth and its clear historical significance as a military vessel. Most other local dives are shallower reef or adaptation sites, making the Ricardo the primary destination for those seeking a deeper wreck experience. Its comparatively recent discovery in 2014 also means that while well-documented, the wreck still holds an element of frontier exploration.