Italy
TOP DIVE SITES – SICILY
Capua – the wreck of an Italian merchant ship lies upright at a depth of 40 m. The ship was on her way to Libya carrying a cargo of weapons for the Italian soldiers. She was probably attacked by the British submarine and sank in 1945. The wreck is in pretty good condition and hosts many marine species such as eels, anthias and damselfish. It is possible to penetrate the wreck.Location: Castellammare del GolfoType of dive: shore diveSea bed: sandyRequirements: BSAC Sports Diver, PADI Advanced Open WaterFerdinandea – this is a dive spot one of a kind. Ferdinandea is a 400 m high submerged volcano. The peak is situated at a depth of 8 m. This area is teeming with life.Location: off the southern coast of SicilyType of dive: boat diveSea bed: rockyRequirements: BSAC Sports Diver, PADI Advanced Open WaterGrotta Azzurra – as the name suggests this is a spot for cave diving. This is a spectacular dive as the light effects are fantastic. There is also an abundance of shrimps, sponges and corals. The maximum depth is 20 m.Location: TaorminaType of dive: boat diveSea bed: sandyRequirements: BSAC Ocean Diver, PADI Open WaterKent – the wreck of a cargo ship lies at a depth of 50 m. The ship sank in 1973. The wreck gives shelter to many marine species. It is in pretty good condition and there are still many copies of Koran (that was her cargo) can still be found.Location: between Palermo and TrapaniType of dive: shore/boat diveSea bed: sandy/rockyRequirements: BSAC Sports Diver, PADI Advanced Open WaterMarettimo – waters surrounding this island offer fantastic diving opportunities with great visibility. This area is teeming with marine life and it is common to see eels, amberjacks, sea breams, groupers, parrotfish and variouts types of crustaceans. There is also a beautiful underwater cave, La Cattedrale. It is 100 m long. The maximum depth is 30 m.Location: Marettimo Island, Egadi ArchipelagoType of dive: boat diveSea bed: rockyRequirements: BSAC Ocean Diver, PADI Open WaterPavlos V – the wreck of a Greek tanker lies at a depth of 30 m. The ship sank in 1978 due to a fire that broke out in the engine room. The wreck is broken into two and both pieces are covered with marine life.Location: TrapaniType of dive: boat diveSea bed: sandyRequirements: BSAC Ocean Diver, PADI Open WaterPunta Castagna – amazing scenery of this dive site thanks to a plateau covered with white pumice makes it a popular spot. Apart from the snow-white platform, there is also a vertical colourful wall covered with marine life. The area is teeming with life (groupers, sea fans, sea breams, etc.). The maximum depth is 40 m.Location: Lipari, Aeolian IslandsType of dive: boat diveRequirements: BSAC Sports Diver, PADI Advanced Open WaterScoglio Quaglietto – this spot is excellent for all levels of divers. The main attractions are the beautiful underwater rock formations: walls and a cave. There is even a statue of Madonna inside the cave. The maximum depth is 30 m. This zone is teeming with life.Location: Vulcaon, Aeolian IslandsType of dive: boat diveSea bed: rockyRequirements: BSAC Ocean Diver, PADI Open WaterSecca Collombara – this dive site is famous for the 500 m long reef. Divers will also admire abundant marine life: barracudas, groupers and many other fish species. The maximum depth is 50 m. A special permission is required to dive in this area.Location: UsticaType of dive: boat diveSea bed: sandyRequirements: BSAC Ocean Diver, PADI Open WaterSecca del Toro – this site is famous for a beautiful reef and underwater walls. The maximum depth is 30 m. The reef is teeming with life and it is common to see barracudas and other large fish species. The colourful scenery offers great possibilities for underwater photography.Location: FavignanaType of dive: boat diveRequirements: BSAC Ocean Diver, PADI Open WaterSecca delle Formiche – this is an easy and relatively shallow dive. The maximum depth is 30 m. the main attraction of this spot include a beautiful reef and rich marine life. It is common to see scorpion fish, octopi, groupers, parrotfish and various crustaceans.Location: between Ischia Island and Vivara Island, Aeolian IslandsType of dive: boat diveRequirements: BSAC Ocean Diver, PADI Open Water