Dive Sites of Italy

9 March 2021
Italy with her 7600 km of coastline and many islands offers interesting diving in the Mediterranean. Indeed, one of the best dive areas in Europe is in Italy: the island of Ustica. Sardinia is another island with some good diving. Other highlights include the wreck of the Saint Lucia off Rome and Portofino National Marine Park (Liguria).

If you need emergency medical assistance during your trip, dial 112 and ask for an ambulance (ambulanza). If you are referred to a medical facility for treatment you should contact your insurance company immediately.

See also the dive sites of Sardinia, the dive sites of Ustica and reviews of dive centres in Italy.

Underwater arch, scuba diving Italy
Diving in Italy

Sicily Trapani Gulf of Naples Portofino Further Reading Your Comments and Recommendations


Gulf of Naples
Secca delle Formiche (Ants' Reef)

Reviews: 5 Star Rating: Recommended

"Located between Procida and Ischia, this reef is of significant biological interest due to the biodiversity to be found here. The peak lies at 8 m, which is where the dive begins. Of particular note is a submerged natural archway through which the sun's rays penetrate creating fantastic lighting effects. The typical current at the site supports the rich variety of flora and fauna. Underwater photography is strongly recommended at this location."
Kair L Keller, 2009

Gulf of Naples Dive Operators

Gulf of Naples
Secca delle Fumose (Smokey Reef)

Reviews: 5 Star Rating: Recommended

"Diverse pillars presumably providing protection to Portus Julius. Between the pillars, which are richly colonised and have abundant flora and fauna, there are numerous active fumaroles which attest the volcanic origin of this area. The fumaroles are columns of gaseous bubbles which escape from the sea bed depositing sulphur which covers the surrounding sea floor. "
Kair L Keller, 2009

Gulf of Naples Dive Operators

Gulf of Naples
Secca di Nisida (Nisida Reef)
"Walls emerge from the sea-bed at depth of 21m and rise up to -12m. Diving along walls and through canyons, there is a wonderful display of yellow and white sea fans and the area is abundant with crayfish, lobsters, octopi, lair fish (e.g. groupers and sea bream) and migratory fish (e.g. dentex and rudderfish). "
Kair L Keller, 2009

Gulf of Naples Dive Operators

Portofino
The Pinacle
"A small reef shaped like a twin tower. At 20 meters and we went down to about 30 m. VERY good visiblity, temp of water comfortable. The second dive which I didn't manage to go on was to a statue of Christ at the very point of the Portofino Pennisula."
Bob Schneider, Israel, 2007

Portofino Dive Operators

Trapani, Sicily
The Kent

Reviews: 5 Star Rating: Recommended

"The Cypriot registerd cargo ship, the Kent, otherwise known as the 'Koran wreck' because of the cargo of Korans it was carrying, sank in 1978 due to a fire on board. At the time, the ship was anchored in the bay of the Tonnara and fortuantely all the crew were saved. This is a really remarkable dive as the wreck is in extremely good condition and in its relatively short time underwater it has become home to a whole variety of marine life, moray and conger eels, scorpion fish and clouds of cardinal fish. Probably one of the most beautiful wrecks in the Mediterranean, it has been featured in various national and international magazines articles (Mondo Sommerso, SUB, Tauchen,DiveInside). The dive is for advanced divers with deep-diving experience. The Kent was a cargo from Cyprus. It is about 80 meter long and is on a sandy sea bed at 45 metres. Just a great dive! "
Antonio Pisano, Argonauta Diving Center
Trapani, Sicily
The Capua

Reviews: 4 stars

"This WWII wreck lies just a few hundred metres from the coast of Scopello, on a sandy sea bed at 35 metres. The upper decks have long disappeared allowing easy access to the holds and lower deck where some ammunition can still be seen. The wreck is about 45 metres long so it is possibile to explore all the wreck on one dive. Inside, a family of conger conger, over 2.5 meters long. The fishes are friendly but are always big animals. "
Antonio Pisano, Argonauta Diving Center
Trapani, Sicily
Grotta dell'Acqua dolce
"The entrance to the grotto is at 16/18 metres on a wall near the Uzzo bay in the Zingaro reserve. The grotto is about 60 metres in length and 20 metres in width. The grotto gradually decreases in depth leading to a chamber of crystal clear fresh water at sea level. The grotto is inhabited by a variety of grotto-dwelling marine life, flat lobsters and the ever present shrimps. An interesting site for photographers. The dive is for experienced divers. "
Antonio Pisano, Argonauta Diving Center
Terrasini, Palermo, Sicily
La grotta di cala porro
"A cave at 9 metres, beautiful lights with different entrance and exit. Big, clear, easy to do. Maximum depth 25 metres"
Roberta Giardina, Pashark & Ro
Terrasini, Palermo, Sicily
La secca dell isolotto
"You jump from 7 metres until 23. Big mountain from the bottom come out from the sea and you can see the top."
Roberta Giardina, Pashark & Ro
Terrasini, Palermo, Sicily
Scoglio del corallo
"Wonderful experience only for divers with experience. Depth from 16 - 40 m."
Roberta Giardina, Pashark & Ro

Further Reading

Diving Guide to the Mediterranean Wrecks
by Kurt Amsler and Andrea Ghisotti, Swan Hill Press, 1995, Paperback.
Includes 10 wrecks from the West coast of Italy and many photographs.
Sea Fishes and Invertebrates of the Mediterranean
by Lawson Wood, Paperback, New Holland Publishers, 128 pages, (2015)
Covers 289 species with colour photographs<
Complete Mediterranean Wildlife
by Paul Sterry, Collins, 384 pages.

Your Comments

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