Explore the best places to dive in Italy. 77 dive sites with real reviews and ratings from divers.
Tremiti, Apulia
Architiello di San Domino is one of the signature dives of the Tremiti Islands, a small archipelago in the Adriatic Sea off the Gargano coast in Apulia. The site is centred on a natural limestone arch rising above and continuing under the surface along the western cliffs of San Domino, the largest island of the group. The dive follows the wall and the swim-through under the arch, descending from a shallow rocky platform near 8 metres to about 30 metres on a rocky and sandy base. The walls are covered with yellow Eunicella cavolini fans, orange Astroides calycularis on shaded faces, yellow Parazoanthus axinellae, encrusting red sponges and the characteristic Adriatic colonies of red and orange encrusting fauna. Resident wildlife includes dusky groupers, brown meagre, octopus, conger eels, moray eels, scorpionfish, salema and damselfish schools, with amberjack and barracuda occasionally passing through. Visibility is typically 15–25 metres. Currents are usually weak inside the protected zone. The Tremiti MPA covers the entire archipelago.
Stintino, Sardinia
Asinara is a long, wild island off the northwest tip of Sardinia, accessed from Stintino. Once an Italian prison and quarantine station, the entire island has been a national park and Marine Protected Area since the late 1990s, leaving its waters in exceptional condition. Dive sites are scattered along the granite and schist coasts, ranging from shallow boulder fields and Posidonia meadows to deep walls plunging beyond 40 metres. Punta Scorno, Cala d'Oliva and the offshore secche are renowned for thick red gorgonian (Paramuricea clavata) forests below 25 metres, large dusky groupers (Epinephelus marginatus), passing schools of amberjack, barracuda and dentex, plus moray eels and octopus among the rocks. Pelagic encounters with tuna and the occasional sunfish are reported in summer. Visibility frequently exceeds 25 metres and currents range from weak to moderate, with stronger flow on offshore pinnacles. The protected status keeps fish biomass high and most sites suit intermediate to advanced divers. Boat access only.
Tremiti, Apulia
Cala Matano is a sheltered cove on the eastern coast of San Domino in the Tremiti Islands, regarded as one of the easiest and most accessible dives of the archipelago. The seabed slopes gently from shore rocks to a sandy and rocky base around 20–25 metres, with patches of Posidonia oceanica meadow and scattered limestone boulders. The shelter from prevailing winds, the modest depth and minimal current make Cala Matano ideal for beginner divers, training and for first dives in the protected waters of the Tremiti MPA. Encrusting orange Astroides calycularis, yellow Parazoanthus axinellae and small Eunicella fans cover the boulders. Common sightings include octopus, moray eels, scorpionfish, painted comber, salema and damselfish schools, ornate wrasses and sea breams; juveniles of many species use the cove as a nursery. Visibility is typically 12–20 metres. Boat access from the harbour of Tremiti.
Levanzo, Sicily
Cala Minnola, on the southern coast of Levanzo in the Egadi Islands, is one of Sicily's most important underwater archaeological dive sites. The seabed at around 27 metres holds the surviving cargo of a Roman wine ship that sank in the first century BC: dozens of amphorae of Dressel 1B type, partially sunk into the Posidonia oceanica meadow that has grown over the wreck site, are still visible in their original stowage pattern. Strict Italian and EU laws protect the site; touching, moving or recovering any artefact is forbidden, and dives are conducted only with authorised local guides. The reef context combines Posidonia meadows, sandy patches and small rocky outcrops where octopus, moray eels, salema schools, ornate wrasses, painted comber and sea breams are common. Currents are usually weak in the bay and visibility regularly reaches 25 metres in summer. Suitable for intermediate divers with good buoyancy control to avoid disturbing the seagrass and amphorae.
Favignana, Sicily
Cala Rossa is a sheltered bay on the northeast coast of Favignana, the largest of the Egadi Islands off western Sicily. Its name and dramatic backdrop come from centuries of tuff stone quarrying which left high honeycomb cliffs and underwater terraces. Shallow rocky steps descend gently to a sandy and Posidonia oceanica seabed at around 15 to 25 metres, ideal for novice and recreational divers. The reef is patchy but lively, with octopus, moray eels, painted comber, salema schools, two-banded breams, ornate wrasses and occasional amberjack and barracuda passing through. Encrusting orange and yellow sponges and small Eunicella fans line the deeper rock terraces. The Egadi Islands form one of Italy's largest Marine Protected Areas, protecting Posidonia meadows and a remarkable concentration of underwater archaeology: bronze rams from the Battle of the Egadi (241 BC) and Roman amphorae have been recovered nearby. Currents are typically weak inside the bay and visibility regularly reaches 25 metres in summer.
Villasimius, Sardinia
Capo Carbonara, at the southeastern tip of Sardinia near Villasimius, anchors a Marine Protected Area that covers nearly nine thousand hectares of granite headlands, offshore pinnacles and Posidonia oceanica meadows. Classic dive sites include Secca dei Berni, Secca di Santa Caterina, Variglioni and the wreck areas around Isola dei Cavoli and Isola Serpentara. Granite boulder topography descends in steps from shallow reef tops around 8 metres to drop-offs near 40 metres, where red gorgonian Paramuricea clavata, yellow Eunicella cavolini and orange Astroides calycularis dominate the deeper walls. Schools of barracuda, amberjack and dentex hunt over the reefs; resident dusky groupers, brown meagre, octopus, moray eels and large scorpionfish are routinely encountered. The protected Posidonia meadows around the cape host pipefish, juvenile bream and occasional seahorses. Visibility is typically excellent in summer (20–30 metres) and currents range from weak to moderate depending on exposure. Most sites are accessed by boat from Villasimius.
Alghero, Sardinia
Capo Galera is a small headland between Alghero and Capo Caccia in northwest Sardinia, home to one of the most popular dive operators in Italy and an easy shore dive that has been used for training for decades. The site is a series of rocky terraces and small canyons descending gently from the shore rocks to a sandy and Posidonia oceanica base around 25–30 metres. The shallow profile and weak currents make it ideal for beginner divers, certification courses and underwater photography practice. The reef is rich in macro life: nudibranchs (including Cratena peregrina, Flabellina affinis and Discodoris atromaculata), shrimp, blennies, octopus, moray eels, scorpionfish, painted comber, ornate wrasses, salema and damselfish schools, sea breams and small juveniles using the rocks as nursery. Visibility is typically 12–22 metres. The sheltered orientation makes Capo Galera divable most of the year, with the best conditions from spring through autumn.
Conca dei Marini, Campania
Capo di Conca, reached by boat from Praiano marina, is effectively two dive sites in one. The North Wall plunges to 60m and is rated medium to very difficult, with technical profiles possible for trained divers; the adjacent South Wall tops out near 40m at a medium-high grade, better suited to solid advanced divers than newcomers. The North face erupts in color: dense gorgonian fans and black coral coat vertical rock while thousands of anthias hang over open blue. Fissures shelter moray eels, spiny lobsters, red scorpionfish and octopus. A recreational entry nearby descends through a thick Posidonia meadow before meeting rock. Minutes away, Secca dei Gamberi shoals from 15m with seabream and a shrimp-packed cave. Dive May to October for the calmest, warmest Amalfi Coast conditions.
Capraia Isola, Tuscany
Capraia is a small volcanic island midway between Corsica and the Tuscan coast, the only volcanic island of the Tuscan Archipelago National Park. Its rugged coast offers steep underwater walls, basalt pinnacles and offshore secche descending to 40–45 metres. Classic dive sites include La Manza, Cala Rossa and Punta del Trattoio. The walls below 25 metres are decorated with red gorgonian (Paramuricea clavata) fans, yellow Eunicella cavolini, encrusting red and yellow sponges, orange Astroides calycularis on shaded faces and yellow Parazoanthus axinellae. Capraia's exposed location attracts pelagic action: barracuda and amberjack schools, dentex and the occasional tuna or sunfish are reported. Resident species include large dusky groupers, brown meagre, conger eels, octopus, moray eels and scorpionfish. Visibility regularly exceeds 25 metres in summer; currents are moderate and stronger on offshore secche. The whole island is protected and dives are run by a small number of operators based in Capraia Isola.
Camogli, Liguria
Cristo degli Abissi is one of the most iconic underwater statues in the world, lying at 17 metres in the small bay of San Fruttuoso between Camogli and Portofino. The 2.5 metre bronze figure, sculpted by Guido Galletti and placed in 1954 in memory of Italian diver Dario Gonzatti and all those lost at sea, has become a pilgrimage site for divers and a cultural symbol of the Portofino Marine Protected Area. The dive is shallow and easy: a sandy and rocky bottom with patches of Posidonia oceanica leads from shore or boat moorings to the statue, set on a small rocky outcrop. Around the figure divers find painted comber, ornate wrasse, damselfish swarms, salema schools, octopus, scorpionfish and the occasional moray eel; sea breams and bream juveniles are common. The site is suitable for beginner divers and freedivers; visibility is generally 8–15 metres. Currents are usually negligible inside the bay. Cristo degli Abissi is the entry-level dive of the Portofino MPA and an obligatory stop for anyone diving Liguria.
Levanzo, Sicily
Cala Faraglione sits on Levanzo's southwest coast, reached by a short boat hop along the shoreline, named for the limestone stack rising off its pebble beach with Favignana visible across the channel. The site lies within Zone B of the Egadi Islands Marine Protected Area, Europe's largest MPA, where unguided diving requires a second-level certification. Underwater, the mixed seabed alternates Posidonia oceanica meadows with rocky reef. Salema, sea bream, parrotfish and damselfish are recorded in the surrounding waters, along with dusky grouper on the area's deeper rocks; mauve stinger jellyfish can appear in numbers, so check conditions before entering. Boat entry, intermediate difficulty; Egadi dive centers operate from Easter through mid-November, weather permitting.
Pantelleria, Sicily
Faraglione di Tracino is a vertical volcanic stack rising from the sea off Cala Tramontana on Pantelleria's northeast coast. The stack drops sharply underwater on all sides to a rocky base around 40–42 metres, creating a circumnavigable basalt pinnacle that is the perfect introduction to Pantelleria's volcanic underwater landscape. The walls are decorated with yellow Eunicella cavolini fans on the shallower terraces, red gorgonian (Paramuricea clavata) below 25 metres, encrusting orange Astroides calycularis on shaded faces, yellow Parazoanthus axinellae and red and yellow sponges. The exposed location attracts amberjack and barracuda schools, dentex and the occasional tuna; resident fish include dusky groupers, brown meagre, conger eels, moray eels, octopus and scorpionfish. Pantelleria's clear deep waters frequently deliver 25–35 metres of visibility in summer. Currents around the stack can be moderate. The site sits within the Pantelleria National Park and is suitable for intermediate divers.
Capri, Campania
The Faraglioni di Capri are the three iconic limestone sea stacks rising from the water off Capri's southern coast, the most photographed natural landmark of the island and a hallmark of the Bay of Naples. Underwater, the stacks continue as vertical limestone walls that descend to a sandy base around 30 metres, with crevices, overhangs and small swim-throughs. The walls and terraces below 15 metres support yellow Eunicella cavolini fans, encrusting orange Astroides calycularis on shaded faces, yellow Parazoanthus axinellae and a rich sponge community. Resident species include dusky groupers, brown meagre, conger eels, octopus, moray eels and scorpionfish; salema and damselfish schools, sea breams and ornate wrasses are common; barracuda and amberjack pass occasionally. The Faraglioni sit within the Regno di Nettuno Marine Protected Area, which protects Ischia, Procida and Capri. Visibility is typically 12–22 metres; currents around the stacks are moderate.
Grosseto, Tuscany
Formiche di Grosseto is a small offshore archipelago of three rocky pinnacles roughly 10 nautical miles north of Monte Argentario and southeast of Elba, within the Tuscan Archipelago National Park. The pinnacles rise from a deep base to within a few metres of the surface and offer some of the wildest diving in Tuscany, with vertical walls plunging well past 50 metres. Below 25 metres the walls support dense red gorgonian (Paramuricea clavata) forests, with yellow Eunicella cavolini fans on the upper sections, encrusting orange Astroides calycularis on shaded faces, yellow Parazoanthus axinellae and a rich community of sponges. Pelagic encounters are common: barracuda and amberjack schools, dentex, bonito and the occasional tuna or sunfish in summer. Resident species include large dusky groupers, brown meagre, conger eels, big octopus, moray eels and scorpionfish. Currents can be moderate to strong and the open-sea position demands respect; reserved for advanced divers.
Andrano, Apulia
Grotta Verde at Marina di Andrano is one of several limestone sea caves carved into the cliffs of the Salento Adriatic coast in Apulia. The cave entrance opens at the surface beneath dramatic karst cliffs and continues underwater into a chamber where sunlight, filtered through a submerged side opening, gives the water its characteristic green glow that names the cave. The seabed at the cave entrance lies around 12 metres on a sandy and rocky base, with the outer reef continuing to about 18 metres. The walls inside and around the cave host encrusting orange Astroides calycularis, yellow Parazoanthus axinellae and red and yellow sponges; small Eunicella cavolini fans appear on the outer rock. Resident species include slipper lobsters, shrimp, scorpionfish, octopus, moray eels and conger eels, with damselfish swarms and salema schools at the entrance. The shallow profile and weak currents make the site suitable for beginners and freedivers, with visibility typically 10–18 metres in summer.
Capri, Campania
Grotta dei Gamberi, the 'Cave of the Shrimps', is one of the deepest and most atmospheric cave dives of Capri, on the island's southwestern wall. The entrance opens around 38–40 metres at the base of a vertical limestone cliff and continues into a shallow chamber. The cave is named for the red shrimps (Plesionika narval) that swarm on the walls and ceiling of the chamber, glittering when illuminated by torchlight. The walls inside and around the cave host encrusting orange Astroides calycularis, yellow Parazoanthus axinellae and red and yellow sponges; the outer wall above the entrance supports yellow Eunicella cavolini fans and patches of red gorgonian (Paramuricea clavata). Resident species include slipper lobsters, conger eels, scorpionfish, octopus, moray eels and dusky groupers near the entrance. Visibility along the wall is typically 12–22 metres; currents can be moderate. Reserved for advanced divers due to depth and overhead environment.
Filicudi, Sicily
Grotta del Bue Marino is one of the largest and most famous sea caves of the Aeolian Islands, on the western coast of Filicudi. The cave takes its name from the Mediterranean monk seal (Monachus monachus) that once inhabited Aeolian caves and which is occasionally still reported in the archipelago. The entrance opens at the surface beneath dramatic basalt cliffs and continues underwater into a large chamber with a sandy floor at around 15 metres, with the deeper outer reef descending to about 30 metres. The walls inside and around the cave host encrusting orange Astroides calycularis, yellow Parazoanthus axinellae and red and yellow sponges; yellow Eunicella cavolini fans appear on the outer sections. Resident species include dusky groupers, conger eels, slipper lobsters, octopus, moray eels and scorpionfish, with damselfish swarms and salema schools in the entrance. Visibility regularly exceeds 25 metres. Currents are usually weak. The Aeolian Islands are a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Alghero, Sardinia
Grotta del Falco is one of Capo Caccia's most photographed underwater caves, located along the same vertical limestone cliffs that host Grotta di Nereo. The cave opens at around 22 metres and descends to roughly 38 metres in its deeper sections, with a vast main chamber whose vault soars upward like a cathedral. On calm summer mornings, sunlight filters down through fractures in the rock and creates dramatic light shafts that make the dive a favourite for underwater photographers. The walls are densely covered with yellow encrusting Parazoanthus, orange Astroides calycularis, and red and yellow sponges, with red gorgonian Paramuricea clavata on the deeper outer faces. Common sightings include forkbeard (Phycis phycis), conger eel, slipper lobster, scorpionfish, brown meagre, and large dusky groupers near the entrance. The cave name comes from peregrine falcons that nest on the cliffs above. Visibility regularly exceeds 25 metres in summer; currents inside are negligible. Recommended for advanced divers with overhead training, this is a benchmark Mediterranean cave dive within the Capo Caccia – Isola Piana Marine Protected Area.
Alghero, Sardinia
Grotta di Nereo, located beneath the towering limestone cliffs of Capo Caccia just west of Alghero, is regarded as the largest navigable submerged sea cave in the Mediterranean. The system is a labyrinth of tunnels, halls and chimneys carved by ancient karst processes, with multiple entrances between roughly 8 and 32 metres. Divers progress through wide corridors decorated with red and yellow encrusting sponges, branching yellow Parazoanthus axinellae, and dense colonies of orange Astroides calycularis and red gorgonian Paramuricea clavata on the deeper outer walls. The cave is a known habitat for European lobster (Homarus gammarus), forkbeard, conger eel, slipper lobster, and large groupers (Epinephelus marginatus) that patrol the entrances. Schools of cardinalfish hover in the darker chambers and sea breams cruise the outer reef. Visibility commonly reaches 25 metres in summer and currents are typically weak inside the system. The dive is reserved for experienced divers with cave-overhead awareness, good buoyancy and a torch; multi-level profiles are standard. Capo Caccia and the adjacent Capo Galera headland form one of Sardinia's premier diving areas, protected within the Capo Caccia – Isola Piana Marine Protected Area.
Taormina, Sicily
Isola Bella is a tiny islet just off Taormina on Sicily's Ionian coast, connected to the mainland by a narrow gravel tombolo and protected as a regional nature reserve. Underwater, the islet continues as rocky terraces and a stepped reef descending from the shore to about 25 metres on a rocky and sandy base. The shallow profile and sheltered orientation make Isola Bella one of Sicily's most popular introductory and snorkelling sites. The terraces between 5 and 18 metres are well-lit and rich in macro life, with encrusting orange Astroides calycularis on shaded faces, yellow Parazoanthus axinellae, red and yellow sponges and small Eunicella cavolini fans on the deeper rock. Resident species include octopus, moray eels, scorpionfish, painted comber, ornate wrasses, salema and damselfish schools, sea breams, sand smelts and the occasional grouper. Visibility is typically 12–22 metres; currents are usually weak inside the bay.
Bergeggi, Liguria
Isola di Bergeggi is a small uninhabited islet just off the coast of Savona on Liguria's Riviera di Ponente, the centre of the Bergeggi Marine Protected Area. The islet's walls drop from a shallow rocky platform near 6 metres to about 45 metres on a rocky and sandy base, with vertical sections, small caves and stepped reefs. The walls below 22 metres support yellow Eunicella cavolini fans, encrusting orange Astroides calycularis on shaded faces, yellow Parazoanthus axinellae and a varied sponge community, with patches of red gorgonian (Paramuricea clavata) in the deeper sections. Resident species include dusky groupers, brown meagre, conger eels, octopus, moray eels and scorpionfish; salema and damselfish schools, sea breams and ornate wrasses are common, with barracuda and amberjack passing occasionally. The Bergeggi MPA also protects shallow Posidonia oceanica meadows and a Roman-era amphora wreck nearby. Visibility is typically 12–22 metres; currents are moderate.
La Maddalena, Sardinia
The southern, Italian-administered approach to the Lavezzi archipelago crosses the Bocche di Bonifacio, the wind-swept channel between Sardinia and Corsica. On the Italian side, several granite shoals and reefs rise from a sandy base around 35 metres to a top near 10 metres, sitting just inside the La Maddalena Archipelago National Park. The granite walls and boulders below 22 metres support yellow Eunicella cavolini fans, encrusting orange Astroides calycularis on shaded faces, yellow Parazoanthus axinellae and a varied sponge community, with patches of red gorgonian (Paramuricea clavata) in the deeper sections. The exposed channel attracts pelagic species: barracuda and amberjack schools, dentex and the occasional tuna or sunfish. Resident species include dusky groupers, brown meagre, conger eels, octopus, moray eels and scorpionfish. Visibility regularly exceeds 25 metres in summer; currents in the Bocche di Bonifacio can be moderate to strong.
Positano, Campania
Li Galli are a small group of three islets off Positano on the Amalfi Coast, traditionally identified in classical mythology as the home of the Sirens encountered by Odysseus. Underwater, the islets continue as limestone walls and stepped reefs descending from a shallow rocky platform near 6 metres to about 35 metres on a sandy and rocky base. The walls below 18 metres support yellow Eunicella cavolini fans, encrusting orange Astroides calycularis on shaded faces, yellow Parazoanthus axinellae, red and yellow sponges and patches of red gorgonian (Paramuricea clavata) in the deeper sections. Resident species include dusky groupers, brown meagre, conger eels, octopus, moray eels, scorpionfish, salema and damselfish schools, sea breams and ornate wrasses; barracuda and amberjack pass occasionally in the open water. Visibility is typically 12–22 metres; currents are moderate. The site is reached by boat from Positano, Praiano or Amalfi.
Olbia, Sardinia
Molarotto is a small granite islet rising offshore east of Tavolara and Molara, marking the outer edge of the Tavolara – Punta Coda Cavallo Marine Protected Area. Its exposed location, reached only by larger boats from Porto San Paolo or Olbia, makes it one of the wildest sites in northeastern Sardinia. The islet drops sharply underwater to about 45 metres on a granite and sandy base, with a circumnavigable perimeter of vertical walls, ridges and boulder fields. The walls below 25 metres support dense red gorgonian (Paramuricea clavata) forests, with yellow Eunicella cavolini fans on shallower sections, encrusting orange Astroides calycularis, yellow Parazoanthus axinellae and a rich sponge community. Pelagic encounters are a hallmark: amberjack, barracuda, dentex schools and the occasional tuna or sunfish in summer. Resident dusky groupers, brown meagre, conger eels, large octopus, moray eels and scorpionfish populate the rocks. Currents can be strong; reserved for advanced divers.
Pomonte, Tuscany
Picchi di Pablo are three rocky pinnacles rising offshore from Pomonte on the southwestern coast of Elba. The pinnacles peak around 18 metres and drop to roughly 50 metres on a sandy and rocky base, forming one of the Tuscan Archipelago's classic deep dives. The walls between 28 and 45 metres are covered with red gorgonian (Paramuricea clavata) fans, frequently in the unusual red-and-white form characteristic of Elba, alongside yellow Eunicella cavolini, encrusting red sponges and orange Astroides calycularis. Schools of barracuda and amberjack circle the summits in summer; large dusky groupers (Epinephelus marginatus), brown meagre, dentex, conger eel, moray eels and octopus inhabit the cracks; nudibranchs are abundant on the gorgonian forests. Currents around the pinnacles can be moderate and visibility regularly exceeds 25 metres in summer. Reserved for advanced divers due to depth, the site sits within the Tuscan Archipelago National Park, the largest marine park in the Mediterranean.
Lipari, Sicily
Pietra del Bagno is a volcanic rock stack off the western coast of Lipari, the largest of the Aeolian Islands. The pinnacle drops from just below the surface to around 40 metres in steps, with overhangs, fissures and a small cave on the western face. Steep volcanic walls are decorated with yellow Eunicella cavolini fans, red gorgonian Paramuricea clavata in the deeper sections, orange Astroides calycularis cups, yellow Parazoanthus and red and orange encrusting sponges. The exposed location attracts pelagic fish: amberjack and barracuda schools, dentex and bonito patrol the blue, and tuna are sometimes seen passing offshore. Resident species include dusky grouper, brown meagre, octopus, moray eels and scorpionfish. Currents can be moderate at the surface and the dive is usually run as a multi-level around the rock. Visibility regularly reaches 25 metres in summer. The Aeolian Islands are a UNESCO World Heritage site and Pietra del Bagno offers one of the archipelago's most representative wall dives.
Syracuse, Sicily
The Plemmirio Marine Protected Area protects the Maddalena peninsula southeast of Syracuse, on Sicily's Ionian coast. The reserve combines limestone cliffs eroded into caves and overhangs, shallow Posidonia meadows and offshore reefs, with depths ranging from 5 to nearly 40 metres. Classic sites such as Grotta del Capo, Capo Murro di Porco and the Punta Tavola wall feature yellow Eunicella cavolini fans, red gorgonian Paramuricea clavata in the deeper drops, orange Astroides calycularis on shaded walls, and dense encrusting sponges. The Plemmirio reserve is also notable archaeologically: scattered Roman and Byzantine amphorae fragments survive on the seabed and are a protected feature of organised dives. Marine life includes resident dusky groupers, brown meagre, octopus, moray eels, scorpionfish, salema schools, sea breams and occasional amberjack and barracuda. Currents are usually weak inside the protected coves and moderate on offshore points. Visibility commonly reaches 20–25 metres in summer; most sites suit intermediate divers. Boat access only.
Pomonte, Tuscany
Pomonte's Pinnacles is the local name for a cluster of granite pinnacles rising offshore from the village of Pomonte on the southwestern coast of Elba, within the Tuscan Archipelago National Park. The pinnacles peak around 18–22 metres and drop to roughly 45 metres on a rocky and sandy base, sitting next to the better-known Picchi di Pablo and offering similar deep-dive scenery. The walls below 25 metres support red gorgonian (Paramuricea clavata) forests in the typical red, pink and white morphs, with yellow Eunicella cavolini fans on shallower sections, encrusting orange Astroides calycularis on shaded faces, yellow Parazoanthus axinellae and a rich sponge community. Resident species include large dusky groupers, brown meagre, conger eels, octopus, moray eels and scorpionfish; barracuda and amberjack schools cruise the open water. Visibility regularly exceeds 25 metres in summer; currents around the pinnacles are moderate. Boat access from Pomonte or Marina di Campo. Reserved for advanced divers.
Massa Lubrense, Campania
Punta Campanella is the rocky cape at the very tip of the Sorrento Peninsula, facing the island of Capri across the narrow Bocca Piccola channel. The Punta Campanella Marine Protected Area covers more than 1500 hectares of coastline along the Amalfi-Sorrento coast and is one of the richest reserves of the Tyrrhenian Sea. Dives along the cape descend in stepped reef terraces from a shallow plateau near 8 metres to about 35 metres on a rocky base. Walls are decorated with yellow Eunicella cavolini fans, red gorgonian (Paramuricea clavata) patches in the deeper sections, encrusting orange Astroides calycularis on shaded faces, yellow Parazoanthus axinellae and red and yellow sponges. Resident species include dusky groupers, brown meagre, conger eels, octopus, moray eels and scorpionfish; barracuda and amberjack schools commonly cross the open water. The exposure to the channel between Sorrento and Capri generates moderate currents that demand attention. Visibility regularly reaches 15–25 metres in summer.
Capri, Campania
Punta Carena is the southwestern cape of Capri, beneath the iconic red-and-yellow lighthouse that marks the entrance to the Bay of Naples from the south. The cape forms a stepped reef descending in terraces from a shallow rocky platform near 8 metres to about 40 metres on a rocky and sandy base. The walls below 22 metres support yellow Eunicella cavolini fans, encrusting orange Astroides calycularis on shaded faces, yellow Parazoanthus axinellae and a varied sponge community, with patches of red gorgonian (Paramuricea clavata) in the deeper sections. The exposed cape generates moderate currents and attracts pelagic species: barracuda and amberjack schools, dentex and the occasional tuna. Resident species include dusky groupers, brown meagre, conger eels, octopus, moray eels and scorpionfish. The Regno di Nettuno Marine Protected Area covers the entire south coast of Capri. Visibility regularly reaches 15–25 metres in summer.
Lipari, Sicily
Punta Castagna is one of the signature dives of Lipari, on the island's northwest coast in the Aeolian archipelago. Volcanic activity has shaped the wall in vertical bands of pumice and obsidian that descend in steps from a shallow plateau near 12 metres to about 40 metres on a rocky and sandy bottom. The geology, with light-coloured pumice and dark obsidian intrusions, gives the site a striking visual contrast that sets it apart from other Mediterranean walls. The deeper portions support yellow Eunicella cavolini fans, red gorgonian (Paramuricea clavata) patches, orange Astroides calycularis on shaded faces, yellow Parazoanthus axinellae and a variety of sponges. Resident species include dusky groupers, moray eels, octopus, scorpionfish, brown meagre and large schools of damselfish; amberjack and barracuda often pass through. Visibility regularly exceeds 25 metres in summer. Currents are typically moderate. The Aeolian Islands are a UNESCO World Heritage site, and Punta Castagna is one of the best examples of how volcanism shapes the seabed.
Camogli, Liguria
Punta Chiappa is the rocky promontory on the western side of the Portofino headland, opposite the bay of Camogli. The dive site is a stepped reef descending in irregular terraces from a shallow plateau around 10 metres to about 45 metres on the seaward face, with classic Ligurian wall scenery. Below 25 metres, red gorgonian (Paramuricea clavata) forests cover the wall together with yellow Eunicella cavolini fans, orange Astroides calycularis on shaded sections, yellow Parazoanthus axinellae and red and yellow encrusting sponges. Resident wildlife includes dusky groupers, brown meagre, conger eels, octopus, moray eels and scorpionfish; barracuda and amberjack schools occasionally cross the blue. Currents can be moderate and drift profiles are common. Visibility ranges from 12 to 20 metres, often best in late summer. As part of the Portofino MPA, dives are conducted in small guided groups under reserve rules. The mix of relatively sheltered shallow reef and deeper gorgonian wall makes Punta Chiappa accessible to intermediate divers.
Stintino, Sardinia
Punta Don Diego is a remote headland on the western coast of Asinara, the wild island national park off northwestern Sardinia. The dive site is a stepped reef of granite and schist that descends from a shallow rocky platform near 8 metres to about 40 metres on a rocky and sandy base. The walls and terraces below 24 metres support yellow Eunicella cavolini fans, encrusting orange Astroides calycularis on shaded faces, yellow Parazoanthus axinellae and a varied sponge community, with patches of red gorgonian (Paramuricea clavata) in the deeper sections. The Asinara National Park's strict protection status keeps fish biomass exceptionally high; resident species include large dusky groupers, brown meagre, conger eels, big octopus, moray eels and scorpionfish, with barracuda and amberjack schools and occasional tuna in the open water. Visibility regularly exceeds 25 metres in summer; currents are moderate. Boat access only, from Stintino.
Ustica, Sicily
Punta Galera, on Ustica's western coast, is one of the most photographed dives in the Riserva Marina dell'Isola di Ustica. Volcanic activity carved a sequence of basalt arches, swim-throughs and shallow grottos along the headland. The shallow reef around 8–15 metres is bathed in light, with dense Posidonia oceanica meadows and damselfish swarms; the wall continues down to about 35 metres on the seaward side. The rock surfaces host orange Astroides calycularis cup coral, yellow Parazoanthus axinellae, Eunicella cavolini fans and red sponges. Inside the swim-throughs, divers find slipper lobsters, shrimp, scorpionfish and conger eels; on the open reef, schools of damselfish, salema, breams and the occasional barracuda or amberjack pass by. Octopus and moray eels are frequent. Currents are usually weak and visibility commonly reaches 25 metres in summer. The mix of shallow swim-throughs and deeper wall makes Punta Galera suitable for intermediate divers and a perfect example of Ustica's volcanic underwater landscape.
Levanto, Liguria
Punta Mesco is the rocky cape that marks the northern boundary of the Cinque Terre Marine Protected Area between Levanto and Monterosso. The dive site is a stepped reef of irregular boulders and ridges that descends from a shallow rocky platform near 8 metres to about 35 metres on a sandy base. The walls and terraces below 20 metres support yellow Eunicella cavolini fans, patches of red gorgonian (Paramuricea clavata) in the deeper sections, encrusting orange Astroides calycularis on shaded faces, yellow Parazoanthus axinellae and a varied sponge community. Resident wildlife includes dusky groupers, brown meagre, conger eels, octopus, moray eels and scorpionfish; salema and damselfish schools, sea breams and ornate wrasses are common. The Cinque Terre MPA is one of the youngest reserves on the Ligurian Riviera and protection has noticeably increased fish biomass over the past decade. Visibility is typically 12–22 metres; currents are moderate and the site is best for intermediate divers.
Marciana, Tuscany
Punta Polveraia is one of the most representative dives of Elba's wild northwestern coast, dominated by granite cliffs and low population density. The dive site is a series of granite walls and ridges that drop from a shallow ledge near 10 metres to roughly 40 metres on a sandy and rocky base. Below 25 metres the walls support patches of red gorgonian (Paramuricea clavata), with yellow Eunicella cavolini fans shallower up, encrusting red sponges, orange Astroides calycularis on shaded faces and yellow Parazoanthus axinellae studding the rock. Resident wildlife includes dusky groupers, brown meagre, octopus, moray eels, scorpionfish, salema and damselfish schools, sea breams and the occasional barracuda or amberjack passing in the blue. Visibility is generally 15–25 metres in summer; currents range from weak to moderate depending on exposure. Within the Tuscan Archipelago National Park, Punta Polveraia suits intermediate divers and is a good complement to the deep pinnacles of Pomonte further south.
Pantelleria, Sicily
Punta Spadillo is one of the most popular dive sites of Pantelleria, the volcanic island midway between Sicily and Tunisia and the largest of Italy's offshore islands. The cape is shaped by black basaltic lava flows that have hardened into vertical walls, terraces and underwater arches descending from a shallow shelf near 6 metres to about 40 metres on a rocky and sandy base. The clear, deep-blue water of Pantelleria delivers visibility regularly above 25 metres. The dark volcanic rock contrasts with yellow Eunicella cavolini fans, encrusting orange Astroides calycularis, yellow Parazoanthus axinellae and red and yellow sponges. Resident species include dusky groupers, brown meagre, octopus, moray eels, scorpionfish, salema and damselfish schools, and amberjack and barracuda passing in the blue. The exposed position can generate moderate currents. The site is part of the Pantelleria National Park, and is suitable for intermediate divers.
Marettimo, Sicily
Punta Troia, beneath the seventeenth-century Spanish fort at the northern tip of Marettimo, is the most iconic dive of the wildest Egadi island. Marettimo lies at the western edge of the Mediterranean shelf and its waters are notably clear. The dive descends along a vertical wall from a shallow rocky shelf around 10 metres to roughly 45 metres on a sandy and rocky base. The wall hosts dense yellow Eunicella cavolini fans on the upper sections and red gorgonian (Paramuricea clavata) forests below 25 metres, with orange Astroides calycularis on shaded faces, yellow Parazoanthus axinellae and red and yellow encrusting sponges. Schools of barracuda, amberjack and dentex cruise the blue; resident dusky groupers, brown meagre, conger eels, large octopus, moray eels and scorpionfish populate the cracks. Visibility regularly exceeds 30 metres in summer. Currents can be moderate around the cape. The site lies within the Egadi MPA, the largest in the Mediterranean.
Tignale, Lombardy
Punta del Cesto is one of Tignale's most popular shore-entry dive sites on Lake Garda, just south of the village. The site is a steep rocky drop-off that descends from the surface to well past 40 metres, with terraces of submerged boulders, fissures and freshwater vegetation patches. The lake's glacial origin gives it cold and clear water; visibility commonly ranges from 6 to 12 metres, with the best clarity in late spring and autumn, and a sharp thermocline below 18–20 metres. Resident fauna includes pike (Esox lucius), perch (Perca fluviatilis), lake trout (Salmo trutta lacustris), carp, bullhead, small shoals of bleak and the endemic carpione (Salmo carpio) in the deeper layers. Submerged tree trunks and rocks attract perch shoals. Easy parking and shore access make the site popular for deep freshwater training. Suitable for intermediate divers with cold-water experience and proper exposure protection.
Tremiti, Apulia
Punta del Diamante on the southwestern face of San Domino is one of the Tremiti Islands' most acclaimed wall dives, prized for the rare colony of yellow false black coral (Gerardia savaglia) attached to the wall around 30 metres. The dive descends from a shallow rocky platform near 8 metres along a vertical limestone wall to about 35 metres on a rocky and sandy base. The walls below 22 metres support yellow Eunicella cavolini fans, encrusting orange Astroides calycularis on shaded faces, yellow Parazoanthus axinellae and red and yellow sponges, with patches of red gorgonian (Paramuricea clavata) in the deeper sections. The Gerardia savaglia colonies, identified locally and in published surveys, are slow-growing and protected. Resident species include dusky groupers, brown meagre, conger eels, octopus, moray eels and scorpionfish; barracuda and amberjack pass occasionally. Visibility is typically 15–25 metres in summer; currents are moderate.
Portofino, Liguria
Punta del Faro, the cape beneath the Portofino lighthouse, is the most celebrated wall dive of the Ligurian Riviera. The wall plunges from a shallow plateau near 12 metres past 50 metres into deep blue water, carpeted from about 25 metres down with one of the densest forests of red gorgonian (Paramuricea clavata) in the Mediterranean, in shades of red, pink and white. Higher up, yellow Eunicella cavolini fans, orange Astroides calycularis on the shaded faces, yellow Parazoanthus axinellae and encrusting red sponges complete the wall community. Resident dusky groupers (Epinephelus marginatus), brown meagre, conger eels, octopus and scorpionfish are frequent; barracuda, amberjack and dentex schools cross the blue and the rare brown nudibranch Discodoris atromaculata is a characteristic sighting. Visibility commonly reaches 15–25 metres. Currents are moderate and can pick up around the cape. The Portofino Marine Protected Area enforces strict diving rules, so the site is reserved for advanced divers in small guided groups.
Favignana, Sicily
Punta del Faro is the northern lighthouse cape of Favignana, exposed to currents and traffic between the island and the offshore Egadi seamounts. The site is a classic stepped reef descending in terraces from shallow rocky shelves at 8 metres to a sandy Posidonia plain at around 35–38 metres. The exposure attracts pelagic action: amberjack, barracuda and dentex schools cruise the drop-off; tuna and bonito are seen offshore; and the reef itself hosts dusky groupers, brown meagre, large octopus, scorpionfish and moray eels in the cracks. Yellow Eunicella cavolini fans, encrusting orange Astroides calycularis and red and yellow sponges decorate the deeper walls. Visibility regularly exceeds 25 metres in summer. Currents are typically moderate and can pick up around the cape, so the dive is best for intermediate divers comfortable with drift profiles. Egadi MPA regulations protect the site, and the surrounding waters are part of one of the Mediterranean's richest underwater archaeology zones.
Giglio, Tuscany
Punta del Morto is a granite cape on Giglio Island's wild western coast, popular among local dive operators for its mix of accessible depth and Mediterranean wall scenery. The dive descends along a stepped granite reef from a shallow ledge near 8 metres to about 35 metres on a granite and sandy base. The terraces and walls below 22 metres support patches of red gorgonian (Paramuricea clavata), yellow Eunicella cavolini fans on shallower sections, encrusting orange Astroides calycularis on shaded faces, yellow Parazoanthus axinellae and a varied sponge community. Resident species include dusky groupers, brown meagre, octopus, moray eels and scorpionfish; barracuda and amberjack schools occasionally pass in the blue. Visibility is typically 18–28 metres in summer; currents are moderate and the dive is usually run as a multi-level along the cape. Within the Tuscan Archipelago National Park, Punta del Morto is suitable for intermediate divers.
Syracuse, Sicily
Punta della Mola is one of the most representative dives of the Plemmirio Marine Protected Area on the eastern Maddalena peninsula, southeast of Syracuse. The dive descends along a stepped limestone wall from a shallow rocky platform near 8 metres to about 35 metres on a rocky and sandy base. The walls below 20 metres support yellow Eunicella cavolini fans, encrusting orange Astroides calycularis on shaded faces, yellow Parazoanthus axinellae and red and yellow sponges, with patches of red gorgonian (Paramuricea clavata) in the deeper sections. Several scattered Roman and Byzantine amphorae fragments lie on the seabed in the area, protected by Italian law and presented during guided dives without any manipulation. Resident species include dusky groupers, brown meagre, conger eels, octopus, moray eels and scorpionfish. Visibility is typically 15–25 metres in summer; currents are moderate. Suitable for intermediate divers.
Pomonte, Tuscany
The Elviscot is the most popular wreck dive of Elba Island, lying in just 10–12 metres of water off the village of Pomonte on the island's southwestern coast. The Italian cargo ship sank on 10 January 1972 after running aground in heavy weather; today the hull rests upright on a sandy seabed, broken into two main sections, with the engine and propeller still in place. The shallow depth and easy boat (or even swim) access make the Elviscot suitable for beginner divers and freedivers, and it is one of the most popular underwater photography sites on Elba. The wreck has become an artificial reef colonised by yellow Eunicella cavolini fans on the deeper hull, red and yellow encrusting sponges, and small bryozoan colonies. Resident fish include damselfish swarms, octopus, moray eels, scorpionfish, painted comber, ornate wrasses, salema schools and sea breams. Visibility is typically 10–15 metres. Currents are usually weak in the lee of the shore. Boats depart from Pomonte and Marina di Campo.
Syracuse, Sicily
Capo Murro di Porco is the southern tip of the Maddalena peninsula southeast of Syracuse, marking one of the most exposed and richest dive sites of the Plemmirio Marine Protected Area. The cape forms a submarine wall that drops in steps from a shallow rocky platform near 8 metres to about 38 metres on a rocky and sandy base. The walls below 22 metres support yellow Eunicella cavolini fans, encrusting orange Astroides calycularis on shaded faces, yellow Parazoanthus axinellae and a varied sponge community, with patches of red gorgonian (Paramuricea clavata) in the deeper sections. Resident species include dusky groupers, brown meagre, conger eels, octopus, moray eels and scorpionfish; salema and damselfish schools, sea breams and ornate wrasses are common, and barracuda and amberjack pass occasionally. The exposed cape generates moderate currents and the dive is usually run as a multi-level. Visibility is typically 15–25 metres in summer.
Salò, Lombardy
Salò is a popular freshwater shore dive on the western shore of Lake Garda, close to the historic centre of the eponymous town. The dive entry is from a public lakefront and the bottom slopes gradually from the shore, with a mix of pebbles, mud, sand and submerged tree branches that act as fish-aggregating structures. Depths reach about 35 metres on the main slope, but most of the dive activity stays between 5 and 20 metres. The fauna is freshwater and includes pike (Esox lucius), perch (Perca fluviatilis), lake trout, carp, bullhead, small shoals of bleak and the occasional eel; resident shoals of perch are characteristic. The site is widely used for training and freshwater experience dives. Visibility ranges from 4 to 12 metres depending on season and weather, with the best clarity typically in late spring and autumn. The cold thermocline below 18–20 metres is noticeable and divers should be prepared for chilly water year-round.
San Felice del Benaco, Lombardy
San Felice del Benaco, on the western shore of Lake Garda just south of Salò, is one of the most popular freshwater shore dive sites in Italy. The dive follows a rocky slope that descends gradually from the shore to about 30 metres, with terraces of submerged rocks, pebble beds and patches of freshwater vegetation. Several artificial features placed by the local community over the years, including a small submerged Madonna statue and other religious sculptures, are now part of the underwater landscape and popular waypoints for buddy navigation. The lake fauna is freshwater and includes pike (Esox lucius), perch, lake trout, carp, bullhead and small shoals of bleak; resident shoals of perch around submerged logs and rocks are characteristic. Visibility ranges from 5 to 12 metres depending on season and lake circulation, with the best clarity typically in late spring and autumn. The site is an easy shore entry from a public lakefront and is widely used for training in freshwater diving.
Ischia, Campania
Sant'Angelo is a volcanic headland on the southern coast of Ischia, dominated by the picturesque village of the same name. Underwater, the cape extends as a stepped reef of dark volcanic rock that descends from a shallow rocky platform near 6 metres to about 35 metres on a rocky and sandy base. A notable feature of the area is the presence of active hydrothermal vents along the seabed, releasing warm water and small streams of bubbles. The walls below 18 metres support yellow Eunicella cavolini fans, encrusting orange Astroides calycularis on shaded faces, yellow Parazoanthus axinellae and red and yellow sponges, with patches of red gorgonian (Paramuricea clavata) in the deeper sections. Resident species include dusky groupers, brown meagre, octopus, moray eels and scorpionfish; salema and damselfish schools, sea breams and ornate wrasses are common. The site sits within the Regno di Nettuno MPA. Visibility is typically 12–22 metres.
Portoferraio, Tuscany
Lo Scoglietto is a small islet just outside Portoferraio harbour on Elba's northern coast, considered the island's most popular training and check-out dive site. The reef descends gently around the islet, with rocky terraces and Posidonia oceanica meadows reaching about 25 metres at the base. The site's relatively shallow, sheltered profile makes it suitable for beginners, and a marine zone protection regime keeps fish biomass high enough to draw experienced divers as well, especially for night diving. Common sightings include moray eels (with multiple individuals on most dives), octopus, large scorpionfish, painted comber, salema and damselfish schools, ornate wrasses, sea breams, conger eels and the occasional dusky grouper. Yellow Eunicella cavolini fans and small encrusting sponges decorate the deeper rocky terraces. Visibility is typically 10–18 metres and currents are usually weak. Within the Tuscan Archipelago National Park, Scoglietto is one of Italy's most-frequented introductory dive sites.
Camogli, Liguria
Scoglio Ferale is a rocky shoal a short boat ride off the western edge of the Portofino headland, between Camogli and Punta Chiappa. The shoal rises from a sandy base at about 50 metres to a top around 14 metres and is one of the most acclaimed deep dives of the Portofino Marine Protected Area. The walls below 28 metres host one of the densest red gorgonian (Paramuricea clavata) forests in the central Mediterranean, with the typical mix of red, pink and white colour morphs. Yellow Eunicella cavolini fans, encrusting orange Astroides calycularis on shaded faces, yellow Parazoanthus axinellae and a rich sponge community complete the wall. Resident species include large dusky groupers, brown meagre, conger eels, big octopus, moray eels and scorpionfish; barracuda and amberjack schools cruise the deeper blue. Visibility is typically 12–22 metres. Currents around the shoal can be moderate to strong. Reserved for advanced divers.
Portovenere, Liguria
Scoglio Ferale del Tinetto is a submerged shoal off Tinetto, one of the three small islands at the southern end of the Portovenere coast in eastern Liguria. The shoal rises from a base around 40 metres to a top near 14 metres, with limestone walls, ridges and small swim-throughs. The walls below 22 metres support yellow Eunicella cavolini fans, encrusting orange Astroides calycularis on shaded faces, yellow Parazoanthus axinellae and a varied sponge community, with patches of red gorgonian (Paramuricea clavata) in the deeper sections. Resident species include dusky groupers, brown meagre, conger eels, octopus, moray eels and scorpionfish; salema and damselfish schools, sea breams and ornate wrasses are common, with barracuda and amberjack passing occasionally. The Portovenere area is part of the UNESCO Cinque Terre site. Visibility is typically 12–22 metres; currents around the shoal are moderate.
Ponza, Lazio
Scoglio Rosso is one of the iconic dives of Ponza, the volcanic island in the Pontine archipelago of Lazio between Rome and Naples. The pinnacle rises from a sandy base around 45 metres to a top near 18 metres, with walls of dark volcanic rock that contrast with the encrusting orange Astroides calycularis and yellow Parazoanthus axinellae that cover the shaded faces. Below 25 metres, dense red gorgonian (Paramuricea clavata) fans cover the walls; yellow Eunicella cavolini fans dominate higher up. The exposed offshore position attracts pelagic species: barracuda and amberjack schools, dentex and the occasional tuna pass through. Resident species include dusky groupers, brown meagre, conger eels, octopus, moray eels and scorpionfish. Visibility regularly exceeds 25 metres in summer; currents around the pinnacle are moderate. The Pontine Islands are part of a future Marine Protected Area and Ponza is one of central Italy's most popular diving destinations.
Ustica, Sicily
Scoglio del Medico is a volcanic stack rising vertically off the western coast of Ustica, inside Italy's first marine reserve. The stack drops underwater on all sides to about 45 metres on a rocky and sandy base, with vertical walls, overhangs and small caves cut into the dark volcanic rock. The walls below 22 metres support yellow Eunicella cavolini fans, encrusting orange Astroides calycularis on shaded faces, yellow Parazoanthus axinellae and red and yellow sponges, with patches of red gorgonian (Paramuricea clavata) in the deeper sections. The exposed offshore position attracts pelagic species: barracuda and amberjack schools, dentex and the occasional tuna or sunfish in summer. Resident species include large dusky groupers, brown meagre, conger eels, octopus, moray eels and scorpionfish. The Ustica reserve has been protected since 1986 and the resulting fish biomass is exceptional. Visibility regularly exceeds 30 metres in summer; currents around the stack can be moderate to strong.
Massa Lubrense, Campania
Scoglio del Vervecione is the deeper companion pinnacle of the celebrated Vervece, off Marina della Lobra at Massa Lubrense, within the Punta Campanella Marine Protected Area. The pinnacle rises from a sandy and rocky base around 40 metres to a top near 22 metres, sitting just offshore from the Vervece and offering a deeper, less-frequented profile. The walls below 25 metres support yellow Eunicella cavolini fans, encrusting orange Astroides calycularis on shaded faces, yellow Parazoanthus axinellae and red and yellow sponges, with patches of red gorgonian (Paramuricea clavata) in the deeper sections. Resident species include dusky groupers, brown meagre, conger eels, octopus, moray eels and scorpionfish; barracuda and amberjack schools occasionally cross the open water. Visibility is typically 12–22 metres; currents around the pinnacle are moderate and can be stronger on the outer face. Suitable for intermediate divers comfortable with depth.
Filicudi, Sicily
Scoglio della Canna is a tall, slender basalt pinnacle rising vertically from the sea off the western coast of Filicudi in the Aeolian archipelago. The pinnacle continues underwater as a vertical wall on all sides, dropping to about 50 metres on a rocky and sandy base. The dramatic geology and clear Aeolian water make Scoglio della Canna one of Italy's most acclaimed wall dives. The walls below 25 metres support dense red gorgonian (Paramuricea clavata) forests, with yellow Eunicella cavolini fans on shallower sections, encrusting orange Astroides calycularis on shaded faces, yellow Parazoanthus axinellae and a rich sponge community. Pelagic encounters are common: barracuda and amberjack schools, dentex and the occasional tuna or sunfish in summer. Resident species include large dusky groupers, brown meagre, conger eels, octopus, moray eels and scorpionfish. Visibility regularly exceeds 30 metres in summer; currents around the pinnacle can be moderate to strong. Reserved for advanced divers.
Vulcano, Sicily
Secca del Bagno is one of Vulcano's most distinctive dives, in the southern Aeolian Islands. The site sits on the volcanic plateau just off the island and combines a classic Mediterranean reef structure with active fumarole vents that release columns of sulphurous gas bubbles into the water column, especially near the shallower portion. The reef descends from around 8 metres at the top of the seamount to roughly 35 metres at the base on a black volcanic sand bottom. The walls are decorated with yellow Eunicella cavolini fans, encrusting orange Astroides calycularis on the shaded faces, yellow Parazoanthus axinellae and red and orange sponges. Resident wildlife includes dusky groupers, scorpionfish, octopus, moray eels, salema and damselfish schools, and amberjack and barracuda passing offshore. The hydrothermal activity is a UNESCO-listed feature of the Aeolian volcanic complex. Visibility is regularly 20–30 metres in summer and currents are typically moderate. Recommended for intermediate divers comfortable around volcanic vents.
Vulcano, Sicily
Secca del Capo Grosso is a volcanic seamount off the eastern coast of Vulcano in the southern Aeolian Islands. The seamount rises from a deep base around 45 metres to a top near 18 metres and is one of the most representative offshore dives of the archipelago. The walls of dark volcanic rock host yellow Eunicella cavolini fans on the upper sections and dense red gorgonian (Paramuricea clavata) forests below 25 metres, with encrusting orange Astroides calycularis on shaded faces, yellow Parazoanthus axinellae and a varied sponge community. Pelagic encounters are common: barracuda and amberjack schools, dentex and the occasional tuna or sunfish in summer. Resident species include large dusky groupers, brown meagre, conger eels, octopus, moray eels and scorpionfish. Visibility regularly exceeds 25 metres in summer; currents around the seamount are moderate and can pick up. The Aeolian Islands are a UNESCO World Heritage site. Reserved for advanced divers.
Olbia, Sardinia
Secca del Papa is the signature dive of the Tavolara – Punta Coda Cavallo Marine Protected Area in northeast Sardinia and one of the most famous offshore pinnacles in the Mediterranean. The seamount has two main peaks, the shallower one rising to about 14 metres and the deeper one to roughly 28 metres, joined by a saddle and dropping to the surrounding base around 42 metres. The walls and saddle support one of the densest red gorgonian (Paramuricea clavata) forests in Italy, alongside yellow Eunicella cavolini fans, encrusting orange Astroides calycularis, yellow Parazoanthus axinellae and a varied sponge community. The site is celebrated for its resident pack of large dusky groupers (Epinephelus marginatus), with multiple individuals over a metre long that approach divers fearlessly. Schools of barracuda, amberjack and dentex circle the peaks; brown meagre, conger eels, octopus and moray eels populate the cracks. Visibility regularly exceeds 30 metres in summer; currents are moderate but can intensify on exposed sides. Reserved for advanced divers due to depth and exposure.
Portofino, Liguria
Secca dell'Isuela is a submerged shoal off the southeastern edge of the Portofino headland, just outside the small bay of San Fruttuoso. The shoal rises from the sandy base around 45 metres to a top at about 18 metres, dropping vertically on most sides. The walls below 28 metres are covered in red gorgonian (Paramuricea clavata) fans in the typical Portofino colour morphs, with yellow Eunicella cavolini fans on shallower sections, encrusting orange Astroides calycularis on shaded faces, yellow Parazoanthus axinellae and a varied sponge community. Resident species include dusky groupers, brown meagre, conger eels, octopus, moray eels and scorpionfish; barracuda and amberjack schools cruise the open water. Visibility is typically 15–25 metres. Currents around the shoal are moderate and can pick up rapidly. The dive sits inside the Portofino MPA and is reserved for advanced divers led by authorised local guides.
Ustica, Sicily
Secca della Colombara is the signature dive of Ustica, a volcanic island north of Palermo and home to the first marine reserve established in Italy (1986). The pinnacle rises from a sandy plateau around 42 metres to a top at roughly 18 metres and is one of the most representative sites of central Mediterranean reef biology. Its walls are densely carpeted with red gorgonian (Paramuricea clavata) below 25 metres, with large yellow Eunicella cavolini fans higher up, orange Astroides calycularis on shaded faces and yellow Parazoanthus axinellae studding the rock. Schools of barracuda and amberjack circle the summit; large dusky groupers, brown meagre, dentex and forkbeard are commonly resident, and octopus and moray eels populate the crevices. Visibility frequently exceeds 30 metres in summer. Currents can be moderate at the top of the pinnacle. Reserved for advanced divers with good buoyancy, the site is a benchmark for Mediterranean dive tourism and a clear example of what protection delivers when properly enforced.
Giglio, Tuscany
Secca della Croce is one of the classic dives of Giglio Island, the granite-built island in the Tuscan Archipelago National Park. The seamount lies off the western coast of Giglio and rises from a deep base to a top around 18 metres, dropping to about 40 metres on a granite and sandy base. The granite walls and boulders below 25 metres support dense red gorgonian (Paramuricea clavata) forests in shades of red, pink and white, alongside yellow Eunicella cavolini fans on the shallower sections, orange Astroides calycularis on shaded faces, yellow Parazoanthus axinellae and a rich sponge community. Resident species include dusky groupers, brown meagre, conger eels, octopus, moray eels and scorpionfish; barracuda and amberjack schools cross the open water in summer. The granite topography is unusual for the archipelago and makes Giglio one of the most distinctive Italian islands for diving. Visibility regularly exceeds 25 metres in summer; currents are moderate.
Ustica, Sicily
Secca della Spalmatore is a volcanic seamount on the southwestern coast of Ustica, inside Italy's first marine reserve. The seamount rises from a rocky and sandy base around 40 metres to a top near 14 metres, with stepped walls, ridges and small caves typical of Ustica's volcanic underwater landscape. The walls below 22 metres support yellow Eunicella cavolini fans, encrusting orange Astroides calycularis on shaded faces, yellow Parazoanthus axinellae and red and yellow sponges, with patches of red gorgonian (Paramuricea clavata) in the deeper sections. Resident species include several large dusky groupers (Epinephelus marginatus), brown meagre, conger eels, octopus, moray eels and scorpionfish; barracuda and amberjack schools cruise the open water and dentex hunt over the reef. The Ustica reserve's strict protection has restored fish biomass to exceptional levels. Visibility regularly exceeds 25 metres in summer; currents are moderate.
Capo Vaticano, Calabria
Capo Vaticano, the granite headland between Tropea and the Tyrrhenian Sea, is the most popular diving area of Calabria. The Secca di Capo Vaticano is an offshore granite seamount whose top sits around 14 metres, dropping to about 40 metres on a rocky and sandy base. The site combines large boulders, vertical sections and small swim-throughs, with walls below 25 metres covered in red gorgonian (Paramuricea clavata) fans. Yellow Eunicella cavolini fans, orange Astroides calycularis on the shaded faces, yellow Parazoanthus axinellae and a varied sponge community decorate the upper terraces. The exposed offshore position attracts barracuda and amberjack schools and dentex; resident species include dusky groupers, brown meagre, conger eels, octopus, moray eels and scorpionfish. Visibility is typically 20–30 metres in summer. Currents around the seamount are moderate and the dive is usually run as a multi-level circuit. Suitable for intermediate divers with experience of moderate currents.
Tremiti, Apulia
Secca di San Domino is an offshore limestone shoal in the channel between San Domino and San Nicola, the two main islands of the Tremiti archipelago in the Adriatic. The shoal rises from a base around 35 metres to a top near 18 metres and is one of the most representative dives of the Tremiti Marine Protected Area. The walls below 22 metres support yellow Eunicella cavolini fans, encrusting orange Astroides calycularis on shaded faces, yellow Parazoanthus axinellae and red and yellow sponges, with occasional patches of red gorgonian (Paramuricea clavata) in the deeper Adriatic light. Resident species include dusky groupers, brown meagre, conger eels, octopus, moray eels and scorpionfish; salema and damselfish schools, sea breams and ornate wrasses are common; barracuda and amberjack pass occasionally. The protected status keeps fish biomass high. Visibility is typically 15–25 metres in summer; currents are usually weak in the protected channel. Suitable for intermediate divers.
Villasimius, Sardinia
Secca di Santa Caterina is one of the most popular dives of the Capo Carbonara Marine Protected Area, in southeastern Sardinia. The granite seamount rises from a sandy and Posidonia oceanica base around 35 metres to a top near 14 metres, with stepped walls, ridges and large boulders. The walls below 22 metres support yellow Eunicella cavolini fans, encrusting orange Astroides calycularis on shaded faces, yellow Parazoanthus axinellae and a varied sponge community, with patches of red gorgonian (Paramuricea clavata) in the deeper sections. Resident species include dusky groupers, brown meagre, conger eels, octopus, moray eels and scorpionfish; barracuda and amberjack schools commonly cruise the open water and dentex hunt over the reef. The protected status of the Capo Carbonara MPA keeps fish biomass high. Visibility regularly exceeds 25 metres in summer; currents are moderate. Boat access from Villasimius.
Nardò, Apulia
Secca di Santa Caterina di Nardò is an offshore limestone shoal on the Ionian coast of Salento near Nardò, within the Porto Cesareo Marine Protected Area. The shoal rises from a sandy and Posidonia oceanica plain at about 30 metres to a top near 12 metres, with stepped rocky terraces and small swim-throughs. The Posidonia meadows surrounding the shoal are remarkably extensive and protected as a habitat of community interest. The walls below 18 metres support yellow Eunicella cavolini fans, encrusting orange Astroides calycularis on shaded faces, yellow Parazoanthus axinellae and red and yellow sponges. Resident species include dusky groupers, brown meagre, octopus, moray eels and scorpionfish; salema and damselfish schools, sea breams and ornate wrasses are common; pipefish, juvenile bream and the occasional seahorse inhabit the Posidonia. Visibility is typically 12–22 metres; currents around the shoal are moderate. Boat access only.
Procida, Campania
Secca di Vivara is a volcanic seamount in the channel between Procida and Ischia, within the Regno di Nettuno Marine Protected Area. The seamount rises from a sandy and rocky base around 35 metres to a top near 14 metres and is one of the most representative dives of the Bay of Naples. The walls and terraces below 22 metres support yellow Eunicella cavolini fans, encrusting orange Astroides calycularis on shaded faces, yellow Parazoanthus axinellae and a varied sponge community, with patches of red gorgonian (Paramuricea clavata) in the deeper sections. Resident species include dusky groupers, brown meagre, conger eels, octopus, moray eels and scorpionfish; salema and damselfish schools, sea breams and ornate wrasses are common, and barracuda and amberjack often cross the open water. Visibility is typically 12–22 metres; currents around the seamount can be moderate. The Regno di Nettuno MPA also includes the islands of Capri and Ischia.
La Maddalena, Sardinia
Secca di Washington is a granite seamount in the La Maddalena Archipelago National Park, off the northeast coast of Sardinia. The seamount rises from a sandy and rocky base around 40 metres to a top near 12 metres and is one of the most popular dives of the archipelago. The granite walls and boulders below 22 metres support yellow Eunicella cavolini fans, encrusting orange Astroides calycularis on shaded faces, yellow Parazoanthus axinellae and a varied sponge community, with patches of red gorgonian (Paramuricea clavata) in the deeper sections. Resident species include dusky groupers, brown meagre, conger eels, octopus, moray eels and scorpionfish; barracuda and amberjack schools commonly cruise the open water and dentex hunt over the reef. The La Maddalena archipelago is a strictly regulated marine park and dives are run only with authorised operators. Visibility regularly exceeds 25 metres in summer; currents are moderate.
Ponza, Lazio
Secchitella is a volcanic shoal off the southern coast of Ponza, popular among local dive operators for the mix of accessible depth, stepped walls and rich Mediterranean reef life. The shoal rises from a rocky and sandy base around 40 metres to a top near 16 metres, dropping in steps and overhangs. The walls below 25 metres host dense red gorgonian (Paramuricea clavata) patches in the typical red, pink and white morphs, with yellow Eunicella cavolini fans on shallower sections, encrusting orange Astroides calycularis on shaded faces, yellow Parazoanthus axinellae and a varied sponge community. Resident species include dusky groupers, brown meagre, conger eels, octopus, moray eels and scorpionfish; salema and damselfish schools, sea breams and ornate wrasses are common, with barracuda and amberjack passing in the open water. Visibility regularly exceeds 25 metres in summer; currents are moderate. Suitable for intermediate divers.
La Maddalena, Sardinia
Spargi is one of the main islands of the La Maddalena Archipelago National Park, off northeast Sardinia. The granite coast offers a wide range of dives, from sheltered shallow coves with Posidonia oceanica meadows to offshore reefs and pinnacles descending to about 35 metres on a granite and sandy base. The walls and boulders below 18 metres support yellow Eunicella cavolini fans, encrusting orange Astroides calycularis on shaded faces, yellow Parazoanthus axinellae and a varied sponge community, with patches of red gorgonian (Paramuricea clavata) in the deeper sections. Resident species include dusky groupers, brown meagre, conger eels, octopus, moray eels and scorpionfish; salema and damselfish schools, sea breams and ornate wrasses are common, with barracuda and amberjack passing in the open water. Visibility regularly exceeds 25 metres in summer; currents are moderate. Dives are run only with operators authorised by the National Park.
Stromboli, Sicily
Strombolicchio is a tiny, vertical basalt islet roughly 1.6 km offshore from Stromboli at the northern end of the Aeolian archipelago. The islet is the eroded remnant of an older volcanic plug and drops sharply underwater into deep blue, with walls plunging well past 50 metres. Diving along its perimeter exposes vertical basalt faces decorated with yellow Eunicella cavolini fans on the shallower terraces, dense red gorgonian (Paramuricea clavata) below 25 metres, orange Astroides calycularis on shaded sections, yellow Parazoanthus axinellae and red and yellow sponges. The exposed location attracts pelagic species: amberjack, barracuda, dentex, bonito and the occasional tuna or sunfish are reported in summer. Resident fish include large dusky groupers, brown meagre, conger eels, moray eels, scorpionfish and octopus. Currents around the islet can be moderate to strong, so the dive is reserved for advanced divers. Visibility regularly exceeds 25 metres in summer. Boat access only, from Stromboli.
Olbia, Sardinia
Tavolara is a striking limestone island rising abruptly from the sea east of Olbia, the centrepiece of the Tavolara – Punta Coda Cavallo Marine Protected Area. The island and its surrounding islets, Molara and Molarotto, offer some of northern Sardinia's most varied diving, with steep walls dropping past 40 metres, underwater pinnacles, and granite boulder fields. Classic sites include Secca del Papa, Secca di Punta Arresto, and the Molarotto offshore pinnacles, all known for dense red gorgonian (Paramuricea clavata) forests between 28 and 40 metres, yellow gorgonian (Eunicella cavolini) shallower up, and orange and yellow encrusting sponges. Resident dusky groupers (Epinephelus marginatus) up to a metre in length are a hallmark of the MPA, along with brown meagre, dentex, amberjack, barracuda schools and the occasional sunfish in summer. Currents vary from weak to moderate depending on the site and exposure. Visibility frequently exceeds 25 metres between May and October. Most sites are intermediate to advanced, accessed only by boat from Porto San Paolo or Olbia.
Tignale, Lombardy
Tignale, on the high western shore of Lake Garda, is one of the lake's most popular freshwater dive sites for divers seeking deeper profiles. The shore-entry site is a steep rocky drop-off that descends from the surface to well past 40 metres, with terraces of submerged boulders, fissures and freshwater vegetation patches. The lake is famous for its glacial origins and clear, cold water; visibility commonly ranges from 8 to 15 metres in late spring and autumn, with thermoclines marking the temperature change below 20 metres. Resident fauna includes pike (Esox lucius), perch (Perca fluviatilis), lake trout (Salmo trutta lacustris), carp, bullhead, small shoals of bleak and the endemic carpione (Salmo carpio) in the deeper layers. Submerged tree trunks and rocks attract perch shoals. The dive is usually run as a shore entry from a small parking area and is suitable for intermediate divers with cold-water and altitude/freshwater experience.
Palmi, Calabria
Tonnara di Palmi sits along the Costa Viola, the dramatic cliff-lined Tyrrhenian coast between Bagnara Calabra and Palmi in southern Calabria. The area is part of the Costa Viola Marine Protected Area and the dive site combines a sheltered cove with rocky walls and offshore boulder fields descending to about 30 metres on a sandy and rocky base. The shallower terraces between 8 and 18 metres are well-lit and rich in macro life, with Posidonia oceanica patches; below 18 metres yellow Eunicella cavolini fans appear, with encrusting orange Astroides calycularis on shaded sections, yellow Parazoanthus axinellae and red and yellow sponges. Resident species include dusky groupers, brown meagre, octopus, moray eels, scorpionfish, painted comber, ornate wrasses, salema and damselfish schools. The exposed Tyrrhenian position can deliver moderate currents, especially around the headland of Punta delle Pietre Nere. Visibility is typically 15–25 metres in summer.
Villasimius, Sardinia
Variglioni di Cavoli is a complex of granite pinnacles rising offshore east of Isola dei Cavoli, within the Capo Carbonara Marine Protected Area in southeastern Sardinia. The pinnacles are surrounded by a sandy and Posidonia oceanica plain at about 40 metres and rise to within 8 metres of the surface, with vertical walls, ridges and small swim-throughs. The walls below 22 metres support yellow Eunicella cavolini fans, encrusting orange Astroides calycularis on shaded faces, yellow Parazoanthus axinellae and a varied sponge community, with patches of red gorgonian (Paramuricea clavata) in the deeper sections. Resident species include dusky groupers, brown meagre, conger eels, octopus, moray eels and scorpionfish; barracuda and amberjack schools commonly cruise the open water and dentex hunt over the reef. Visibility regularly exceeds 25 metres in summer; currents around the pinnacles are moderate. Boat access from Villasimius.
Massa Lubrense, Campania
The Vervece is a rocky pinnacle just off Marina della Lobra at Massa Lubrense on the Sorrento Peninsula and the most-dived site of the Punta Campanella Marine Protected Area. The pinnacle rises to within a couple of metres of the surface and drops on its outer side to about 40 metres on a sandy and rocky base. A bronze statue of the Madonna del Vervece, placed in 1974 by the local diving community, sits on a ledge at around 18 metres and is the focus of the annual underwater pilgrimage. The walls feature yellow Eunicella cavolini fans, red gorgonian (Paramuricea clavata) below 25 metres, orange Astroides calycularis on shaded sections, yellow Parazoanthus axinellae and red and yellow encrusting sponges. Resident species include dusky groupers, brown meagre, conger eels, octopus, moray eels and scorpionfish; barracuda and amberjack schools occasionally pass. Visibility ranges from 12 to 22 metres; currents are moderate around the pinnacle and can be stronger on the outer face.
