Italy
TOP DIVE SITES – ITALY
Albenga – the remains of the wreck of an ancient Roman ship and her cargo of amphorae lie at a depth of 42 m. The ship is situated in the marine reserve.Location: Savona, LiguriaType of dive: boat diveSea bed: sandyRequirements: BSAC Sports Diver, PADI Advanced Open WaterAttilio Deffenu – the wreck of an Italian auxiliary cruiser lies at a depth of 30 m. The ship was escorting a convoy heading to Greece when she was attacked by the British submarine and sank in 1941. The wreck is in good condition.Location: AnzioType of dive: boat diveSea bed: sandyRequirements: BSAC Sports Diver, PADI Advanced Open WaterChrist of the Abyss (Il Cristo degli Abissi) – this 10 m high statue was sunk deliberately to protect divers and sailors. The statue lies at a depth of 17 m. An annual ceremony takes place here on the last Saturday of July. After the priest blesses the sea, divers swim to the statue and deposit the sacred crown.Location: San Fruttuoso, near GenoaType of dive: shore diveRequirements: BSAC Ocean Diver, PADI Open WaterGrotta dei Gamberi (Shrimp Cave) – this cave is a picturesque dive site. The inhabitants of the grotto, besides numerous shrimps, include octopi, groupers, lobsters, crabs, cipree and nudibranch. The cave is long and has a wide entrance. The maximum depth is 38 m.Location: Camogli, LiguriaType of dive: boat diveSea bed: rockyRequirements: BSAC Sports Diver, PADI Advanced Open WaterHaven (Amoco Milford Haven) – the wreck of a Cypriot supertanker lies at a depth of 32–82 m. The ship caught fire and sank in 1991. It is one of the largest wrecks in the Mediterranean Sea. This site is teeming with life and it is common to see nudibranch, sea anemones, anthias, scorpionfish, etc. The wreck can be penetrated. However, special caution is required as some deadly accidents occurred in this spot.Location: Arenzano, LiguriaType of dive: boat diveSea bed: sandyRequirements: CMAS Trimix DiverMohawk Deer – the wreck of a Canadian cargo ship lies at a depth of 45 m. The ship ran into rocks during a storm and sank in 1967. The wreck, broken into 2 pieces, gives shelter to many marine species such as eels, groupers, sea breams. The wreck is under protection of Portofino Marine Reserve.Location: Portofino, LiguruaType of dive: boat diveSea bed: sandyRequirements: BSAC Ocean Diver, PADI Open WaterPontida – the wreck of an Italian freighter lies at a depth of 75–96 m. The ship was on her way to Italy when she hit a mine and sank in 1917. The wreck is in pretty good condition. There is also an abundance of marine life.Location: VarezzaType of dive: boat diveSea bed: sandyRequirements: CMAS Trimix DiverQuail – the wreck of a British destroyer lies at a depth of 80 m. The ship struck a mine laid by a German submarine and sank 1943. The wreck was discovered in 2002. A special permission is required to dive in this area.Location: Gallipoli, PugliaType of dive: boat diveSea bed: sandyRequirements: BSAC Sports Diver, PADI Advanced Open WaterRegent – the wreck of a small British submarine lies at a depth of 35 m. The boat was on her way from Malta when she hit a mine and sank in 1943. The wreck is covered with marine life.Location: Barletta, PugliaType of dive: boat diveSea bed: sandyRequirements: BSAC Sports Diver, PADI Advanced Open WaterTifler – the wreck of a French cargo ship lies at a depth of 50 m. The ship was torpedoed by a British submarine and sank in 1943. The wreck is in very good condition but the abundant marine life is even greater attraction. Location: Pietra LigureType of dive: boat diveSea bed: sandyRequirements: BSAC Sports Diver, PADI Advanced Open Water