naturalistic
archaeological
Naturalistic and archaeological
Browsed itineraries of Sicily and discover the wonders above and below the water of a timeless island
PARETE DEI GABBIANI
The wall of red gorgonian sea fans
Moor your boat to the north in the direction of the Scoglio dei Monaci outcropping, where the sandy seabed lies at a depth of 17 metres. Near the anchoring point, at the depth of 18 m, you will encounter the wreck of a small boat, which was sunk during a storm. Continuing on with your back to the beach, you will come to the edge of the wall below, which runs parallel to the coast and drops from a depth of 22 m to more than 60 m. Descending along the wall and keeping it on your right, you can reach the depth of 36 m. Swimming further ahead, you will come to a rocky outcropping at the same depth. Beyond this point, the seabed’s profile and morphology change once again, with wide channels and ciliates extending out into the open sea, where scattered rocks lie, teeming with life. At this point, it is time to head back: keeping the wall on your left, ascend until you reach the ciliate at a depth of about 18/20 m, and from there return to the boat.
IMPORTANT. Since the anchoring point is flat up until the edge of the wall itself, it is a good idea to establish a reference point before exploring the wall below. This will prevent you from re-surfacing in open water far from the boat.
Browsed itineraries of Sicily and discover the wonders above and below the water of a timeless island
Cala Minnola
Amphorae in the sea grass
In the water off Cala Minnola, at just a few dozen metres from Punta Albarella, a Roman shipwreck can be found at a depth of 27 to 30 m. The wreck features the remains of a shipload of amphorae (fifty), as well as numerous fragments of black painted pottery (used on-board), which have remained in their original location on the seabed.
Browsed itineraries of Sicily and discover the wonders above and below the water of a timeless island
BASILUZZO
The natural and cultural itinerary
The morphology of the coastline and seabed consists of an imposing rocky outcropping that creates a natural wall in the underwater environment. The Basiluzzo underwater itinerary begins at the base of this block, at a depth of about 12 m. Following the guiding rope, which indicates the pathway, you will come to the base of the ridge. Heading southward, at a depth of about 15 m, you will have the chance to glide over a sandy hollow intermittently colonised by small banks of sea grass, until you come to the plateau. Returning along the guiding rope, the seabed rises in large steps as you overcome a series of big isolated rocks. At the depth of 6.7 m, you will encounter a submerged wall structure.