Browsed itineraries of Sicily and discover the wonders above and below the water of a timeless island
PARETE SIRENETTA (THE MERMAID WALL)
One of this dive’s main peculiarities is the vertical extent of the volcano’s wall. It ranges from 10 to 15 m in depth next to the rocks above the surface, to abysmal depths below. The area is characterised by awe- inspiring lava rock and black sand, with yellow nuances caused by the sulphur residues. You will see small columns of bubbles escaping through the cracks in the seabed and racing towards the surface. The dive takes place along the wall, first proceeding in one direction, and then returning to a lower depth in the other direction. The route follows the channel of sand, and arrives at the edge of the shoal that marks the boundary between the coast and the cliffs on shore. One of the small caves along the coast continues into the rock for a few metres and ends at a small underground lake. Turning right at the exit from the tunnel, you will find a small indentation where the sand has turned yellow due to the sulphur released by the minute gas emissions.
IMPORTANT. Due to the gas emissions and veins of hot water, the water of the bay that houses the Sirenetta rock outcropping and the on-shore caves is turbid for the first few metres.
Browsed itineraries of Sicily and discover the wonders above and below the water of a timeless island
Cala Minnola
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
MARTINGANA
The Martingana dive begins from the white rocks, from which we slowly head down to the bottom on the south side and follow the volcanic wall on the left, the circumnavigation of which constitutes our underwater pathway. The large wall is full of cracks and small natural niches, it also has a small cave known as “shrimp cave”, which is about 30 m deep. It is recommended to descend slowly in order to observe every corner and cavity of this impressive ridge. The spectacular “White Sand” feature is an enormous expanse of white sand that stretches as far as the eye can see from the foot of the wall (maximum depth of about 40 m).