Located at the "toe" of the Italian Peninsula, and bounded by the Tyrrhenian Sea to the west and the Ionian Sea to the east, Calabria is a mountainous region with its seashore alternating between rugged cliffs and stretches of beautiful sandy beach. Offering outstanding views both above and below the waterline, this part of Italy is a splendid place to escape the everyday and enjoy some outstanding diving.
The Mountain
A rocky monolith rising up from the seabed from depths between 50 and 35 meters to within a short distance from the surface, The Mountain is often described as one of the best dive sites the Mediterranean region has to offer. Covered in brilliant red and yellow gorgonians as well as bright red encrusting algae, the area is home to an abundance of marine life including crabs and lobsters, shrimp, moray eels, and swirling clouds of brightly colored anthias, The Mountain is an underwater photographer's dream come true, and is ideal for both recreational and technical divers to explore.
La Grotticella
A beautiful sea cave with a wide open interior filled with white and yellow sponges, La Grotticella features two large openings which are easily seen from inside the cave. You'll find lobsters and moray eels living here, along with lots of colorful shrimp and the occasional conger. Outside, a beautiful coral garden hosts sting rays and eagle rays, along with plenty of colorful fish. While the cave itself is in shallow water, maximum depth at the site is 40 meters; this is an outstanding multi-level dive site suitable for all to enjoy.
Cannitello Wreck
Also known as Vapor Cannitello, the Cannitello Wreck was lost sometime at the beginning of the twentieth century; historians believe that a boiler explosion caused the ship to catch fire and sink. The wreck lies in two sections at depths between 27 and 42 meters, with the hull offering certified wreck divers an opportunity to penetrate the hull. Covered in massive white sponges and bouquets of bright yellow sponge and sea fans, this wreck is an excellent place to encounter groupers, eels, and many other marine life species.
Hundreds of Dry Onions
In Scilla, the word "onion" refers to the scorpion fish. Massive colonies of large red scorpion fish live on this shoal, contrasting beautifully with the tunicates, sponges, and corals that cover the rocky reef. With an intriguing cave to explore, magnificent sea fans, and incredible marine life including moray eels and congers, grouper, and the occasional bass or snapper, the site is also home to colorful little anthias that add even more color to an already vibrant scene. Offering a maximum depth of 28 meters on one side and 42 meters on the other, this fantastic site has something for everyone.
Lazarus Wreck
A German cargo ship that sank during a storm at the end of the Second World War, the Lazarus Wreck is only a few minutes offshore. The wreck lies on its side and is easily penetrated, affording a glimpse of everything from toilets to winches, to motors, to chains and bollards; plus, it is a haven for fish, crustaceans, and invertebrates of all kinds. Maximum depth is 45 meters, and the top of the ship is accessed at a depth of 36 meters.
With a variety of dive sites to explore and offering exceptional opportunities for photography both underwater and topside, Calabria offers local wines vinted from grape varieties known to be as much as 3,000 years old, along with outstanding cuisine, plenty of wonderful accommodations, and an easygoing lifestyle that might make you wish you were a year-round resident. The region has enjoyed a recent upswing in tourism, so make reservations early to ensure you can access the sites you want to see most.