Scuba Diving Sicily

• Everything you need to know about scuba diving
• Diving Sicily: the best diving spots
• How much does it cost to go diving in Sicily?
• Gift a scuba diving experience

Everything you need to know about scuba diving

Scuba diving with an oxygen tank requires an Open Water Diver certification, which is obtained by taking specific scuba diving courses. However, almost all diving centers organize introductory diving experiences suitable for novices.

For recreational diving, you don’t need to be an expert swimmer, you just need to feel comfortable underwater. During dives, instructors are always present, even in the case of experienced divers, because it is necessary to be accompanied by someone who knows the waters and routes perfectly. Before embarking the boat that takes you to the dive site, the guides always hold a briefing on safety measures.

Diving is practiced at a minimum depth of 5 meters up to hundreds of meters deep in the case of experienced divers, for a time of about 45 minutes per dive. Although it is practiced more in the summer, diving can be done year-round. Equipment can be rented at the diving centers.

Diving Sicily: the best diving spots

Although Sicily has diving spots all along its coastline, some must-see locations are particularly recommended. Among these, Taormina and Giardini Naxos should certainly be mentioned, with at least 6 dive sites and a variety of sea walls and caves.

Between Catania and Acireale there are several dive sites suitable for even inexperienced divers. The most striking one in this area is Santa Maria La Scala, a real sea canyon where you can go as deep as 40 meters.

Some of the most beautiful dives in Sicily take place near the smaller islands. Ustica, Pantelleria, Lampedusa, the Egadi Islands and the Aeolian Islands are all ideal diving locations. One of the most famous dives is at Scoglio del Medico, in Ustica. Because of the richness of the coral and the variety of possible routes, this is one of the most interesting sites in the Mediterranean. A maximum depth of 35 or 40 meters can be reached.

There is also wide choice for diving in Palermo and Trapani, with numerous diving spots, especially in the San Vito Lo Capo area. In the Aeolian Islands there are wonderful dives at the islands of Filicudi, Panarea and Stromboli. In the latter, you also get to see volcanic rock walls and underwater lava flows.

How much does it cost to go diving in Sicily?

Prices for diving in Sicily depend on the starting location, itinerary and duration. Diving in Catania costs from 25 euros per person, diving directly into the bay in front of the dive center. To reach more distant dive spots, such as smaller islands, prices are higher because of the boat travel‘s added costs. For example, diving in Ustica starts at 60 euros per person.

In addition to single dives, diving centers offer diving packages or multi-day experiences. For experienced divers, there are actual diving cruises. These are week-long boat vacations in which you stop at major dive sites in Sicily. In all mentioned cases, the price includes the guided dive, tank and ballast. The rest of the equipment is rented separately.

For beginner diving experiences, however, you spend about 50 euros per dive. In this case, the fee includes an introductory lesson, assistance from an experienced instructor, and all necessary equipment.

Gift a scuba diving experience

If you have friends or relatives who are diving enthusiasts, a scuba dive in Sicily will be an exceptional gift. But for such an activity, you do not necessarily need to be an experienced diver. Centers also offer introductory dives which are suitable for everyone. Giving it as a gift to someone who would never have imagined themselves scuba diving opens up a new world and allows them to experience unexpected emotions and discover a mysterious and fascinating world.