Sicily Snorkeling and Diving

Sicily is an island that can be discovered and experienced through thousands of different and fascinating itineraries: each one of them is dedicated to areas of interest ranging from nature to culture, from history, art and traditions to adventure.

So, it really looks like that the duo sea and culture can be the starting point of new and interesting touristic projects for Sicily, which can be very proud of its renowned  underwater itineraries, proper submarine museums.

Go on an adventure among hidden underwater landscapes and treasures and discover Sicily’s underwater treasures!

Snorkeling in Sicily

Snorkeling is a swimming practice that allows you to admire maritime flora and fauna with the aid of a diving mask and snorkel while swimming on the surface of the water to a maximum depth of 5 meters.

Adding some snorkeling spots to your itinerary in Sicily is a great opportunity to enjoy the regenerating atmosphere of sealife.

Snorkeling can be practiced by adults and children in total safety thanks to snorkeling  authorized guides.

So grab your mask and fins, hold your breath and dive in one of these amazing spots for snorkeling in Sicily:

With its fantastic landscape and wonderful coastline, Sicily in Italy a spectacular location to vacation. The crystal clear water and diverse marine life make it a beautiful place to explore when you want to get a firsthand look at the underwater world of the Mediterranean. If you’re looking for the best beaches for snorkeling in Sicily, here we feature the top places to stop by to make your trip a memorable experience.

Zingaro Natural Reserve

As the first natural reserve in Sicily, Riserva Naturale Orientata dello Zingaro, to the west of Palermo is a top place to visit when on the island where you can observe rare plants and over 39 species of birds. The area is remote and quiet with a lot of hiking trails are available to ensure you can get panoramic views of the surrounding. With its 7 km long protected coastline, Zingaro is a fantastic spot for snorkeling in Sicily. There are many caves and grottos to discover algae and sponge-covered rocks as well as sea creatures.

Tonnara di Scopello

When in the area, don’t miss out on visiting another excellent Sicily snorkeling spot, Tonnara di Scopello, which is an old tuna fishery in a relaxing environment. After getting down on a bit steep path, the water is easy to access and is clean, even during the busier seasons when more people are present. The beach features a variety of rocks in the water, which enhances the beauty of the setting.

Capo Gallo

The Capo Gallo Nature Reserve contains Monte Gallo, originally formed of carbonate in the Mesozoic era (225 million years ago) to the middle Eocene (54 and 33.7 million years ago). The mountain ends at the promontory called Capo Gallo separating the gulfs of Mondello and Sferracavallo. It is a beautiful place, deriving charm from being so close to the sea. It is a beautiful place, whose charm is enhanced by being so close to the sea.
Basically, Capo Gallo consists of two parts: one near the sea and the other at the top.  This mountain has many caves, that in almost all cases were inhabited by man and have returned very important archeological finds.

One of the most fascinating caves, that of Olio, opens itself on to the water to the delight of travelers by the sea. The coast is characterized by “trottoir a vermeti” (a biostructure typical of the Mediterranean Sea built of chalky shells from the Vermetidi family). The sea bed, rich in fauna and colored vegetation, still contains amphorae, anchors and the wreck of a Cathaginian ship.

Ustica

The country’s first marine reserve, Ustica is probably the most popular destination when it comes to snorkeling in Italy. This little island 60 km off Palermo has beautiful beaches and vibrant marine life. The waters here are protected since 1986 that guarantees vibrant sea life. Divers and snorkelers will meet a variety of species here such as groupers, barracudas, breams, shrimps and lobsters.

Island of Favignana

Favignana is part of the Aegadian Islands together with Marettimo and Levanzo. This island group -located on the west coast of Sicily and accessible by boat from Trapani- is a must-visit if you are looking for beautiful views and top snorkeling in Sicily. The biggest of the island, Favignana has an impressive rocky coastline and very clear waters. The rocky beaches offer perfect conditions for snorkeling: our favorites are Cala Rotonda, Cala Rossa and Spiaggia Bue Marino. At these spots, the sea is so clear and has a vibrant blue hue that makes it feel like paradise. Many rock formations are present in the water making the underwater landscape interesting.

Islands of the Cyclops

When coming to Catania to hike Mount Etna, make sure to stop by Isole dei Ciclopi, the Islands of Cyclops too! This beautiful place has an interesting mythology-related story: according to the legend, the Cyclops Islands were thrown by Polyphemus against Odysseus. The rocky coastline makes this area a superb Sicily snorkeling spot. This nature reserve with basalt rocks, calm winds and clear water is perfect to observe marine life wearing your goggles. Nearby, many cafes and restaurants are present where you can grab a bite to eat if you get hungry.

Diving in Sicily

In Sicily, just beneath the water surface, an unexpected, beautiful world waits for you, a true paradise for diver lovers, amazing seabed painted with wonderful colors: the white of  the pumice quarries in Lipari, the countless cobalt blue shades in San Vito Lo Capo the dark colored sea in Pantelleria and a rich fauna  in ever-changing underwater landscapes, shaped by the geological movements and the volcanic lava.

One of the most picturesque seabed is in Ustica, little island in front of Palermo, the first Italian marine reserve and an authentic paradise for divers, for both beginners and experts. We can have the most beautiful and fascinating diving in the Mediterranean Sea at the Shoal of Colombara; we dive among grouper and bream, amberjack and barracuda, glances and salps, garfish and lobsters at the Scoglio del Medico. Tiny and delicious shrimps and ethereal structures of worms cover the seabed at the Grotta dei Gamberi, after Cala Galera.

In Lipari, in Punta Castagna, between the contrasting blue sea and the white of the pumice, the seabed will leave you breathless; there are lively stone seabed near the Sciara del Fuoco in Stromboli, with many sponges and gorgonians among the black rocks of the volcano; let’s explore the submerged crater in front of Pollara, in Salina, or another Grotta dei Gamberi in Filicudi. At Panarea, there are intensive fumaroles that we can see while snorkeling. This phenomenon is due to the escape of volcanic gases that pushes the Earth crust. We can admire these fascinating fumaroles in all volcanic areas in the Aeolian Islands.

Let’s explore Punta Spadillo, which is deep and suggestive (the seabed is nearly 200 meters deep and it is located at a short distance from the coast), located at Pantelleria

Marettimo is great for cave diving, with all the necessary precautions; it is in the Egadi Islands, at the Cathedral, where you will see a majestic 30-meters deep cave with stalactites and stalagmites.

Linosa, island of the Pelagie archipelago, has numerous dive sites. Among the most beautiful ones, there is Secchitella, with two pinnacles at a depth of 4 and 12 m and, at the deepest that reaches 70 meters!

Even Lampedusa, in addition to the beautiful beaches, has magnificent diving spots perfect for all skill levels.

There are plenty of wrecks! Aside from the charming wild nature, there is also human evidence that submerged for years, maybe centuries: the motorboat Kent, also known as the Ship of the Korans (Nave dei Corani), near the Zingaro Nature Reserve (Trapani), at a depth of 45 to 50 meters; there are also the Roman remains of Cala Gadir in Pantelleria, with fragments of a Punic ship and a Roman anchor; finally, there is the wreck of Lisca Bianca in Panarea.

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