Scoglio del Medico

The summum of excellence of diving in the Mediterranean Sea! A unique landscape formed by volcanic shapes; caves‚ passages‚ canyons‚ boulders and pinnacles bustling with marine life.

 

On the north-western side of the island of Ustica and imposing rock‚ “the Scoglio del Medico”‚ rises from the open sea. Under the surface of the sea‚ this location conceals a number of dive itineraries; The “Grotta della Balena” cave‚ the arches and passages itineraries‚ the pinnacle valley‚ the canyons and the lively platform. The possibilities and combinations are numerous!

On the southern side of the Scoglio del Medico the “Grotta della Balena”‚ or cave of the whale can be found; its name referring to the large opening of the cave resembling a whale’s mouth. Fantastic light colour spectacles can be admired here and from inside the cave the entrance accentuates the intense aquamarine colour of the sea. The cave hosts an infinity of colourful sponges‚ false corals‚ crustaceans and molluscs such as beautiful cowries‚ but is also home to a big striped grouper and a timid black hake that hides in the shadows of one of its corners.

The entrance of the cave is the starting point for a variety of itineraries full of arches and passages. Each single passage holds a new surprise and reveals what seems to be a complete new underwater world‚ from green and red algae to rooms covered by yellow and orange sponges to tunnels of false red coral. Offering a perfect protective environment‚ these places are bustling with marine life‚ from a variety of nudibranchs‚ juvenile lobsters‚ pencil sea urchins‚ spider crabs‚ scorpionfish and colourful tiny blennies. These itineraries are a true fun and bewitching magic wonderland for divers.

The passages all lead towards the same exit at a pinnacle covered valley‚ located on the western side of the Scoglio del Medico. Between these pinnacles enormous species of dusky groupers find their home. Focussing on the big blue around‚ shoals of big striped groupers‚ clouds of barracuda‚ schools of tuna and greater amberjacks can be found swirling around this place‚ which seems to be a pelagic meeting point. Single giant tuna’s also pay a visit here in the months of September and October.

Two canyons arise from this valley. These magnificent canyons are formed by a 30m deep crack in a rocky platform. We can dive between these steep vertical walls‚ leading us to a platform on the northern side of the Scoglio del Medico. Dusky groupers‚ barracuda‚ blue runners and seabream attend this place. Also‚ a giant sea hare can be encountered‚ elegantly flying around in the blue waters. Diving through the second canyon will lead us back to the pinnacle valley.