Independent article on the site's gorgonians, boulders, and sheltered depth.
Punta dell'Arpa is a deep Ustica wall dive with gorgonians.
Punta dell'Arpa is a deep Ustica wall dive with gorgonians.
Punta dell'Arpa is a deep Ustica wall dive with red gorgonians, Posidonia meadows, and a rocky profile that changes from sheltered bay water to a more exposed tip. It suits divers who want a current-aware, depth-rich Mediterranean site with strong color and plenty of structure. The dive is best treated as an advanced boat objective rather than a casual shallow reef.
Conservative baseline from public research. No community dives logged yet.
Depth range, seasonality, and planning context.
Reported Depth
20m - 40m
Depth Note
The main dive runs from a Posidonia slope into a 20-40 m wall and sandy bottom, with the deepest sand at around 40 m.
Best Season
May to October, with calmer seas and better visibility.
Typical Conditions
Posidonia slope, rocky boulders, and red gorgonian walls; the site feels best with calm seas and a solid depth plan.
Hazards, restrictions, and access requirements.
Key Hazards
Safety Notes
Bring depth comfort and current awareness; this is a better fit for advanced divers than for casual shallow reef visits.
Access Restrictions
Use local operators and respect reserve zoning; some areas are fully protected.
Legal Notes
Ustica sits inside a marine protected area with diveable zones and a fully protected breeding zone.
Community notes to help plan your visit.
Scuba Diving
Key features include two large rocks rising from a sandy bottom around 40 m and vertical walls with gorgonians.
Freediving
Freediving is not a good fit here because the main features sit on a deep wall and boulder system.
Snorkeling
Snorkeling is limited; the main feature is a deep wall dive rather than a surface-friendly bay.
Species commonly reported at this site, with direct links into their wildlife guides.
Community dive logs and visit reports for this site.
Average conditions based on logged dives & visits.
Planning answers for access, conditions, timing, and site logistics.
Last Updated
Research Sources
Independent article on the site's gorgonians, boulders, and sheltered depth.
Historical site conditions with visibility and current observations.
Ustica diving blog discussing the longer season and off-season conditions.
Dive-site page calling out frequent current and the 20-40 m profile.
Operator overview of Ustica's marine reserve and diveable zones.
Local dive-center page with depth range, difficulty, and species notes.
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