Diving in Tunisian Plateau/Gulf of Sidra
Quick Facts
- • Entry types: Mostly shore entries
- • Expect: Varies by conditions visibility
- • Highlights: Discover Tunisian Plateau/Gulf of Sidra's dive spots
Explore the underwater wonders of Tunisian Plateau/Gulf of Sidra, ecoregion. This region features 18 documented dive spots, each offering unique underwater experiences. Whether you're seeking calm snorkeling bays, challenging freediving depths, or exciting scuba adventures, Tunisian Plateau/Gulf of Sidra has something for every underwater explorer. Browse detailed spot information, check current conditions from recent dive logs, and connect with the local diving community to make the most of your visit.
Regional Context
🏛️ Marine Hierarchy
Countries in Tunisian Plateau/Gulf of Sidra (4)
Popular Spots in Tunisian Plateau/Gulf of Sidra (18)
Aida (Wreck)
The Aida wreck, originally named 'Alga', is situated approximately 8 kilometers from the coast at a maximum depth of 20 meters. This Italian military cargo ship was heavily armed and was torpedoed by the British submarine 'Unbeding' on October 9, 1942, shortly after departing from Palermo on October 7, 1942. Divers can encounter a variety of marine life around the wreck, including groupers, stingrays, dentex, corbels, flutefish, octopus, parrotfish, and nudibranchs.
Attitala, Wreck
The Attitala wreck is situated 21 kilometers offshore, resting at a depth of 40 meters. This trawler is infrequently explored, providing a habitat for various large Mediterranean species such as groupers, amberjacks, and turtles. The site is characterized by its depth and location, making it suitable only for divers with significant experience. Marine life commonly observed includes dolphins, stingrays, triggerfish, dentex, tuna, parrotfish, castanets, and nudibranchs.
El wed
El Wed is located 50 meters from the shore and features a natural underwater river characterized by two posidonia meadows and a sandy bottom. The site reaches a maximum depth of 10 meters, making it suitable for beginner divers. The area is known for its diverse marine species, providing an engaging diving experience for those new to the sport.
Habboubi
Habboubi is a dive site located approximately 30 minutes from the coast of Cap Africa. The underwater terrain consists of rocky formations typical of the Mediterranean environment, with a maximum depth of 26 meters. Divers can expect to spend between 20 to 30 minutes exploring this site. The area is home to various marine species, including gorgonians, Dentex, Black Seabream, and Seabream. A notable feature of the site is the Posidonia meadow that covers the seabed.
Kantaoui Reef
Kantaoui Reef is situated off the coast of Port El Kantaoui in Tunisia, featuring depths that range from 10 to 30 meters. This site supports a variety of marine life, including Mediterranean fish, dolphins, and crustaceans. The underwater environment is characterized by a diverse array of marine flora, primarily consisting of corals and algae. It is accessible from the shore, making it suitable for divers of all experience levels.
Lampione
Lampione is a dive site accessible by boat, suitable for divers of all experience levels. The site is known for its vibrant marine life, particularly during the months of July to September when grey sharks are frequently observed, marking their unique presence in the Mediterranean Sea. Divers can expect to encounter a diverse array of species including turtles, snappers, amberjacks, barracudas, tunas, skipjack, salps, giltheads, grouper, damselfish, minnows, bogue, and parrotfish. The colorful underwater environment and the variety of pelagic life make this site a notable location for underwater exploration.
Meridiana
Meridiana is a shore dive site located approximately 1 mile from the coast, characterized by small rocks that create underwater arches. The site features a sandy bottom interspersed with posidonia bushes, providing shelter for various small fish species. The depth ranges from 4 to 6 meters, making it suitable for adaptation dives and certification training. Marine life includes serrans, sars, castagnoles, girelles peacock, crabs, saups, small groupers, blennies, and sponges.
Mongi I Reef
Mongi I Reef is located approximately 3 miles offshore, characterized by a block structure surrounded by sandy areas and posidonia. The dive site has a depth range of 10 to 14 meters, allowing divers to navigate around the entire block in a single dive. While exploring the reef, divers can expect to encounter a variety of marine life, including groupers, balistes, dentex, parrotfish, sars, girelles, saupes, flutefish, octopus, skates, cuttlefish, and turtles.
Mongi II Reef
Mongi II Reef consists of three prominent boulders situated approximately 3 miles from the shore, with depths ranging from 10 to 14 meters. This dive site is frequented by a variety of marine life, including stingrays, turtles, and loggerhead fish. Divers can also encounter species such as skates, octopus, groupers, parrotfish, and cuttlefish. The site is suitable for both novice and experienced divers due to its manageable depths and diverse ecosystem.
Napoli
The Napoli wreck is located approximately 10 minutes from the port of Mahdia, situated opposite the town of Rejish. This former passenger vessel has sunk and is now found at a depth of around 12 meters. The wreck has experienced significant deterioration over time but remains accessible for beginner divers. Marine life around the site includes small groupers, various species of magnificent octopuses, and a diverse array of anemones.
Oktopus Reef
Oktopus Reef is situated approximately 8 kilometers from the city center, featuring a depth range of 14 to 16 meters. This site extends over 1 kilometer and is characterized by its rocky formations that provide an ideal environment for drift diving. Divers can expect to encounter a variety of marine life, including octopuses, eagle rays, stingrays, parrot fish, groupers, dentex, peacock gurnards, and even dolphins. The presence of shrimp and turtles adds to the biodiversity of the area, making each dive a unique experience.
PLM 20
PLM 20 is a notable dive site featuring the wreck of a 110-meter cargo ship that was sunk by a torpedo in 1942. The wreck is positioned upright on the sandy bottom and retains some of its original contents, including crockery and a few bottles of beer and cider. Divers can expect to encounter a variety of marine life, including large groupers and schools of amberjacks. A particularly large grouper, known as GIGI, is often seen accompanying divers during their exploration of the site. The dive site is accessible from the shore, making it convenient for divers to enter the water directly.
Ras Turgueness
Ras Turgueness features a series of boulders located approximately 4 km from the center, creating small underwater tunnels. The site is home to various marine life including skates, groupers, 2-banded sars, girelles, castagnoles, anemones, sponges, saupes, writing serrans, and mullets. The dive depths range from 4 to 10 meters, making it suitable for adaptation dives and certification courses.
Ricardo (Wreck)
The Ricardo, originally known as the cargo ship EDDA, measures 100 meters in length and is located approximately 14 kilometers off the coast of Djerba. The wreck lies at depths ranging from 19 to 27 meters. It was sunk on January 18, 1943, by the British submarine 'Unbroken'. This dive site is exclusively accessible by boat. Divers can expect to see a variety of fish and may encounter numerous undiscovered objects that have fallen from the ship.
Sidi Bakour
Sidi Bakour is located off the coast of Djerba, Tunisia, and is accessible via shore entry. The dive site features a depth range from 5 to 30 meters, allowing divers to explore sandy seabeds interspersed with rocks and posidonia meadows. The area is known for its rich biodiversity, including species such as octopus, cuttlefish, moray eels, and various reef fish, making it suitable for divers of all experience levels.
Sidi Soliman’s Reef
Sidi Soliman’s Reef is located at coordinates 33.831600, 11.025400 and is accessible from the shore. This site is particularly suitable for beginner divers, with depths ranging from 1 to 5 meters. It provides an opportunity for novice divers and children to explore the underwater environment. The marine life includes species such as Sars, Merous, Mulets, Serrans Ecritures, Saupes, Orphies, Labres, Castagnoles, Poulpes, Seiches, as well as various Anemones and Sponges, offering a diverse experience for those new to diving.
Trapanis
Trapanis is located facing the Cape of Mahdia and consists of two prominent rock formations. This site allows for drift diving when conditions are favorable. Divers can expect to encounter a variety of marine life, including octopuses, moray eels, and groupers, along with other species typical of the Mediterranean Sea.
Wreck Eso
Wreck Eso is a minelayer located approximately 8 kilometers off the coast of Djerba, near Ras Turgueness. The wreck rests at a depth of 20 meters and was discovered in 2014. It serves as a habitat for various marine species, including Dentex, red and white groupers, rays, turtles, octopus, corbels, billfish, parrotfish, and dolphins.