Tremiti Archipelago
Tremiti Archipelago is not the most well-known archipelago in the region, so it offers an uncrowded diving experience.
Explore Apulia
Apulia, located in Southern Italy, is a diver's dream, offering an array of underwater adventures in the Adriatic and Ionian Seas. Known as the 'heel' of Italy's boot, this region boasts nearly 40 pristine dive sites suitable for all skill levels. The clear, azure waters provide an immersive experience, revealing a vibrant marine ecosystem teeming with life. The Marine Protected Area of Tremiti, an enchanting archipelago of five islands, stands out with its aquamarine waters concealing magnificent underwater caves and rocky archways, perfect for advanced divers seeking exploration and discovery.
For history enthusiasts, the region offers a unique twist with World War II plane wrecks resting on the seabed, adding a fascinating historical backdrop to your dives. The rich marine life, including barracuda and large lobsters, adds to the excitement. Apulia's accessibility is another perk, with dive sites just a short 10-minute boat trip away, allowing divers to maximize their underwater exploration. While the Adriatic side occasionally experiences high winds affecting water currents, the overall Mediterranean climate ensures pleasant diving conditions most of the year, making Apulia a must-visit destination for diving aficionados.
Places to explore
Courses and Events
Dive Activity
Diving in Apulia
Apulia, Italy, offers a captivating array of dive sites for enthusiasts. Among the highlights is the Porto Selvaggio Marine Park, renowned for its clear waters and diverse marine life, making it ideal for shore diving. Here, divers might spot the fascinating dance of marine creatures during night dives or witness the unique behaviors of octopuses and seahorses. Wreck diving enthusiasts should not miss the Tremiti Islands, where the submerged remains of ancient ships lie. These islands also provide options for liveaboard diving, allowing explorers to access remote sites and enjoy a blend of shore and boat dives. This combination ensures a balanced diving adventure, accommodating both novice and experienced divers, while showcasing Apulia's underwater splendors.
Top Wildlife Sightings in Apulia
Apulia, a region in Southern Italy, offers a vibrant marine ecosystem, especially along its Adriatic and Ionian coasts. Divers exploring these waters often encounter common reef fish such as the scorpionfish, with its camouflaged appearance, and the brightly colored Mediterranean parrotfish. These species are frequently sighted around the rocky reefs and seagrass meadows that characterize the region's underwater landscapes. Seasonal highlights include the sightings of loggerhead sea turtles, particularly during the summer months when they come closer to shore for nesting. Rays, such as the common stingray, are also occasionally spotted gliding across the sandy seabeds. Shark encounters are rare but possible, with the blue shark being the most likely, especially in deeper offshore waters. These seasonal visitors add to the allure of Apulia's diving experiences, offering divers a chance to witness diverse marine life throughout the year.
Wildlife Sightings are Based on User Generated Content
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 300
Alamy/Reinhard Dirscherl
Octopus
198 Sightings
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0
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2
M
2
A
0
M
9
J
25
J
37
A
60
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52
O
8
N
2
D
1
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 200
Alamy-WaterFrame
Moray Eel
145 Sightings
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0
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1
M
1
A
0
M
4
J
13
J
26
A
63
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25
O
10
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1
D
1
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 27
iStock-Global_Pics
Barracuda
13 Sightings
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0
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0
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0
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0
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3
J
2
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2
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5
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1
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0
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0
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 90
Shutterstock-Levent Konuk
Goatfish
64 Sightings
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0
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1
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0
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0
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0
J
1
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11
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38
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9
O
4
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0
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0
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 250
iStock-Miguel-Angelo-Silva.
Scorpionfish
54 Sightings
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0
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0
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0
A
1
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0
J
1
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15
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20
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14
O
2
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0
D
1
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 3000
SSI-Peter-Schinck
Nudibranch
38 Sightings
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0
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0
M
0
A
0
M
4
J
7
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12
A
9
S
2
O
3
N
0
D
1
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 250
Shutterstock-Henry_and_Laura_Whittaker
Grouper/Basslets
31 Sightings
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F
1
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0
A
0
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0
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4
J
5
A
7
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10
O
2
N
1
D
1
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 110
iStock-Rainer von Brandis
Snapper
23 Sightings
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1
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0
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0
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0
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4
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8
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0
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6
O
2
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0
D
2
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 3400
Shutterstock-Shane Gross
Shrimp
21 Sightings
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0
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0
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0
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0
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0
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7
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11
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0
O
2
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1
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0
Alamy-WaterFrame
Common Seahorse
15 Sightings
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0
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2
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1
A
0
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0
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4
J
4
A
4
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0
O
0
N
0
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0
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 7000
iStock-Michael Zeigler
Crab
15 Sightings
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2
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0
A
0
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0
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4
J
4
A
5
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0
O
0
N
0
D
0
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 120
SSI-Peter-Schinck
Cuttlefish
14 Sightings
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0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
2
J
0
J
0
A
10
S
2
O
0
N
0
D
0
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 55
k
Lobster
10 Sightings
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0
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0
A
0
M
3
J
4
J
3
A
0
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0
O
0
N
0
D
0
The best Months to dive in Apulia
Apulia offers diving conditions that vary throughout the year, with water temperatures ranging from 13°C/55°F in winter to 27°C/81°F in summer. These fluctuations create unique experiences for divers across different seasons. The region is known for its relatively clear waters, with visibility often ranging between 10 meters/33 feet and 20 meters/66 feet, depending on the location and time of year.
Diving is possible year-round in Apulia. However, the best diving conditions are typically found from late spring to early autumn, when the weather is warm and the sea is calmer. During winter, stronger winds and currents can affect diving conditions, making some days less favorable for exploring the underwater landscape. Divers should stay informed about local weather forecasts to plan their dives accordingly.
