Explore Sardinia

Diving in Sardinia offers a captivating experience in the heart of the Mediterranean Sea, where azure waters meet pristine white sands and rugged landscapes. The island is renowned for its diversity of dive environments, from rocky reefs adorned with gorgonian sea fans to labyrinthine underwater caves beneath towering limestone cliffs. These natural wonders, coupled with historic wrecks like the WWII vessels Angelica, the KT, and the Cogliano, provide divers with an adventure steeped in history and vibrant marine life.

The waters surrounding Sardinia are a haven for both novice and experienced divers, with calm seas and excellent visibility often exceeding 50 meters. The island's marine parks, such as La Maddalena and Tavolara, offer protected settings rich in biodiversity, where schools of barracuda, yellowfin tuna, and occasional sightings of turtles and dolphins can be enjoyed. With temperatures ranging from 16°C/61°F in winter to 26°C/79°F in summer, divers can explore year-round. Whether taking a liveaboard to explore the island's extensive dive sites or enjoying a leisurely shore dive, Sardinia promises a dynamic underwater experience.

Places to Explore

Alghero

17 Divesites 3 Centers

The combination of wild, natural beauty and dramatic gothic architecture have drawn tourists to Alghero for centuries. The beautiful turquoise blue of the Mediterranean Sea, small, white sandy bays, archaeological sites and national parks will make any traveller fall in love.

Area Marina Protetta di Capo Carbonara

1 Divesite 3 Centers

The Capo Carbonara Marine Protected Area includes great coral formations and many caves with the marine life that goes along with both.

Area Marina Protetta di Tavolara

2 Divesites 1 Center

Tavolara marine protected area is an incredibly fertile ecosystem with a great variance of marine life.

Protected Marine Area La Maddalena

20 Divesites 7 Centers

The Archipelago of La Maddalena contains a number of mostly unpopulated islands and islets and has over 30 dive sites in this area.

Top Dive Sites Map

★★★★☆ Mérouville

Only accessible to experienced divers (35m), the sec du Pelu, known as 'Mérouville', is world-famous, and for good reason: some 30 groupers evolve on 3 rocky lifts set on a 30m seabed, the highest of which rises to 17m.

★★★★☆ I Picchi

One of the most fascinating diving spots on Caprera. It consists of two pinnacles reaching to the surface. The anchorage is on a 19 mt bottom. Sometimes there is a current but it offers plenty of ridges. A beautiful arch on 26 mt. There is also an outer shoal reaching 45 with gorgonians and many lobsters.

★★★★☆ Grotta San Francesco

20 min navigation from Cannigione, on the East side of Caprera Island, near I Pichi, you will dive from the boat on a nice landscape and at the end of the dive you can swim into a nice little cavern starting at 12M to 5M.

★★★★★ Grotta dei Cervi

Certainly the most important site from a historical point of view, the Grotta dei Cervi (Cave of the Deer), discovered in 1986, presents fossil remains, now calcified in the rock, dating back to the Neolithic period. One can admire various mandibles, bones from different parts of the body, and a skull

★★★★★ Grotta dei Fantasmi

Another top site in the area is Grotta dei Fantasmi, the ghost cave. The entrance is only 7 meters but the dive is only a few tens of cm from the surface, present several air bubbles and tunnels. Completely of white limestone rock it is reminiscent, in part because of the excellent visibility, of cenotes in Central America.

★★★★★ Grotta di Falco

Falco Cave is named after its discoverer Ennio Falco who discovered the aerial part of apnea. The cave is of rare beauty, on its vaults is the presence of numerous colonies of red coral; made in the shape of a horseshoe, it has exit and entrance always within sight. It requires an Advanced or Cavern certification.

★★★★★ Cala Verde

Dive spot suitable for Open Water Diver. The bottom slopes slowly down to 16-18 mt, easy to enter the water because of the always calm sea. Good for Try Scuba and Basic Diver exercises but also for compass navigation exercises. Great spot for snorkelers.

★★★★★ Cala del Bollo

Cala del Bollo (Bollo’s Cove) takes its name from the Aragonese tower above it, the Bollo Tower. Dive spot suitable for beginners, open water courses and beautiful spot for snorkeling. Given its shallow depth already from the surface it is possible to see octopuses, moray eels and starfish.

★★★★☆ Isola Foradada Dolmen

Located in the northern of the island, two large Dolmens rise up to 8 mt from a depth o 25-30 mt. The dive develops around these big rocks, very colorful with sponges and marine life as well as corals.

★★★★★ Cala della Bramassa

Cala della Bramassa with its flat bottom, convenient for carrying out exercises, is a suitable place to carry out the open waters of beginner courses (Try Scuba and Basic diver). Swimming offshore it reaches 18 mt. Also suitable as a snorkeling spot as it is sheltered from winds and the sea is almost always flat.

★★★★☆ Punta Battistoni

Punta Battistoni, near the seaside resort of Baia Sardinia, is a perfect diving spot for beginner divers or those who need a refresh dive after a long period of inactivity. The dive starts from the shore, and you have plenty of time to become familiar with the water. At 12m you can find a air bell :)

★★★★☆ Scoglio di Tahiti

The real name would be Cala Coticcio but it is now called Tahiti in honor of the beach of the same name nearby. The 10m buoy offers an easy descent and the shoal is very wide. It is bordered by the beautiful white sand that creates a beautiful contrast with the rock. You can also go deep up to 35m.

★★★★☆ Motore dei Monaci

The Motor is the dive north-east of the Islet of the Monks. The name derives from the presence of a large diesel engine located at 23m, at the foot of a small wall facing north. This small wreck offers hiding places to numerous life forms, first of all the conger eels and morays.

★★★★☆ Cala Inglese

Cala Inglese. The name derives from the legend that says that Admiral Nelson had his fleet stationed in this cove. The dive has become famous not only for its undoubted beauty but also thanks to a photo by National Geographic Italy, which immortalizes a diver next to a huge rock that looks like a human face.

★★★★☆ Isola Rossa

Isola Rossa is located 1NM South of Teulada Marina. The island is oblong in shape and is approximately 500m long North to South. East to West, the island is roughly 250m. Coastal depths range from 5m to 30m.

Diving in Sardinia

Sardinia, an Italian island in the Mediterranean, boasts diverse diving experiences for enthusiasts. Among its top dive sites are the wreck of the "KT12," a German supply ship from World War II, offering a thrilling exploration opportunity adorned with vibrant marine life. The "Secca del Papa" is a popular shore dive, known for its dramatic underwater topography and rich biodiversity, featuring barracudas and groupers.

For those seeking unique experiences, night dives at "Cala Gonone" reveal the nocturnal activities of marine creatures, providing a different perspective of the underwater world. Sardinia offers a balanced mix of shore and liveaboard diving options, catering to various preferences. Whether exploring from the shore or embarking on a liveaboard adventure, divers are sure to encounter the island's remarkable underwater wonders.

The best Months to Dive in Sardinia

Sardinia offers diverse diving conditions year-round. During the summer months, water temperatures range from 20°C–24°C/68°F–75°F, providing comfortable conditions for divers. Visibility is generally excellent, often reaching 30 meters/98 feet, allowing for clear views of the underwater scenery. The calm seas during this period make it an ideal time for diving.

In winter, water temperatures drop to 13°C–15°C/55°F–59°F, which, along with increased wind and currents, can create more challenging conditions. Despite this, diving is still possible, although less favorable. Divers should be aware of the Mistral winds, which can affect surface conditions and visibility. Overall, Sardinia offers diving opportunities throughout the year, with spring and fall being particularly pleasant times to explore its marine environment.