Explore Ventotene
Lying between Ischia and Ponza, Ventotene is a small island off the western coast of Italy and the remains of an ancient volcano. Reached by regularly scheduled ferries, Ventotene has a rural and cultured feel with a history that dates back to Greek rule. Since 1997, the Protected Marine Area of the Islands of Ventotene and Santo Stefano conserves the surrounding waters, whose dive sites are characterised by caves, tunnels and arches.
Scuba diving in Ventotene is accessible from two dive centres on the island itself while some centres in Rome and Naples offer excursions to the area. Many of the area’s dive centres offer the full range of dive courses available.
Dive Activity
Diving in Ventotene
The volcanic history of Ventotene showcases lava sand with a series of caves and underwater tunnels, such as the one found at ‘Secca dell’Archetto’. There a several dive sites with the majority of sites only descending to 40 metres, making Ventotene the ideal place to enrol in a dive course. The wreck of the ‘Santa Lucia’ lies on the seafloor at around 40 metres. Dive centres in Ventotene are dedicated to technical diving, where several Roman wrecks are accessible by those ready to head deeper.
Top Wildlife Sightings in Ventotene
Ventotene diving is becoming a secret hotspot for nursehound sharks who lay their eggs on sea fans, sponges and it seems even old fishing lines! Very lucky divers may even spot a mobula ray cruising through the blue, whose numbers seem to be on the rise in the Mediterranean Sea. Groupers and sea bream circle around the intriguing rock formations while meadows of Posidonia seagrass play a valuable role by providing refuge to juvenile fish. Rocky substrates are adorned with vibrant sea whip, anemones and deep inside caverns, a torch will reveal the countless number of shrimps found on the craggy floor. The channel between Ventotene and the nearby island attract larger pelagics such as dentex, amberjacks, and dense schools of barracuda.
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: 27
iStock-Global_Pics
233 Sightings
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Total number of species: 200
Alamy-WaterFrame
Moray Eel
76 Sightings
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Total number of species: 250
Shutterstock-Henry_and_Laura_Whittaker
Grouper/Basslets
300 Sightings
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Total number of species: 110
iStock-Rainer von Brandis
Snapper
74 Sightings
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Total number of species: 100
iStock-burnsboxco
Parrotfish
39 Sightings
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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
31 Sightings
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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
17 Sightings
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The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 350
Alamy-Andre Seal
Damselfish
15 Sightings
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The best Months to Dive in Ventotene
The diving season in Ventotene runs from April through to October, with the busiest month likely to be August. A minimum water temperature of around 14℃ can be expected in the winter months, from January through to March, while in the summer, from July through to September, temperatures can reach a maximum of 26℃. If you decide to head out during the colder months, just remember to wrap up warm!
