Is Sicily a good place to go scuba diving?

August 12, 2005 5:58 PM

Is Sicily a good place to go scuba diving? One source says that the Mediterranean "has largely been fished out through over zealous spear fishing."

I went to Mallorca last year and while the water was wonderful, it was almost devoid of life, mostly empty sea, which seems to confirm the overfishing claim; I saw a lot more of interest while snorkeling by the beach. I like as much colour as possible in my diving experiences. Would I expect to have more fun in the Canary Islands or in the Adriatic?

I suspect the diving might better elsewhere. But I have been to Mallorca and the Canaries before, and I'm tired of being up to my knees in flabby German tourists, rows of souvenir shops all selling the exact same plastic crap, and endless imitation-Italian restaurants selling, well, the same plastic crap. I thought I might treat myself to a little culture and history this time.

I can't find much information about Sicily as a diving location. Can you recommend a good site? What are good diving locations, and what diving centres do you recommend (or recommend against)? What should I expect to pay?

posted by gentle to sports, hobbies, & recreation (7 comments total)

The Europeans I met while scuba diving in SE Asia all said that the best diving in the Mediterranean was in Egypt...underwater ruins and all that.
posted by furtive at 6:14 PM on August 12, 2005

I know. Thanks, but I'm asking about Sicily. As much as we'd like to, we can't afford to go to Egypt. The charter trip selections are rather limited.
posted by gentle at 7:38 PM on August 12, 2005

An acquaintance of mine who's been diving practically everywhere described that end of the Mediterranean as "comparatively boring". Take that as you will.
posted by aramaic at 12:23 AM on August 13, 2005

Well this magazine travel site doesn't even offer that area as an option. You can post the same question in their forums.
posted by fionab at 9:25 AM on August 13, 2005

Here is an outline on Sardinia diving; that same site didn't list Sicily as an option, but you can also post that in their forums.
posted by fionab at 9:33 AM on August 13, 2005

Oops, sorry, here's the link on Sardinia diving. Don't post before coffee!
posted by fionab at 9:34 AM on August 13, 2005

This article says it's decent, but not great. Oh, well.
posted by gentle at 10:20 AM on August 13, 2005