HMS P222 - Naples & Campania
The HMS P222, an S-class submarine, offers a compelling wreck dive in the Bay of Naples. We love how its history feels so present here. She sank in 1941, and exploring her now, you get a real sense of that wartime past. As you descend, the wreck emerges from the blue, often surrounded by schools of small baitfish shimmering in the light. Penetration is possible for suitably trained divers; the torpedo tubes are a particularly evocative spot to explore, though watch your buoyancy in the tighter sections. Sunlight catches the internal structures through various access points, creating a dramatic atmosphere. Outside, the hull is encrusted with sponges and hydroids, and we’ve often found scorpionfish hunkering down amongst the debris, perfectly camouflaged. We’d suggest a calm morning for the best visibility, as the bay can get choppy. This isn't a dive for macro enthusiasts, but for those who appreciate a substantial piece of history, it's a fantastic experience.
- Location
- Naples & Campania, Italy, Mediterranean & Europe
- Coordinates
- 40.483334, 14.333333
- Type
- wreck
Marine Protected Area: Settore e rupi costiere orientali dell'Isola di Capri
Nearby Dive Sites in Naples & Campania
- A. MAVONA - 6m (wreck)
- AMELIA S - 17m (wreck)
- ANNA MARIA JEVOLI - 10m (wreck)
- ANNUNZIATA MADRE - 14m (wreck)
- ASHANTI PALM - 5m (wreck)
- Baia Underwater Archaeological Park
- Banco di Santa Croce - 31m (reef)
- BETTOLINA (POSSIBLY) - 33m (wreck)
- BOA (Secche di Tor Paterno - 24m (reef)
- BOMBARDIERE - 30m (wreck)
- BONACCIA - 48m (wreck)
- Bracciano - 11m
- BRODNESS (PROBABLY) - 58m (wreck)
- Cala dei Turchi
- Cala della pergola
Nearest Dive Centres to HMS P222
Marine Life in Naples & Campania
Home to 142 recorded species including 91 reef fish, 20 sharks & rays, 5 hard corals, 5 other, 4 crabs & lobsters, 4 whales & dolphins.
Notable Species
- mauve stinger (Pelagia noctiluca) - Jellyfish
- Red coral (Corallium rubrum) - Soft Corals
- pilchard (Sardina pilchardus) - Reef Fish
- European fan-worm (Sabella spallanzanii) - Worms
- Bushy Coral (Cladocora caespitosa) - Hard Corals
- anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus) - Reef Fish
- Mediterranean tapeweed (Posidonia oceanica) - Seagrass & Algae
- Herring (Sardinella aurita) - Reef Fish
- Wrasse (Coris julis) - Reef Fish
- Common Spiny Lobster (Palinurus elephas) - Crabs & Lobsters
- Scarlet Coral (Balanophyllia (Balanophyllia) europaea) - Hard Corals
- Blue-white Dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba) - Whales & Dolphins
- Garrick (Lichia amia) - Reef Fish
- Common torpedo (Torpedo torpedo) - Sharks & Rays
- Damsel fish (Chromis chromis) - Reef Fish
- Sunset cup coral (Leptopsammia pruvoti) - Hard Corals
- Spotted Dragonet (Callionymus maculatus) - Reef Fish
- Pink Sea Fan (Eunicella verrucosa) - Soft Corals
- eel (Anguilla anguilla) - Reef Fish
- Corkwing (Symphodus melops) - Reef Fish