KASTEL LUANDA

Protected Area

Fondali circostanti l'Isola di Zannone

Why dive here

With 136+ marine species recorded in the area - including blue sharks, hammerhead sharks, mobula rays (devil rays), octopuses and sea turtles - KASTEL LUANDA offers some of Naples & Campania's richest wreck diving.

Marine lifeBlue Sharks, Hammerhead Sharks, Mobula Rays (Devil Rays), Octopuses and Sea Turtles · 136+ species recorded

CharacterWreck dive · max 20m

StandoutRich in charismatic marine life

The Kastel Luanda, just off Ponza Island, is our pick for a proper Mediterranean wreck dive. She’s a carrier vessel, built in Trieste in '57, went down in heavy weather in '74. She’s a big girl, 71 meters long, sitting upright and mostly intact at 20 meters. We love how the light plays on her deck in the morning, creating these shifting patterns as you swim along her superstructure. Dropping onto the stern, you can explore the holds, which are often swarming with schools of barracuda. Inside, it's dark and cavernous, but completely safe for penetration if you've got the training. Look out for moray eels tucked into the crevices of the engine room. We’ve even seen octopus here, flattened against the rust, perfectly camouflaged. The bow section has collapsed a bit, but that's where you find some impressive gorgonian corals. This is a brilliant site for wreck enthusiasts or anyone looking for a substantial dive with some history, particularly on a calm day. The current can pick up, so check conditions.