wreck

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Relitto dell Ischia

The Relitto dell’Ischia, lying just off Portofino’s coast, is one of those wrecks that just hits differently. It’s not a massive cargo ship, but a smaller vessel, a tugboat we think, sitting upright and mostly intact on a sandy seabed. We love how it’s become an artificial reef, a real haven in the Med. Dropping down, the wreck emerges from the blue, its wheelhouse and deck structures still clearly defined. Schools of damselfish shimmer around the railings, and we often spot moray eels peeking from shadowy crevices within the hull. It’s a great site for photographers, especially when the light filters down through the gin-clear water, highlighting the colourful sponges and anemones that have completely encrusted the metalwork. Our favourite time to dive it is early morning, before the boat traffic gets too busy, giving you a calmer descent and a better chance of spotting octopuses camouflaged against the rust. The site is pretty exposed, so always check the swell forecast – a calm day makes all the difference here.