Arenata - Ustica

Arenata isn't your typical wreck dive, and that's precisely why we love it. This is a shipwreck for snorkelers, a historical footnote found literally metres from shore, with its metal bones breaking the surface at points. It’s the remains of a small freighter, the Arenata, sunk in 1943. We often head there after a morning dive, just to splash around and explore the twisted metal structure. The shallowness means light plays beautifully over everything. You can watch the sun dance across the rust-coloured hull plates, and every nook and cranny seems to house something interesting. Little damselfish flit amongst the rebar, and we’ve spotted small octopus tucked into the crevices more than once. It’s a fantastic spot for photographers looking for something a bit different, or for families with younger snorkelers. While you won't be descending to explore engine rooms, you get a palpable sense of history, right there at the surface. Our favourite time to go is late afternoon, as the light softens and the water calms.

Location
Ustica, Italy, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
37.499218, 13.014750
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
1m

Wreck History - Arenata

Vessel Type
cargo ship
Cause
grounding

The wreck known as "Arenata" off the famed diving island of Ustica likely gets its name from the Italian word for "run aground." This is a fitting description for the fate of this small cargo ship, which met its end after being driven ashore by a fierce storm. While the vessel's original name and the exact year of its loss are uncertain, local lore often places the event in the 1970s. It was a victim of the unpredictable Mediterranean weather, a common fate for many ships navigating these historic waters.

Resting in a mere meter of water, the Arenata is more a part of the coastline than a deep-sea wreck. Its hull, torn apart by the initial impact and subsequent storms, is scattered across the shallow seabed, with portions of the superstructure breaking the surface. This makes it a spectacular site for snorkelers and photographers, who can capture the dramatic interplay of rusted metal, white surf, and the clear blue Sicilian water. Divers can explore the wreckage as part of a shallow shore dive, discovering the resilient marine life that has colonized the twisted steel plates.

Marine Protected Area: Fondali di Capo San Marco - Sciacca

Best Time to Dive in Ustica

The warmest water temperatures in Ustica occur in January, averaging 15.5°C. The coolest conditions are in December at 15.5°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

  • January: 15.5°C (air: 13.6°C)
  • February: 15.5°C (air: 13.5°C)
  • March: 15.5°C (air: 13.6°C)
  • April: 15.5°C (air: 15.0°C)
  • May: 15.5°C (air: 18.5°C)
  • June: 15.5°C (air: 22.7°C)
  • July: 15.5°C (air: 26.4°C)
  • August: 15.5°C (air: 27.0°C)
  • September: 15.5°C (air: 24.9°C)
  • October: 15.5°C (air: 21.6°C)
  • November: 15.5°C (air: 18.6°C)
  • December: 15.5°C (air: 15.3°C)

Nearby Dive Sites in Ustica

Nearest Dive Centres to Arenata

Marine Life in Ustica

Home to 63 recorded species including 41 reef fish, 4 whales & dolphins, 3 other, 3 hard corals, 3 crabs & lobsters, 2 seagrass & algae.

Notable Species

Recommended Packing List for Arenata

Based on average water temperature of 15.5°C.

  • Wetsuit (5-7mm) - recommended for 15°C water
  • Hood & Gloves (3-5mm) - helps retain warmth
  • Mask - essential for every dive
  • Fins
  • BCD - buoyancy compensator
  • Regulator - your most safety-critical piece of gear
  • Dive Computer - tracks depth, time, and NDL
  • Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) - essential for boat pickups
  • Dive Torch - useful for crevices and colour at depth
  • Underwater Camera - capture your diving memories