ARIADNE
Protected Area
Saline di Augusta
Why dive here
With 60+ marine species recorded in the area - including dolphins, sea turtles and sperm whales - ARIADNE offers some of Ustica's richest wreck diving. Water sits around 15°C.
Ariadne is our pick for a shallow wreck dive in Ustica, perfect for getting a feel for the island’s history without needing to go deep. She’s a motor vessel, ran aground in ’79 after her engine failed in rough seas, and now lies broken up across the seabed at a consistent 8 metres. What we love about her is how accessible she is; you can spend a full hour just poking around the scattered hull plates and machinery. The stern section, though fairly broken, still gives you enough structure to imagine her former shape, with some large beams creating swim-throughs you can easily navigate. Sunlight filters down, illuminating clouds of damselfish that dart in and out of the darker spaces. You’ll spot moray eels tucked into the crevices, their heads peeking out, and we’ve often seen schools of barracuda hanging just off the wreck, silhouetted against the surface. It’s a site that proves you don’t need extreme depths for a compelling wreck dive, and it’s a great spot for photographers keen on natural light.
Typical ARIADNE Dive Profile
Illustrative profile based on site depth and type. Actual dive profiles vary - always follow your dive computer and training.
Safety Notes
Wreck site - avoid penetration without wreck diving certification. Watch for sharp metal and entanglement hazards.
ARIADNE Wreck History
Year Sunk
1979
Vessel Type
cargo ship
Cause
storm
On March 5, 1979, the motor vessel Ariadne was on a commercial passage from Cephalonia, Greece, to Barcelona, Spain. While navigating the waters near the volcanic island of Ustica, her engine failed, leaving her adrift and powerless against the building seas. The storm's relentless force pushed the helpless ship against a coastal breakwater, where it was battered and quickly sank. Fortunately, the incident was not a tragedy for those aboard; all seven crew members and one passenger were rescued safely.
Today, the wreck of the Ariadne rests in just 8 meters of water, making it a fantastic and accessible dive for all experience levels, including trainees and snorkelers. Its shallow depth allows for long, relaxed bottom times and excellent natural light, which illuminates the wreckage and the vibrant marine life that has claimed it. Divers can explore the scattered remains of the hull, now transformed into a thriving artificial reef within Ustica's famed marine protected area. It serves as a perfect introduction to the joys of wreck diving in the crystal-clear Mediterranean.
Nearest Dive Centres to ARIADNE
Dive shops near ARIADNE
GESTIONE MARE DIVING & CHARTER
Jonio Pro-Dive Catania
JALA A.S.D.
DNA DIVERS
A.S.D. JONICA DIVING SCHOOL
Reviews for ARIADNE
Conditions
Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for ARIADNE
ARIADNE Ocean Conditions
Monthly averages for ARIADNE, sourced from NOAA buoy data - nearest station: Open-Meteo grid (38.72, 13.18) (0km away)
August Averages
Sea Temperature
15.49°C
60°F
Air Temperature
27°C
81°F
Wind Speed
5.68 m/s
11.0 knots
Atmospheric Pressure
1013.3 hPa
Based on 5 years of monitoring data · Data sources: NOAA NDBC
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