ARIANNA
Protected Area
Capo Gallo
Why dive here
With 60+ marine species recorded in the area - including dolphins, sea turtles and sperm whales - ARIANNA offers some of Ustica's richest wreck diving. Water sits around 15°C.
Arianna, now she's a different sort of wreck dive. You're not going deep here, she’s practically in a bathtub, sitting at a maximum of three metres. This ex-American minesweeper, later a motor vessel, caught fire and was beached just east of Palermo Harbour entrance back in 1980. Our favourite thing about her is the sheer accessibility – grab a mask and snorkel if you like, though we always prefer a tank for a closer look. What you'll find is a surprisingly intact hull, softened by decades of growth. Sunlight filters right through, illuminating schools of juvenile damselfish flitting through rusted portholes. We've spent ages just watching octopus disappear into crevices, their eyes following us as we fin gently by. It’s an incredibly tranquil experience, perfect for photographers wanting to play with ambient light or new divers getting their first taste of a genuine wreck. Just watch out for the occasional curious sea urchin clinging to the metal.
Typical ARIANNA 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.
ARIANNA Wreck History
Year Sunk
1980
Vessel Type
warship
Cause
fire
The Arianna had a history of service long before her dramatic end. Originally built as a tough and resilient American minesweeper, she was designed to clear dangerous naval minefields. After her military career, she was sold into civilian service and, by 1980, was owned by Mediterranea Recuperi Srl. On August 4th of that year, while on a short voyage from Trapani to Palermo, disaster struck. A fire ignited onboard and quickly grew beyond the crew's control.
A rescue attempt was made to tow the burning vessel to safety, but the damage was too extensive. The crew was forced to beach the Arianna just east of Ustica, where she was consumed by the flames and sank. Lying in an incredibly shallow 3 meters of water, the wreck is now a prime site for snorkelers and those taking their very first breaths underwater. Sunlight floods the site, revealing the skeletal remains of the former warship, which now provide a home for small fish and crustaceans, offering a unique and accessible glimpse into maritime history.
Nearest Dive Centres to ARIANNA
Dive shops near ARIANNA
Ditta Francesco Genchi
Sailing Bubbles A.S.D.
A.S.D. EVOLUTION DIVER
DIVING CENTER SARACEN
LUNA BLU DIVING CENTER
Centro Sub Atlantis
Reviews for ARIANNA
Conditions
Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for ARIANNA
ARIANNA Ocean Conditions
Monthly averages for ARIANNA, 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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