ARTURO VOLPE - Ustica

The Arturo Volpe is a surprisingly accessible wreck, considering its size. She's a big old cargo steamer, 86 metres long, that ran aground in heavy weather back in '73. Now she sits with her bow in just ten metres of water, her stern pointing towards the deep. This shallow depth makes her a favourite of ours for a relaxed second dive or for divers who want the wreck experience without the nitrogen narcosis. We love finning along her deck, peering into the holds where schools of damselfish hover, glinting in the shafts of light. Her superstructure is still largely intact, offering easy penetration for those keen to explore – just be mindful of your buoyancy. Look out for moray eels tucked into crevices and big groupers patrolling the deeper sections of the stern. It's a proper shipwreck dive, but gentle enough for newer wreck enthusiasts. Go early to avoid the crowds, as it can get busy in summer.

Location
Ustica, Italy, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
38.265667, 15.654333
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
10m

Wreck History - ARTURO VOLPE

Year Sunk
1973
Vessel Type
cargo ship
Cause
grounding

The Arturo Volpe was a steamship built in 1950 in Flensburg, Germany. For over two decades, it served as a workhorse of the seas, transporting goods across the Mediterranean. In February 1973, while on a passage from Novorossisk, Russia, to Pozzuoli, Italy, the vessel's long career came to an abrupt end. It ran aground on the rocky northeastern coast of Ustica, a small island known for its clear waters and dramatic underwater topography.

Today, the Arturo Volpe rests in a shallow grave, with its highest point just 10 meters below the surface. This makes it an incredibly accessible and popular dive site, perfect for novice divers and those on their second dive of the day. The wreck is broken into two main sections, allowing divers to easily explore its decaying structure. Over the years, it has transformed into a thriving artificial reef, teeming with damselfish, groupers, and moray eels that have made the ship's rusted hull their home.

Marine Protected Area: Fondali di Scilla

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 ARTURO VOLPE

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 ARTURO VOLPE

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