AZZURRA SECONDA - Ustica

Azzurra Seconda, just off Ustica, sits in such shallow water it’s almost cheating, but that’s precisely what makes it so special. We love this site for its accessibility and the way the light plays through the ship’s skeletal remains. It’s a fishing boat, mostly intact, resting on the sand at a mere four metres. You can fin right over the deck, peer into the wheelhouse, and imagine the last voyage. What we really enjoy here is the macro life that has completely taken over. Small morays poke their heads from every crevice, blennies eye you from the railings, and you’ll often spot nudibranchs grazing on the hull. The calm, shallow water makes it ideal for photographers keen to spend time framing shots, or for newer divers getting comfortable with wreck penetration – though it's more "peek through a window" than full entry. It’s a perfect second dive, or for when you just want a relaxed, sunny potter around a piece of history. Come in the late afternoon; the low sun turns the wreck into a golden silhouette, an absolute treat.

Location
Ustica, Italy, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
38.015850, 12.496533
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
4m

Wreck History - AZZURRA SECONDA

Vessel Type
unknown
Cause
unknown

Lying in the crystal-clear waters off the island of Ustica, the wreck of the Azzurra Seconda is an intriguing shallow-water site. At a mere 4 meters deep, the vessel's remains are easily accessible to divers and even snorkelers. Little is known about the vessel's history or how it met its end, but its classification as a 'dangerous wreck' suggests it may have been a victim of a storm, driven onto the rugged Italian coastline. Today, the scattered wreckage has become a vibrant artificial reef, colonized by local marine life and offering a fascinating, sun-drenched exploration for divers of all levels.

Marine Protected Area: Stagnone di Marsala e Saline di Trapani - area marina e terrestre

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 AZZURRA SECONDA

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 AZZURRA SECONDA

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