Capo Gallo - Ustica
Capo Gallo on Ustica offers some interesting Mediterranean diving, particularly for those who appreciate rocky topography and the creatures that inhabit it. You'll likely find moray eels tucked into crevices, some scorpionfish camouflaged on the rocks, and schools of damselfish flitting about. It's a solid choice for a relaxing dive when you're looking for something reliable, rather than spectacular. We'd suggest it for divers who enjoy exploring reef structure and don't need big pelagics to be happy.
- Location
- Ustica, Italy, Mediterranean & Europe
- Coordinates
- 38.220314, 13.300281
Marine Protected Area: Capo Gallo
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
- ALMERIAN - 16m (wreck)
- AMICIZIA - 17m (wreck)
- Apogon
- Arenata - 1m (wreck)
- ARIADNE - 8m (wreck)
- ARIANNA - 3m (wreck)
- ARIS - 2m (wreck)
- ARTURO VOLPE - 10m (wreck)
- ASO - 30m (wreck)
- ATALIA - 5m (wreck)
- ATLA - 31m (wreck)
- Atlantis Bay (reef)
- AZZURRA SECONDA - 4m (wreck)
- Baia Verde
- Bellatrix (wreck)
Nearest Dive Centres to Capo Gallo
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
- loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta)
- Salema (Sarpa salpa) - Reef Fish
- Wrasse (Coris julis) - Reef Fish
- Ornate Wrasse (Thalassoma pavo) - Reef Fish
- Painted Comber (Serranus scriba) - Reef Fish
- Dusky grouper (Epinephelus marginatus) - Reef Fish
- mauve stinger (Pelagia noctiluca) - Jellyfish
- Blue-white Dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba) - Whales & Dolphins
- Damsel fish (Chromis chromis) - Reef Fish
- Scarlet Coral (Balanophyllia (Balanophyllia) europaea) - Hard Corals
- Garrupa (Serranus cabrilla) - Reef Fish
- Bushy Coral (Cladocora caespitosa) - Hard Corals
- Parrotfish (Sparisoma cretense) - Reef Fish
- Mediterranean tapeweed (Posidonia oceanica) - Seagrass & Algae
- Sunset cup coral (Leptopsammia pruvoti) - Hard Corals
- Common Spiny Lobster (Palinurus elephas) - Crabs & Lobsters
- Yellow Barracuda (Sphyraena viridensis) - Reef Fish
- Pink Sea Fan (Eunicella verrucosa) - Soft Corals
- Boarfish (Capros aper) - Reef Fish
- Bellowfish (Macroramphosus scolopax) - Reef Fish
Recommended Packing List for Capo Gallo
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