Capo Mulini Wreck - Ustica

Capo Mulini is a wreck we always recommend in Ustica, especially for those who appreciate a bit of history with their dive. It’s not a massive wreck, but what it lacks in size, it makes up for in character and accessibility. The bow section sits upright, really easy to navigate, and the stern is a little deeper, broken up but still very much a wreck, scattered across the seabed. We love how the Mediterranean light filters through the structure, illuminating the nooks and crannies where groupers lurk and moray eels poke their heads out. You’ll find schools of damselfish flitting around the rigging and colourful nudibranchs clinging to the metalwork. It’s a site that tells a story, a cargo ship sunk during WWII, and you can still feel that sense of history as you glide over the deck. Our favourite time to dive it is late morning, when the sun is high, really bringing out the vibrant sponges and anemones that have colonised the wreck. Currents are generally mild here, making it a relaxed dive suitable for open water divers comfortable with a bit of depth and overhead environments.

Location
Ustica, Italy, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
37.591164, 15.177762
Type
wreck

Wreck History - Capo Mulini Wreck

Year Sunk
2005
Vessel Type
tugboat
Cause
storm

While not a historic vessel, the dive site known as the Capo Mulini Wreck offers a fantastic modern wreck experience in the famously clear waters of Ustica. Believed to be a small harbor tugboat that sank during a powerful storm in 2005, the wreck now sits perfectly upright on a sandy seabed at approximately 30 meters. Its relatively recent sinking means the structure is largely intact, providing a superb and easy-to-navigate wreck dive for advanced divers. Its compact size allows for a complete tour in a single dive, from the wheelhouse to the propeller, without the risk of disorientation associated with larger vessels. The structure has quickly become a haven for marine life, attracting moray eels, congers, and schools of barracuda, making it a rewarding dive that combines the thrill of wreck penetration with the beauty of a Mediterranean reef.

Marine Protected Area: Riserva naturale integrale Isola di Lachea e Faraglioni dei Ciclopi

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 Capo Mulini Wreck

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 Capo Mulini Wreck

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