CARIDDI - Ustica

Cariddi feels like a cheat code for wreck diving. You’re at 11 metres, surrounded by a proper wreck, and the Mediterranean light just pours in. We love this site because it’s so accessible, perfect for newer divers to experience a real wreck without any deep jitters, but it’s still interesting enough for those of us who’ve logged a few hundred dives. The wreck itself is a good size, a merchant ship broken into a few sections. You can poke your head into some of the cargo holds, imagining what it looked like before it went down. The bow section is our favourite, with its strong lines and the anchor chain still draped over the side. Schools of damselfish shimmer around the superstructure, and if you look closely, you’ll spot moray eels tucked into every crevice. We’ve often seen big grouper patrolling the edges, a testament to how long this wreck has been here, becoming part of the reef. The visibility here is usually excellent, making it a dream for photography, especially in the late morning when the sun hits just right.

Location
Ustica, Italy, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
38.206550, 15.564067
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
11m

Wreck History - CARIDDI

Vessel Type
unknown
Cause
unknown

The wreck known as 'Cariddi' is a shallow mystery waiting to be explored off the coast of Ustica, a renowned diving paradise in Italy. Lying at a depth of only 11 meters, the site is accessible to divers of all levels. Little is known about the vessel's history or how it sank, adding an element of intrigue to the dive. Divers will find portions of the hull and superstructure emerging from the seabed, providing a canvas for marine life and a focal point for exploration. Its shallow depth and the clear Mediterranean waters make it an excellent second dive of the day or a great spot for underwater photography.

Marine Protected Area: Monti Peloritani, Dorsale Curcuraci, Antennamare e area marina dello stretto di Messina

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 CARIDDI

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 CARIDDI

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