ENOS - Ustica

The ENOS wreck, sitting in just 5 metres of water, is a perfect, relaxed dive when the sun's high and you’re looking for something gentle. This old motor vessel, sunk back in 1970, stretches out at a generous 67 metres, making for a substantial structure to explore in such shallow depths. Even after all these years, you can still trace the outline of its hull and parts of its superstructure. We’ve seen octopuses tucked into crevices, schools of damselfish flitting through the open sections, and often a grumpy moray eel peeking from a dark corner. It’s a great site for photographers, especially when the light streams down onto the metal, creating some striking contrasts.

Location: Ustica, Italy, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates: 37.284000, 13.533167
Type: wreck
Maximum Depth: 5m

Marine Protected Area: Fondali di Torre Salsa

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)

Nearest Dive Centres to ENOS

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 ENOS

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