FORT PELLY - Ustica

Fort Pelly, a steamship sunk in 1943 during the Allied landings in Sicily, is a real favourite of ours. She sits in a surprisingly shallow five metres, making her accessible to just about anyone. Even from the surface, you can see her ghostly outline, and as you descend, the sheer scale of the wreck starts to sink in. We love how the light plays on her structure, illuminating bits of twisted metal and corroded hull, creating these dramatic shadows. Despite the relatively shallow depth, there's a lot to explore here. We like to imagine the chaos of her sinking as we fin past the scattered debris, now home to clouds of juvenile damselfish and the occasional inquisitive octopus peering from a dark recess. The wreck has become an artificial reef, of course, and you'll spot plenty of glinting silversides darting in and out of her superstructure. It's a poignant, yet vibrant site, and a perfect spot for divers who enjoy a bit of history with their marine life, or for those just starting out with wreck diving. Go early, before the day boats arrive, for the best light and atmosphere.

Location
Ustica, Italy, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
37.233334, 15.216667
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
5m

Marine Protected Area: Saline di Augusta

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 FORT PELLY

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 FORT PELLY

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