HMT ARACARI

Best months: Sep

Protected Area

Arcipelago delle Eolie - area marina e terrestre

Why dive here

With 60+ marine species recorded in the area - including dolphins, sea turtles and sperm whales - HMT ARACARI offers some of Ustica's richest wreck diving. Water ranges 15-29°C, warmest July, August, September.

Best timeSep

WetsuitA 3mm shorty or thin full wetsuit

Marine lifeDolphins, Sea Turtles and Sperm Whales · 60+ species recorded

Water15-29°C · warmest July, August, September

CharacterWreck dive · max 10m

The HMT Aracari is a brilliant little wreck, perfect if you’re looking for a relaxed dive in Ustica. We love that it’s so shallow, sitting at just 10 metres, which means plenty of bottom time to really soak it all in. You’ll find the remains of this old trawler spread out a bit, almost like a puzzle on the seabed, rather than a fully intact vessel. We think the best part is how the local fish have completely moved in. You’ll see schools of damselfish flitting through the metal frames and moray eels peeking out from beneath the larger sections of hull. It’s a fantastic spot for photographers, especially when the sun hits the sand just right, illuminating the wreck and the marine life around it. Head there in the late morning; the light is often spectacular. It’s an easy dive, suitable for pretty much anyone comfortable in the water, and a great way to experience a piece of history without the depth demands of some other sites.