PAVLOS (POSSIBLY) - Ustica

Ah, Pavlos. Or perhaps, "Possibly Pavlos." That's part of the charm, really, the mystery of it. We love this site not just for the wreck itself, but for the story that comes with it – or rather, the lack of one. Lying at a comfortable 24 metres, this isn't some colossal freighter, but a smaller, older vessel, likely a steamship from the early 20th century. What you see is a broken hull, scattered pieces of machinery, and what we suspect are remnants of coal, giving it a real sense of history. The wreck has settled onto a sandy bottom, surrounded by the deep blue, and while the structure itself is fairly broken up, it’s been beautifully colonised. Schools of damselfish shimmer around the larger pieces of metal, and we’ve often spotted moray eels peeking out from beneath plates, their heads swaying gently. Our favourite detail? The way the light plays on the broken boiler, making the metal gleam in the Ustica sunshine. It’s an easy dive, perfectly suited for anyone who enjoys a bit of history with their marine life, and it never feels crowded, which is a real bonus in the Mediterranean.

Location
Ustica, Italy, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
38.038834, 12.510834
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
24m

Marine Protected Area: Stagnone di Marsala e Saline di Trapani - area marina e terrestre

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 PAVLOS (POSSIBLY)

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 PAVLOS (POSSIBLY)

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