TOMMASEO - Ustica

Tommaseo is one of our absolute favourite wrecks in Ustica, a proper historical piece that feels like stepping back in time. We've spent many hours here, hovering just above the sand at 18 metres, watching the light play over the broken hull. It’s not a huge wreck, but what it lacks in size, it makes up for in atmosphere and incredible colonisation by marine life. You’re diving on the remains of a merchant ship, deliberately scuttled in the 1940s, and time has turned it into a fantastic artificial reef. What we really love is how approachable it is. It's relatively shallow, maxing out at 18m, which means decent bottom time and plenty of ambient light to appreciate the details. Shoals of barracuda often circle overhead, and inside the remaining structures, you’ll spot moray eels tucked into every crevice, sometimes two or three in one spot. We always bring a good torch, not just for peering into the darker corners for octopus, but also to highlight the vibrant reds and oranges of the gorgonians that have started to cover the metal. It’s an easy dive, perfect for anyone who appreciates the history of a wreck mixed with plenty of marine life.

Location
Ustica, Italy, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
37.486110, 15.100833
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
18m

Marine Protected Area: Area marina protetta Isole Ciclopi

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 TOMMASEO

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 TOMMASEO

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