Ponza & the Pontine Islands · Italy · Seamount · Wall
Secca dei Vricci
A meadow of red gorgonians on a current-swept shoal from 27 to 62 m
Area photo: Seba Sofariu from Dublin, Ireland · CC BY 2.0
Secca dei Vricci is a shoal whose top lies at 27 m and whose flanks slope to 62 m, swept by strong currents and reserved by the source for divers with proven experience on open circuit or a rebreather. The north-northwest side carries a meadow of red gorgonian fans where John Dory hide, and the ravines hold moray and conger eels, some of them large.
Where it is and how deep
40.9414° N, 12.8973° EPublished position for this site.
The dive
The descent is the first test. The top of the shoal is at 27 m and the site is characterised by strong currents, so go down a line or a shot with the boat holding station above, and get onto the rock quickly. From the top, the shoal slopes away on every side to a depth of 62 m; where you stop on that slope is a planning decision made on the boat, not on the bottom, and the source is clear that this is a dive for people with proven experience.
Head for the north-northwest part of the shoal. Here the rock carries a meadow of red gorgonian fans, and John Dory hide among the branches, side-on and hard to see until they move. Work the ravines on the way round: moray eels and conger eels sit in the gaps, and some are large. Keep the current on your mind the whole time and stay close to the rock. When the plan says turn, go back to the line and ascend on it; the stops will be made hanging in the current.
Marine life and season
The sources we used don't single out particular species here.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Off-season | Off-season | Fair | Fair | Good | Prime | Prime | Prime | Prime | Good | Fair | Off-season |
Season follows Ponza & the Pontine Islands: Diving runs April to early November and all but stops December–February; water peaks at 23–24°C in August–September and is down to 14–15°C in March–April. Naples ferries are summer-only.
Know before you go
- Strong currents on a shoal that tops out at 27 m: descend and ascend on a line and keep close to the rock.
- The flanks slope to 62 m: set a hard floor before the dive and plan gas and decompression for it.
Questions divers ask
How deep is Secca dei Vricci?+
The top of the shoal is at 27 m and it slopes down to 62 m, with strong currents. The source recommends it only for divers with proven experience on open circuit or CCR.
Sources
- Secca dei Vricci — Scubago
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