Taranto & the Gulf of Taranto · Italy · Freshwater
Chidro
A spring-fed crater with aquarium-clear water
The Chidro is a group of brackish springs a few kilometres east of San Pietro in Bevagna, whose water fills a crater before running down a short channel to the sea. Divers go for a fresh-water dive in the crater, with clear water and sure sightings of eels and large sea bass.
Also known as Sorgente del Chidro, Source of the Chidro, Fiume Chidro.
Where it is and how deep
40.3039° N, 17.6469° EApproximate position — the dashed circle shows where the site lies; your operator's briefing has the mooring.
The dive
The dive begins against a counter-current from the spring. The springs deliver more than 3000 litres a second and fill a crater 12 m deep, and visibility inside is exceptional, comparable to an aquarium.
Eels are a sure sighting in the crater and large sea bass hold in the flow. From the water, predatory birds can sometimes be seen diving after fish. Beyond the crater the water runs along a channel of about 500 m, known as the river, before it reaches the sea.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fair | Fair | Good | Good | Good | Prime | Prime | Prime | Prime | Good | Good | Good |
Season follows Taranto & the Gulf of Taranto: The sea feels quite warm from June to September and cold in January and February; October is mild.
Know before you go
- An opposing current from the spring outflow at the start of the dive.
Photos from Chidro
Frankieta · Public domain
Dive videos
Immersione al Fiume Chidro - San Pietro In Bevagna · Nucleo Sub Molfetta on YouTube
Orca Diving Center Fiume Chidro- San Pietro in Bevagna · Orca Diving Center - Enzo Volpicelli on YouTube
Sources
- Chidro - Logbook Immersioni — Logbook Immersioni
- Diving points - Taras Sub Diving Center — Taras Sub Diving Center
Photo credits
- A narrow channel of clear green water running between tall reed beds under a cloudy blue sky by Frankieta, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
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Reef
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