Tavolara & La Maddalena · Italy · Reef · Drift
Secca dei Monaci
A buoyed reef from 6 m that can be dived as a drift
Photo: Arnoldius · CC BY-SA 3.0
Secca dei Monaci is a very large reef east of the Isola dei Monaci, marked by a buoy. Its top sits at 6 m and the reef descends to 35 to 40 m. There is often a current over it, and the dive can then be made as a drift across the reef.
0Where it is and how deep
41.2167° N, 9.5306° EApproximate position — the dashed circle shows where the site lies; your operator's briefing has the mooring.
The dive
A buoy marks the reef, whose top lies at 6 m. From there the reef spreads wide and descends to 35 to 40 m, and when the current is running the dive is made as a drift across it rather than a tour from the buoy.
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 | Fair | Good | Good | Prime | Prime | Prime | Prime | Good | Fair | Fair |
Season follows Tavolara & La Maddalena: April to October is the main season; summer brings the clearest water, while winter wind and current cut visibility.
Know before you go
- There is often a current over the reef; the dive can then be made as a drift.
Dive videos
Barracuda alla secca dei monaci · Oscar Bonardi on YouTube
Questions divers ask
Is Secca dei Monaci dived as a drift?+
It can be. There is often a current over the reef, and the dive can then be made as a drift.
Sources
- Secca dei Monaci dive site — ScubaGo
Photo credits
- A white lighthouse tower on a low pinkish granite islet surrounded by choppy blue sea. by Arnoldius, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
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