Tremiti Islands · Italy · Wall · Reef
Secca di Punta Secca
One large black-coral branch grows among the gorgonians
Area photo: eric spenle · CC BY-SA 4.0
A deep rocky shoal off Caprara whose ridge is followed down into gorgonian country. From about 35 m the walls carry dense gorgonian branches, and at roughly 42 m two natural arches open in the rock. Lobster, grouper, amberjack and dentex use the same ground, which makes this a short, deep dive rather than a wandering one.
Also known as Punta Secca.
Where it is and how deep
42.1387° N, 15.5192° EApproximate position — the dashed circle shows where the site lies; your operator's briefing has the mooring.
The dive
The dive works down the ridge of the shoal. By about 35 m the walls are already sheathed in dense gorgonian branches, and the growth does not stop at the wall — gorgonians cover the seabed below it as well, along with one large branch of black coral. This is the depth band where the site earns its reputation, and it is also where a recreational profile starts running out of room.
Keep going down the ridge and at roughly 42 m two natural arches open in the rock. That is the deep point and the turn, so the dive is planned around the arches and the gorgonian band above them. Lobster, grouper, amberjack and dentex shelter throughout the structure, tucked into the rock rather than out in the open, and the site holds the full range of Mediterranean flora and fauna.
Marine life and season
- Groupers
- Trevally & jacks
- Macro critters
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Off-season | Off-season | Fair | Good | Good | Prime | Prime | Prime | Prime | Good | Fair | Off-season |
Season follows Tremiti Islands: Operators run Apr–Oct with Jun–Sep warmest; winter bora and Adriatic swell close the ferry and the dive centres.
Know before you go
- The arches lie at about 42 m, deep enough to burn through no-stop time quickly — set gas and time limits before starting down the ridge.
Questions divers ask
How deep is Secca di Punta Secca?+
The gorgonian-covered walls start around 35 m and the two natural arches are at roughly 42 m, so this is a deep dive with a short bottom time rather than a shallow reef wander.
Sources
- Immersioni alle Isole Tremiti — Tremiti.eu
- Faro di Capraia (OpenStreetMap) — OpenStreetMap
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