Ustica · Italy · Pinnacle
Secca d'Africa
Three pinnacles off Ustica's west tip, tops at 9 to 12 m
Area photo: I viaggi della Van · CC BY-SA 4.0
About 350 metres off the lighthouse at Punta Spalmatore, on the western tip of Ustica, the shoal of Africa is a group of three pinnacles whose tops sit between 9 and 12 metres. The shallow depth makes for a long dive in bright water, and it is the exposure of the island's western corner, rather than the depth, that decides the conditions.
Also known as Shoal of Africa.
Where it is and how deep
38.6958° N, 13.1516° EPublished position for this site.
The dive
The site lies off the lighthouse at Punta Spalmatore on the western tip of the island, roughly 350 metres out, a short run west from the harbour. The three pinnacles that make up the shoal of Africa rise to between 9 and 12 metres, so you are on structure almost as soon as you leave the surface and the whole dive sits in bright, shallow water rather than down a wall.
With the tops that shallow, the plan is horizontal rather than vertical — move from pinnacle to pinnacle, work the sides and the gaps between them, and let the long bottom time do the work instead of depth. Keep track of which head you are on and keep an eye on the open side: this is the outer corner of the island, and the swell and current that reach it are set by the day's weather rather than by the site.
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 Ustica: May–Oct brings the warmest water, around 18–26°C, and the best visibility; many dive centers close over winter.
Know before you go
- This is the exposed western corner of the island, so swell and current on the surface — not the 12 m depth — decide whether the dive runs and how tight the group has to stay.
Questions divers ask
How deep is Secca d'Africa?+
The three pinnacles of the shoal top out between 9 and 12 metres, which makes for a shallow, long dive. It lies about 350 metres off the lighthouse at Punta Spalmatore, on the western tip of Ustica, and is reached by boat from the port.
Sources
- Secca d'Africa dive site — Scubago / SSI MyDiveGuide
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