Pantelleria, Sicily, Italy

Punta Spadillo

Punta Spadillo is one of the most popular dive sites of Pantelleria, the volcanic island midway between Sicily and Tunisia and the largest of Italy's offshore islands. The cape is shaped by black basaltic lava flows that have hardened into vertical walls, terraces and underwater arches descending from a shallow shelf near 6 metres to about 40 metres on a rocky and sandy base. The clear, deep-blue water of Pantelleria delivers visibility regularly above 25 metres. The dark volcanic rock contrasts with yellow Eunicella cavolini fans, encrusting orange Astroides calycularis, yellow Parazoanthus axinellae and red and yellow sponges. Resident species include dusky groupers, brown meagre, octopus, moray eels, scorpionfish, salema and damselfish schools, and amberjack and barracuda passing in the blue. The exposed position can generate moderate currents. The site is part of the Pantelleria National Park, and is suitable for intermediate divers.