Massa Lubrense, Campania, Italy

Scoglio del Vervecione

Scoglio del Vervecione is the deeper companion pinnacle of the celebrated Vervece, off Marina della Lobra at Massa Lubrense, within the Punta Campanella Marine Protected Area. The pinnacle rises from a sandy and rocky base around 40 metres to a top near 22 metres, sitting just offshore from the Vervece and offering a deeper, less-frequented profile. The walls below 25 metres support yellow Eunicella cavolini fans, encrusting orange Astroides calycularis on shaded faces, yellow Parazoanthus axinellae and red and yellow sponges, with patches of red gorgonian (Paramuricea clavata) in the deeper sections. Resident species include dusky groupers, brown meagre, conger eels, octopus, moray eels and scorpionfish; barracuda and amberjack schools occasionally cross the open water. Visibility is typically 12–22 metres; currents around the pinnacle are moderate and can be stronger on the outer face. Suitable for intermediate divers comfortable with depth.