Villasimius, Sardinia, Italy
Secca di Santa Caterina is one of the most popular dives of the Capo Carbonara Marine Protected Area, in southeastern Sardinia. The granite seamount rises from a sandy and Posidonia oceanica base around 35 metres to a top near 14 metres, with stepped walls, ridges and large boulders. The walls below 22 metres support yellow Eunicella cavolini fans, encrusting orange Astroides calycularis on shaded faces, yellow Parazoanthus axinellae and a varied sponge community, 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 commonly cruise the open water and dentex hunt over the reef. The protected status of the Capo Carbonara MPA keeps fish biomass high. Visibility regularly exceeds 25 metres in summer; currents are moderate. Boat access from Villasimius.
Information on this page, including technical data such as depth, current, visibility, access, and recommended level, is informational and may vary. Confirm actual conditions with a local operator before the dive.
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