Ponza, Lazio, Italy

Secchitella

Secchitella is a volcanic shoal off the southern coast of Ponza, popular among local dive operators for the mix of accessible depth, stepped walls and rich Mediterranean reef life. The shoal rises from a rocky and sandy base around 40 metres to a top near 16 metres, dropping in steps and overhangs. The walls below 25 metres host dense red gorgonian (Paramuricea clavata) patches in the typical red, pink and white morphs, with yellow Eunicella cavolini fans on shallower sections, encrusting orange Astroides calycularis on shaded faces, yellow Parazoanthus axinellae and a varied sponge community. Resident species include dusky groupers, brown meagre, conger eels, octopus, moray eels and scorpionfish; salema and damselfish schools, sea breams and ornate wrasses are common, with barracuda and amberjack passing in the open water. Visibility regularly exceeds 25 metres in summer; currents are moderate. Suitable for intermediate divers.