Catania: Gulf Scuba Diving Tour with Marine Biologist

About This Experience

This scuba diving trip meets at the Etna & Sea Excursions base on Via Provinciale in Aci Castello, and is aimed at both first-time divers and those with more experience. Marine biologists lead the dive and brief you beforehand, with modern diving equipment provided for the day, so there's no need to bring your own gear beyond swimwear and a towel.

The boat takes you out to the Cyclopean Isles marine protected area, where the dive explores a lava seabed formed by Etna's old eruptions: basalt columns, solidified lava ropes and pillow lava, alongside underwater canyons and volcanic faults cut into the rock. It's a distinctly volcanic dive site, quite different from a typical sandy-bottomed Mediterranean dive, and sits within a protected marine reserve around the small offshore islands.

Among the marine life you're likely to see are bream, octopus, sponges and gorgonians, along with other colourful fish and invertebrates that live on the volcanic seabed. Your guide points out species and explains the underwater landscape as you go, drawing on a background in marine biology rather than just standard dive-instructor training, which shapes the commentary you get underwater and back on the boat.

The full outing, including the boat ride out and back and an onboard aperitif, runs around three and a half hours. Guides work in English, French, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish and German, so language shouldn't be a barrier for most visitors. The trip isn't recommended for pregnant women or people with heart problems or high blood pressure, given the physical demands of diving.

Highlights

• A guided scuba dive in the Cyclopean Isles marine protected area off Aci Trezza
• Explores a volcanic lava seabed, with basalt columns, lava ropes and underwater canyons
• Suitable for both first-time and experienced divers
• Marine biologist guides who explain the species and geology as you dive
• Guiding offered in six languages: English, French, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish and German
• Includes boat time out to the dive site and an onboard aperitif

What's Included

• ✓ Professional diving guide (marine biologist)
• ✓ Diving equipment
• ✓ Boat transfer to and from the dive site
• ✓ Onboard aperitif
• ✓ Commentary on the marine life and volcanic seabed
• ✓ Guiding available in six languages

Not Included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off
• Gratuities
• Transport to the Aci Castello meeting point

What to Bring

• Swimwear
• Towel

Good to Know & Caveats

• Suitable for both first-time and experienced divers, with support geared to your level.
• Diving takes place around the Cyclopean Isles marine protected area, on a volcanic lava seabed.
• The outing includes boat time to and from the dive site as well as the dive itself.
• Not recommended for pregnant women or people with heart problems or high blood pressure.

Meeting Point

Etna & Sea Excursions, Via Provinciale 23, 95021 Aci Castello.