Punta dell’Arpa
Punta dell’Arpa
- Type: Deep Rockslide
- Minimum required certification: AOWD
- Difficulty: Intermediate
- Depth: 25 - 40m
- Flora and Fauna: Red gorgonians, groupers, barracudas
The site of red gorgonians in the deep blue and the green of the posidonia meadows.
We head once again towards the southwest side of the island of Ustica, towards Punta dell’Arpa, easily recognizable by its shape which gives it its name.
The mooring is a few dozen meters from the coast in a small cove. The dive begins on a posidonia bottom at 5m depth, following the coastline profile we head towards the open sea. Large rock blocks emerging from about 40m indicate that we’re in exactly the right place. We’re immediately captivated by enormous branching formations that, lit up by our torches, turn an intense red, Paramuricea clavata, also commonly known as red gorgonians. These are among the most beautiful that can be admired in the depths of the island. Our route develops among these blocks at a depth of about 30m admiring the play of light with strong contrasts.
The return towards the coast allows us to visit other fallen boulders that form a perfect habitat for groupers, sea bream and salema, which we can easily encounter. Normally in this area you can see groups of barracuda dancing suspended in the blue. The safety stop under the dinghy floating above an olive-green posidonia meadow.