Scuba diving in the north of Italy has become increasingly popular over the years thanks to the increase in tourism to the Italian Lakes. Lake Garda, Lake Como, and Lake Iseo are just three of the most popular stretches of inland water in Italy, and with relatively clear depths and few currents to speak of, they are ideal locations for beginner divers or as part of an Italian holiday at the foot of the Dolomites. One of the most popular dive sites in this location is Villa Bella, a rocky wall dive in the fresh waters of Lake Garda. Reaching to depths of up to 90m, this lake is the largest in the Veneto region of Italy, and a popular place for divers. The currents at this site are relatively gentle, and the wall is an interesting sight with relatively good visibility. Marine creatures found here include pike, trout, and other large shoals of edible fish.
An hour and a half south of Milan, the Ligurian Sea comes into view along with its abundant dive sites and interesting marine life. One of its most famous sites is the Il Cristo Degli Abissi, the location of the sunken statue of Christ by Guido Galleti. Sunk on purpose in the 1950’s, it was designed to be the focal point of divers’ attention, as well as having the purpose of watching over them. It lies just south of Genoa in around 17m depth and enjoys good visibility to approximately 20m. It’s a great site for advanced divers, although not recommended for beginners due to the occasionally strong tides.
In the same area, the most famous of all wreck dives, the Milford Haven, attracts deep divers with skills in wreck exploration. This is the largest wreck in the Mediterranean, and lies at a maximum depth of 85m. Because of its angle, the top of this supertanker, which sank after an explosion on board, sits in just 30m of water, making it perfectly accessible for experienced divers. But aside from the wreckage, the site is also ideal for spotting sperm whales, and bottlenose and striped dolphins.
Read "Part 1: Overview of Scuba Diving in Milan, (Italy)"
Read "Part 3: Dive Shops, Airports & Logistics of Diving in Milan, (Italy)"