Holidays under the sea

Towards the underwater worlds of the Nereo Caves. One of the most beautiful and singular diving excursions of the Mediterranean sea.

Diving immediately under the Punta dell'Asino at Capocaccia, at just a few metres of depth, we come across colourful and vast passageways similar to submerged arches, completely covered by coelenterates, parazoanthus and a great deal of red coral that make it one of the most beautiful and singular diving excursions of the whole Riviera del Corallo.

We dive into a world in which crystal clear waters swim a great amount of bonito fish and in between the rocks on the surface live, undisturbed, white and gilt-head sea breams and groupers. Transiting through these archways we see a continuous change of environment, from the outside to the inside, all the way to a spectacular red coral vault of considerable size. Morays, forkbeards, congers and other small shellfish find shelter in the rock crevices. Once we have gone through this first area, called “Archi di Nereo' (Nereo's Arches), an excursion unto its own, we reach the actual beginning of the “Nereo Caves' which is, without a doubt, one of the most evocative singular immersions in the whole Mediterranean sea. Over 30 minutes of total darkness, 400m of tunnels and secret passageways which cause us to lose our bearings and all sense of time, going back to the hidden emotions aroused by the most singular scenario that a scuba diver could ever imagine. The maximum depth does not exceed 28 metres and although most of the cave is only 15 meters under sea level, one must always keep an eye on the pressure gauge. The rocky conformation of the walls and of the floor prevent in every way the creation of a suspension, the only sandy area being at the entrance to the cave where there is also a deposit of fossil coral, testimony of the great treasure these caves held up to the sixties.

On the inside, in eternal darkness, live congers, crayfish, big sized lobsters, corvinas, lovely fan worms and ophiuras that cover the seabed. The walls of the cave display beautiful branches of red coral while the more illuminated breaches feature colourful coelenterates and sponges. Thanks to its singularity and variety of settings, the “Nereo Cave' is certain to inspire all scuba divers who access it and undoubtedly satisfies the needs of both beginners and the more experienced and demanding of divers. It is without a doubt one of the most beautiful dives of the Mediterranean sea.

Details

Duration of dive: approx. 40 to 50 minutes, depending on the excursion.

Difficulty: The dive satisfies both professional divers and novices, the latter of which will be limited to the “Nereo Arches' at a depth not to exceed 15 m.

Depth: Maximum 32 m in the cathedral to which we access from the deepest point, there are then different siphons that lead back up to the sea level.

Recommended period: The Nereo Cave, mother of all caves, is beautiful in every season but we recommend the summer because of its location, where it is exposed to all the seas, and the water temperature.

Capo Galera Diving & Charter srl

Località Capo Galera

T +39 079 942110

Mail capogalera@capogalera.com

Web www.capogalera.com