Ustica · about 2 km from Ustica
Tunnel del Medico (Grotta della Balena)
- Max depth26 m
- CertificationCavern
Diving and fills
Dive here with
Fills nearby
- Fill stationLa Perla Nera DivingAir, nitrox and trimix (separate compressors plus a Haskel booster); O₂ not stated — askRoute ↗
- Fill stationUstica Diving CenterAir and nitrox (max 36% O₂, €10 supplement, nitrox certification required); trimix and O₂ not stated — askRoute ↗
- Fill stationBlue Diving UsticaNot stated (60 cylinders in stock) — askRoute ↗
What it looks like
Dive - Ustica Scoglio del Medico 16/09/2021 Scuba Diving in Scoglio del Medico, Ustica Ustica Island "Scoglio del Medico"
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Videos and posts
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Dive - Ustica Scoglio del Medico 16/09/2021 Scuba Diving in Scoglio del Medico, Ustica Ustica Island "Scoglio del Medico"
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Other people's footage, not advice: how someone else dives here says nothing about what suits your team. Dive within your training.
The dive
A tunnel in the Scoglio del Medico, with two main openings and walls covered in yellow, orange and pink sponges; outside swim schools of barracuda, groupers and bream.
Profile and sections
A tunnel in the Scoglio del Medico, with two main openings and walls covered in yellow, orange and pink sponges; outside swim schools of barracuda, groupers and bream. It is dark inside: good trim is needed or the sediment lifts. Current is possible.
- Depth and profile
- Narrow entrance at -7/-8 m and larger opening at ~-15 m (AMP list 16 m); route through the 'Balena' at -15/-18 m, to -26 m. Tunnel ~70 m long according to one centre. Around the rock to -35 m; a vertical fissure ('Il Canyon') to -30 m.
- Configuration
- All configurations in the main tunnel; two tight side branches (including the 'Tunnel dell'Incursore').
- DPV: Not DPV-suitable
- Scooters are banned in the AMP unless the AMP authorises them on application.
Who can dive where
- At least Cavern
- Configurations: Backmount / twinset / Sidemount / CCR / Small cylinders / no-mount (speleo sumps)
- Goes down to 26 m (trimix or deco may be needed)
This is how the planner decides who in your team may dive this cave. Rules your own trip adds (organizer, a mail, the AI) show with your trip.
How to get there
Zone B, a rock a few hundred metres off the west coast, next to the no-go zone A; by boat with an AMP-authorised dive centre. As a cave dive guided only, in daylight, max 4 divers per guide and max 2 dives per day; everyone, guide included, needs a cave speciality certification. From 1 June to 30 September only in the first and third week of each month.
Around Tunnel del Medico (Grotta della Balena)
Fills3 fill stations · nearest 2 km
La Perla Nera Diving
Piazza Capitano Vito Longo 5, 90051 Ustica
Air, nitrox and trimix (separate compressors plus a Haskel booster); O₂ not stated — ask
Not stated — ask
Since 1999; the island's first PADI 5 Star centre, run by a PADI Course Director. Rebreathers are 'more than welcome'; DSAT Tec Rec and cave specialty courses; own workshop and air-quality testing. Dives the Grotta dei Gamberi, Grotta delle Cipree, Piramidi/Cirri and Punta Falconiera, among others. Ask about walk-in fills.
Ustica Diving Center
Piazza Umberto I, 90051 Ustica
Air and nitrox (max 36% O₂, €10 supplement, nitrox certification required); trimix and O₂ not stated — ask
Not stated — ask
Centre run by an islander; PADI and SSI courses, cavern/cave via SSI. Guided dive €55 (€70 with rental kit), boat passage €15, night dive €70 per the price list. Dives the Cirri, Cipree, Gamberi and Pastizza caves. Ask about walk-in fills and CCR support.
Blue Diving Ustica
Piazza Vito Longo 4, 90051 Ustica
Not stated (60 cylinders in stock) — ask
Open all year, busiest in summer
PADI centre with two 7.5 m RIBs. Dives the Grotta dei Gamberi II, Grotta della Pastizza, Scoglio del Medico ('La Balena') and the Piramidi, among others. Ask about fills and CCR support.
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Caves nearby2 within 4 km
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