Caves and Walls

A world under the sea

Cave of the Columns

The eyelid in question actually has two caves: a blind bottom with a semicircular opening and a passer-by, called cave of the columns due to the presence of vertical rock formations. Entrance to the first cave, 35 m. depth, allows the exploration of a simple cave inhabited by many red shrimps; access to the cave that most interests us is placed a little further on, on the same wall, about 30 m. of depth, and leads to a room that develops forming a curve to the right. It is a cavity through a horseshoe, with several small secondary chambers, characterized by vertical "columns" originating from the fusion of stalactites and stalagmites, evidence of the glacial period, when the sea had not yet flooded these stretches of coastline. Cave of the Columns - San Vito Lo Capo The dive is very interesting both for the naturalistic and geomorphological aspects and the length of the cave allows a visit without too many problems, losing the light of the entrance only for a short time, in the central part, since almost immediately sees the light of the exit placed a little further on, on the same wall. The water, often very cold, creates a sharp cut with the most superficial layers. Once out, the edge that follows is also interesting for the incredible amount of benthic fauna and allows us to gradually climb up to modest odds while remaining engaged in the observation of the microcosm of a submerged wall.

Fresh water caves

Along the cliff wall that winds near the Uzzo beach (see map), about 18 m. of depth, it opens what is called the fresh water cave, due to some sources that surface just inside the cavity, offering the underwater observer those phenomena of fogging and movement together that signal the mixing of fresh and salt water . in cave, over 20 meters wide, it goes in for about 50 meters. inside the wall up to enlarge into a room of about 80 square meters, where it is possible to emerge and admire an unusual and captivating spectacle, provided they have valid sources of artificial light. Caves of fresh water - San Vito Lo Capo The room, with perfectly breathable air, shows the infiltration of rainwater together with the spring water. Very interesting from a geological point of view, it is exceptional for taking sub-impressive photos. Along the access road that leads to the innermost chamber, to the side of the cave you can admire elegant corvines that slide inside horizontal slits where the diver can hardly access. However, given the numerous passages and tunnels, playing cunning you could be able to bring some fish to take a picture; caution and experience play a fundamental role in the action of approach to fish like these, slow in swimming but incredibly clever and skilled that sometimes seem to vanish into thin air ...

Arch cave

Next to the fresh water cave, following the bottom that falls, with large boulders and a discrete wall, from 6 m. around 35, there is a wide opening that leads to a recess, over 15 m deep. and around 20 cm wide. Curling among the lateral fissures of this blind-bottomed cave we can find small lobsters, big scorpions but above all swarms of red prawns, which enjoy the shadow of the wide cavity, but characterized by a large hole on the roof, similar to a passing arch (hence the name of the cave); from this opening, in the right hours, the light filters from top to bottom creating a captivating spectacle. Few gorgonias present, while many anfractuosities populated by sedentary fish, molluscs and crustaceans.

Perciata cave

The dive that leads us to the visit of this cave winds along a wall, about 15/18 m. of depth, along which opens the wide entrance of the cave to a depth of about 12 m. Penetrating towards the darkness you can see the holes and the splits on the vault, so numerous to determine the name "perciata", which means pitted in Sicilian dialect. The vault offers beautiful cuts of light that, thanks to the low depth, allow the internal visit even without the use of the torch. Remarkable groups of anthias at the entrance and beautiful views for the photosub, especially if you look at the context from the inside with an outward look ...

Shrimp cave

At about 40 m. of depth, on the side of an oblique wall, the entrance of the one that represents the cave placed at greater depth in these waters opens; the cave, very close to the coast and easy to reach starting from the ground, hosts a remarkable quantity of shrimps and it is not rare to meet lobsters and lobsters in the darkest areas. The narrow access roads, the muddy bottom and the little space for the sub movements make this dive quite challenging. Shrimp cave - San Vito Lo Capo Following the gentle slope of the bottom and once you reach the ciliata, proceeding along the wall, it will not be difficult to see the obscure entrance of this cavity is not very wide: penetrating with caution, a sub at a time, shrimp aside, it might be possible to meet a large lobster to guard its dark and safe haven. The encounter with the lobster, which shows off its powerful claws to warn the enemy, is each time a beautiful experience as well as being almost "symbol" of some Mediterranean caves where the dark and the mud are dominant together with 'cold water.

Caves of Cala Rossa

Among the caves of the depths of San Vito I can not fail to mention the small caves at the base of the vast dry of Cala Rossa, two small caverns densely populated by red shrimps and other crustaceans. These are not large caves but small cavities, but I think it is right to mention them not only for the incredible quantity of shrimps but also and especially for the remarkable biodiversity of benthic fauna, represented by very colorful encrusting species; it is advisable, and the rule applies to all caves, do not stay in the chambers for a long time so as not to damage the fauna that adheres to the substrate of the vault, with the self-breathing apparatus.

WALLS

Wall of the Tonnara

There is a vertical wall of 3 m. it reaches up to 30/35 m. deep, with large rock cliffs that stand out against the white sandy bottom. We find ourselves on the seabed in front of the ruins of the old tonnara. Particular is the brightness, even over 30 m. depth, which almost always allows good photo shoots. The dive is characterized by the route between the rock formations over 10 m high. Among the cracks of the vertical wall we find invariably moray eels, groupers and other sedentary fish.

Walls of Torre Solante

A few meters from the coast, under Torre Solante in Punta dello Scieri, you go down between various depth changes up to 30/40 m, along a wall that continues its run towards the depth. Interesting for pelagic fish, the place has often been reported for the presence of large cetaceans (sperm whales) that pass near the coast in their route that leads them to the waters of the Zingaro Reserve. The seabed is very varied, occasionally surrounded by currents and you can make several dives of some interest.

Calampiso wall

A few meters from the coast, under the tourist village of Calampiso we immerse ourselves following the gradual progress of the rocks towards the depths. Arrived at about 35 m. we find a bright landscape for the light that is reflected on the sand. Along the descent are the characteristic features of the Mediterranean sea, with the sedentary fish (groupers, moray eels, shrimps, lobsters, etc.) and the gorgonias that sometimes cover the rocky bottom.

Wall of Firriato and Lake of Venus

The characteristic cove of the Lake of Venus is the starting point for several dives, characterized by isolated rocks, caves, passages, arches, which allow you to choose many itineraries suitable for different photographic, naturalistic, recreational needs in general. Depths vary depending on the itinerary chosen up to over 35 m .. This place, often used by diving for night diving, always gives unexpected emotions, for the large and suspicious groupers that live in the many tunnels, and for the calamari which, at night, attracted by the lighthouses, go back curiously from the bottom.

Wall of Punta Negra

Less than 100 m. from the coast, in the splendid scenery of the Gulf of Macari, there are several submerged walls facing Punta Negra, with steps and jumps that lead up to over 50 m. depth. The immersion is full of encounters, both for the sedentary fish (groupers, lobsters, etc.) and for the colonies of sea fans that populate the seabed. Beautiful light due to the backdrop of sand below, highly reflective. The dive site allows 2-3 itineraries, all different and very suggestive.

Walls of Monte Cofano

A few meters from the coast, under the fantastic Monte Cofano, we find several dive sites, interesting for the presence of both pelagic and sedentary fish. Depths vary in different itineraries, from 15-20 m. at over 40 m .. Like all dives on almost vertical walls, you experience the suggestion of magical places that sink under the diver that lets you go towards the abyss ...

Shallows

Shallow of Cataratte

The dive point is near the wreck of Kent, in the Gulf of the tonnara of S. Vito. The summit of the shoal is about 20 m. Going down and following the various crevices, populated by many morays, you get to over 35 m. depth. Rich with red gorgonians (the richest in this respect), it is inhabited by both standing fish (groupers, moray eels, musdeas, scorpionfish, etc.) and pelagic (amberjack, dentex, palamites); following one of the many itineraries that you can tackle on the bottom, you get on big rocks like stacks, between 30 and 50 m. depth. With particularly suggestive corners, the dry offers exceptional ideas for demanding photosubers.

Shallow of Cala Rossa

About 500 m. from the coast of the Gulf of the tonnara of S. Vito is the summit of the dry called Cala Rossa, about 13/15 m. depth; here we immediately find a large anchor, of almost 2 m. of height, used for the tonnara nets and abandoned among the rocks in an upright position. Following the dry wall we go down to about 30 m, where we find a deep crack in the rock, ideal habitat for shrimp and other fish. Interesting for the photographic views that it offers, the dry often gives surprising encounters with shoals of amberjack and other pelagic fish that from the seabed adjacent to over 40 m. they go back to the summit of the shoal to hunt. Belle the gorgonia lofogorgie, from the thin structure, present on the sandy bottom between 40 and 50 m. sideways to the dry.

Shallow of the lighthouse

The dive site is about 1 mile from the S. Vito lighthouse to the north. The hat of the dry is about 20 m. depth. The seabed consists of large rock formations intersected by cracks that are ideal habitat for pelagic and sedentary fish. It is covered by gorgonians and other formations that make the dive full of suggestive encounters, also seen the distance from the coast and the scarce practicability of the place because of the winds and currents that often lick the tip.

Rock of Scialandro

The dry is located in the Gulf of Macari just under a mile from the coast. It dates from the surrounding sea floor from 40/50 m. deep towards the surface, causing numerous shipwrecks in the past, as evidenced by the many fragments of amphorae scattered all around. It is interesting as a habitat for pelagic and permanent fish both for the interesting remains of amphorae especially of the Roman period. Perfect for diving photos and for those interested in seeing ancient finds of underwater archeology.

WRECKS

Wreck of Kent

Kent was a cargo ship flying the Cypriot flag, of 783 tons of tonnage, departed from Syracuse on 30.6.78, bound for Brindisi and from here it left the 5.7.78 bound for Nigeria. Three days later, while he was at anchor in the Gulf of the San Vito tonnara, a fire broke out in the engine room and forced the crew of about 10 people to leave the ship. The day after the fire the hull begins to embed water and tilt on its side: slowly, still tied to the anchor chain, Kent begins to sink, gradually more and more quickly, sliding into the water in a composed way. The stern area is the first to hit the bottom: the impact moves the trapped air in the below deck and the huge bubbles straighten the hull, making it settle on the bottom in a more or less perfect navigation layout. Col Kent also sinks its load: 20 tons of polyethylene bags, 1400 kg. of cigarettes and 32 tons between zampironi and corani (hence the name of "corani ship"). The latter, contained in two wooden containers, due to the different speed of descent on the bottom, go to settle a handful of meters ahead of the anchor. The bottom on which the ship lies is composed of sand and rocks and oscillates between 45 and 51 meters; the structures start at -37 and you can easily keep within 45 meters to visit most of them. Pelagic fish (palamite, amberjack) and sedentary fish (many scorpion fish, some grouper, moray eels, conger eels, perches, anthias) are the setting for a wreck that is very finely made up of encrusting invertebrates, which create suggestive colored wings. Red prawn swarms complete a very rich environment that makes diving interesting from all points of view.

Wreck of the Capua

The Capua ship sank during the second world war, while sailing from Trapani to Palermo while transporting war material (ammunition). Its wreck, about 45 meters long, is also today, like Kent, in navigation trim, resting on the sand that at the maximum depth is 36-37 meters. The wreck is not as interesting as that of the ship of the Korans, both for the presence of crumbling structures and not particularly spectacular, both for the reduced biodiversity; to all this is added the often cloudy water and the presence of a few muted colors. Most of the structures were then ruined by the vast fire that caused it to sink, on April 27, 1943. Small branches of yellow gorgonians settled on the hull. Finding space among the abundant algae. You can still see the massive chain of the anchor, crammed into the cockpit, and some remains of boxes that once contained ammunition. The fine and thick sediment covers most of the hull, making the patrol not easy. In the engine room there are flying pipes and cables scattered everywhere, all wrapped in a dominant rust color. The propeller was removed along with the rudder in the period following the sinking: however, it remains its axis, now colonized by various organisms. On the deck, most of the wooden structures of the ship are in an advanced state of deterioration and leave a glimpse of the environment below. Only the metal parts seem to resist, but not for long, the action of time and the sea. The bow accommodations are completely empty and uninteresting and the only attraction can be represented by the holds and by some old conger eel, which can often be glimpsed before disappearing into the darkest and most impenetrable spaces.

Information taken from the site http://www.sublandia.it/index.php/sott-acqua-in-viaggio-per-splendide-immersioni/descrizione-di-immersioni/1162-san-vito-lo-capo-secche- caves-and-walls-of-a-sea-wild