Scuba Diving — Tremiti Islands Marine Reserve

Scuba diving in the Tremiti Islands explores the protected marine reserve of this small archipelago off the Gargano coast of Puglia, in the southern Adriatic. The Tremiti Diving Center, based on Via Dei Pini on Isola di San Domino, runs guided dives and PADI courses to a range of sites scattered around the islands at depths of roughly 5–20 m. The clear, plankton-poor Adriatic water gives outstanding summer visibility of around 30–40 m, revealing gorgonian-draped walls, grottoes, posidonia meadows and abundant fish life, as well as the much-photographed underwater statue of Padre Pio set on the seabed. The centre caters to all levels: certified divers can join two-dive outings exploring the deeper walls and caves, while beginners can try a supervised 'discover scuba' session in shallow, sheltered water with a one-to-one instructor. Children and non-divers in a group can snorkel the same shallows, with mask, snorkel and fins renting for about €10 (~$11) per day. All scuba equipment is provided; participants bring swimwear, a towel and, for autonomous diving, their certification card and logbook. Instructors are professionally qualified and deliver a thorough briefing on the dive plan, hand signals, buddy procedures, no-decompression limits and emergency ascents before every dive, and dives are conducted from boats with surface support. The diving season runs from June to September, with July and August offering the calmest seas, warmest water and best visibility, though they are also the busiest, so dives should be reserved in advance. Diving in marine-reserve zones is regulated, and the centre handles the required permits. The islands are reached by ferry or hydrofoil from Termoli, Vieste and Peschici in summer; the diving centre is a short walk from the port on San Domino. The trip combines well with a day exploring the islands' coves and the historic abbey on neighbouring San Nicola.