From the Angelika wreck to the canyons of Capo Testa and Lavezzi, Gallura offers unique dives: a journey through history and nature to explore Sardinia from a new perspective.
During a stay at Park Hotel Cala di Lepre, the wonders of Gallura continue beneath the surface. From the waters of the Capo Testa and Punta Falcone Marine Protected Area to the Strait of Bonifacio and the island of Lavezzi, the coast safeguards an underwater world of granite formations, canyons, lush gorgonians and fascinating wrecks. It is a captivating dimension that can thrill everyone: from expert divers looking for challenging sites, to those who already hold a diving certification and want to explore new seabeds, and even those who have never dived before and simply wish to experience the emotion of their first breath underwater.
For a diver, approaching a wreck means entering a landscape where history and nature come together. Over the years, hulls, propellers and metal structures become an integral part of the underwater scenery, offering shelter to rich marine life. One of the area’s best-known sites is the Angelika, lying near the island of Marmorata, in Santa Teresa Gallura. As Gian Maria Fraghì and his wife Valeria Muntoni, managers of the Diving Mediterraneo centre — founded in 1998 by Tommaso Muntoni together with freediving record holder Umberto Pelizzari — explain, this is one of the most requested dives.
The reason lies in its accessibility: it is located at a maximum depth of 19 metres and the dive lasts around 45-50 minutes. It was a Japanese-built cargo ship flying a Turkish flag which, in 1982, struck the Marmorata shoal due to a rudder failure and then sank a few days later during a storm. Today, among its broken structures, sections of the deck, the stern area, the engine and the large propeller can still be clearly distinguished, while the openings in the wreck create evocative plays of light among the waves.
The Strait of Bonifacio, however, also hides routes designed for those with advanced training. Right in front of Valle dell’Erica, resting on a seabed of around 50 metres, lies an old iron and wooden coal ship dating back to 1888. Although the wooden parts have now been lost, the metal structure of the hull, the boilers and the propeller are well preserved and completely colonised by gorgonians and corals, making it a sought-after destination for divers certified to descend beyond 40 metres.
Those who prefer to stay at more accessible depths, but already hold a first- or second-level certification, can choose from many sites in the Capo Testa and Punta Falcone Marine Protected Area, including the Lavezzi nature reserve in Corsica.
And for those who have never worn a mask and tank? A holiday in Gallura can become the perfect opportunity to begin. With Discover Scuba Diving, also known as a baptism of the sea, anyone aged at least 10 can experience the sensation of breathing underwater under the direct supervision of an instructor. The experience takes place in a sheltered stretch of water that offers the stability of a swimming pool — such as Rena Bianca beach or the Municca peninsula — allowing participants to descend in complete safety to a maximum depth of 12 metres. A small yet significant first step towards seeing the sea of Sardinia with completely new eyes.
