You won't find more magnificent diving spots than the ones in Puglia, and scuba diving buffs will be able to attest to this. Puglia, sometimes known as the 'Heel of Italy,' is home to some of the most hidden and unexplored areas on the Italian peninsula. This means you will have many dive sites to choose from, and numerous animal and plant species to explore. The flora and animals of Apulia are admired not just in Italy, but also throughout Europe.

Novices and children can find many diving spots in Puglia, among cliffs, obstacles, and caves. In general, dives up to a few meters deep, such as snorkelling, are simple and suitable for beginners.

Where to go scuba diving in Puglia?

The Islamoglu wreck, Punta Meliso, Terradico cave, Greek fishing boat in Santa Maria di Leuca, the wreck of the Tevkif Kaptan I, Secca del Pisello, Cala Incina, and Porto Alga are some of the best diving sites, as voted by the diving professionals themselves.

Wait, the list doesn’t end here! In Santa Maria di Leuca we recommend you visit the Madonna dei due mari and Relitto Torrevado. The Camino, the Gardens, the island of Chianca, the wreck of the Junker 88, the Roman Columns, the Grotta delle Gravine are perfect for a dive in Porto Cesareo (Torre Lapillo). Or the Torre Canne wreck in Polignano a Mare. The first coral reef in the Mediterranean is located near Monopoli and is simply waiting to be explored. Its expanse and beauty will amaze you! In Gallipoli (Taviano), there are beautiful places where you can carry out underwater activities. For those in Salento, we strongly advise you not to miss the glorious cliffs in Torre dell'Orso and the Grotta dei Gamberetti. Finally, on the Tremiti islands not to be missed are the Grotta delle Viole, Cala del Caffè, the Nave delle Tegole or the Galea Turca.

What kind of scuba diving is available in the area?

• Scuba diving: this refers to traditional scuba diving with equipment like cylinders, masks, snorkels, and fins. You may do them virtually everywhere in Puglia, but if you want to do them with actual professionals, go to one of the following PADI centres: Monopoli, Polignano, Molo di Bari (Bari), Santa Cesarea Terme (Lecce), Tremiti (Foggia).

• Night dives: These dives are magical, to say the least! You will not be disappointed if you choose this option. On the contrary, being able to explore the depths of Puglia at night will provide you with a completely unique experience. In this instance, the experience will last less time, and the waters will be shallower.

• Free diving: Armed with a wetsuit, fins, and mask, you will participate in this sport without cylinders, relying just on yourself and your lungs. Take a deep breath and dive right in!

• Snorkelling: If you are not an expert or a skilled swimmer, this is a good alternative. Snorkelling refers to shallow dives conducted solely to see the seafloor and marine life. Monopoli (Lido Bianco, Porto Rosso, Cala Incina, and Cala Porta Vecchia), the Tremiti Islands (Grotta delle Viole, Cala Matano), Lecce (Porto Selvaggio, Grotte a Leuca, Punta Prosciutto), Bari (Polignano), and Otranto are among the best places to visit (Cave of Poetry).

If you are still apprehensive, you will benefit from knowing that diving classes are also available in Puglia. In this case, we're talking about PADI dive schools, which provide a variety of possibilities and courses at various levels.

What scuba diving courses are available in Puglia?

- PADI Skin Diver: This course teaches you how to snorkel, making it the best way to experience the underwater world for those who haven't yet mastered it.

- PADI Scuba Diver: You will learn to operate basic scuba gear like a mask, snorkel, regulator, and fins. You can dive to a depth of 12 meters. You will receive a certificate at the end of the course that will allow you to progress to the next level, the Open Water Diver.

- Open Water Diver: After completing this course, you will be able to get an international certification that allows you to dive to a depth of 18 meters. There are five theoretical sessions and five practice sessions throughout the course. - Open Water Scuba Diver (Children): This course is made for children aged 8 to 13 who wish to learn how to dive with oxygen cylinders and learn the techniques and rules necessary to obtain certification. The course consists of six hours of classroom instruction and three dives in deep water up to ten meters deep.

- BLSD course: if you want to get a PBLS-D or BLAS-D patent, you can take these courses, which are recognized by 118 Puglia. The session is 8 hours long and is separated into theoretical and practice sections. The course will equip you with the skills needed to use an automated defibrillator and perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

- Underwater photography course: If the sea and photography are two of your passions, we can inform you that the two can be combined. This workshop will teach you the most challenging photographic techniques, in this case, underwater photography, so that you can capture the incredible fauna and flora that Puglia has to offer.

The numerous companies in the Apulian territory will offer you a variety of possibilities, including basic diving for a few hours, daily dives or multi-day programs, and even fascinating diving courses. Freediving (without tanks) and snorkelling are also offered if you want to try something new. Explore the options on our website and select the one that best suits your needs!