Skip to content
OpenWaterAtlas
Experience the thrill of scuba diving near yachts in the open ocean. Ideal for adventure seekers.
📷 Maël BALLAND · Pexels

Mare Nostrum

3.9 — based on 18 community signals
4.3 12 species 38 contributors

Mare Nostrum offers year-round diving in Italy with accessible reefs and 12 documented species observations.

⭐ Best for beginners.

updated 4 months ago
Difficulty
Beginner
Shore entry

At a glance

Activity
dive
Difficulty
beginner
Best months
Year-round

Top operators here

See all operators ↓

Map

This spot Operators Airport Nearby spots
Mare Nostrum location map © Google · Map data © Google, contributors
Open in Google Maps

Conditions today

Conditions

Open-Meteo
Wind
2 kn
Wave
0.54 m
Water
26.2°C
N E S W
Wind direction (7d)
Primary: SSE (20%)
Now: ENE (61°)
Tide (7 days)
range: 0.33m

Next: High at 01:00 (-0.42m)

+-0.4 m-0.7 m
▲ 01:00 · -0.42m ▼ 08:00 · -0.53m ▲ 16:00 · -0.42m ▼ 22:00 · -0.54m
Sat 19Sun 20Mon 21Tue 22Wed 23Thu 24Fri 25
UV5.9 · mod Air PM2.55 · good 06:54 19:13
Day Wind Wave UV Rain
09-19 5.5 0.54 6 0mm
09-20 7.8 0.24 6 0mm
09-21 8.5 0.36 6 0mm
09-22 8.3 0.34 6 0mm
09-23 7.7 0.58 6 0mm
09-24 7.9 0.28 4 22mm
09-25 7 0.08 2 3mm

About this spot

Mare Nostrum is an Italian dive site open to divers throughout the year. The site has built a modest community presence, with 12 species observations logged and three community videos available for divers planning visits. The location sits outside marine protected areas, offering flexible access for recreational diving. The site draws interest from both local and traveling divers seeking Mediterranean underwater exploration. With documented marine life sightings and video documentation, Mare Nostrum provides a realistic picture of what to expect below the surface. Conditions vary seasonally, but year-round access means you can plan dives across multiple seasons. Divers should check current visibility and water temperature reports before booking trips, as Mediterranean conditions shift with season. The community video library offers practical insights into site layout and marine encounters. Local knowledge is valuable here—connect with other divers who've visited to get current conditions and best practices for the site.

📖 Guide: Diving in Italy: 74 Sites from Caves to Open Water

Best months

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Trip essentials

Everything you need before you pack — checklist, sun, logistics.

Trip checklist

  • 🛂 Visa-free or visa-on-arrival
  • 📜 C-card + dive insurance (DAN)
  • 📔 Dive logbook
  • 🧴 Reef-safe sunscreen SPF 50+
  • 🔌 Plug type C/F/L · 230V adapter
  • 💊 Seasickness meds + ear drops
  • 📱 Offline maps + emergency contact

Quick facts

  • 🌓 Moon First quarter · 47%
  • GPS
Sustainability disclosures
🌍 CO2 footprint LHR ↔ 1454km · ~334kg · €6

From your departure country

United States
Origin score: 77/100
  • Visa: Visa-free · 90 days max
  • Flight: 7h · direct
  • Jet-lag: 6h east · 4 days recovery

FAQ

When is the best time to dive Mare Nostrum?

Mare Nostrum is accessible year-round, so you can plan dives in any season. Check local reports before your trip, as water temperature and visibility shift seasonally in the Mediterranean.

What depth and difficulty level is Mare Nostrum?

Specific depth and difficulty data isn't available for this site. Contact local dive operators or check community videos to understand the terrain and requirements before diving.

What marine life can I expect to see?

Twelve species observations have been documented at Mare Nostrum. Review the species list and watch the three community videos available to see what divers have encountered at the site.

Do I need permits to dive here?

Mare Nostrum is not inside a marine protected area, so standard recreational diving access applies. Check with local authorities for any regional rules or registration requirements.

Operators near this spot

Dive centres, kite & surf schools within 10 km, sourced from OpenStreetMap.

Mare nostrum diving center

0 km
Dive centre
Hours: Mo-Su 08:00-21:00

Recently spotted by divers

iNaturalist →

See this spot in action

YouTube videos — click to play.

Experience Ustica with Mare Nostrum Diving!

Mare Nostrum Diving

Grotta Vinci | Snorkelling Spots in Ustica

Mare Nostrum Diving

Scuba Diving in Palermo with Mare Nostrum Diving: Groupers and Meagres

Mare Nostrum Diving

Nearby spots

Secche di Tor Paterno Italy Diving
🇮🇹 Italy

Secche di Tor Paterno

Protected reef formations off Rome's coast with year-round diving in a marine sanctuary. Home to diverse Mediterranean species.

Intermediate
Federazione Sportiva Kitesurf Italia Italy Kitesurfing
🇮🇹 Italy

Federazione Sportiva Kitesurf Italia

Year-round kite spot in Italy's protected Roman coastal reserve, backed by the national kite federation with active community.

Beginner Jan·Feb·Mar+
Point Break Italy Surfing
🇮🇹 Italy

Point Break

Point Break is a year-round Italian surf destination offering consistent waves and protected coastal access.

Beginner Jan·Feb·Mar+

Similar spots

Same activity, shared marine species or similar profile.

Centro Immersioni Civitavecchia Italy Diving
🇮🇹 Italy

Centro Immersioni Civitavecchia

Centro Immersioni Civitavecchia offers year-round diving near Rome's main port with documented marine life observations.

Beginner Jan·Feb·Mar+
Dive Tuscany Italy Diving
🇮🇹 Italy

Dive Tuscany

Explore Italy's Tuscan coast with year-round diving opportunities and documented marine life across multiple dive sites.

Beginner Jan·Feb·Mar+
Isola Corbella Italy Diving
🇮🇹 Italy

Isola Corbella

Isola Corbella is a year-round Italian dive destination with documented marine species and community footage.

Beginner Jan·Feb·Mar+
MuMart (museo sommerso) Italy Diving
🇮🇹 Italy

MuMart (museo sommerso)

MuMart is an underwater museum off Italy's coast where divers explore submerged sculptures and art installations in a unique marine setting.

Beginner

Suggest an operator

Know a great dive shop, kite school, or local guide at this spot? Tell us — we'll review and add it.

Up to 500 characters
Plan
View →