Scuba diving in Neverland – Ferdinandea Island-ESP09
In the heart of the Sicilian Channel, between Sciacca and Pantelleria, lies one of the most fascinating places in the Mediterranean: Banco Graham, also known as Isola Ferdinandea. A volcanic island that emerged suddenly in July 1831, conquering Europe amidst lapilli, eruptions and international rivalries. But within six months it sank, leaving a breathtaking landscape under the sea.
Today this place is a true paradise for expert divers, who can explore the remains of the submerged volcano Empedocles, among pinnacles of volcanic rock, black sands and extraordinary biodiversity. Just 8/9 meters from the surface there is a plateau populated by boghe, damselfish, and edges rich in jewel anemones, which slope towards a real forest of sargassum, among whose ravines there are hidden ducts, groupers, lobsters, moray eels, and numerous other species.
Going down to 25-30 meters you enter the volcanic cone, in a scenario that seems lunar: black pinnacles covered with colored sponges, starfish, nudibranchs, cerianthus and many other wonders for lovers of underwater photography.
In the surrounding blue it is not uncommon to spot schools of barracudas, longlines, torpedoes and, with a bit of luck, also mobulae, snappers, amberjacks, dolphins, turtles, and even thresher and blue sharks.
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