BEST OF · SCUBA DIVING IN SICILY
Boats fill and the good instructors get taken. Below: the 15 scuba diving in Sicily to reserve early, what each one includes and where they differ.
Meet the Blue Sea Diving Center at Mazzarò Bay for two guided underwater sessions off Taormina. You’ll receive equipment and safety instruction, make two short boat trips, spend up to 45 minutes underwater each time, and enjoy coffee, tea, water, and biscuits during the surface break.
“Very professional dive team. They went the extra mile to make it easy and relaxing. Including carrying all the gear for you.”
Meet Sea Spirit at Hotel Naxos Beach for a morning of equipment preparation, then take a boat to Isola Bella Marine Park for two guided scuba sessions. Certified divers get full gear, boat transport, fruit, drinks, wine, and almond biscuits. Try-scuba and snorkeling options are also available.
“I had two brilliant days of diving with Sea Spirit - they were organised, safety conscious, knowledgeable about the area and extremely friendly and welcoming. Thank you so much especially to Viv and Swann, it was great meeting you both and diving with you 😊”
Spend about four hours in the Alcantara River Canyon with guides such as Michele, Mario, and Miguel. Swim through natural pools, climb rock, use river slides, and choose from several jumps. Wetsuits, helmets, harnesses, shoes, and life jackets are supplied.
“Absolutely amazing! Must do. Mario and Miguel made the experience safe and memorable! If your looking for a break from boring tours, this is the one to book!”
Start at Sea Spirit Diving Resort at UNAHOTEL Naxos Beach, learn basic scuba skills with PADI-certified instructors, then take a boat from Giardini Naxos to Isola Bella Marine Park. You’ll make two guided underwater visits, with fruit, drinks, Sicilian wine, and almond biscuits between and after them.
“With friendly and knowledgeable staff, this was a great experience that my daughter and I loved. It was her first ever dive and she’s now hooked!”
Meet at Jonio Pro-Dive Catania for a two-hour beginner scuba session in the sea near Catania. A PADI instructor guides you to a maximum of five meters, with all equipment, bottled water, and snacks supplied. No certification is required, and private groups keep the outing personal.
“The stuff was very helpful and kind. They made the experience extra nice with their eagerness to help us out. It was an unforgettable experience. We'd defenitly have a second go at it if we could due to also their professionalism!!”
Meet Jonio Pro-Dive Catania at 9:00 am for two guided underwater sessions in the lava-formed bay at Campeggio Jonio. Full equipment is included, and patient instruction makes this a strong choice for first-timers, while varied sites also suit experienced participants.
“Good value, provided all equipment and instructions. Being able to dive with assistance of course as this was my first time. The instructor was very patient and we did not dive until I was comfortable breathing underwater and calm.”
Start at Blue Sea Diving Center in Mazzarò Bay, where Pepe, Grace, or another instructor explains safety, breathing, equipment, and basic mask and regulator skills. Then take a boat to a local site for a 30-minute session at up to 12 meters, with no more than four people per instructor.
“Amazing experience at the dive centre. They have great dive masters and the service was amazing! We did 2 dives and rented out the gear which was of great quality. We were pleasantly surprised with the wet towel, watermelon and muffins after the dive - thanks a lot!!!”
Meet Dive Sicily in Giardini-Naxos at 8:30 am for a private, beginner-friendly PADI Discover Scuba Diving session near Isola Bella. You will learn basic skills, receive close guidance, and spend time underwater with an instructor. No prior experience is needed, but reasonable physical health is required.
“Absolutely amazing experience, myself and my wife we ere first time divers, and nervous, however within minutes, Alex had us underwater comfortably and safely. Would highly recommend, so much so that we now will do our PADI course in the coming months!”
Meet Dive Sicily at 8:15 am in Giardini Naxos for a guided scuba session near Isola Bella. You get a safety briefing, equipment support, and a choice of shore or boat sites. Patient instructors such as Adam, Ella, Dani, Ilse, and Camila help nervous beginners feel at ease.
“My wife and I quickly found out that we are terrified of scuba diving. We signed up with our friends to try it out and needless to say we are land people. Alex the main captain and Adam our trainer were honestly the most patient and respectful team for us. Adam spent over an hour with us trying to slowly help us get over our fears in a safe location Alex took us to. We learned to go up and down in about 30ft of water. Even though we didn't go on the full scuba tour, the experience was worth it to go down to the bottom and feel free…”
Meet Etna & Sea Excursions in Aci Castello for a three-and-a-half-hour underwater outing in the Cyclops Islands Marine Protected Area. Andrea, Andre, Carla, or Guerriero may guide you, with equipment, instruction, and close supervision included. Certified divers must show proof of certification.
“Andre was incredible and was so helpful. The dive itself was amazing and seeing all the fish and corals was utterly incredible. For my first time scuba diving I felt so safe and comfortable diving with Andre. I can't wait to come back in the future and dive again !”
Meet Diving Center Saracen in Isola delle Femmine for a private Try Scuba lesson and a 30 to 40 minute sea session with an instructor. You’ll learn equipment basics, receive a digital manual and participation certificate, and earn credit toward an Open Water Diver course.
“I’m an experienced diver but I wanted this experience for my 14 year old daughter, who was diving for the first time. Staff were very helpful & friendly towards us both & gave a crash course to my daughter who thoroughly enjoyed every moment. We had our dive in the sea, across the street from the dive shop & enjoyed every moment & felt safe, thanks to Besima, who was fantastic with children. A big thumbs up if you want to dive this experience, even for novices.”
Meet at 9:00 am in Aci Castello for a beginner-friendly Try Scuba session with instructor Corrado. Learn the equipment and basic underwater conduct, then explore lava formations and sea life in the Cyclops Islands Marine Protected Area. Hot showers, changing rooms, a bar, and a certificate are included.
“Da fare assolutamente! Un’esperienza bellissima! Professionalità e gentilezza! Il mare super ricco di vita!”
Spend about two days, or possibly three depending on the course schedule, learning scuba skills with Andrea and the Etna & Sea Excursion team in Aci Castello. You will study in class, practice in shallow water, train in deeper water, use rented equipment, and take an exam for an international certificate.
“One of the most beautiful and exciting experiences of my life.”
At Blue Sea Diving Center in Mazzarò Bay, children learn basic scuba skills, put on their equipment, take a boat to the practice site, and spend 30 minutes underwater at a maximum depth of 2 meters. One instructor works with no more than two children.
“Great dive, great company look forward to coming back on my next trip to Sicily. Very friendly team and good banter”
Spend about eight hours exploring Etna Park and the Isola dei Ciclopi near Aci Castello. You’ll ride in an air-conditioned vehicle, walk through volcanic terrain, taste Sicilian food and wine, and use provided scuba equipment during the sea portion.
“This tour is worth four times what we paid. Pick up at our flat and we got to walk around so many different areas and never saw another tourist. Having a true local as our guide was the absolute best.”
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