Diving in Italy

[ray]

Hi.

Anybody dived in Italy, but during the months of January and February.

Are there any dive centers open at this time, or do they close for the winter period, we are not bothered where abouts in Italy but probably near the toe or heel, as we will be touring for a month in the motor home.

Can you get oxygen for the YBOD in Italy ?.

[Chriz]

I've just come back from a 2 week road trip, just threw my dive kit in back & didn't book anything, when I got to different dive schools/shops all closed!

My advice would be, as much research as possible & speak to them in person if poss!

Chris/z

[chrisch]

Originally Posted by ray

Hi.

Anybody dived in Italy, but during the months of January and February.

Yes lots

Originally Posted by ray

Are there any dive centers open at this time, or do they close for the winter period, we are not bothered where abouts in Italy but probably near the toe or heel, as we will be touring for a month in the motor home.

In the north centres are open. However, down south you might find that there is more seasonality. Warm water divers are... err.. well warm water.. (wooses)

(How about Sicilia? - it will still be hot there)

Originally Posted by ray

Can you get oxygen for the YBOD in Italy ?.

Yes. O2 and Helium are widely available at the technical centres. Again down south you might find things more geared to recreational stuff.

There is IIRC quite a bit of activity round the Napoli area. Several record attemps and stuff there. Napoli is a shit-hole full of gangsters though and not really somewhere I'd visit through choice (been on business). I would think you would get an O2 fill there. (Leave the missus in the motorhome or it will get nicked..)

Chris

[edit] list of centres here Diving Center - Centri Sub in Italia - Youritaly - Portale Turistico [/edit]

[Conor]

There are quite a few centers around the Liguria area near genoa, where Italians believe Scuba was started

I research it a couple of years back when going for a wedding but didn't get to dive in the end. There were technical and recreational centres, a few decent wreck and reef dives. The one that stood out was the European dive centre (http://www.europeandc.com/eng_divingmain.php), partly cos one of the owners is English so less chance of language issues (I was told by bsome Italian diving friends that it may be an issue).

A list is available here Liguria Watersports: Diving & Scuba - Sport & Leisure - AngloINFO (Italy)

Conor

[Gordon Mackie]

I run a dive tour operation specialising in diving in Italy. While this can sometimes be frustrating, I am still convinced that it is the best diving in the med.

While most dive centres in the South shut in winter...as the resort towns shut in winter, the owners and divers then go and work up North doing their "real" jobs.

Loads of opportunities to dive the year round - everything from caves and lakes to the sea if weather permits.
Grotta Giusti 90 degree cave waters are slowly returning and normal service should be resumed in the Spring.


see tuscandivers.com

I also run a BSAC club dedicated to helping Italians find diving here and for British divers to get diving in Italy. We will hopefully get BSAC branches up and running in italy next year.

[chrisch]

Originally Posted by Conor

There are quite a few centers around the Liguria area near genoa, where Italians believe Scuba was started

Aye. But its a bit north of the target....

Oh and yes you are right - Italian is required in most places as the ingleeesh she is not so good often. Another tip - always phone - the internet in Italy she also a bit cosi-cosi, not often I look at email only gli bella ragazzi...

Chris

[Gordon Mackie]

In Maratea - once I move there, diving will be available all year round. I also have contacts around Naples (Capri, Amalfi coast, Ischia & Procida).

Around Rome and up to Civitavecchia - easy

All contacts are English speaking and a few are GAS (Gruppo Amatoriale Subacquaeo) divers and so FREE as in no payment divers :-)

Tech stuff is more the norm than the exception - 45m is standard diving and 60 - 100 m is not unusual for recreational diving (or at least with the guys I know)

Loads of sea cave diving in the south near Maratea as well.

[Conor]

Originally Posted by chrisch

Aye. But its a bit north of the target....

True but to get to the Toe or Heel in a motorhome, you are probably going to pass through the thigh

[chrisch]

Originally Posted by Conor

True but to get to the Toe or Heel in a motorhome, you are probably going to pass through the thigh

Fair point mate.

I suppose that makes my old home of Milano the cu..

[Conor]

I'm sure I've heard someone say something like that