About Revisions Cape Galera and the Shrimp Cave Ustica, Italy More Info Max Depth: 131-140ft/40-43m Entry Type: Boat Bottom Composition: Sand Aquatic Life: Might See Something Summer: 76-80°F/24-27°C 9/11/2012 7:19 AM LatitudeAdjustment

Cape Galera and the Shrimp Cave is a boat accessible salt water dive site, located in Ustica, Italy. The maximum depth is 131-140ft/40-43m.

One of the Island’s most well-known and frequently visited diving spots for its pure fun for all divers, whatever their diving experience. At as little as 15 metres (50 feet) deep, you can meet shoals of laced sea bream, saupes and with a bit of luck, even large Mediterranean amberjacks prowling the coast hunting for food. The rocks are full of life and colours!

The more experienced diver can, at a depth of 42 metres (almost 140 feet), visit one of the most well-known caves in the whole Mediterranean: the Shrimp Cave. The dive is made more adventurous by the fact that it is not possible to see the end of the cave, which measures 130 metres (430 feet) in length, from the entrance. The cave rises slightly upwards from 42 m until it reaches a depth of 28 metres (just over 90 feet) at its exit, and it is only when half way through that it is possible to see the reassuring blue shade of the exit.

A knowledgeable guide is essential for this dive. One of the most interesting aspects of this dive is without a doubt witnessing the incredible number of shrimps that live in the cave. There are literally thousands of these Parapandalus narval (the scientific name of this specie of shrimp), and the light of the torches creates stunning orange reflections. Spiny lobsters and in particular slipper lobsters, which are unfortunately becoming more and more rare in Italian seas can also be seen here by shining a torch onto the roof of the cave, which is about 8 metres (26 feet) high. The exit is also quite spectacular due to the number of openings in the rock formation that gives divers the impression of being in front of the windows of a cathedral.