Orso Diving Club

Orso Diving Club has been a fixture of the Sardinian diving scene since 1987. Located in Poltu Quatu, the centre occupies a unique position within the La Maddalena Marine Park, situated just a short distance from the islands of Caprera and Lavezzi.

What sets this centre apart is its operational setup. Instead of a traditional shore-based building, the club is built upon a 140 m² floating platform moored at the marina. This allows for a seamless transition from your vehicle to the dive boats, with equipment rinsing and cylinder assembly taking place right on the central veranda.

As a 5-star PADI and SSI Diamond instructor development resort, the centre is geared towards both recreational enthusiasts and professional candidates. The team consists of experienced instructors and guides who provide instruction in Italian, English, German, French, and Spanish.

Safety and small group sizes are central to the operation, with a guide-to-diver ratio maintained at a maximum of 5 or 6 divers per guide. For those returning to the water after a long break, a check dive is mandatory to ensure competency.

The centre is also a DDI facility, making it accessible to divers with disabilities. Their commitment to the marine environment is reflected in their daily operations, including the use of recyclable materials on board their vessels.

The centre offers a comprehensive curriculum through SSI and PADI, ranging from beginner courses like Open Water Diver to advanced training such as AOWD, Deep Diver, and Rescue Diver. They also provide specialized training in Freediving and Apnea.

For technical divers, the centre is well-equipped to teach Nitrox, Trimix, and rebreather courses, specifically covering the Inspiration model. Professional divers can pursue Divemaster and Instructor Development Courses (IDC) on-site. There are also dedicated programmes for children starting from age 8.

The fleet includes the Scuba Cat, a catamaran with a capacity for 14 divers, and the Mistral, a semi-rigid vessel accommodating 10 divers. Both boats are well-equipped for the local conditions, with the Scuba Cat powered by twin 270 HP engines.

On board, you will find a decompression station, a 5L oxygen cylinder for emergencies, and a first aid kit. The boats are set up for both single and double immersions, and for those looking for convenience, equipment can be left on board between dives, with cylinders recharged directly on the vessel by the crew.

The shore-based facilities on the floating platform are extensive, featuring a dedicated compressor room with three 18 m³/h compressors, providing a total capacity of 54 m³/h. The air quality is a priority, with compressors fitted with dual filters that are replaced every 30 hours. The facility includes a Nitrox/Oxygen station and a dedicated Trimix unit for technical diving.

For those needing to hire kit, the centre maintains a large inventory of Mares equipment, including BCDs, regulators, fins, masks, and torches. They also stock 120 15-litre cylinders with both DIN and INT valves, as well as 5mm and 7mm wetsuits. A small shop and a 15 m² theory room are available on-site, and freshwater showers are located just 50 metres away at the marina.

The waters of the La Maddalena Marine Park are a sanctuary for large pelagics. You may encounter Fin whales, Sperm whales, Cuvier's dolphins, and Common bottlenose dolphins passing through the area, alongside various species of tuna and Mobula rays.

In the seagrass meadows and around the rocky reefs, you will find sea turtles and Risso's dolphins. The visibility of these larger species often depends on the specific currents and seasonal movements within the sanctuary.

Macro life and smaller inhabitants are abundant around the wrecks and rocky outcrops. Look out for octopus and various species of rays inhabiting the sandy patches and crevices.

Diving in this region is influenced by the proximity to the Bocche di Bonifacio, where some sites require longer transits. While many sites are accessible for all levels, the distance to islands like Lavezzi requires a steady boat ride of approximately 30 to 40 minutes.

Water temperatures typically range between 18°C and 26°C. The centre operates both single and double immersion schedules, with the morning slots often being used for more extensive excursions.