Anthias Diving

Located in the heart of the Gallura region in North-East Sardinia, Anthias Diving has been a fixture of the local diving community since 1993. The centre is perfectly positioned to access the underwater wonders of the Maddalena Archipelago, a region famous for its rocky walls, hidden caves, and exceptional clarity.

Operating from the port of Cannigione, the centre provides access to some of the most diverse marine habitats in the Mediterranean. From the turquoise waters of Caprera to the historic wrecks scattered across the seabed, the area offers a vast playground for both recreational and professional divers.

As a PADI 5 Star dive centre, Anthias Diving maintains a high standard of training and safety. The team is experienced in handling a diverse range of divers, including children through the PADI Bubblemaker and Seal Team programmes, and those requiring specialised assistance.

The centre is particularly noted for its commitment to inclusive diving. The lead instructor holds international certifications for the Handicapped Scuba Association (HSA), ensuring that divers with reduced mobility can experience the underwater world through personalised and safe adaptive diving sessions.

Communication is straightforward for international visitors, with the team providing services in Italian, English, French, and German. This multilingual approach ensures that training and dive briefings are clear and precise for a global clientele.

The training programme covers the entire PADI spectrum, starting with Discover Scuba Diving and the Scuba Diver course for those new to the water. For those looking to progress, the centre offers Open Water Diver, Advanced Open Water Diver, and Rescue Diver certifications.

Professional divers can pursue the Divemaster and Instructor Development Course (IDC) to advance their careers. The centre also provides a comprehensive range of PADI Specialty courses, including Enriched Air Nitrox, Deep Diver, Wreck Diver, Peak Performance Buoyancy, and Dry Suit certification.

Specialised training is also available for younger divers through the Bubblemaker and Seal Team programmes, as well as EFR (Emergency First Response) and Reactivate courses for maintaining essential life-saving skills.

The centre utilises gommoni (RIBs) to transport divers to the various sites around the archipelago. These boats allow for efficient movement between the islands, providing direct access to reefs, wrecks, and rocky outcrops.

On board, divers can enjoy freshwater and light snacks during the trip. For those seeking more privacy, the centre offers exclusive half-day boat excursions.

The centre provides full kit hire for those not travelling with their own equipment, including wetsuits, regulators, masks, and fins. For divers who prefer to use their own dive computer, daily rentals are available on-site.

Nitrox is available for use, allowing divers to extend their bottom time and manage nitrogen loading more effectively. The centre is also equipped to handle a variety of training needs, from basic recreational gear to specialised equipment for dry suit diving.

The marine life in this part of Sardinia is remarkably diverse. On the rocky walls and reefs, you will find vibrant gorgonians and a variety of fish including giant groupers, sea bream, and parrotfish. Large schools of barracuda are frequently seen patrolling the open water, while eagle rays and various species of rays glide over the sandy patches.

In the more sheltered areas and caves, look closely for moray eels, octopuses, and various species of nudibranchs. The seabed is also home to sea stars, hermit crabs, and various species of stingrays.

Macro life enthusiasts can find plenty to observe, from small nudibranchs to various crustaceans. The presence of many different species of octopus and various sea stars makes for a rewarding experience for those who enjoy searching for smaller organisms.

The best time to visit the area is between May and October, with the most stable conditions and best visibility typically occurring between June and September. During these months, water temperatures generally range between 22°C and 28°C.

While the Mediterranean can experience varying currents, many of the sites in the archipelago offer manageable conditions for divers of all levels. The visibility in the area is often exceptional, reaching up to 40 metres in certain locations during the summer months.