Centro Sub Atlantis

Located in the port of Castellammare del Golfo, Centro Sub Atlantis has been a fixture of the Sicilian diving scene for 36 years. The centre serves as a gateway to the diverse marine environments of the Mediterranean, from the sheltered reef flats to the more demanding depths of the surrounding sea.

You can expect to explore a wide variety of underwater landscapes, including the rugged walls of the dello Zingaro Nature Reserve and the historical remains of Greek and Roman shipwrecks. The centre’s location makes it easy to access, situated just 200 metres from the main walking routes, with options to leave your vehicle nearby.

The team is led by founder Giovanni Polizzi and includes experienced instructors such as Mario Arena, Claudio Provenzani, Niccolò Crespi, and Alex Zille. This professional crew is well-versed in both recreational and technical diving, ensuring support for a wide range of diver abilities.

Instruction is conducted in English, German, Italian, Polish, and French, making it accessible for international divers. The centre maintains a high standard of safety and training, operating as a PADI 5 Star Resort with affiliations to both GUE and FIPSAS.

The training programme is extensive, catering to everyone from those starting their journey with the Open Water Diver course to highly advanced technical divers. They offer a full suite of PADI certifications, including Advanced Open Water Diver, Rescue Diver, and specialty courses such as Deep Diver and Wreck Diver.

For those pursuing technical disciplines, the centre provides GUE Fundamentals, Doubles Diver, Drysuit Diver, and a complete technical progression through Technical Diver 1 and 2. They also offer specialised training in PSCR Diver, DPV Diver 1, and Gas Blender courses.

The centre operates two gommoni (semi-rigid boats) for its excursions. These vessels provide reliable access to the marine sites stretching from Scopello to San Vito Lo Capo, including the protected areas of the dello Zingaro Nature Reserve.

On board, the crew provides refreshments such as iced tea and fresh melon to help you recover between dives. The boats are equipped to handle the varied topography of the Sicilian coast, from shallow reefs to deeper offshore sites.

Full equipment hire is available on-site for divers who prefer not to travel with their own kit. This includes all the essentials required for both recreational and technical diving.

For those looking to extend their bottom time or dive more complex profiles, Nitrox and Trimix are available. The centre is well-equipped to support technical divers with specialized gas blending and training options.

The local marine life is characterised by the presence of moray eels that can often be spotted amongst the rocks and crevices. The diverse habitats, from the cave systems to the reef walls, support a variety of Mediterranean species.

In the seagrass meadows and around the rocky structures, you will find a range of smaller inhabitants that make the Mediterranean's biodiversity so notable.

The diving area is characterised by a mix of open sea and protected reserve environments. The proximity to the dello Zingaro Nature Reserve provides a variety of sheltered spots, though divers should be aware of the different environments when moving from the reef flats to the deeper walls.