Banco Di Santa Croce Diving, Bsc Diving

Located in the Porto Turistico Marina di Stabia, Banco di Santa Croce Diving occupies a highly practical position in Castellammare di Stabia. The centre is situated just 10 metres from the main parking area and the embarkation point for the inflatable boats, making the transition from land to sea seamless for you and your kit.

For two decades, this centre has been a fixture of the local diving community, operating year-round. It serves a diverse range of divers, from those looking for their first bubbles to technical divers requiring specific gas blends and rebreather assistance. The centre is also deeply involved in local marine conservation and participatory science projects.

The centre operates as an SSI affiliated diving centre, providing a structured environment for both recreational and technical training. Their expertise extends into the technical realm, offering specialised support for rebreather divers and those using mixed gases.

Beyond standard instruction, the team acts as a test centre for Suex underwater scooters. This technical focus is supported by their extensive gas blending capabilities, ensuring that divers requiring specific profiles are well-served.

The centre offers a comprehensive curriculum through SSI, ranging from the initial Open Water Diver course to more advanced levels such as Advanced Diver and Deep Diver. For those looking to extend their recreational limits, Advanced Nitrox Decompression is also available.

Technical training is a core component of the centre's offering. You can progress through specialised modules including Intro to Tech, Mixed Gas Trimix, and various rebreather-specific courses such as Air Diluent (Rebreather), Mixed Gas (Rebreather), and Advanced Mixed Gas (Rebreather).

The centre utilises gommoni (inflatable boats) for dive trips. These vessels allow for efficient access to the various reefs and walls scattered throughout the Gulf of Naples and towards the Capri coastline.

The shore-based facilities are designed for efficiency, featuring a reception, a dedicated classroom, and separate changing rooms and showers for men and women. A dedicated station is available for equipment washing and rinsing.

For those requiring specific gas blends, the centre operates three separate charging stations for air, Nitrox, and Trimix. They also provide a full range of equipment hire, including underwater scooters and specialised kit for rebreather divers.

The marine life at the Banco di Santa Croce is defined by its vibrant gorgonian forests, with red and yellow gorgonians and golden coral covering the underwater mountains. You will find a high density of sponges, including yellow sponges, and orange anemones across the reef structures.

Pelagic species are a highlight of the area depending on the season. You can encounter tuna from March to April, bonitos and smaller tuna during the summer, and lampuges in the late summer. Eagle rays are frequently sighted between May and October.

In the rocky areas and walls, look for dusky grouper, common dentex, and various species of snapper such as dentis. Barracuda and seriola are also common residents of the deeper reefs.

For those interested in macro life and smaller organisms, the crevices and sponges host a variety of life including octopus, cuttlefish, moray eels, scorpionfish, and various crustaceans. You may also spot nudibranchs, shrimps, and small organisms like Astroides and Parazoanthus on the walls.

The area includes various environments ranging from shallow coves like Mitigliano, which are ideal for snorkelling, to deep offshore walls and wrecks reaching 100 metres. The Banco di Santa Croce itself offers depths from 10 to 50 metres, suitable for a wide range of experience levels.