Regional Marine Park “Costa degli Dei”

The Regional Marine Park "Fondali di Capocozzo-S. Irene-Vibo Marina-Pizzo-Capo Vaticano-Tropea", commonly known as the "Costa degli Dei" Marine Park, includes one of the most famous stretches of the Calabrian Tyrrhenian coast in the province of Vibo Valentia. Home to an incredibly rich marine fauna and flora, the park's seabed is a true paradise for diving enthusiasts, even at great depths. Within the Fondali di Capocozzo Regional Marine Park, there are three Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) protecting rare species: Posidonia Climax meadows, with high biodiversity, typical Mediterranean fauna, numerous pelagic species, as well as dolphins, stenellas and Caretta Caretta sea turtles. The rocky slope descending towards the Secca di Vacazzo, at a depth of about 40 metres, near the famous Paradiso del Sub beach in Zambrone, is enchanting.

The Capocozzo-S. Irene Seabed stretches from Briatico to Capo Vaticano, passing through the enchanting Santa Domenica di Ricadi, where you will find the Bay of Riaci, with rocky masses lying on the seabed and underwater caves to explore. During your observations, you can also admire important underwater archaeological finds protected by the Superintendency: in the waters of Sant'Irene, for example, there are the remains of a Roman vivarium (an ancient fishpond) and, at a depth of about 30 metres, a wreck that the locals call u' vapùri, now inhabited by groupers and moray eels. Another site to discover while diving is located off the coast of Tropea: at a depth of about 40 metres lies an old container used for coral reproduction, which has become an ideal habitat for numerous species that populate the "Costa degli Dei" Marine Park.