It is one of the most spectacular dives, because it takes place in the heart of the Isola Foradada (Island of Foradada), just after Capo Caccia. It is a sort of surface tunnel, very similar to a small Norwegian fjord, which crosses the Island from side to side. The entrance is a wide and scenic cave, which is divided into two other rooms and corridors.

Departure: the cave is 15 minutes away from the ArchiMete tourist centre by rubber boat.

Route: the cave is on one level and the exploration is easy and enjoyable.

Depth: maximum 20 metres, the cave entrance is located at 8 metres depth.

To see: the cave is one of the spots most appreciated by photographers and underwater video operators. In addition to the natural context, which offers wide cavities, along the walls of the tunnel, there are also crevices which provide shelter to spin lobsters, moray heels, clawed lobsters and cicadas. It is not unusual to spot also croakers, nudibranches and, just outside the cave, some curious groupers.

Length of the exploration: 1 hour

Price includes: scuba tank and ballast, transfer by rubber boat, diving and naturalistic guide inside the cave, washing and storage of the equipment.

Further information: the tourist centre ArchiMete offers the possibility to buy cheap diving packages, which allow one to experience the wonders of the Protected Marine Area of Capo Caccia-Isola Piana. The offer can be combined with trekking and snorkeling routes, in addition to naturalistic activities proposed by ArchiMete. See also the section “Discover our offers” on the homepage of the website.

One of the most scenic caves in the Mediterranean sea, it is located in the Karst complex of Punta Giglio. Discovered in recent times, and to be more precise, in the Summer of 1994, it is located at a depth of only 7 metres depth, and  inside, the transparency of the water and the play of reflections makes one think of a Mexican cenote. The dive takes place along a labyrinth of snow-white chalky rocks, which resemble  the sheets ghosts are usually represented by. Lit up by flashlights, the extreme white of the rocks amplifies the transparent effect and the brightness of the cave; producing reflections which recall the fast and unsettling fluttering of ghosts. The route winds its wings through wide openings, narrow passages and several outcrops, one of which comes out in a real lake framed by falls of very white limestone. It is considered one of the most important underwater caves of the Mediterranean area, both from a geologic-naturalistic standpoint and for the Dolomite-like characteristics present in a marine environment.

Departure: the cave is 8 minutes away from the ArchiMete tourist centre by rubber boat.

Route: the cave is on two levels, and the exploration is quite difficult and for experienced divers only.

Depth: maximum 10-12 metres, the cave’s entrance is at 7 metres depth.

To see: After having entered a room of around 4 metres, the route continues in an underground passage which is a couple of metres long, and less than one metre wide. The flashlight is fundamental here, because you then reach the huge main room, where reflections of the calcite rocks illuminated by the flashlights makes the atmosphere almost spectral and very suggestive. From here, starts a first tunnel, about twenty metres long, which then exits out into an air lake. The cave vault is decorated with stalactites and reddish veins. From here, you enter another tunnel which is, however, slightly shorter than the previous one, taking you to the main room. It is a sort of narrow passage of snow-white rock which, when lit up by the flashlights, is a source of great emotion.

Length of the exploration: 1 hour

Price includes: scuba tank and ballast, transfer by rubber boat, diving and naturalistic guide inside the cave, washing and storage of the equipments.

Further information: the tourist centre ArchiMete offers the possibility to buy cheap diving packages, which allow one to experience the wonders of the Protected Marine Area of Capo Caccia-Isola Piana. The offer can be combined with trekking and snorkeling routes, in addition to naturalistic activities proposed by ArchiMete. See also the section “Discover our offers” on the homepage of the website.

It is a suggestive tunnel which takes its name from the Scalinata del Cabirol (the Steps of the Roebuck) –located right above the diving point– and leading to the famous Grotta di Nettuno (the Cave of Neptune). The tunnel’s entrance is very wide and rays of sunlight penetrate inside, creating spectacular plays of light. The cave is wedged into the cliff, and extends for about fifty metres, after which you enter another smaller cave, which is located right above the bigger one. Exiting out of the cave, you continue the dive along the outer wall of the headland, which is very rich in ravines and burrows.

Departure: the cave is 8 minutes away from th ArchiMete tourist centre by rubber boat.

Route: the cave in on two levels and the exploration is quite easy.

Depth: the cave entrance is at 16 metres depths, once you have arrived at the outer wall, you can reach the seabed at 30 metres.

To see: colorful walls, covered by sponges and corals, disclose ravines where spin lobsters, moray eels, but also nudibranches and shrimps find shelter. Just outside the tunnel, it is easy to spot big pelagic fishes and sea breams hunting their quarry.

Length of the exploration: 1 hour

Price includes: scuba tank and ballast, transfer by rubber boat, diving and naturalistic guide inside the cave, washing and storage of the equipment.

Further information: the tourist centre ArchiMete offers the possibility to buy cheap diving packages, which allow one to experience the wonders of the Protected Marine Area of Capo Caccia-Isola Piana. The offer can be combined with trekking and snorkeling routes, in addition to naturalistic activities proposed by ArchiMete. See also the section “Discover our offers” on the homepage of the website.

Right after the Grotta dei Cervi (the Cave of Deer), the Karst complex of Punta Giglio discloses another wonder of this area. The cave is very large and wide, and can easily be reached by all divers. The inner vault is rich in stalactites and calcite arabesques.  Once inside the cave, you can leave your equipment behind, and walk along a gallery to admire stalagmite formations, lace-like rock formations and scenic calcite blades. In the Sixties, it was dedicated to the diver Ennio Falco, one of the most famous sportsman in this specialty, and on a level with other famous names in this field, like Raimondo Bucher, Enzo Maiorca and Jacques Mayol.

Departure: the cave is 10 minutes away from the ArchiMete tourist centre by rubber boat.

Route: the cave is on two levels and the exploration is easy and enjoyable.

Depth: maximum 10 metres, from the cave entrance.

To see: the cave is a little paradise for lovers of underwater speleology. Once the small inner lake has been reached, it is possible to leave your equipment behind, and walk along a gallery which leads to a room of around 80 square metres, decorated by stalactites, stalagmites and calcite formations.

Length of the exploration: 1 hour and 10 minutes including the excursion in the air tunnel.

Price includes: scuba tank and ballast, transfer by rubber boat, diving and naturalistic guide inside the cave, washing and storage of the equipment.

Further information: the tourist centre ArchiMete offers the possibility to buy cheap diving packages, which allow one to experience the wonders of the Protected Marine Area of Capo Caccia-Isola Piana. The offer can be combined with trekking and snorkeling routes, in addition to naturalistic activities proposed by ArchiMete. See also the section “Discover our offers” on the homepage of the website.

Just above the main entrance to the Grotta di Nereo (the Cave of Nereus) a scenic series of underwater arches are visible, and characterized by a flourishing underwater flora and fauna. Walking through the arches, it is easy to spot colonies of red coral, but also to assist the quick passage of big pelagic fish, like amberjacks, sea breams and barracudas. Rays of sunlight magically play among the arches and, along with the transparent  waters, create a very suggestive image; perfect for capturing with your camera and video recordings.

Departure: the cave is 10 minutes away from the ArchiMete tourist centre by rubber boat

Route: the cave is on one level and the exploration is easy and enjoyable.

Depth: maximum 18 metres, entrance to the arches is at 15 metres depth.

To see: the arches are the perfect shelter for Mediterranean spin lobsters, congers and moray eels, while the walls are covered with sponges and sea daisies. Getting closer to the walls with your mask, it is possible to spot multicolored nudibranches and shy sea horses. Looking out from the arches and towards the open sea, it is possible to admire the passage of pelagic fishes, like barracudas, amberjacks, sea breams and breams.

Length of the exploration: 1 hour

Price includes: scuba tank and ballast, transfer by rubber boat, diving and naturalistic guide inside the cave, washing and storage of the equipment.

Further information: the tourist centre ArchiMete offers the possibility to buy cheap diving packages, which allow one to experience the wonders of the Protected Marine Area of Capo Caccia-Isola Piana. The offer can be combined with trekking and snorkeling routes, in addition to naturalistic activities proposed by ArchiMete. See also the section “Discover our offers” on the homepage of the website.

Right under the cape of Capo Caccia, the famous Grotta di Nereo (the Cave of Nereus) begins. It is one of the largest underwater caves in Europe, with an overall dimension of 300 metres, and tunnels which extend for at least an overall length of 500 metres . Here, the beauty of nature merges with the charming legend of Nereus, marine divinity of Greek mythology. In the tunnels, light currents contribute to the explosion of life along the walls of the cave, in what is a desirable destination for both photographers and underwater video operators.

Departure: the cave is 10 minutes away from the ArchiMete tourist centre by rubber boat.

Route: the cave is on two levels, and exploration is recommended to expert divers only.

Depth: maximum 32 metres, the cave’s entrance is located at 29 metres.

To see: the cave has several openings connected to each other. Once inside, you pass a labyrinth of galleries where spin lobsters, clawed lobsters, rockfishes, congers and porter crabs proliferate. Continuing along the tunnels, it is possible to find codfishes hunting for small prey. The walls near the openings are covered in colonies of red coral and colorful sponges.

Length of the exploration: 50 minutes without decompression.

Price includes: scuba tank and ballast, transfer by rubber boat, diving and naturalistic guide inside the cave, washing and storage of the equipment.

Further information: the tourist centre ArchiMete offers the possibility to buy cheap diving packages, which allow one to experience the wonders of the Protected Marine Area of Capo Caccia-Isola Piana. The offer can be combined with trekking and snorkeling routes, in addition to naturalistic activities proposed by ArchiMete. See also the section “Discover our offers” on the homepage of the website.

.

Click on the image or here to enter the gallery

.

The sport center ArchiMete organizes all year round scuba diving courses for all ages and all skill levels. The courses are held by qualified scuba instructors from Overing Diving Center, diving center that operates in partnership with ArchiMete, and are divided into a theoretical part and a practical part.

The first aim of all the courses is to provide the diver with the necessary tools to live in a safe the experience of scuba diving.

A sport that embodies the fun, freedom and the very close relationship with the sea and with nature.

For information about diving courses, please send an e-mail to the following e-mail address:  archimete@archimete.it, and specify “Info on diving courses” in the subject.

Or, you can directly call the following phone nr. +39.333.6744889 (Sandro) – +39.334.9372278 (opening hours: 9 – 1 p.m. / 2 – 7 p.m.)

Please, before read our privacy policy

.

.

.

.

.

CLICK HERE AND WATCH THE VIDEO!

.

.

***********DIVING COURSES ***********

.

ESA Smile Diver: course for children over 12 years. It allows them to experience the thrill of the first breath underwater, in complete safety and under the close supervision of a dive professional. The program takes place under the water and comes with a very nice kit in which, in addition to the diploma and the Smile Card Diver, the little diver will find the ESA Smile Diver Story, cartoon designed to explain in simple and clear basic rules for a first approach with f

un and safe diving. The Smile Diver Card is valid for 21 days and during this period the diver can repeat similar experiences to those experienced during the program, always in the company of a scuba instructor.

Practical Information: minimum age 12 years, delivery kit with student manuals and handouts, 1 theory lesson, 1 lesson practice in confined water, 1 scuba diving.

****************

ESA Easy Dive: This is the first step towards diving, a new way to get to know other people and to achieve a big dream. It is the natural approach to diving, accompanied by a kit with diploma Easy Dive, the Easy Story Card and the Easy Dive Card. In 21 days of validity of the patent, the student will have the opportunity to continue to dive under the guide of an ESA scuba instructor. And, again, the ability to access courses ESA Open Water / ESA New Diver and receive credits for some of the exercises already carried.

Practical Information: minimum age 12 years, with delivery kits student manuals and handouts, 1 theory lesson, 1 lesson practice in confined water, 1 scuba diving.

****************

ESA New Diver (EN 14153-1): ideal course for those who want a gradual approach with the diving activities and for those who want to immerse themselves within the operating limits of this patent (maximum depth 10 meters and under the guide of a scuba instructor).

Practical Information: Minimum age 12 years for Junior divers, 15 years for others. Delivery kit with student manuals and handouts, 2 theory lessons, 2 practice lessons in confined water, 2 scuba diving.

****************

ESA Open Water Diver (EN 14153-2): is the course that offers the opportunity to acquire the knowledge and the practical skills to dive safely within the maximum depth of 18 meters, while respecting the buddy system.

Practical Information: Minimum age 12 years for Junior divers, 15 years for others. Delivery kit with student manuals and handouts, 5 theory lessons, 5 confined water practice lessons, 4 scuba diving.

****************

ESA Advanced Diver: allows you to learn the techniques and basic knowledge related to different areas of diving. During the course you will acquire information and is held practice of diving computers, underwater structure, navigation with compass and underwater orientation, deep diving and night (or naturalist dives).
To participate, you must already be in possession of the prior patent Open Water Diver / Junior OWD (Or equivalent).

Practical Information: Minimum age 12 years for Junior divers, 15 years for others. Delivery kit with student manuals and handouts, 5 theory lessons, 5 scuba diving.

****************

ESA Prevention & Rescue Diver: is the course that allows you to learn the fundamentals and techniques to prevent or cooperate in the rescue operations in the event of a diving accident. The course is divided into 6 theoretical presentations and 4 practical exercises. To enroll you must demonstrate that they have completed at least 20 dives and being in possession of the patent Esa Advanced Diver (or equivalent).

Practical Information: Minimum age 15 years. Delivery kit with student manuals and handouts, 6 theory lessons, scuba diving 4, 1 tutorial on the ground.

****************

ESA First Aid: the course provides the necessary information to help other people in the event of accident or injury on land or at sea. Through a simple but efficient program explains the key life-saving maneuvers to be taken in case of emergency.

Practical Information: minimum age 15 years, holds the patent Esa Advanced Diver (or equivalent), at least 30 logged dives on the log-book.

****************

ESA Specialty Diver: There are different areas of diving under which acquire a Specialty Diver certification. In these courses are thorough theoretical information and practical skills to plan and conduct dives into new environments and / or new techniques.

• Underwater archaeology
• Cave

Practical Information: minimum age 15 years, holds the patent Esa Advanced Diver (or equivalent), at least 30 logged dives on the log-book.

****************

ESA Dive Leader: marks the entrance into professional diving. This course enables students to become leaders divers and transfers the skills needed to better manage the group during the dive.

It is one of the most important caves in Sardinia and in the entire Mediterranean area, both from a naturalistic and scientific point of view. Inside, there is a rich fossil deposit made up of bones of Sardinian deer, belonging to the Megaloceros cazioti algarensis species, which lived in this area when the lands were above sea level, between 120,000 and 75,000  years ago.

The underwater route, which is accessible to most divers, starts inside the cliff of Punta Giglio, at the eastern entrance of the Porto Conte bay.

Departure: the cave is 5 minutes away from the ArchiMete tourist centre by rubber boat.

Route: the cave is on three levels and the exploration is quite easy and suitable to most divers.

Depth: maximum 22 metres, the cave entrance is at 8 metres depth.

To see: just point your flashlight towards the walls, and you can admire calcite arabesques and stalactites, which create the natural frame of a small lake overlooking the inside of an air chamber inside the cliff. The air is breathable thanks to some cracks in the rocks which allow air in from outside. On the lake’s shore, divers can safely leave BCDs, flippers and weights behind, obviously being careful to not damage stalactites and arabesque rocks. Once you are free of your equipment, after a few metres, you will enter a niche which contains a fossil deposit consisting of the bones of Sardinian deer:  the long bones, skulls, lower jaws and imposing antlers of these animals, which widely populated the entire area of Porto Conte tens of thousands of years ago, are perfectly preserved. Remember that during that period, the entire area was above sea level. Paleontologists presume that the deer were probably looking for shelter from bad weather inside the cave, but that maybe, due to the darkness or the crowding of many animals, fell into a narrow and deep part of the cave, which turned into a death trap.

Length of the exploration: 1 hour

Price includes: scuba tank and ballast, transfer by rubber boat, diving and naturalistic guide inside the cave, washing and storage of the equipment.

Further information: the tourist centre ArchiMete offers the possibility to buy cheap diving packages, which allow one to experience the wonders of the Protected Marine Area of Capo Caccia-Isola Piana. The offer can be combined with trekking and snorkeling routes, in addition to naturalistic activities proposed by ArchiMete. See also the section “Discover our offers” on the homepage of the website.

Inside the Neptune’s cave

It is one of the most stunning places easily reachable by visitors and was discovered by chance by a local fisherman in the Eighteenth century. It is accessible both by sea (departures from the port of Alghero or from the boarding pier of Cala Dragunara, just after the enchanting Tramariglio bay), and by land, through the Escala del Cabirol (Stairs of Roebuck), with its 656 steps running along the cliff, and rising up from the sea, just in front of the Isola Foradada (Foradada Island). The inside is breathtaking and the tourist route winds its way through several rooms, with each one presenting different features: the Lamarmora Lake, an underground salt lake which is 9 metres deep, 100 metres long, and 25 metres wide; with a stalagmite column named Acquasantiera (Stoop) at its center. Another stalagmite rises from the bed of the lake and is called Albero di Natale (Christmas Tree). There are also the rooms of the Reggia (Palace), of the Rovine (Ruins), of the Organo (Organ), of Trine e Merletti (Lace and Lacemaking) and of the Tribuna della Musica (Tribune of the Music), which dominate the room of the Reggia (Palace).

The service of guided visit is available all year long. Visits to the site are possible from Easter to October, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. To reach the cave by land, once arrived at the square in Capo Caccia, just read all information on the visit procedures provided on the dedicated wallboard. Instead, to reach the cave by sea, take the motor ship which sails from the port in Alghero. 

Further information are available at the tourist office in Alghero (tel. 0039.079.979054).

.

ArchiMete, like Archimedes, a great genius and inventor.
It is a tourist centre specialized in the sector of active and dynamic tourism. “Archi” refers to archaeology, history and culture; “Mete” refers to longed for and wished for destinations. The aim is to offer tourists the opportunity to create a “clever” holiday, which meets everyone’s expectations as much as possible.
ArchiMete is located in the middle of the Tramariglio bay, between a land and sea reserve: the Regional Natural Park of Porto Conte and the Marine Protected Area of Capo Caccia-Isola Piana. A natural landscape, where it is possible to spend holidays periods having fun in total relaxation, and giving in to your every whim.
Activities foresee dives (the area of Capo Caccia is one of the most famous in the world for its stunning underwater caves), snorkeling including a tour of the cliffs; kayaking and hiking. The renting of rubber boats offers the possibility to experience this corner of earthly paradise in the most real and personal way imaginable.