Sea caves and a Roman amphora: our dives in Marettimo

Marettimo, the island of caves

Marettimo is the most remote and wildest of the Aegadian Islands, off Trapani in western Sicily. Hardly any roads, footpaths and mountains dropping straight into the sea. The coast is full of sea caves, each more beautiful than the last – a paradise for swimming, snorkelling and diving.

Three of us set off – Aaron, Gerrit and Noah – with masks, fins and a camera. And underwater, a surprise was waiting.

A 2,000-year-old amphora

Among the rocks, covered in sand and concretions, the unmistakable shape of a Roman amphora appeared, around 2,000 years old. Amphorae were the shipping containers of antiquity: they carried wine, oil and fish sauce all over the Mediterranean. The routes past the Aegadian Islands were busy, and the seabed still tells that story.

If you find an artefact in the sea

It’s an incredible feeling – but an archaeological find is not a souvenir. In Italy underwater cultural heritage is protected by law and belongs to the State. What to do:

• Don’t touch or move it: its position is valuable information for archaeologists.
• Take a photo and note the spot as precisely as possible.
• Report it to the authorities: in Sicily to the Soprintendenza del Mare, or to the Coast Guard or Carabinieri.

Golden rules for cave dives

• Never alone, and never beyond your level of experience.
• Scuba diving inside caves requires specific training.
• Check the weather and sea: with swell, caves become dangerous.
• Always bring a torch.

Underwater history in Cefalù too

You don’t have to go all the way to the Aegadian Islands to swim over history. In the bay of Hotel Kalura in Cefalù, among the rocks, lie the remains of an ancient Roman harbour and fragments of amphorae. With Kalura Diving you dive straight from the shore, always with a guide.

And to see the seabed better from a boat or the rocks, read our article on polarized sunglasses at the beach.

Frequently asked questions