A few miles off the Roman coast hides a treasure: the Secche di Tor Paterno, the only completely submerged Marine Protected Area in Italy. A mountain rising from the blue, covered in life. Here’s what you’ll see and how to dive it safely with us.
Updated: August 2026
The Secche di Tor Paterno are a rocky mountain rising from the sandy seabed to a summit at around 18 metres, a few miles offshore between Ostia and Torvaianica. As a Marine Protected Area, life here is thriving: posidonia meadows, spectacular forests of red gorgonians, dusky groupers, rays, octopuses, sea breams and dense shoals of fish.
It’s the perfect dive for anyone who has just earned their advanced certification and wants a “real”, rich and colourful seabed without travelling far from home.
Tor Paterno is a regulated area: you can access it only with authorised dive centres and you need at least an Advanced certification (Advanced Adventurer / Advanced Open Water) or to be enrolled on an advanced course with us. Working depth is typically between 18 and 30 metres.
If you only hold your first certification (Open Water) we can plan the path to get there together: just a few dives and a Deep specialty.
We set off by boat, with a detailed briefing on the site and the rules of the Marine Protected Area. You’re always accompanied by an expert guide, in small groups. If you don’t have gear, you can rent it from us. You’ll find the outing dates in the calendar, updated throughout the season.
Yes. The area is protected and regulated: you can access it only with authorised centres and you need at least an advanced certification, or to be enrolled on an advanced course with us.
Not directly, because the depth exceeds Open Water limits. But we can help you get there with the Deep specialty or the advanced course: it’s just a few dives.
From spring to autumn the water is warmer and visibility often excellent. With the right wetsuit, though, you can dive in many periods of the year.
Red gorgonians, groupers, rays, octopuses, sea breams and large shoals of fish, over the posidonia meadow typical of the Marine Protected Area.
Check the next outings in the calendar or write to us: we’ll suggest the right site for your level.