Diving Veneto & Friuli – Northern Adriatic

About Veneto & Friuli-Venezia Giulia – Northern Adriatic

The northern Adriatic blends lagoon ecology, Austro-Hungarian history and Karst caves. The Tegnue off Venice are unique low rocky outcrops on sand that shelter seahorses, pipefish and nudibranchs, while Trieste’s Miramare Marine Reserve offers walls and sea fans. The region’s wrecks include the Audace and Tenda steamers and the Oria cargo, and Grado and Lignano add reefs and small wrecks. Lagoons, gentle reefs and a rich cultural backdrop make this a distinctive, accessible diving region at the top of the Adriatic. The region rewards careful planning and respects the strong Italian marine-protection rules, offering rewarding diving for a range of Mediterranean experience levels. The region rewards careful planning and respects the strong Italian marine-protection rules, offering rewarding diving for a range of Mediterranean experience levels.

Highlights

• ✓Tegnue of Venice: rocky outcrops on sand with seahorses and pipefish
• ✓Miramare Marine Reserve: Trieste walls with sea fans and lobsters
• ✓Audace & Tenda Wrecks: steamers at 20-35 m off Trieste
• ✓Secca di Lignano: a northern reef with macro and small wrecks
• ✓Oria Cargo Wreck: a 25 m dive from the Italian side near Trieste

Getting There

Fly into Venice (VCE) or Trieste (TRS), then drive the coast. Dive bases sit in Venice, Chioggia, Trieste, Grado and Lignano.