Il Passetto
Site Overview
Il Passetto is a wall near the Ancona waterfront, a gentle and colourful introduction to Marche diving. Nudibranchs, octopus and bream forage over the rocky bottom, making it a favourite for training, night dives and macro photography. The sheltered harbour and easy access keep conditions manageable, and the site is a practical place to build skills before moving to the deeper reefs. It is relaxed, productive and ideal for new and developing divers. The site rewards careful planning, good buoyancy and a respect for Italy’s marine-protection rules, and remains a favourite among Mediterranean divers. The site rewards careful planning, good buoyancy and a respect for Italy’s marine-protection rules, and remains a favourite among Mediterranean divers. The site rewards careful planning, good buoyancy and a respect for Italy’s marine-protection rules, and remains a favourite among Mediterranean divers. The site rewards careful planning, good buoyancy and a respect for Italy’s marine-protection rules, and remains a favourite among Mediterranean divers. The site rewards careful planning, good buoyancy and a respect for Italy’s marine-protection rules, and remains a favourite among Mediterranean divers. The site rewards careful planning, good buoyancy and a respect for Italy’s marine-protection rules, and remains a favourite among Mediterranean divers. The site rewards careful planning, good buoyancy and a respect for Italy’s marine-protection rules, and remains a favourite among Mediterranean divers.
Dive Briefing
"Brief on the shallow profile and the mild current, then swim along the wall searching the cracks for octopus and nudibranchs. Keep fins off the bottom to protect the small life, use a torch for colour, ascend with a safety stop, and watch for boat traffic in the harbour. Follow your guide closely, monitor your thermal comfort and complete a safety stop before exiting at the designated point. Follow your guide closely, monitor your thermal comfort and complete a safety stop before exiting at the designated point. Follow your guide closely, monitor your thermal comfort and complete a safety stop before exiting at the designated point. Follow your guide closely, monitor your thermal comfort and complete a safety stop before exiting at the designated point. Follow your guide closely, monitor your thermal comfort and complete a safety stop before exiting at the designated point. Follow your guide closely, monitor your thermal comfort and complete a safety stop before exiting at the designated point."
Signature Marine Life
Nudibranch
Chromodorididae
Best: Year-round
Common Octopus
Octopus vulgaris
Best: Year-round
Two-banded Sea Bream
Diplodus vulgaris
Best: Year-round
Mediterranean Moray
Muraena helena
Best: Year-round
Sea Squirt
Ciona intestinalis
Best: Year-round
Safety & Hazards
- Boat traffic in harbour
- Occasional surge
- Cold water
- Limited visibility after rain
- Slippery entry
- Fragile life
Traveler Notes
Who is this for?
Ideal for open-water students, refresher dives and macro photographers, as well as anyone wanting a relaxed, sheltered dive close to Ancona. It is the gentle counterpoint to the deeper reef. It suits confident Mediterranean divers who value dramatic scenery, wrecks and rich marine life over tropical abundance. It suits confident Mediterranean divers who value dramatic scenery, wrecks and rich marine life over tropical abundance. It suits confident Mediterranean divers who value dramatic scenery, wrecks and rich marine life over tropical abundance. It suits confident Mediterranean divers who value dramatic scenery, wrecks and rich marine life over tropical abundance.
Quick Stats
Dive Logistics
- Passetto Diving
- Ancona Sub
Photography Info
Best for: macro, wide_angle
Nearby Stay
Grand Hotel Passetto
Ancona • 4km away
Hotel Conero
Numana • 2km away