Shrimps Cave

Discover Shrimps Cave: A Canyon Dive Full of Colour and Surprises

Shrimps Cave is a captivating dive site located within the bay of Punta Chiappa, named after the rock formations that jut dramatically out to sea. Known for its vivid underwater canyon, colourful coral walls, and the hidden gem of a shrimp-covered cavern, this dive offers a thrilling mix of topography and marine life.

Divers can expect encounters with large brown groupers, dentex, and even passing sunfish in spring. The highlight of the red route is the namesake cave—home to Parapandalus shrimps, crabs, lobsters, and vibrant red coral—accessible only to those with a Cavern certification. With a combination of sandy slopes, rock formations, and frequent currents attracting hunting predators, Shrimps Cave is a dynamic and rewarding dive for both beginner and advanced divers.

🔴 RED ROUTE (down to -40 m)

  • After completing our pre-dive check, we’ll descend near the mooring buoy.

  • Once we reach approximately -20 m, we’ll begin finning out towards the open sea in a south-westerly direction, following a seabed covered in Posidonia seagrass and small rocky outcrops—ideal hiding spots for large brown groupers and dentex.

  • At -23 m we’ll arrive at the edge of a drop-off where a beautiful canyon opens up, its vertical wall glowing with vibrant colour. Red coral (Corallium rubrum) can be found in every crack, alongside stunning sponges.

  • If visibility is good, we’ll continue gliding over the canyon until we reach the top of a rocky dome (panettone) at -33 m, covered in breathtaking gorgonian fans.

  • From May to June, ocean sunfish (Mola mola) are frequently spotted in this area.

  • After a thorough exploration, we’ll return to the wall, where at -38 m we’ll find a wide crevice: Shrimps Cave, so called because its walls are completely covered in Parapandalus shrimps. The cave is also home to crabs, lobsters, forkbeards, and spectacular red coral.

  • Entry into this narrow cavity is permitted only for divers with a Cavern certification, and the exit is found at around -30 m.

  • Once out of the cave, we’ll ascend further to -18 m and, keeping the wall on our right, follow the rugged formation of Punta Chiappa.

  • A moderate current is often present here, attracting large schools of fish—particularly barracuda and hunting dentex.

  • It’s then time to reverse direction. With the wall now on our left, we’ll continue ascending to -10 m, where the seabed changes abruptly, becoming smooth and gently sloping.

  • At -6 m, we’ll continue swimming back into the bay. In summer, the surface is often dotted with swimmers and snorkellers, as Punta Chiappa is easily reached on foot or by boat.

  • After our 3-minute safety stop at -5 m, we’ll surface near the boat.

🟢 GREEN ROUTE (down to -18 m)

  • After completing our pre-dive check, rather than descending along the chain, we’ll head over to the wall.

  • At -6 m, we’ll identify a reference point to use for returning to the boat at the end of the dive.

  • With the wall on our right, we’ll begin finning in a south-westerly direction, gradually descending to a maximum depth of -18 m, following the rocky contours.

  • We’ll know we’ve reached the point when the current picks up—sometimes light, other times stronger—where groups of predators like dentex and barracuda tend to gather.

  • After observing these thrilling pelagic visitors, we’ll begin our return with the wall on our left, gradually ascending to -10 m.

  • Here, we’ll have the chance to spot and photograph majestic brown groupers as they move gracefully between the rocks.

  • The seabed in this zone transforms into a smooth, gently sloping incline. At -6 m, we’ll begin swimming back into the bay.

  • During summer months, this area is often lively with bathes and boat traffic, as Punta Chiappa is easily accessible by foot or ferry.

  • We’ll conclude our dive with a 3-minute safety stop at -5 m before surfacing close to the boat.

Dive Shrimps Cave with Diving Group Portofino

  • Location: Inside the bay of Punta Chiappa
  • Access: Boat dive (mooring buoy available)
  • Best conditions: Calm sea, good visibility
  • Depth: 18 m (Green Route) | 40 m (Red Route)
  • Difficulty: From beginner to advanced (Cavern certification required for cave access)

Ready to explore a vibrant canyon, encounter groupers and dentex, and visit a hidden cave covered in shrimp? Book your dive at Shrimps Cave with Diving Group Portofino today!