Plate Peak

Explore Plate Peak: A Colourful Wall Dive Full of Life

Plate Peak is a stunning dive site located just before Punta Chiappa when arriving from San Fruttuoso. This site is renowned for its vivid vertical wall, home to a spectacular variety of marine life and colourful coral formations, making it an ideal spot for both recreational and advanced divers.

The dive begins along a series of vibrant boulders and leads into a wall richly adorned with red coral (Corallium rubrum), yellow gorgonians (Eunicella cavolinii), and clusters of sea daisies (Parazoanthus axinellae). Groupers, moray eels, forkbeards, and lobsters are frequent sightings, while out in the blue, you might spot barracuda and hunting dentex passing by. With routes that reach depths of up to 40 metres, Plate Peak offers a visually striking and highly rewarding experience beneath the surface.

🔴 RED ROUTE (down to -40 m)

  • After completing our pre-dive check, we’ll descend along the chain to around -16 m, then begin finning eastwards, where we’ll encounter a large boulder covered in yellow gorgonians (Eunicella cavolinii).

  • Continuing our descent towards the south-east, down to -35 m, we’ll pass several other life-covered rocks—perfect hiding places for conger eels, moray eels, and even small-spotted catsharks.

  • We’ll then ascend gradually, following the rocky seabed in a north-west direction, until we reach the wall. Keeping it on our right at a depth of -20 m, we’ll encounter large brown groupers that often allow divers to approach closely.

  • With our torches, we’ll illuminate every crack and crevice, where lobsters, moray eels, forkbeards, and other marine creatures make their home.

  • The wall is beautifully decorated with branches of red coral (Corallium rubrum) and clusters of yellow sea daisies (Parazoanthus axinellae).

  • Glancing out toward the open sea, we may spot hunting dentex and schools of barracuda drifting in, only to vanish again into the blue.

  • Once we reach the end of the wall, we’ll begin our return keeping the wall on our left and ascending further to around -10 m.

  • Near the chain, depending on our remaining air, we can either ascend after our 3-minute safety stop at -5 m or continue following the contour of the promontory towards Punta Chiappa Bay at a depth of -5/6 m for a few more minutes before returning to the boat.

🟢 GREEN ROUTE (down to -18 m)

  • After completing our pre-dive check, we’ll descend along the chain to around -16 m and begin finning eastwards, where we’ll come across a large boulder covered in yellow gorgonians (Eunicella cavolinii).

  • At this depth, we’ll often see brown groupers entering and exiting their dens among the rocks, including juveniles displaying vibrant green and yellow tones and a more curious attitude than their adult counterparts.

  • From here, we’ll reach the wall on our left at a maximum depth of -18 m. With our torches, we’ll explore every crack and crevice, searching for lobsters, moray eels, and forkbeards.

  • The wall is covered in red coral (Corallium rubrum) and Parazoanthus axinellae, also known as yellow sea daisies.

  • Turning our gaze occasionally toward the open water, we may catch glimpses of hunting dentex and schooling barracuda making sudden, electrifying passes.

  • Once we reach the end of the wall, we’ll start heading back with the wall on our right, slowly ascending to -10 m.

  • Near the chain, depending on our air supply, we’ll decide whether to ascend after a 3-minute stop at -5 m or continue exploring the coastline towards Punta Chiappa Bay at 5–6 m before returning to the boat.

Dive Plate Peak with Diving Group Portofino

  • Location: Just before Punta Chiappa, coming from San Fruttuoso
  • Access: Boat dive
  • Best conditions: Calm sea, good visibility
  • Depth: 18 m (Green Route) | 40 m (Red Route)
  • Difficulty: From beginner to advanced

Ready to dive a spectacular coral wall surrounded by groupers, lobsters, moray eels, and passing barracuda? Book your dive at Plate Peak with Diving Group Portofino today!