This dive site, Lago Gardanella, offers a unique freshwater diving experience in Italy, featuring a range of cymatized platforms and courses designed for all diving levels, from beginner to instructor. Divers can explore fascinating underwater replicas including a WWII anti-aircraft gun, amphorae, an archaeological field, and a 1:1 scale replica of the famous "Riace Bronzes." A highlight is the wreck of the Taz, a 35-meter long Italian Navy attack ship, providing an engaging environment for wreck diver training and exploration. The site also incorporates a dedicated buoyancy course, making it ideal for skill development.
The lake is home to a variety of freshwater marine life, including carp, perch, emperor perch, pike perch, chub, bleak, and eels. Uniquely, terrestrial turtles and snapping turtles can also be observed in their underwater habitat, adding an interesting dimension to the aquatic ecosystem. While not teeming with coral, the diverse fish population and the presence of turtles offer appealing encounters for divers.
Lago Gardanella is suitable for diving year-round, though specific highlights or best times to visit for particular animal sightings are not specified. Divers and freedivers of all levels will find this site highly beneficial for skill development, especially in buoyancy control, wreck diving, and navigating structured environments. Its shallow average depth of 3 meters and maximum depth of 7 meters make it an excellent training ground and a safe environment for new divers, as well as a novel experience for more experienced divers looking for something different from traditional ocean dives.
