Diving the Majestic Walls of Ripalti: A Hidden Gem in Elba

As I descended along the dramatic walls of Punta dei Ripalti, the morning sun pierced through the crystal-clear Mediterranean waters, creating an ethereal light show that would set the stage for one of my memorable dives of 2024.

The conditions were perfect that day - a sunny sky above and an inviting 16°C water below (though I was grateful for my 7mm wetsuit!). With visibility extending beyond 30 meters, I knew this dive at Elba's southern tip would be special.

The first challenge came early. Ripalti is famous for its currents, and they didn't disappoint. My buddy Marco and I had to employ every bit of our experience to navigate the strong water movement.

At around 15 meters, we encountered the site's signature feature - massive boulders adorned with vibrant red gorgonian fans swaying rhythmically in the current. These natural sculptures create a perfect habitat for the local marine life, and we weren't alone in our appreciation. A curious dusky grouper, easily 70cm long, emerged from its rocky shelter to investigate us. These encounters are why I always ensure my dive logs include photos (thank goodness for unlimited photo uploads in my digital logbook!).

As we continued our descent to 42 meters, the wall revealed its full majesty. Schools of barracuda circled overhead, their silver scales catching the sunlight. A small group of dentex cruised by, seemingly unbothered by our presence. The diversity of marine life here is simply staggering.

We managed an impressive 48-minute bottom time, carefully monitoring our air consumption. Starting with a full tank, I used 160 bar during the dive - not bad considering the depth and current! It's fascinating to track these stats over time and see how my air consumption improves with experience.

The ascent was as memorable as the dive itself. At our safety stop, a curious Mediterranean moray eel poked its head out of its crevice, providing one final photo opportunity before we surfaced into the warm 29°C air.

A very nice video of Punta dei Ripalti the by Alessandro Pieri

Looking back at this dive in my logbook, complete with GPS coordinates and all the technical details, I'm struck by how each data point triggers vivid memories of the experience. From the temperature changes to the air consumption rate, every piece of information tells part of the story.

If you're planning to dive Ripalti, here are my key takeaways:

• Check the current forecasts and time your dive accordingly

• Bring a surface marker buoy

• Don't forget your camera - the photo opportunities are endless

• Consider diving with an experienced local guide for your first visit

• Log your dive immediately while the details are fresh (I use Octologs for this - makes it super easy to record everything, even offline)

This dive reminded me why I fell in love with the sport in the first place. There's something magical about exploring these underwater landscapes, and having a detailed record of each adventure makes it even more special.

Have you dived Ripalti? I'd love to hear about your experience! Drop a comment below or connect with me through my dive log - sharing these stories is what makes our diving community so special.

Safe diving!

This dive was logged using Octologs. Try the Pro version free for 14 days and never miss a detail of your underwater adventures.