il ciglio di sx per 210
Calafuria - Livorno
Another of the "classic" Calafuria dives, known as the "210 dive". Its name comes from the degrees on the compass that indicate the direction to be taken (210°) to find the outer edge of the slope to the left of the gulf. This dive is particularly beautiful if done at night. The flora and fauna are typical of the area and in the deepest part some beautiful "branches" of red gorgonian ( paramuricea clavata) can be seen. Keep a close watch on instrument readings (air/time) as the depth of this dive means that you can quickly reach decompression limits.
route:
Leave the shore as for dive n° 2 and, swimming diagonally, cross the bay of Calafuria. Just outside the bay you can begin your descent to the sea floor at about 7 metres. A large rock with a ring in it indicates where to set the route for 210°. Using fins, the descent begins gently, crossing an area characterised by rocks, pebbles and a field of Mediterranean tapeweed. After swimming for about 100 metres between a depth of 14 and 19 metres, you come to the beginning of the deep slope which descends abruptly to 37 metres. Proceed with the wall on the left, following a kind of U around the wall to return in the same direction, still with the wall on your left. A large step serves as a landmark at 25 metres, but if you have enough time and air left, you can continue the U-shaped route at a depth of about 30 metres.
As you proceed you will begin to rise to the flat, noticeably to the right of the bay (with your back to the sea). When the depth decreases to a maximum of 12 metres (see note), if you do not recognise the route followed on the way out, head for 30°. At 7.5 metres you will find the rock with the ring. Here you can choose either to return to the surface, or to continue swimming under water across the bay again back to the shore (recommended).
interest: naturalistic / biological
type of sea floor: gravel, rocky wall, mud
current: light / medium
level of difficulty: medium
depth: min 14° - max 37°
summer temperature: 22°
winter temperature: 13°
access: from the shore, by boat
recommended equipment: standard equipment, compass and torch
note:
If you set the 30° route at a depth shallower than 12 metres you will miss the entrance to the gulf and surface in front of the cliff, thus involving more time and energy to get back.
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