explore southern italy
We bring you the best the Neapolitan Peninsula has to offer!
This land/sea expedition is unique as snorkeling is also available to guests who are not scuba certified. Due to the clear visibility and shallow dive sites of the archaeological park, snorkelers still have a great view of the archaeological features and mosaic art beneath the waves.
In addition to aquatic adventures, we will tour archaeological sites including Pompeii and Herculaneum, climb Mount Vesuvius, visit a local winery, and excursion out to the island of Ischia.
Expedition Highlights
Lodgings
Hotel Villa Luisa is a convenient 7 minute drive to the Baia dive site. Breakfast and access to the hotel’s spa pools are included for all guests.
Schedule
Tentative schedule. Itinerary order may be rearranged as we get closer to trip dates :)
Guests arrive on day 0 in time for a welcome dinner at our favorite local establishment Ristorante Il Capriccio, and the adventure begins the following morning of day 1.
Day 01Land-based tour of archaeological park
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Volcanic winery + Thermal baths
Explore the land-based ruins of the Roman city of Baia to prepare for our dives in the sunken portion of the city.
Afternoon wine tasting at Cantine Astroni. Start the experience with a guided tour and tasting at Cantine Astroni, where you can savor three iconic wines.
After the tasting, the experience continues with relaxation at the Terme di Agnano, where you can immerse yourself in the outdoor thermal pools fed by natural springs of volcanic origin.
Before dinner, we will host an underwater photography workshop “Expert Tips for Underwater Photo and Video of Archaeological Sites”.
Dinner at Ristorante Il Capriccio.
Day 02Diving &/or Snorkeling the archaeological park
Each dive in the Baia Underwater Park is preceded by an “archaeological” presentation of about 20 minutes in which the history and underwater archaeological route are explained in detail.
It is not possible to know in advanced which part of the site we will dive on a given day since they are booked day by day depending on the availability offered by the Baia Underwater Park, the weather conditions, and the visibility conditions.
MORNING
09:30 check-in
09:45 equipment assembly and briefing
10:00 archaeological presentation
11:00 dive (40-45 minutes)
11:50 return to port (only for single dive)
12:00 dive (40-45 minutes)
13:00 return to the diving center and check-out
AFTERNOON
14:30 check-in
14:45 equipment assembly and briefing
15:00 archaeological presentation
16:00 dive (40-45 minutes)
16:50 return to port (only for single dive)
17:00 dive (40-45 minutes)
18:00 return to the diving center and check-out
7:30 dinner at Ristorante Il Capriccio
May 30th - June 7th, 2027.
Scuba diving/snorkeling and archaeology in the Neapolitan Peninsula.
Diving & Snorkeling
Our dive operator, Subaia, handles all of the permits required to dive the Baia Underwater Archaeological Park. Gear rental is also available so you can just show up ready to dive!
Subaia received the 2024 Tripadvisor Traveler’s Choice Award!
transport
Your transportation to/from the dive site, as well as our cultural experiences is all covered with our group bus. No stress, no need for car rentals or train tickets.
Course 03Diving &/or SNORKELING the archaeological park
Wash, rinse, and repeat from the day before! The dive center will select sites based on what the group has dove the day before. Same goes for snorkelers!
Day 04Diving &/or snorkeling
Iscia or Procida
Discover the beautiful seabeds of the Phlegrean coast and the islands of Procida and Ischia, located in the Marine Protected Area. These sites feature incredible marine flora and fauna, as well as sea caverns. Alternative arrangements will be made for those non-divers, potentially a visit to Ischia’s famous thermally heated beach.
Day 05Hiking Vesuvius & tour Herculaneum
Hiking to the summit of Mount Vesuvius is a must-do experience when visiting the Naples region of Italy. The hike (Path No. 5: Il Gran Cono) is a managable 1-mile round trip with about 450 feet of elevation gain to the active crator.
In the afternoon we will explore the archaeological site of Herculaneum, a Roman city also demolished by the same volcanic eruption that destroyed Pompeii.
09:15 AM ──> Catch Vesuvio Express shuttle bus up the mountain
10:00 AM ──> Hike the Gran Cono trail to the rim & explore
13:00 PM ──> Head back down to Ercolano for lunch
14:30 PM ──> Explore Herculaneum archaeological site
17:30 PM ──> Head back to Baia for dinner
Day 06tour of Pompeii
Tour the ancient city of Pompeii, the sprawling archaeological site features villas, temples, amphitheaters, thermal baths, and more.
Your Questions, Answered
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Guests are responsible for booking and paying for their own airfare to and from the destination.
Tip: We recommend holding off on purchasing non-refundable airfare until the trip reaches minimum occupancy and receives final confirmation from the trip leader.
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All international destinations require a passport valid for at least 6 months beyond your travel dates. Depending on your nationality and the destination country, a tourist visa or entry form may also be required. Please check official entry requirements before booking your flight.
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Yes, group airport transfers from Naples will be arranged for guests arriving within a specific window. For those arriving outside of those times, you will arrange your own travel from Naples to the hotel in Baia.
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Food and beverages at the destination are not included in the trip cost, allowing you the flexibility to explore local restaurants and dining options at your own pace.
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All divers must hold at least an Open Water Diver certification (or equivalent from an accredited agency like PADI, SSI, or NAUI). For those wishing to snorkel instead of dive, no diving certificate is requried.
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Yes, dive insurance is required for all diving guests. Standard travel or medical insurance typically does not cover SCUBA diving accidents or hyperbaric chamber treatments. Active dive accident coverage (such as DAN or equivalent) is required for all diving guests.
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You are welcome to bring your own dive gear. If you prefer to rent, tanks and weights are typically provided on-site, while full gear rental (BCD, regulator, wetsuit, computer) can be reserved in advance through the dive operator. Just let us know your preference!
Meet Your Trip leaders
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Founder
Annalise is an archaeologist who specializes in the Greco-Roman era Mediterranean and Western Asia.
She has excavated UNESCO World Heritage Sites in southern Italy including Villa Romana del Casale and Villa Tellora.
As a diver she has worked in film and TV, most notably for the Sea World Abu Dhabi Marine Park.
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Founder
Zach is an award-winning underwater cinematographer, who’s work has brought him across the Caribbean, Europe, and Asia.
His work can be seen in shows like Brave Wilderness, Jonathan Bird’s Blue World, Mark Vins TV, and also the Sea World Abu Dhabi Marine Park.
