Rocca Ruja

Rocca Ruja is an advanced dive site near Alghero on Sardinia's northwest coast, where a massive red-tinted rock formation plunges into the sea to 38 meters. The site's name — Red Rock in Sardinian dialect — perfectly describes the warm ochre and crimson hues of the iron-rich limestone that distinguish it from surrounding sites. The rock creates a dramatic wall dive, with overhangs and small caves peppering the cliff face at various depths. Gorgonian fans in red, yellow, and white create dense forests on the deeper walls, while the shallower sections host anemones and colorful nudibranchs. Barracuda schools frequently patrol the blue water off the wall, and large groupers have established territories among the boulders at the base. The site's depth and occasional currents require advanced certification, but the unique geology and abundant life make it an Alghero highlight.