Siphone

Siphone is an intermediate dive site near Taormina in eastern Sicily, named for the siphon-like tunnel formation that is its main attraction. At around 15 meters, a natural passage cuts through the volcanic rock, creating a swim-through where gentle currents draw water — and divers — through the narrow channel. The tunnel walls are alive with encrusting organisms including false coral, sponges, and colonies of bryozoans. Beyond the siphon, the reef drops to 30 meters over a landscape of volcanic boulders and lava formations colonized by gorgonian fans. Nudibranchs are particularly abundant here, with over a dozen species recorded. The site's volcanic geology, shaped by nearby Etna, gives it a unique character distinct from the limestone caves found elsewhere in the Mediterranean.