Orca Diving Center

Set on the main road between Torre Lapillo and Porto Cesareo in Salento, Italy, Orca Diving Center sits inside the "Porto Cesareo" Marine Protected Area and counts itself among the most important diving centers in Europe. With a PADI Course Director constantly on hand and a PADI 5 Star IDC rating, it's an easily accessible base run by an instructor whose experience spans Italy, Malaysia, Egypt, the Maldives and Thailand.

Courses for every level

Training here runs the full ladder, from Open Water Diver all the way to Instructor, with 24 courses and activities on offer. You'll find PADI Advanced Open Water Diver, Enriched Air Diver, Wreck Diver and Cavern Diver, plus Divemaster, Emergency First Response and CPR (BLSD) and first aid options. Specialty, TecRec and Freediver pathways round out the program.

Backed by 10 PADI instructors and local guides who have dived these waters for over 25 years, Orca suits everyone from first-timers to aspiring pros. With six languages spoken, the dive site Il Camino on the doorstep, Nitrox fills, equipment rental and conservation excursions, it's well geared for divers who want depth of choice.