Sicily once again asserts itself as the heart of Mediterranean maritime culture, drawing the attention of global networks such as the BBC. Recently, the traditional art of hand-diving for octopus took center stage in the documentary series Anton & Giovanni’s Adventures in Sicily, featuring Anton Du Beke and Giovanni Pernice. Filmed in the heart of the Sicilian summer, Sicily Boating and BBC crew documented a boat trip with Captain Andrea on August 15th.
A small rental boat was used for the filming. Meanwhile, the main vessel accommodated the producers and crew. First, the group was guided to one of the premier octopus fishing areas in southeastern Sicily. Here, once the equipment was prepared, participants plunged into the warm, crystal-clear waters. Guests discovered that octopus fishing is practiced through freediving and snorkeling, carefully exploring rocky seabeds, crevices, and underwater hideouts, as the octopus favors this kind of sheltering.
Ancient tuna fisheries, coastal watchtowers, small caves, white sand beaches, and cliffs could all be admired above and below the waterline. However, the closest to the port was selected for filming convenience.
The departure port lies south of Syracuse and Noto, in the far southeastern corner of Sicily, regarded as one of the best spots for offshore fishing in Italy. Its unique geographic position—between the African and Euro-Asian continental shelves—creates currents and seabeds teeming with marine life. This is also why squid and giant squid fishing thrive here. Activities are available year-round, though diving is most popular from April to November. Depending on the season, wetsuits ranging from 3 to 8 mm, freediving fins, masks, snorkels, and small support boats for larger groups are used. On the other hand, spring and autumn are perfect for freediving, while the warmer waters of summer allow for longer, more comfortable sessions.
The experience was featured in Anton & Giovanni’s Adventures in Sicily, in which Anton Du Beke and Giovanni Pernice explored Sicily’s history, landscapes—from the Valle dei Templi to Syracuse and Catania—and maritime traditions. In Marzamemi, the duo enjoyed a unique day of fishing: no rods or artificial baits, but the direct pursuit of octopus in the water, following one of the Mediterranean’s oldest fishing traditions.
Discover more about Anton and Giovanni’s Sicilian adventure in the BBC blog!
