Dofí Sud

The descent along the south face of Meda Petita reveals the red coral wall first — a stretch of predominantly red coral and coralline species that lines the rock before the cavern entrance. At 12 metres, the bronze dolphin statue marks the tunnel entry, and from here the passage crosses through the island to emerge at 5 metres on the opposite side in full natural light. Groupers drift alongside through the tunnels. For Advanced divers, the Cathedral awaits: a 70-metre passage that enters at 20 metres and exits at 27 metres, the deepest route through the complex. Torch beams pick up conger eels wedged into cavities and the large nudibranchs that inhabit these walls. Throughout the system, multiple chimneys punch light into the darkness, creating the atmosphere that makes this one of the most dived sites in the archipelago.

Where Dofi Nord is defined by its ceiling light shafts and the choice between short and long tunnels, Dofi Sud delivers three features unique to the southern approach: the dolphin statue that names the entire complex, the red coral wall visible before you even enter the first passage, and direct access to the Cathedral — the longest and deepest through-route in the system. The illuminated exit at 5 metres is the signature visual moment — emerging from the cavern into completely lit water on the opposite side of the island. Inside the tunnels, the marine life is adapted to low light: large nudibranchs including the spotted "Swiss cow" sea slugs, spiny lobsters in the cavities, and conger eels that watch from the permanent shadow.

Bring at least one dive torch and ideally two — one for navigation, one for illuminating the red coral and cave wall details. Buoyancy discipline is critical throughout the system: these caverns are classified as environmentally fragile because exhaled air accumulates as macro bubbles on the ceiling, damaging formations. Minimise time hovering under enclosed rock. If targeting the Cathedral, plan your air budget before entering — the passage is 70 metres with the exit 7 metres deeper than the entry, and there is no intermediate exit. The dolphin statue at 12 metres makes an excellent photo stop on the way in, but budget your time so the Cathedral does not become a rush at the end.