The sea-bed around Trieste offers a whole range of underwater experiences for both recreation and education. There are several possible routes, depending on the diver's degree of experience. Among the most popular destinations are the marine reserve of Miramare, with its biological attractions guaranteed by the exceptional level of protection and preservation of the area, and the Muggia coast, an excellent training ground because of its gentle slope which lends itself as much to training as to accommodating underwater orientation games using a compass.
There are various scuba associations: some amateur, created simply as a meeting place for enthusiasts, others members of the SSI (Scuba Schools International) and CONI (the Italian Olympics Committee) that provide certificates, licences recognised worldwide and organise lessons ranging from basic training to first aid for divers, from snorkelling courses to courses of professional underwater photography. You can make trips at sea throughout the year and the equipment can almost always be hired from the same place.

Point of interest
For 35 years, one of Trieste's historic divers' clubs has been organizing the Natale Sub at Christmas: every 26th December, divers from the region gather in the water to celebrate the festival together with a priest who reads a sermon inside a Diving Bell in the stretch of sea in front of Piazza Unità d'Italia. You can follow the entire service from dry land thanks to a system of underwater filming.