Nereo Cave ( it, Grotta di Nereo; ca, Cova de Nereu) is a huge underwater

sea-cave A sea cave, also known as a littoral cave, is a type of cave formed primarily by the wave action of the sea. The primary process involved is erosion. Sea caves are found throughout the world, actively forming along present coastlines and as reli ...

situated on the north-west of Sardinia in the ''Coral riviera'' of Alghero, Italy. The name was given by the discoverers in honour of the mythological figure Nereus, who is often billed as the Old Man of the Sea, father of the Nereids. The site is under the high limestone cliffs of Capo Caccia, 100 metres north of the famous

Neptune's Grotto Neptune's Grotto ( it, Grotta di Nettuno; ca, Cova de Neptú) is a stalactite cave near the town of Alghero on the island of Sardinia, Italy. The cave was discovered by local fishermen in the 18th century and has since developed into a popular ...

Overview

The cave is considered the biggest marine cave in the Mediterranean Sea. With around 10 entrances, arches and tunnels, it is possible to make dives from 0 to 35 m, through long and large tunnels, air chambers and different ways. The walls are covered with red coral and yellow leptosamnia. With the other cape of Punta Giglio and the Porto Conte Bay, the cave is part of a Marine reserve set up in 2003. Its flora and fauna are typically Mediterranean including groupers,

lobster Lobsters are a family (biology), family (Nephropidae, Synonym (taxonomy), synonym Homaridae) of marine crustaceans. They have long bodies with muscular tails and live in crevices or burrows on the sea floor. Three of their five pairs of legs ...

s, congers and moray eels, and thriving crustacean life.

Overview

See also

References

External links