Taking a break from filming near Trieste , Andy Torbet finds a conveniently located marine park for a cheeky snorkel
TORBET ON THE TUBE
Miramare Castle
Bathing in the buffer zone
Taking a break from filming near Trieste , Andy Torbet finds a conveniently located marine park for a cheeky snorkel
Andy in search of critters
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Due to filming obligations , this month ’ s snorkelling column does not come from the normally glamorous , azure waters of Britain . Instead , I found myself obliged to experience the snorkelling in a protected marine area in the Adriatic Sea , off the coast of Northern Italy . Such are the sacrifices I make !
I ’ ve been out filming along the coastline of the Adriatic near the Italian-Croatian border . The six days per week schedule , with very long days , did not allow me as much time to swim in the sea as I had hoped . However , the two days off I had over my month out there were well spent .
A 20-minute taxi ride from my base allowed me to reach the Miramare Marine Protected Area . The park , the first of its kind in Italy dating back to 1973 and named after Miramare Castle that guards the headland , is split into two sectors . The first , covering approximately 75 acres , is tightly controlled . No activity of any kind , including fishing , boats , diving or even swimming , is allowed . Entry to this area is only permissible by small groups led by one of the local marine biologists during pre-booked , set times .
The buffer zone , a further 225 acres , surrounds this . Here one can swim , snorkel and dive ; but activities such as fishing or anchoring are still prohibited . Due to the unpredictable nature of my schedule , I was unable to book into a conservationist-led session . Instead , I opted for the Buffer Zone , as it seemed likely to offer the best snorkelling in the area available to me .
The entry and exit points are located down some steps cut into the bedrock by a little Italian beach café . Think Cornwall , but less Doom Bar and more Aperolspritz . From here , the 26 ° C waters gained depth to a maximum of around 10 metres when I was around 100 metres from shore . Further out than that , and you ’ re in danger from boat traffic , some considerable in