Sicile's sea

This waterway between Sicily and Tunisia connects the Tyrrhenian Sea to other Mediterranean regions and spans roughly 145 kilometers. The seabed is uneven with volcanic structures beneath the surface, reaching considerable depths in places.

This waterway served as a major trade route in ancient times between Europe and North Africa, with the island of Pantelleria playing a strategic role. Its importance as a connection between Mediterranean civilizations has lasted through the centuries.

Fishing communities on both coasts have developed methods suited to the local catch, passing down knowledge across generations about how to work these waters. The sea shapes daily life in coastal villages, where working the water remains central to how people live and eat.

Visitors can reach the region via ferries that regularly operate between Sicily and Tunisia. The best time to travel is during warmer months when sea conditions are more favorable.

Underwater volcanoes lie beneath the surface here, and they created the island of Graham in 1831, which later sank back underwater. This episode shows how active and changing this volcanic region truly is.

Part of: Mediterranean Sea

GPS coordinates: 36.29740,12.56840

Latest update: December 7, 2025 20:42