 | This articleneeds additional citations forverification. Please helpimprove this article byadding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. Find sources: "Nereo Cave" – news ·newspapers ·books ·scholar ·JSTOR(February 2013) (Learn how and when to remove this message) |
| Grotta di Nereo Nereo Cave | |
|---|---|
 The "Belvedere" watching terrace, south upside entrance | |
  Location of the caves in Italy | |
| Location | Capo Caccia,Alghero (SS,Sardinia, Italy) |
| Coordinates | 40°33′42.65″N8°09′40″E / 40.5618472°N 8.16111°E /40.5618472; 8.16111 |
| Depth | 33 m |
| Length | 4,000 m |
| Elevation | 0 m |
| Geology | Sea cave |
| Entrances | 1 |
| Access | Public |
| Website | Grotta di Nereo |
Nereo Cave (Italian:Grotta di Nereo;Catalan:Cova de Nereu) is a huge underwatersea-cave situated on the north-west ofSardinia in theCoral riviera ofAlghero, Italy. The name was given by the discoverers in honour of the mythological figureNereus, who is often billed as theOld Man of the Sea, father of theNereids.[1] The site is under the highlimestone cliffs of Capo Caccia, 100 metres north of the famousNeptune's Grotto.
The cave is considered the biggest marine cave in theMediterranean 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 withred coral and yellowleptosamnia.[2]
With the other cape of Punta Giglio and the Porto Conte Bay, the cave is part of aMarine reserve set up in 2003. Its flora and fauna are typicallyMediterranean includinggroupers,lobsters,congers andmoray eels, and thriving crustacean life.
