Secca del Papa is divided into two sections by a sandy channel, known as Papa 1 and Papa 2. The summit of Papa 1 lies at around 15 m, while Papa 2 begins at approximately 24 m. Each section has its own mooring buoy. The outstanding characteristics of this dive are the exceptional abundance of fish and its rich coralligenous environment.

Large groupers are extremely numerous, while schools of brown meagre gather in the depressions between the rocky formations. White seabream and sharpsnout seabream search for food as large dentex often allow divers to approach surprisingly closely. Greater amberjack, Atlantic bonito, mahi-mahi, mobula rays and ocean sunfish may occasionally appear. Another remarkable feature is the widespread presence of Paramuricea clavata, including colonies ranging in colour from red to yellow. Because of the depth, the dive is reserved for advanced divers.