Pianosa Island

Almost untouched for a quarter of a century 

Dive Map

Entry

All dive sites on the island are only accessible by boat.

Best Time to Dive

May-October, in July: Eagle Rays

Recommended Equipment

Sport diving equipment, dive light

Special Features

Almost untouched for a quarter of a century –  the ecosystem around Pianosa Island fascinates with its richness of color and life.

In 2013, diving was made accessible in the Isola di Pianosa National Park, albeit in a very controlled manner: the dive sites may only be visited by dive centers that have been authorized by the Tuscan Archipelago.

The island offers 5 dive sites, all located in the northeast or southeast of the island, ranging from 5 to 55 meters.

One of the dive sites was even dived by tourists for the first time in 2017 – there you will find 3 remarkable caves, two at 21m and one ranging from 12 to 30m deep.

 
The flourishing flora and fauna in full splendor is impressive at all dive sites – you dive over bright red gorgonians (Paramuricea Clavata) and glide over wide seagrass fields (Posidonia).
However, it is the diversity of marine life that takes your breath away.

While diving, you are accompanied by amberjacks, barracuda, and snapper schools, and you encounter European parrotfish, grouper (Epinephelidae), golden grouper (Epinephelus costae), and spotted catsharks (Scyliorhinus canicula).

Especially in July, you can observe common eagle rays (Myliobatis aquila), even in groups of 5 to 15 individuals.

Nowhere else in the Mediterranean is this species so numerous. Those who look closely may even catch a glimpse of one or another sea slug (Nudibranchia).  

Text: Carolina Leiter, Felician Hosp, Pia Balaka

Pic: Felician Hosp