The Tuscan Archipelago is a large marine reserve formed by seven splendid islands: Elba, Giglio, Giannutri, Montecristo, Gorgona, Pianosa and Capraia. In order to access some of these islands a special permission is necessary, while Montecristo and Pianosa are
interdicted to divers, although not to snorkelers.
Here we will focus on two of these seven islands: Elba and Giannutri. Although each island (and much of the Tuscan coast) offers splendid waters and sea bottoms to snorkel, these are an excellent starting point that offer plenty of choice for a full snorkeling holiday in Tuscany.
Elba Island
This is by far the largest island of the Tuscan archipelago, offering 147 kilometers of coastal line. The crystal clear waters and the many rocky bottoms make it a popular snorkeling and diving destination. The Scoglietto di Portoferraio is located immediately outside the
Portoferraio bay (max depth 25 meters – 82 feet). Especially during the spring months you will meet many amberjacks and large stretches covered with sea fans. If you are interested in octopuses, morays and lobsters, snorkel around Capo d’Enfola and Scoglio della Nave (max depth 42 meters – 137 feet). 50 yards from the coast you will find the Punta del Nasuto, a large isolated rock that hosts lobsters, corals, conger eels and breams (depth 12 to 47 meters – 39 to 154 feet).
The Secca del Careno is located between Capo Sant’Andrea and Formiche di Zanca. To reach the shoal you will need a private boat. These open sea rocks are met at about 14 meters (45 feet) from the surface and offer a large variety of fish and colored sea sponges. While you are
at it try to make it at the Formiche della Zanca, a group of isolated rocks further out at sea which offer a splendid fish variety and large lobsters at shallower depths.
A more accessible location is the Relitto di Pomonte (max depth 12 meters – 39 feet). From the beach of Pomonte reach the Scoglio dell’Ogliera, where lays the relict of the Elviscot cargo, wrecked in 1972 during a sea storm. The large number of fish and sun beams over
the relict offer a splendid environment to explore.
At Scoglio della Corbella large rocks and grottoes form a suggestive underwater landscape populated with sarpa salpa, scorpion fish, octopus, anemones and crab varieties. The depth varies from 8 to 42 meters (26 to 137 feet).
Picchi di Pablo is located near Punta Bianca. You will need a private boat to reach the spot. The depth varies from 2 to 35 meters (6 to 114 feet). Here you will find many orange parazoanthus, yellow sea fans, and coral, which are located deeper.
Giannutri
This c-shaped island is very small and almost completely inhabited. It is reached with a daily ferry from Porto Santo Stefano. In case you want to prolong your stay to explore the sea bottom at ease, be aware that no camping is allowed and there are no hotels. However, there are some Tuscany apartments available for rent. There is one small grocery shop and one pizza place. On the other hand the natural environment and sea bottom are spectacular.
Located 100 yards from the coast is the relict of Anna Bianca, wrecked here due to an explosion in 1971. The ship broke in half and the two pieces can still be seen today at 40 meters (131 feet) of depth.
Audacious snorkelers can reach the engine room of the boat with a flash light and admire the spectacular variety of fish that inhabits the ship.
Punta San Francesco reaches a depth that varies from 15 to 40 meters (49 to 131 feet). Swimming away from the coast you will get at a series of rocks covered with algae and hydroyds, and populated by nudibranchs of various colors. The many holes and grottoes accommodate moray, octopus, and grouper.
Some safety advice: When swimming away from the coast always remember to observe the signaling rules. In Italy the marker buoy should never be any further than 50 meters (160 feet) from you. Never tie the marker buoy with a rope to your body, as you risk being carried away by incautious boats. Boats should never be at less than 100 meters (380 feet) from the marker buoy.
Respect these rules and have great fun snorkeling in the beautiful see of Tuscany!
Matt Kachinksky lives in Italy and reviews Tuscany Apartment rentals while experiencing life in the land in first person. His dream is to buy some Tuscany apartments on the coast torrent and enjoy peaceful winters and snorkeling summers.
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