Elba, sometimes referred to by its longer name, Isola d'Elba, is the largest island of the Tuscan archipelago, and part of the Archipelago Toscano National Park. Located about 50 kilometers east of the French island of Corsica and 20 kilometers from Italy's coastal town of Piombino, it is home to about 30,000 permanent residents, along with thousands of visitors who primarily come to the island during the summer months. Offering beautiful blue Mediterranean waters and dive sites for all levels, it is a wonderful place to enjoy a relaxing dive holiday. Here are five of the best Elba dive sites to help you begin planning your vacation.
Pomonte Wreck - Isola d'Elba Dive Sites
Lost during a storm in 1972, the Pomonte Wreck lies on her starboard side, in shallow water that allows for natural light penetration and provides easy access for all divers. Featuring maximum depth at just 12 meters, the site is inhabited by conger eels and moray eels, along with groupers, anthias, and many other fish, invertebrate, and crustacean species. Colorful and ideal for photography, this wreck makes a great second dive.
Remaiolo Rock - Isola d'Elba Dive Sites
An outstanding multi-level dive site with colorful walls that begin in shallow water and drop away to a depth of 50 meters, Remaiolo Rock breaks the surface. Featuring cracks and crevices teeming with life, and home to a wide array of fish from large groupers to little anthias, the site can be easily circumnavigated, with most of the best features being at depths between 18 and 25 meters. All the way at the bottom, at a depth of 45 meters, a second rock covered in bright red gorgonians beckons more experienced divers. A wonderland for all certified divers, this site is located only about an hour from the marina.
Capo Fonza - Isola d'Elba Dive Sites
Also known as Fonza Bank, Capo Fonza features a sheer wall at its east side which descends all the way to a depth of 40 meters. The wall is covered in red coral and sea fans, and at the bottom, you'll find a forest of yellow sponges where huge lobsters and big forkbeards can be found. Offering a multi-level experience and suitable for all certified divers, Capo Fonza is normally washed by light currents that help keep the coral and sponges looking bright and healthy.
Careno - Isola d'Elba Dive Sites
Sometimes referred to as Careno Bank, Careno is located between South Andrea and Zanca. Lying with its top at a depth of 18 meters, this site is amazing, with enormous boulders covered in bright yellow sponges and lots of intriguing marine worms that open up to feed. The fish population is healthy; look for bass and ombres, barracuda, dentex, and others, including shoals of colorful anthias. A vast site that meets the seabed at a depth of 48 meters, Careno is often targeted by fishing boats and nets do pose an entanglement hazard. Be sure to carry a sharp knife and keep an eye out for potential hazards as you explore.
Scoglietto of Portoferraio - Isola d'Elba Dive Sites
Located just a few minutes from Portoferraio, Scoglietto of Portoferraio has been a protected marine reserve since 1971. Offering incredible biodiversity along with depths ranging from 5 to 55 meters, this is an excellent site for photography as the fish are large and not at all afraid of divers. Watch for groupers, moray eels, bonito, congers, and big crabs and lobsters, along with every other conceivable form of Mediterranean marine life.
Easy to access by ferry or by air, Elba offers wildlife and amazing topography topside, along with interesting historical sites that will keep you occupied between dives. With friendly citizens and excellent accommodations, this is a wonderful place for all divers to spend a week or two relaxing.