Elba & the Tuscan Archipelago · Italy · Wall
Pianosa Boa SP3
A protected carbonate wall from 40 m to 4 m, dived only on guided park visits
Area photo: CTHOE · CC BY-SA 3.0
Buoy SP3 is one of the fixed dive moorings in the marine protected area of Pianosa, an island where diving, anchoring and fishing are barred without specific park authorisation. The dive runs up an extensive sub-vertical carbonate wall of steps and small terraces from its base at 40 m to a top near 4 m, past dense stands of the zoanthid Parazoanthus axinellae in the crevices. Scubago reports huge, confiding groupers and shoals of barracuda, snapper, amberjack and large tuna.
Also known as Pianosa Boa 3, SP3.
Where it is and how deep
42.6203° N, 10.0920° EPublished position for this site.
Site maps published elsewhere
The dive
The dive can be planned from the base of the wall at 40 m. Descend from the SP3 buoy to the foot of the formation, an extensive sub-vertical carbonate wall of alternating steps and small terraces, then follow it north-west or south-west as it rises. The park's own route sheet describes the dive this way and notes bottom currents running north to south, so check the water at the base before committing to a direction.
On the way up you cross a succession of different communities, which the park describes as a route of real scientific and educational value: shade-loving growth low on the wall, and in the crevices of the rock, rising to 18 m, conspicuous stands of the zoanthid Parazoanthus axinellae. The wall tops out at about 4 m, which gives a long, gradual ascent with something to look at the whole way.
The fish are the other reason to come. Scubago reports huge groupers that are very confiding, and shoals of barracuda, snapper, amberjack and tuna, some of them large. Finish on the top of the wall near 4 m and return to the buoy line; nothing may be taken or anchored here without park authorisation, and the group stays with its guide throughout.
Background
Pianosa is a marine protected area where fishing, diving, anchoring, stopping, access and navigation are barred without specific authorisation. The park opened its seabed to experienced divers in small groups accompanied by environmental dive guides, and today the buoy field is dived by authorised centres under the Disciplinare Boe Pianosa 2026, approved by Provvedimento del Direttore n. 181 of 24 February 2026. Snorkelling in the buoy field is allowed only on buoys SP2, SP3 and SP5.
Marine life and season
- Groupers
- Barracuda
- Trevally & jacks
- Tuna
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fair | Fair | Fair | Fair | Good | Prime | Prime | Prime | Prime | Good | Fair | Fair |
Season follows Elba & the Tuscan Archipelago: The season runs May–September with a warm October; the sea bottoms out near 14 °C in February–March, spring and autumn winds push boats to sheltered sites, and Pianosa's buoys open April–November.
Know before you go
- Bottom currents run north to south along the base of the wall at 40 m; the guide sets the direction, so stay with the group.
- Difficulty scales with the depth you plan: the base is at 40 m, so set a target depth suited to the group's training.
Questions divers ask
Can you dive Pianosa independently?+
No. Diving, anchoring and access are barred without specific park authorisation; SP3 is dived by boat on a fixed buoy through an authorised dive centre with environmental dive guides.
How deep is Pianosa Boa SP3?+
The base of the wall is at 40 m and its top is at about 4 m, so the dive can be planned as a rise from the base to the summit with the depth set to the group's training.
Sources
- Punto SP3: percorso Immersione — Parco Nazionale Arcipelago Toscano
- Immersioni Pianosa — Parco Nazionale Arcipelago Toscano
- Pianosa Boa 3 — Scubago
- Isola di Pianosa (Toscana) — Wikipedia (it)
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