Elba & the Tuscan Archipelago · Italy · Wall
Scoglietto - Cristo
A plaque of Christ at 39 m on a red-gorgonian wall in a 1971 no-fishing zone
Photo: Salvatore Gerace · Public domain
The Scoglietto is an islet off Portoferraio whose waters have been a no-fishing biological protection zone since 1971. On its north side, at 39 m, a pedestal with a plaque of Christ has been set against a wall covered in red gorgonians. Octopus, lobster and nudibranchs live in the wall, the fish are abundant, and the gorgonians at the tip of the islet carry numerous catshark eggs.
Also known as Scoglietto di Portoferraio (Cristo).
Where it is and how deep
42.8205° N, 10.3320° EPublished position for this site.
The dive
The dive descends the north side of the Scoglietto di Portoferraio to a pedestal with a plaque depicting Christ. It sits at 39 m against a wall covered with red gorgonians, so this is the deepest point and the first stop: go straight down to it, take your time there, and start back up with plenty of gas and no-decompression time in reserve.
The wall is where the life is. Octopus, lobster and nudibranchs live in it, and the fish are abundant, which Scubago puts down to the site being inside the protected area. On the red gorgonians at the tip of the islet there are numerous catshark egg cases, and the local habit is to look for the mother, who may be hiding somewhere nearby.
Ascend the wall gradually rather than in open water, working the shallower gorgonians and crevices as your depth comes up, and finish the safety stop on the rock of the islet before returning to the boat. The dive is short at the bottom and long on the way up, which is how it should be planned.
Marine life and season
- Octopus & cuttlefish
- Nudibranchs
| 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
- The plaque is at 39 m: this is a deep dive with short no-decompression time, so plan the bottom time and ascend on schedule.
Questions divers ask
How deep is the Christ at the Scoglietto di Portoferraio?+
The pedestal with the plaque of Christ is at 39 m on the north side of the islet, against a wall of red gorgonians, so it needs deep training.
Sources
- Scoglietto - Cristo — Scubago
- Scoglietto di Portoferraio — Wikipedia (it)
Photo credits
- The Scoglietto islet off Portoferraio with its small lighthouse, seen from the sea. by Salvatore Gerace, Public domain, via Openverse
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