Scuba diving in the marine Park in Pianosa - Buoy SP5

Scuba diving in a new area that only opened in 2017

Type of dive: reef
Minimum required certification: advanced
Depth: min 4 m - max 42 m

The dive at SP5 buoy has been open only since March 2017. It is a “new” dive even for those familiar with the park’s seabed and an excellent opportunity to visit another corner of this small paradise.

The SP5 buoy is located near Scoglio della Scola, past the 19th-century harbor of the island and almost directly in front of the Roman port.

The dive begins on the reef's top, positioned at a depth of -4 m. Heading east, you reach the edge of the cliff, which descends vertically to a depth of -30 m.

During the descent, around -11 to -12 m depth, it is possible to observe the entire vegetation and animal population typically associated with pre-coralligenous habitats.

In the deeper part, there is a large yellow gorgonian (Eunicella cavolinii).

Reaching the bottom of the wall at -42 m, under good visibility conditions, you can spot other pyramid-shaped rock formations several meters high in an east/southeast direction. The entire area exposed to the north/northeast is colonized by Red Gorgonians (Paramuricea clavata).

Once these rock formations have been explored and bottom time is exhausted, it is recommended to begin the ascent along the western side of the reef, characterized by a rocky plateau. Alternatively, with careful monitoring of air consumption, you can peek into, without entering, a splendid cave adorned with sponges, bryozoans, and further inside, the yellow coral (Leptopsammia pruvoti) with its intense yellow color. From the cave, located at -20 m, you can ascend to reach the mooring buoy.

Everywhere, the fish is abundant, especially large groupers and hundreds of barracudas, but also spiny spider crabs, brown meagres, white seabreams, scorpionfish, various crabs, and much more.