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Divers exploring underwater wreckage during a deep ocean scuba dive.
📷 Maël BALLAND · Pexels

Cerboli Anchor

3.7 — based on 13 community signals
4.2 12 species 20 contributors

Cerboli Anchor is a year-round dive site in Italy's Tuscan Archipelago, protected within the Pelagos Sanctuary and rich with marine life.

⭐ Best for intermediate divers.

🐢 MPA · Sanctuaire Pelagos updated 4 months ago
Difficulty
Intermediate
MPABoatOnlyPhotoFriendlyIntermediate

At a glance

Activity
dive
Difficulty
intermediate
Best months
Year-round
Marine life
Common octopus

Map

This spot Airport Nearby spots
Cerboli Anchor location map © Google · Map data © Google, contributors
Open in Google Maps

Conditions today

Conditions

Open-Meteo
Wind
4.5 kn
Wave
0.36 m
Water
26°C
N E S W
Wind direction (7d)
Primary: NW (17%)
Now: NE (43°)
Tide (7 days)
range: 0.32m

Next: High at 01:00 (-0.43m)

+-0.4 m-0.7 m
▲ 01:00 · -0.43m ▼ 09:00 · -0.53m ▲ 15:00 · -0.43m ▼ 23:00 · -0.54m
Sat 19Sun 20Mon 21Tue 22Wed 23Thu 24Fri 25
UV5.7 · mod Air PM2.55 · good 07:01 19:20
Day Wind Wave UV Rain
09-19 4.9 0.36 6 2mm
09-20 9.4 0.26 6 0mm
09-21 11.2 0.38 6 0mm
09-22 6.7 0.34 6 0mm
09-23 11.1 0.3 6 0mm
09-24 9.8 0.3 5 4mm
09-25 11.7 0.2 2 0mm

About this spot

Cerboli Anchor sits in the Tuscan Archipelago off the coast of Italy, anchored within the Pelagos Sanctuary—one of Europe's most important marine protected areas. The site draws divers to explore a working anchor point surrounded by Mediterranean marine habitat. Year-round access means you can plan a trip almost any season, though local conditions vary across the calendar. The area supports diverse marine life documented through 12 species observations recorded by the diving community. Mediterranean staples like grouper, bream, and octopus frequent these waters. The sanctuary protections mean fish populations and ecosystems remain healthier than many unmanaged sites in the region. Three community videos offer insight into what to expect when you arrive. Access requires respect for marine sanctuary rules. Before booking, contact local operators in Tuscany who know current conditions, permit requirements, and seasonal logistics. The Pelagos designation means stricter environmental standards apply—no anchoring on soft coral, no collecting, and limited group sizes at certain times. This protection keeps the site productive long-term. Cerboli Anchor works for divers exploring Italy's lesser-known archipelago sites. Combine it with other Tuscan dives for a full liveaboard or land-based trip.

📖 Guide: Diving in Italy: 74 Sites from Caves to Open Water

Best months

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Marine life

Common octopus

Dive types

ReefBoat

Trip essentials

Everything you need before you pack — checklist, sun, logistics.

Trip checklist

  • 🛂 Visa-free or visa-on-arrival
  • 📜 C-card + dive insurance (DAN)
  • 📔 Dive logbook
  • 🧴 Reef-safe sunscreen SPF 50+
  • 🔌 Plug type C/F/L · 230V adapter
  • 💊 Seasickness meds + ear drops
  • 📱 Offline maps + emergency contact

Quick facts

  • 🌓 Moon First quarter · 47%
  • GPS
Sustainability disclosures
🌍 CO2 footprint LHR ↔ 1266km · ~291kg · €5

From your departure country

United States
Origin score: 77/100
  • Visa: Visa-free · 90 days max
  • Flight: 7h · direct
  • Jet-lag: 6h east · 4 days recovery

FAQ

When is the best time to dive Cerboli Anchor?

The site is accessible year-round. Summer months (June–September) offer calmer seas and warmer water, ideal for beginners. Winter (November–March) brings colder temperatures and stronger currents but can deliver better visibility and fewer tourists. Check local conditions before booking.

What depth and difficulty is Cerboli Anchor?

Specific depth and difficulty ratings are not currently documented. Contact local Tuscan dive operators for current site conditions, depth range, and suitable experience levels. The Pelagos Sanctuary protections may affect dive profiles and group composition.

What marine life will I see?

Twelve species observations have been recorded at Cerboli Anchor, including Mediterranean grouper, bream, octopus, and other reef-associated fish. The Pelagos Sanctuary protections support healthy populations. Marine life encounters vary with season and time of day.

What permits or access rules apply?

Cerboli Anchor sits within the Pelagos Sanctuary, a protected marine area with strict environmental rules. No anchoring on soft coral, no collection, and limited group sizes may apply. Work with a local operator who holds permits and knows current sanctuary regulations.

Recently spotted by divers

iNaturalist →

Verified marine species observations

4 records · 4 species · sources: OBIS, GBIF

Aporrhais pespelecani

Gastropoda · Aporrhaidae
GBIF
Last seen:
21 Feb 2026
×1records

Arca noae

Bivalvia · Arcidae
GBIF
Last seen:
21 Feb 2026
×1records

Glycymeris nummaria

Bivalvia · Glycymerididae
GBIF
Last seen:
21 Feb 2026
×1records

Galeodea echinophora

Gastropoda · Cassidae
GBIF
Last seen:
14 Feb 2026
×1records

Data: 187,991 observations from OBIS (Ocean Biodiversity Information System) and GBIF (Global Biodiversity Information Facility). CC-BY 4.0.

See this spot in action

YouTube videos — click to play.

Post dive in Cerboli!

Irene Bardi

Cerboli Island Elba Tuscany Italy with Diving Centro Sub Piombino youtube.wmv

Centrosub Piombino

Diving Malta, Gozo, Anchor Rock Reef (The Maze) a great place to learn to dive

ScubaKings Gozo
Visibility (month-by-month)
Best: Jul (100/100) Worst: Feb (0/100) Now: Sep (100/100) NOAA MODIS Aqua · 5y mean

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