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Two scuba divers exploring underwater scenery with marine life and coral.
📷 Debal Das · Pexels

Secca di Fonza

3.9 — based on 18 community signals
4.4 12 species 45 contributors

Secca di Fonza is a protected dive site in Italy's Sanctuaire Pelagos marine reserve, offering year-round diving access.

⭐ Best for intermediate divers chasing chasing pelagics.

🐢 MPA · Sanctuaire Pelagos updated 4 months ago
MPAPelagic hotspotPhotoFriendly

At a glance

Activity
dive
Best months
Year-round
Marine life
Common octopus, Bottlenose dolphin

Top operators here

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Map

This spot Operators Airport Nearby spots
Secca di Fonza location map © Google · Map data © Google, contributors
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Conditions today

Conditions

Open-Meteo
Wind
5.1 kn
Wave
0.36 m
Water
26.8°C
N E S W
Wind direction (7d)
Primary: N (29%)
Now: N (356°)
Tide (7 days)
range: 0.32m

Today: High 15:00 (-0.42m), Low 08:00 (-0.52m)

+-0.4 m-0.7 m
▼ 08:00 · -0.52m ▲ 15:00 · -0.42m ▼ 22:00 · -0.53m ▲ 03:00 · -0.5m Now -0.4m
Sat 19Sun 20Mon 21Tue 22Wed 23Thu 24Fri 25
UV5.7 · mod Air PM2.53 · good 07:02 19:21
Day Wind Wave UV Rain
09-19 6.2 0.36 6 3mm
09-20 5.3 0.16 6 0mm
09-21 7 0.18 6 0mm
09-22 8.4 0.6 6 0mm
09-23 7 0.62 6 0mm
09-24 11.7 0.44 5 0mm
09-25 13.9 0.22 4 0mm

About this spot

Secca di Fonza sits within the Sanctuaire Pelagos, one of the Mediterranean's most important marine protection areas. The site benefits from strict conservation measures that support healthy marine ecosystems. While specific depth and difficulty data aren't available, the protected status indicates stable conditions and strong regulations for visiting divers. The area supports diverse marine life typical of Mediterranean rocky habitats. Species observations from the diving community document 12 distinct animals and organisms at the site. Local dive operators familiar with Secca di Fonza can provide current conditions and species sightings. The site is accessible year-round, giving divers flexibility in planning trips. Divers planning a visit should contact local dive operators before booking to confirm current conditions, seasonal variations, and any permit requirements. The Sanctuaire Pelagos designation means the site operates under marine conservation protocols. Community videos from three different dives show what to expect underwater and help prepare for your visit.

📖 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 octopusBottlenose dolphin

Dive types

Reef

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 · 49%
  • GPS
Sustainability disclosures
🌍 CO2 footprint LHR ↔ 1264km · ~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 Secca di Fonza?

Secca di Fonza is accessible year-round. Contact local dive operators for seasonal conditions and visibility forecasts before booking your trip.

What's the depth and difficulty level?

Specific depth and difficulty ratings aren't publicly documented. A local dive operator can assess conditions on your planned dive date and recommend appropriate experience levels.

What marine life can I see?

The site supports Mediterranean rocky-habitat species. Community observations document 12 species and organisms. Check recent dive videos and local operator reports for current sightings.

Do I need permits or certifications to dive here?

Secca di Fonza is protected within the Sanctuarie Pelagos marine reserve. Contact local dive operators or Italian marine authorities about current access requirements and any necessary permits.

Operators near this spot

Dive centres, kite & surf schools within 10 km, sourced from OpenStreetMap.

MarelinoSub

6.9 km
Dive centre
Speaks 🇬🇧 🇮🇹
Hours: Mo-Su 08:00-12:30 , 14:00-18:00

Aquanautic Elba

7.4 km
Dive centre

Diving spiro sub

3.9 km
Dive centre
Hours: Mo-Su 08:30-19:00

Mandel Diving Center

7.3 km
Dive centre

Il Corsaro

7.6 km
Dive centre

Recently spotted by divers

iNaturalist →

Verified marine species observations

4 records · 4 species · sources: OBIS, GBIF

Coscinasterias tenuispina

Asteroidea · Asteriidae
GBIF
Last seen:
29 Mar 2026
×1records

Haliotis tuberculata

Gastropoda · Haliotidae
GBIF
Last seen:
29 Mar 2026
×1records

Planes minutus

Malacostraca · Grapsidae
GBIF
Last seen:
22 Mar 2026
×1records

Pachygrapsus marmoratus

Malacostraca · Grapsidae
GBIF
Last seen:
14 Mar 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.

Tauchen/Diving am/at Capo Stella Corbella /Secca di Fonza, Insel Elba Italien @penkmichael2172 -

SpiroSubDivingElba

SUBNOW Secca di Fonza, un immersione piena di emozioni - A surprising Dive

Didier Goor

Elba Diving - Capo di Fonza - La secca di Fonza

Viliam Straka
💬 1 top comments
  • Ciao, bellissimo! In che periodo dell'anno era?

    @lorenzomarsili8183 · 👍 0

Local knowledge

OpenStreetMap Notes
  • "I don't know how to (or if it is even possible) make the elevators connected properly with the other paths. the internal structure has 3 levels: the firts is a supermarket, the second has some shops and the third is actually La Centrale Gourmet, the restaurant. is it possible to show different layers based on the user's choice? I'd like to map the entire hospital too"

    Yan gritti · 2025-12-05
  • "https://www.openstreetmap.org/node/11007152035/history is it really amenity=bank and shop=kiosk at the same time?"

    Mateusz Konieczny · 2025-05-08
Visibility (month-by-month)
Best: Jul (100/100) Worst: Jan (0/100) Now: Sep (96/100) NOAA MODIS Aqua · 5y mean

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Isola Corbella Italy Diving
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Sottolonda

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MarelinoSub Italy Diving
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MarelinoSub

MarelinoSub is a year-round Italian dive destination with 12 documented species observations and community video content.

Jan·Feb·Mar+

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