Capraia Isola, Tuscany, Italy

Capraia

Capraia is a small volcanic island midway between Corsica and the Tuscan coast, the only volcanic island of the Tuscan Archipelago National Park. Its rugged coast offers steep underwater walls, basalt pinnacles and offshore secche descending to 40–45 metres. Classic dive sites include La Manza, Cala Rossa and Punta del Trattoio. The walls below 25 metres are decorated with red gorgonian (Paramuricea clavata) fans, yellow Eunicella cavolini, encrusting red and yellow sponges, orange Astroides calycularis on shaded faces and yellow Parazoanthus axinellae. Capraia's exposed location attracts pelagic action: barracuda and amberjack schools, dentex and the occasional tuna or sunfish are reported. Resident species include large dusky groupers, brown meagre, conger eels, octopus, moray eels and scorpionfish. Visibility regularly exceeds 25 metres in summer; currents are moderate and stronger on offshore secche. The whole island is protected and dives are run by a small number of operators based in Capraia Isola.