Pantelleria, Sicily, Italy

Faraglione di Tracino

Faraglione di Tracino is a vertical volcanic stack rising from the sea off Cala Tramontana on Pantelleria's northeast coast. The stack drops sharply underwater on all sides to a rocky base around 40–42 metres, creating a circumnavigable basalt pinnacle that is the perfect introduction to Pantelleria's volcanic underwater landscape. The walls are decorated with yellow Eunicella cavolini fans on the shallower terraces, red gorgonian (Paramuricea clavata) below 25 metres, encrusting orange Astroides calycularis on shaded faces, yellow Parazoanthus axinellae and red and yellow sponges. The exposed location attracts amberjack and barracuda schools, dentex and the occasional tuna; resident fish include dusky groupers, brown meagre, conger eels, moray eels, octopus and scorpionfish. Pantelleria's clear deep waters frequently deliver 25–35 metres of visibility in summer. Currents around the stack can be moderate. The site sits within the Pantelleria National Park and is suitable for intermediate divers.