Capri, Campania, Italy

Faraglioni di Capri

The Faraglioni di Capri are the three iconic limestone sea stacks rising from the water off Capri's southern coast, the most photographed natural landmark of the island and a hallmark of the Bay of Naples. Underwater, the stacks continue as vertical limestone walls that descend to a sandy base around 30 metres, with crevices, overhangs and small swim-throughs. The walls and terraces below 15 metres support yellow Eunicella cavolini fans, encrusting orange Astroides calycularis on shaded faces, yellow Parazoanthus axinellae and a rich sponge community. Resident species include dusky groupers, brown meagre, conger eels, octopus, moray eels and scorpionfish; salema and damselfish schools, sea breams and ornate wrasses are common; barracuda and amberjack pass occasionally. The Faraglioni sit within the Regno di Nettuno Marine Protected Area, which protects Ischia, Procida and Capri. Visibility is typically 12–22 metres; currents around the stacks are moderate.