Pomonte, Tuscany, Italy

Pomonte's Pinnacles

Pomonte's Pinnacles is the local name for a cluster of granite pinnacles rising offshore from the village of Pomonte on the southwestern coast of Elba, within the Tuscan Archipelago National Park. The pinnacles peak around 18–22 metres and drop to roughly 45 metres on a rocky and sandy base, sitting next to the better-known Picchi di Pablo and offering similar deep-dive scenery. The walls below 25 metres support red gorgonian (Paramuricea clavata) forests in the typical red, pink and white morphs, with yellow Eunicella cavolini fans on shallower sections, encrusting orange Astroides calycularis on shaded faces, yellow Parazoanthus axinellae and a rich sponge community. Resident species include large dusky groupers, brown meagre, conger eels, octopus, moray eels and scorpionfish; barracuda and amberjack schools cruise the open water. Visibility regularly exceeds 25 metres in summer; currents around the pinnacles are moderate. Boat access from Pomonte or Marina di Campo. Reserved for advanced divers.