Olbia, Sardinia, Italy

Tavolara

Tavolara is a striking limestone island rising abruptly from the sea east of Olbia, the centrepiece of the Tavolara – Punta Coda Cavallo Marine Protected Area. The island and its surrounding islets, Molara and Molarotto, offer some of northern Sardinia's most varied diving, with steep walls dropping past 40 metres, underwater pinnacles, and granite boulder fields. Classic sites include Secca del Papa, Secca di Punta Arresto, and the Molarotto offshore pinnacles, all known for dense red gorgonian (Paramuricea clavata) forests between 28 and 40 metres, yellow gorgonian (Eunicella cavolini) shallower up, and orange and yellow encrusting sponges. Resident dusky groupers (Epinephelus marginatus) up to a metre in length are a hallmark of the MPA, along with brown meagre, dentex, amberjack, barracuda schools and the occasional sunfish in summer. Currents vary from weak to moderate depending on the site and exposure. Visibility frequently exceeds 25 metres between May and October. Most sites are intermediate to advanced, accessed only by boat from Porto San Paolo or Olbia.