Underwater, the Argentario is another world, and Giannutri even more so. The water here is among the clearest in the Tyrrhenian and the seabed changes within a few metres: posidonia meadow, rock walls, shoals full of fish. For snorkelling you don't need to go far, you need to know where to stop.
Giannutri, the island of the seabed
Giannutri is part of the Tuscan Archipelago National Park and a marine protected area. That means two things: underwater life is abundant, and there are strict rules to respect. No fishing, no collecting anything, you use the mooring buoys and don't anchor on the posidonia meadow. We follow this to the letter, which is also why the seabed here is so rich.
What you see with mask and snorkel, staying at the surface:
- schools of salema and sea bream among the rocks;
- posidonia, the meadow that oxygenates the water and shelters the young;
- with a bit of luck, octopus in their dens and moray eels in the cracks;
- rock dropping away steeply, where the turquoise turns deep blue.
The best snorkelling areas are around Cala Maestra and Cala Spalmatoio, where the water is shallow and clear and you read the seabed from the surface.
Snorkelling along the Argentario coast
You don't need to reach Giannutri to put your head underwater. On the promontory the best spots are the rocks at Cala del Gesso, the Isola Rossa side and the inlets around the Punta Avoltore caves, where the rock forms nooks full of life. These are the stops we make on the half day along the coast, when the sea is calm and visibility good.
On board with us: masks and snorkels are on board, for adults and children. We stop in sheltered spots where the water is still and you see more, and at Giannutri we stay within the park's rules. If you'd like, at Giannutri you can book a private dive with the local diving centre (not included). Message us on WhatsApp for the day at Giannutri or the half day along the coast.
When the water is best
For snorkelling the right season runs from June to September, with warm, clear water. Early morning and late afternoon often give the best visibility, with fewer boats around and lower light. One practical tip: a light t-shirt in the water protects your back from the sun in the middle of the day.
