Sottolonda Diving Center

Sottolonda Diving Center is situated in the verdant area of Lacona on Isola d'Elba. Since its establishment in 2021, the centre has positioned itself as a hub for divers who value environmental stewardship alongside high-quality diving.

As the first PADI ECO CENTER in Italy, the centre operates with a strict commitment to reducing plastic use and implementing sustainable practices. This dedication extends to their local impact, including active participation in the replanting of Posidonia oceanica at the Sasso che Bara site.

The team at Sottolonda is deeply integrated into marine science and conservation. They are active instructors for the Mac Sommerso programme, part of Reef Check Med, which involves divers in scientific research and citizen science initiatives.

Their educational approach is built around Ocean Literacy and the PADI AWARE foundation. Whether you are a beginner starting your journey or a professional working towards advanced certifications, the instructors focus on building competent, environmentally conscious divers.

Sottolonda Diving Center provides a comprehensive range of PADI training. Beginners can start with the Open Water Diver course, and the curriculum extends through all subsequent certification levels to professional instructor training.

Beyond standard certifications, the centre offers specialized training and is involved in scientific monitoring programmes, making it a suitable base for those interested in the more academic side of marine biology.

The centre features a Scubapro mini-shop, stocking new equipment as well as a selection of second-hand kit. For those travelling light, they offer full equipment hire, including wetsuits, masks, snorkels, and fins.

On-site facilities are designed for convenience, with a focus on reducing waste through the use of water dispensers rather than single-use plastic bottles.

The waters around Elba are home to a diverse array of Mediterranean species. You will find various groupers (Epinephelus) and Dusky grouper (Epinephelus marginatus) patrolling the rocky structures, alongside Common dentex (Dentex dentex) and larger Amberjack (Seriola).

In the seagrass meadows and rocky crevices, look for Spiny lobster (Palinuridae) and large lobsters (Homaridae). Moray eels (Muraenidae), including giant moray eels, are frequently seen amongst the rocks, often sharing space with Scorpionfish (Scorpaenidae) and Conger eel (Congridae).

The seabed is beautifully decorated with red gorgonians, Sea fan (Gorgoniidae), and various yellow sponges. These fixed organisms provide the essential structure for much of the local marine life.

For those interested in smaller creatures, the area supports a variety of crustaceans such as spider crabs, as well as different species of eel (Anguilliformes), weever, and various soles and turbot.

The centre operates year-round and is open for bookings even during the winter months. Accessibility to the island is managed via ferry from Piombino to Portoferraio, with the centre providing shuttle services from the port and local airports to assist divers without vehicles.