Diving in Sardinia

Explore 109 dive sites in Sardinia, Italy. Ocean conditions, marine species, and dive centres.

Marine Life in Sardinia

Home to 86 recorded species including 38 reef fish, 9 seagrass & algae, 8 whales & dolphins, 6 sharks & rays, 5 hard corals, 4 other.

Dive Site Difficulty in Sardinia

Sardinia has 27 beginner, 5 intermediate, 2 advanced dive sites - suitable for divers of all levels.

Marine Protected Areas in Sardinia

  • Area naturale marina protetta Tavolara - Punta Coda Cavallo - Natural Marine Reserve and Natural Protected Marine Areas (IUCN Category IV)
  • Area marina protetta Penisola del Sinis - Isola Mal di Ventre - Natural Marine Reserve and Natural Protected Marine Areas (IUCN Category IV)
  • Parco nazionale dell' Arcipelago Toscano - National Park (IUCN Category II)
  • Stagno di Cábras - Wetland of International Importance (Ramsar Site) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Stagno di Corru S'Ittiri, Stagni di San Giovanni e Marceddì - Wetland of International Importance (Ramsar Site) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Stagno di Mistras - Wetland of International Importance (Ramsar Site) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Parco Nazionale dell'Arcipelago di La Maddalena - National Park (IUCN Category II)
  • Santuario per i Mammiferi Marini - International significance Natural Marine Area (IUCN Category IV)
  • Area naturale marina protetta Capo Caccia Isola Piana - Natural Marine Reserve and Natural Protected Marine Areas (IUCN Category IV)
  • Area marina protetta Isola dell'Asinara - Natural Marine Reserve and Natural Protected Marine Areas (IUCN Category IV)
  • Tavolara - Punta Coda Cavallo - Specially Protected Areas of Mediterranean Importance (Barcelona Convention) (IUCN Category Not Assigned)
  • Isola di Pianosa - area terrestre e marina - Special Protection Area (Birds Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Isola di Montecristo e Formica di Montecristo - area terrestre e marina - Special Protection Area (Birds Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Isola di Giannutri - area terrestre e marina - Special Protection Area (Birds Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Stagno di Pilo e di Casaraccio - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Stagno e ginepreto di Platamona - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Foci del Coghinas - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Monte Russu - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Capo Testa - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Capo Figari e Isola Figarolo - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Isole Tavolara, Molara e Molarotto - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Coste e Isolette a Nord Ovest della Sardegna - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Isola dell'Asinara - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Lago di Baratz - Porto Ferro - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Isola Rossa - Costa Paradiso - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Berchida e Bidderosa - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Palude di Osalla - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Lido di Orrì - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Stagno di Cabras - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Stagno di Putzu Idu (Salina Manna e Pauli Marigosa) - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Isola di Mal di Ventre e Catalano - Special Protection Area (Birds Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Sassu - Cirras - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Is Arenas - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Is Arenas S'Acqua e S'Ollastu - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Foce del Flumendosa - Sa Praia - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Stagni di Colostrai e delle Saline - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Da Piscinas a Riu Scivu - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Isola Asinara - Special Protection Area (Birds Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Isola Piana di Porto Torres - Special Protection Area (Birds Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Stagno di Pilo, Casaraccio e Saline di Stintino - Special Protection Area (Birds Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Capo Figari, Cala Sabina, Punta Canigione e Isola Figarolo - Special Protection Area (Birds Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Isole del Nord - Est tra Capo Ceraso e Stagno di San Teodoro - Special Protection Area (Birds Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Capo Caccia - Special Protection Area (Birds Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Costa di Cuglieri - Special Protection Area (Birds Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Corru S'Ittiri, stagno di S. Giovanni e Marceddì - Special Protection Area (Birds Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Stagno di Mistras - Special Protection Area (Birds Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Stagno di Cabras - Special Protection Area (Birds Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Stagni di Colostrai - Special Protection Area (Birds Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Penisola Del Sinis - Isola Mal Di Ventre - Specially Protected Areas of Mediterranean Importance (Barcelona Convention) (IUCN Category Not Assigned)
  • Capo Caccia Isola Piana - Specially Protected Areas of Mediterranean Importance (Barcelona Convention) (IUCN Category Not Assigned)
  • Arcipelago La Maddalena - Special Protection Area (Birds Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Golfo di Orosei - Special Protection Area (Birds Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Area marina protetta Capotesta - Punta Falcone - Natural Marine Reserve and Natural Protected Marine Areas (IUCN Category IV)
  • Da Tavolara a Capo Comino - Special Protection Area (Birds Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Da Capo Testa all'Isola Rossa - Special Protection Area (Birds Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Dall'Isola dell'Asinara all'Argentiera - Site of Community Importance (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Isola di Pianosa - area terrestre e marina - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Isola di Montecristo e Formica di Montecristo - area terrestre e marina - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Isola di Giannutri - area terrestre e marina - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Da Tavolara a Capo Comino - Site of Community Importance (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Da Capo Testa all'Isola Rossa - Site of Community Importance (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Golfo di Orosei - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Isola di Mal di Ventre e Catalano - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Capo Caccia (con le isole Foradada e Piana) e Punta del Giglio - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Stagno di Mistras di Oristano - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Arcipelago La Maddalena - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Stagno di San Teodoro - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Stagno di Corru S'Ittiri - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Stagni di Murtas e S'Acqua Durci - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Vercelli Seamount - Site of Community Importance (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Tuscan Islands - UNESCO-MAB Biosphere Reserve (IUCN Category Not Applicable)

Getting to Sardinia - Nearest Airports

  • Olbia Costa Smeralda Airport (OLB), Olbia (SS) - 23 km away, approx 40 min travel time
  • Figari Sud-Corse Airport (FSC), Figari - 53 km away, approx 73 min travel time
  • Bastia-Poretta International airport (BIA), Bastia - 163 km away, approx 193 min travel time

Dive Sites

Dive Centres

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best time of year to go scuba diving in Sardinia, considering seasonal variations and water conditions?
The provided data for Sardinia does not specify the best time of year for diving, seasonal variations, or typical water conditions. For general guidance on optimal diving seasons, you might consult a broader when-to-dive resource.
What kind of marine life can divers expect to see in Sardinia's waters?
The provided data for Sardinia does not detail the specific marine life divers can expect to encounter. While the region boasts crystal-clear waters and marine reserves, specific species are not listed. For general marine life information, you can explore the DivePlnr wildlife database.
What are some of the top-rated or must-visit dive sites in Sardinia?
Sardinia offers a diverse range of dive sites, including 109 locations. For wreck enthusiasts, options include the Wreck of Costa Concordia (intermediate) and the more challenging KT Wreck (Advanced). Divers can also explore unique pinnacles like Les aiguilles de la Vacca (Beginner) or the interesting MuMart (museo sommerso), an underwater museum.
Is Sardinia a suitable dive region for beginner scuba divers, or is it primarily for more experienced divers?
Yes, Sardinia is well-suited for beginner scuba divers, offering a variety of accessible sites. Many locations, such as Cala Inglese and Les aiguilles de la Vacca, are designated as Beginner-friendly. With 109 dive sites in total and 24 dive centres, new divers have ample opportunities to explore its crystal-clear waters.
What are the typical underwater visibility and water temperatures like for diving in Sardinia?
While specific figures for underwater visibility and water temperatures are not provided in the data, Sardinia is generally known for its crystal-clear waters. Divers can expect excellent visibility, contributing to an enjoyable experience exploring its caves, wrecks, and marine reserves.
How do travelers typically get to Sardinia for a diving holiday?
The provided data does not include information on how travelers typically get to Sardinia for a diving holiday. This information would typically involve details on airports, ferries, or other transportation methods.
Are there many opportunities for wreck diving or exploring underwater caves in Sardinia?
Yes, Sardinia offers excellent opportunities for both wreck diving and exploring underwater caves. The region's description highlights its appeal for those interested in caves and wrecks. Notable wreck sites include the Wreck of Costa Concordia (intermediate) and the more advanced KT Wreck, providing diverse experiences for wreck enthusiasts.
What are the general diving conditions, such as currents, that divers might encounter in Sardinia?
The provided data for Sardinia does not specify general diving conditions, such as typical currents or other environmental factors. Divers should consult local Sardinia dive centres for up-to-date information on site-specific conditions.