Do you need a local operator for Punta Arresto?

Yes. The marine-park rules and buoyed access make local guidance the practical way to plan the dive and choose the right route.

How deep does Punta Arresto get at the main route?

The shallow relief rises to just a few meters below the surface, and the broader route drops into the mid-30-meter range on the outer sections.

Is Punta Arresto a boat dive or a shore dive?

Punta Arresto is best treated as a boat dive. The shoal is offshore and the public descriptions emphasize the buoyed route rather than a casual shore entry.

Is Punta Arresto good for night dives?

Yes. The operator descriptions call it one of the better night-dive sites in the area because the cracks and crevices light up well under artificial light.

What marine life is common at Punta Arresto?

Groupers, barracuda, moray eels, scorpionfish, dentex, and ray life are all good bets, with a strong mix of Mediterranean reef fish around the pinnacles and walls.

What should divers watch out for at Punta Arresto?

Watch current, keep good buoyancy over the shallow crest, and stay aware of the reserve rules and the boat-based access setup.

Where is Punta Arresto and how do you reach Punta Arresto?

Punta Arresto sits off the north-eastern tip of Molara in the Tavolara reserve. You reach it by boat to the buoyed shoal and follow the reserve access procedure.

Why is Punta Arresto treated as a drift dive?

The site is exposed enough that water movement can shape the route. Divers should expect to move with the conditions rather than fight them.

Punta Arresto

Buoyed granite shoal in the Tavolara reserve with rich Mediterranean reef life.

Scuba DivingBoatIntermediate3m - 35m

Local operator required

The reserve rules and buoyed offshore setup make local guidance the practical default.

Offshore site in the Tavolara marine park with buoyed access, granite reliefs, and a drift-leaning scuba profile.

About Punta Arresto

Punta Arresto is a buoyed granite shoal in the Tavolara marine protected area, with Posidonia slopes, coralligenous patches, and dramatic light across a route that rewards steady buoyancy and careful marine-life scanning.

Safety & Access

Site Conditions

Restricted accessStrong current

Safety Notes

Use a guided boat dive, listen carefully to the current briefing, and keep buoyancy tight over the granite ridges and Posidonia.

Access Restrictions

Inside a regulated marine protected area, so access follows the buoyed dive-zone rules and local-operator procedures.

Legal Notes

Private diving is allowed in the designated zone, but the site is still governed by marine-park rules and the buoy system.

Where Is Punta Arresto?

This spotExplore nearby spots on the map

Community sourced coordinates.

Map imagery © Mapbox

Featured Operators

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Local Intel For Punta Arresto

Community notes to help plan your visit.

Scuba Diving

Best as a guided boat dive. The operator can pick the calmer route, and the full site rewards controlled trim and relaxed sightseeing.

Freediving

Not the primary use case. The buoyed offshore setup and route complexity make scuba the better fit.

Snorkeling

Surface snorkeling can work on very calm days near the crest, but the site is mainly a scuba dive.

Wildlife at Punta Arresto

Species commonly reported at this site, with direct links into their wildlife guides.

saltwater-fishes

Scorpionfish

Scorpaenidae

rays

Stingrays

Research Estimate At Punta Arresto

Conservative baseline from public research. No community dives logged yet.

Avg. Visibility20m

Access4/5 · Simple entry

Coral3/5 · Mixed health

Aquatic Life5/5 · Exceptional variety

Facilities4/5 · Good facilities

Crowd / PopularityModerate

CurrentModerate current

SurgeLight surge

Recent Visits

Italy · Northern Sardinia (La Maddalena and Tavolara)

Punta Arresto

Buoyed granite shoal in the Tavolara reserve with rich Mediterranean reef life.

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Punta Arresto, Italy - Dive Spot Details & Conditions | DiveJourney