Italy guide highlights vertical gorgonian walls and summer schools of amberjack, bonito, bream, and sea bream.
Italy · Northern Sardinia (La Maddalena and Tavolara)
Protected shoal with coralligenous walls and dense fish life.
Protected shoal with coralligenous walls and dense fish life.
Access is organized through authorized dive centers inside the marine protected area.
Secca del Papa is a boat-dived shoal in the Tavolara Marine Protected Area, split into two sections by a sandy channel and served by separate moorings. It is known for coralligenous walls, gorgonians, and a very high concentration of fish. This is one of the standout dives in Sardinia for divers who want strong structure, big schools, and a protected-area reef feel rather than an easy shallow swim.
Safety Notes
Authorized dive-center access only; depth and current make it a serious boat dive.
Access Restrictions
Diving only with authorized diving centers inside the marine protected area.
Community notes to help plan your visit.
Scuba Diving
Two-part shoal dive with coralligenous walls, gorgonians, and large schools of fish.
Conservative baseline from public research. No community dives logged yet.
Last Updated
Research Sources
Italy guide highlights vertical gorgonian walls and summer schools of amberjack, bonito, bream, and sea bream.
Park page says the spot is in Zone B, with buoys reserved to dive centers and two shoal sections split by a sandy channel.
Tavolara Diving Center page describes it as one of the most talked-about and photographed dives of the year.

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