Secca di Mezzo Canale (Mezzo Canale Shoal)

The dive on the shoal of Mezzo Canale is one of the most beautiful and fascinating in the Mediterranean.

Positioned exactly in the center of the canal between the island of Giannutri, the island of Giglio and the Argentario promontory, close to the 100 meter bathymetry, in a very particular area due to its geological conformation.

A mountain that rises from a bottom of 100 meters up to 25 meters deep. Steep walls go down to 50-60 meters, to continue the race towards the abyss more gently, forming splendid landslides of boulders. From the cap of the shoal it is possible to spot large pelagics which often wander around in search of smaller prey.

Once the bathymetry of 35-40 meters has been exceeded, the large gorgonians and the beautiful encrusting sponges take over the bare rock.

An incredible number of basket stars (Astrospartus Mediturraneus) rest among the large fans of red and yellow gorgonians, that become shelter to sea bream, groupers, lobsters and everything else that can be found in the Mediterranean. Around 50 meters the most unpredictable encounters usually occur…large groupers wandering among the branches of gerardia savaglia, melon urchins, pencil urchins.

The mid-channel dive is certainly unforgettable, not to be underestimated due to the often strong current and the possibility of free ascent with reel and balloon.

In the kingdom of the Astrospartus Mediterraneus (star gorgon), walking among gorgonians (paramuricea clavata), antipathella subpinnata (black coral), gerardia savaglia (false black coral), pennatule (sea feathers), the Mezzo Canale shoal is a naturalistic heritage to be preserved.