Isola dei Cavoli
Site Overview
The Isola dei Cavoli is a granite island off Villasimius, in the southern Sardinia marine reserve, where walls drop into exceptionally clear water. Sea fans, groupers and barracuda cover the rock, and the sheltered position makes it a reliable dive. It is one of the signature sites of the south coast, combining dramatic scenery with healthy reef life and easy access from the shore or a short boat ride. Divers of intermediate level will find it both beautiful and forgiving. The site rewards careful planning, good buoyancy and a respect for Italy’s marine-protection rules, and remains a favourite among Mediterranean divers. The site rewards careful planning, good buoyancy and a respect for Italy’s marine-protection rules, and remains a favourite among Mediterranean divers. The site rewards careful planning, good buoyancy and a respect for Italy’s marine-protection rules, and remains a favourite among Mediterranean divers. The site rewards careful planning, good buoyancy and a respect for Italy’s marine-protection rules, and remains a favourite among Mediterranean divers. The site rewards careful planning, good buoyancy and a respect for Italy’s marine-protection rules, and remains a favourite among Mediterranean divers. The site rewards careful planning, good buoyancy and a respect for Italy’s marine-protection rules, and remains a favourite among Mediterranean divers. The site rewards careful planning, good buoyancy and a respect for Italy’s marine-protection rules, and remains a favourite among Mediterranean divers.
Dive Briefing
"Brief on the wall profile and current, then descend along the granite face controlling buoyancy to avoid the gorgonians. Watch for barracuda and groupers in the blue and morays in the cracks, ascend with a safety stop, and keep an eye on boat traffic near the coast. Follow your guide closely, monitor your thermal comfort and complete a safety stop before exiting at the designated point. Follow your guide closely, monitor your thermal comfort and complete a safety stop before exiting at the designated point. Follow your guide closely, monitor your thermal comfort and complete a safety stop before exiting at the designated point. Follow your guide closely, monitor your thermal comfort and complete a safety stop before exiting at the designated point. Follow your guide closely, monitor your thermal comfort and complete a safety stop before exiting at the designated point. Follow your guide closely, monitor your thermal comfort and complete a safety stop before exiting at the designated point."
Signature Marine Life
Sea Fan
Eunicella singularis
Best: Year-round
Dusky Grouper
Epinephelus marginatus
Best: Year-round
Barracuda
Sphyraena viridensis
Best: May, June, July
Amberjack
Seriola dumerili
Best: May, June, July
Mediterranean Moray
Muraena helena
Best: Year-round
Safety & Hazards
- Moderate currents
- Depth and nitrogen management
- Boat traffic
- Cold thermocline
- Surge on the wall
- Fragile gorgonians
Traveler Notes
Who is this for?
Good for intermediate divers who want a scenic wall dive with big fish close to Villasimius. Confident open-water divers can enjoy the shallow top with a guide. It suits confident Mediterranean divers who value dramatic scenery, wrecks and rich marine life over tropical abundance. It suits confident Mediterranean divers who value dramatic scenery, wrecks and rich marine life over tropical abundance. It suits confident Mediterranean divers who value dramatic scenery, wrecks and rich marine life over tropical abundance. It suits confident Mediterranean divers who value dramatic scenery, wrecks and rich marine life over tropical abundance.
Quick Stats
Dive Logistics
- Villasimius Diving
- Cavoli Sub
Photography Info
Best for: wide_angle, macro
Nearby Stay
Cala di Volpe
Porto Cervo • 10km away
Hotel Excelsior
La Maddalena • 3km away