Underwater in La Maddalena, granite, posidonia and red gorgonians.

From the deck of the boat you see the seabed; with mask and snorkel, or with a tank on your back, you see it up close. The seabeds of the La Maddalena Archipelago National Park are granite, with posidonia meadows and shoals where red gorgonians grow, such as the Washington shoal, between Budelli and Spargi. In the park, diving needs authorisation: the simple way is to go with a centre that has it.

With whom

Argonauta Diving La Maddalena is a PADI centre with more than thirty years of activity, with another base at Cala Gonone. It has its information point on Via Abbatoggia, in the north of the island, next to the beach. They go out in a RIB: the best-known dive sites are reached in under half an hour, and Razzoli and the Lavezzi islands in under an hour. The equipment is new and they have guides with HSA certification for people with disabilities.

What you can do

• Guided snorkelling, for those who do not dive: €65 with equipment and €45 for children. It is the option for families and for those who swim well but do not want a tank.
• Discover Scuba Diving, the try dive: about three hours with an instructor at your side, to breathe underwater for the first time. €130, or €160 if done from the boat.
• Dives for certified divers: an outing with one dive costs €85, or €95 with hired equipment; with two dives, €115 or €140. There are packages of 4 to 10 dives.
• PADI courses, from Open Water Diver (€560 with equipment) to Divemaster.

When

The centre is open every day from 8:00 to 19:00 in season. For 2027 they announce the season as 15 June to 30 September.

Getting there

Via Abbatoggia is in the north of La Maddalena, about 5 km from the harbour along the panoramic road. You need a car, scooter or bike. If you are sleeping at the Abbatoggia Village, it is on foot.