Argentario Promontory

The promontory

Monte Argentario, joined to the Maremma coast by two sand bars (tomboli) that enclose the Orbetello lagoon, rises to 635 metres at Monte Telegrafo. The coast is high and indented, with rocky seabeds rich in gorgonians, sponges and meadows of Posidonia oceanica. The municipality also includes the Isolotto di Porto Ercole, the Isola Rossa and the Argentarola.

Protection

The promontory is not part of the Tuscan Archipelago National Park: the 1996 founding decree also excluded the island of Argentarola. The sea lies within the Pelagos Sanctuary. On land it is protected by the SAC/SPA "Monte Argentario, Isolotto di Porto Ercole e Argentarola" (IT51A0025, 5,723 ha); the only marine Natura 2000 site is the SAC "Scoglio dell'Argentarola" (IT51A0038, 100 ha). SACs and SPAs are the Special Areas of Conservation and Special Protection Areas of the Natura 2000 network.

For the project, Argentario is presented together with Giglio and Giannutri to the Ente Parco Nazionale Arcipelago Toscano (Tuscan Archipelago National Park Authority), which is based in Portoferraio and operates on the islands reachable from Porto Santo Stefano (islepark.it). For activities at sea along the promontory, the Comune di Monte Argentario (the municipality) and the Capitaneria di Porto (harbour master's office) remain the contacts.

Pressures and opportunities

Three marinas (Porto Santo Stefano, Porto Ercole, Cala Galera), intense pleasure boating and fishing. In 2026 the municipality, with the association Casa dei Pesci and the Accademia Mare Ambiente, launched an underwater park of marble sculptures between Porto Ercole and Porto Santo Stefano, with artificial reefs and modules for Posidonia regrowth: a natural contact and a possible site to monitor.

Stations

Six stations at level L4, which together with Giglio form the project's "no protection at sea" comparison. They can be seen on the map; positions and levels are a proposal to be validated. The local partner diving centre is still to be identified.

Local partners

• Ente Parco Nazionale Arcipelago Toscano, as a contact.
• Comune di Monte Argentario.
• Casa dei Pesci and Accademia Mare Ambiente.
• Partner diving centre: to be identified.

Authorisations

A preliminary survey, not a legal opinion.

• No protected-area clearance needed at sea.
• Notification to the municipality.
• Check with the Capitaneria di Porto on the ordinances in force, and with the Tuscany Region on any procedures for SACs, presumably not needed for non-invasive observations.
• Everywhere: no collecting or handling of protected species.