Elba has been a fixed point for divers seeking more from the Mediterranean than a casual vacation dive for decades. vacation diving. The island combines excellent visibility, short distances, and a remarkable variety of underwater landscapes. One of the diving schools that has helped shape this reputation is "Spiro Sub Diving - Elba" in Marina di Campo. Diving, training, and guided excursions have been offered here since 1974, with a clear focus on experience, continuity, and personal attention.
A Diving School with History and Character
"Spiro Sub Diving - Elba" does not see itself as an anonymous holiday base, but rather as a long-term partner for divers of all experience levels. The school has been firmly established on Elba for over 50 years and has been operating in its current form since 2004. This long presence is most evident in local knowledge: the dive sites are not merely coordinates on a map, but proven grounds whose particularities and characteristics the team knows intimately. Training follows international standards, specifically PADI and CMAS guidelines. The range extends from introductory dives through classic beginner and advanced courses to professional certification levels. Alongside this, the base offers both independent diving and guided dives, depending on the experience, preferences, and goals of each guest. The focus throughout is on a calm, structured experience, without time pressure but with clear safety standards. A central element of the operation is the dive boat Marianna. This 12-meter, ocean-worthy wooden vessel was built in La Spezia in 1979 as a fishing boat and was later specifically converted for dive operations . This type of construction is well proven in the Mediterranean and allows for safe excursions even in changing conditions. For divers, this means above all comfort: equipment stays on board, there is no hauling across beaches or harbor facilities, and thanks to an on-board compressor, flexible dive plans are possible.
Punta di Fetovaia: A Challenging Dive with History
The Marianna is therefore more than just a means of transport. It is part of an overall concept built around relaxed, well-organized diving and short distances between the base, the boat, and the dive site. One of the most impressive dive sites in the "Spiro Sub Diving - Elba" program is located at Punta di Fetovaia. The area is known for its extensive gorgonian fields, where red, yellow, and white sea fans frame the rock. Also regularly encountered are schools of barracuda, grouper, and a wide variety of smaller species that make the site equally interesting from a biological perspective.
For highly experienced divers, however, Punta di Fetovaia offers an additional, unusual highlight. Just a few meters from the main reef, at a depth of over 40 meters, lies a fragment of an aircraft wing from a so-called "Tante Ju" (Junkers 52). This piece was deposited there years ago by a trawler after it had been separated from the main wreck. Where the main wreck is located has not been definitively established to this day; a deeper position off the coast near Chiessi is suspected. It is precisely this combination of natural scenery and aviation history that gives the dive its special character.
Diving for Beginners and Those Who Simply Want to Enjoy It
The recommended dive profile is clearly designed for experienced divers. The descent is made as a free drop in open water, directly from the boat, with the aim of landing precisely on the wreck fragment. Available no-decompression time is limited, which makes a controlled, efficient descent and an equally well-planned ascent essential. After a brief stay at depth, the profile leads slowly upward over the gorgonian field and a seagrass meadow. The safety stop takes place along a rock face so full of life that it feels more like an additional dive segment than a required formality. Punta di Fetovaia is by no means exclusively reserved for deep or experienced divers, however. From the shallower anchorage, relaxed dives are possible that are also well suited for less experienced divers. The gorgonians begin at considerably shallower depths here, fish density is high, and the site offers numerous subjects for macro photography in particular. This versatility is typical of many dive sites around Elba and a key reason why the island is valued for both training and recreational dives.
The Pianosa Nature Reserve and Guided Quality
Another key focus of the dive base is excursions into the strictly protected area around Pianosa. Dives are conducted in small groups with personal guides. The emphasis here is not on the number of dives, but on the quality of the experience. Pianosa is considered one of the most fish-rich areas in the region, and it is precisely the combination of protected status and professional guidance that produces truly memorable encounters.
The base itself is located only about 150 meters from the sandy beach of Marina di Campo. In the immediate vicinity are campsites, vacation apartments, as well as restaurants and bars. This location makes "Spiro Sub Diving - Elba" particularly attractive for divers who want to combine their stay with a classic beach or family vacation . Guests are assisted in German, English, and Italian, which underscores the school's international orientation.
The Owners of "Spiro Sub Diving - Elba"
The operation has been run since 2004 by Volker "Volki" Kammerer and Katja. Volker Kammerer is the owner and responsible director of the dive base and has been active as a diving instructor and base manager since 1997. Katja has been working as a diving instructor since 2005 and, in addition to training, handles key organizational tasks and the personal care of guests. Together, they stand for a consciously family-run concept with a strong personal presence on site, clear quality standards, and a sustainable, volume-independent approach to diving operations.
"Spiro Sub Diving - Elba"
Address Via della Foce 27 57034 Marina di Campo (LI) Island of Elba, Italy
Contact Phone: +39 338 2689 379 Email: spirosub-volki@elbalink.it