Marine Protected Areas 2024 in Italy: where they are and how they work

There are treasures along the Italian coasts that are often inaccessible to boaters, Marine Protected Areas. Managed differently they would become an invaluable asset to be exploited for nautical tourism while preserving the environment. We have already told you in our investigation qual is the real situation and what needs to be done to navigate today’s often foreclosed havens.

Marine Protected Areas, Italy’s big map

Today we have surveyed for you, in a large map, all the Marine Protected Areas in our country. Where you can navigate, where you can’t, where you don’t know what to do.

Italy has 32 Marine Protected Areas, national and submerged parks and marine sanctuaries. And it is good that they are there. However, it is a pity that each of them has its own regulations. Between A, B, C and D zones and referral bodies, it is not clearly understood what can and cannot be done in each. In this infographic we have tried to provide clarity.

How Marine Protected Areas are Divided.

But first, let us explain how Marine Protected Areas are divided.

ZONE A, of integral reserve, interdicted to all activities that may cause damage or disturbance to the marine environment. Zone A is the real heart of the reserve. Only scientific research and service activities are generally allowed in this zone, which is identified in reduced areas.

ZONE B, of general reserve, where a range of activities are permitted and often regulated by the management body, which, while allowing enjoyment of the environment, affect it with the least possible impact. For some particular spatial characteristics, sometimes, Bs sub-zones (special B zones) are established, in which the same provisions as in B zones apply, but where any resource taking activities are prohibited.

ZONE C, of partial reserve, where enjoyment activities and sustainable use of the sea of modest environmental impact are allowed and regulated by the management body. This zone represents the buffer strip between the areas of highest nature value and the sectors outside the marine protected area.

Where are all of Italy’s MPAs and how they work

Liguria

1. Marine protected area island of Bergeggi
One third of the island is off limits to navigation, mooring and anchoring. The remaining two-thirds are free to navigation, mooring and anchoring with some limitations (caves and Posidonia meadows). For info: www.ampisolabergeggi.it

2. Portofino marine protected area
One third of the area is off limits to navigation and anchoring. In the remaining two-thirds buoy fields for free mooring subject to daily fees. For info: www.portofinoamp.it

3. Marine protected area “Cinque Terre”
For sailing and mooring from June to September, it is possible to apply for a daily permit reserved for recreational units. For info: www.parconazionale5terre.it

4. Cetacean Marine Sanctuary
Free navigation.
For info: www.parconazionale5terre.it/pagina.php?id=9

Tuscany

5. Tuscan Archipelago National Park
Capraia: One third of the island is off limits to navigation and anchoring. The remaining two-thirds are free with some limitations. Shore visits allowed. Gorgona: The island is off limits to navigation and anchoring. It can be visited ashore with prior reservation. Giglio: Free navigation and anchoring. Giannutri: About two-thirds of the island is off limits to navigation and anchoring. Ground access is regulated in some areas. It is devoid of services and public exercises except for the summer period. Montecristo: The island is off limits to navigation and anchoring. Shore use is severely limited in number and managed by the Park Authority. Pianosa: The island is off limits to navigation and anchoring and is home to a penal colony. Tourist-naturalistic enjoyment is limited to 250 daily admissions, reserved for tourists transported by private carrier.For info: www.islepark.it

6. Marine protected area “Secche della Meloria”
One third of the area is off limits to navigation and anchoring. The remaining two-thirds are free to access and bathing with some restrictions. Mooring and anchoring are allowed eco-friendly boats in designated buoy fields. For info: www.ampsecchedellameloria.it

Marine Protected Areas. Latium

7. Marine protected area “Secche di Tor Paterno”
The following are prohibited within the marine protected area: unauthorized scuba diving, unauthorized fishing, anchoring and sailing. The area is monitored from the ground with a radar station, and any violation is punished. For info: www.ampsecchetorpaterno.it

8. Marine protected area “Islands of Ventotene and S. Stefano”
One third of the area is off limits to navigation, mooring and anchoring. The remaining two-thirds are free to navigation, mooring in areas identified by the managing body (a fee is expected) and anchoring. For info: www.riservaventotene.it

Campania

9. Neptune Kingdom Marine Protected Area
There are four areas where entry is prohibited. For other areas recreation, fishing and aquatic activities are allowed and regulated: permit required. For info: www.nettunoamp.it

10. Underwater park of Baia
One-third of the park is off limits to boating and mooring and anchoring. The remaining two-thirds are allowed but limited. For info: www.parcosommersobaia.it

11. Gaiola Underwater Park
One-third of the park is off limits to boating and mooring and anchoring. The remaining two-thirds are allowed but limited. For info: www.areamarinaprotettagaiola.it

12. Marine protected area of “Punta Campanella”
Navigation, mooring and anchoring of recreational boats are allowed only in the two-thirds of the area with prior permission and at the equipped sites. For info: www.puntacampanella.org

13. Marine protected area of “Santa Maria di Castellabate”
Recreational activities allowed only in one-third of the area where eco-friendly boats are allowed,
mooring and anchoring in designated buoy fields. For info: www.mase.gov.it

14. Marine protected area of “Costa degli Infreschi e della Masseta”
Recreational activities allowed only in one-third of the area where eco-friendly boats are allowed,
mooring and anchoring in designated buoy fields. For info: www.mase.gov.it

Calabria

15. Capo Rizzuto Marine Protected Area.
One third of the area interdicted to navigation and anchoring. Two-thirds free to access and bathing with some restrictions. Mooring and anchoring allowed for environmentally friendly boats in designated buoy fields or on marked bottoms. For info: www.prolocolecastella.it

Sicily

16. Marine protected area of “Capo Gallo – Isola delle Femmine”
One third of the area banned, in the other two thirds free or regulated navigation, mooring, anchoring and bathing. For info: www.riservacapogallo.it

17. Ustica Island Marine Nature Reserve
Boating, parking and sport fishing are allowed with some restrictions in only two-thirds of the area. Regulated hikes. For info: www.ampustica.it

18. Egadi Islands Marine Nature Reserve
Area divided into four zones with navigation, access, stopping for anchoring and mooring, bathing and diving allowed with some limitations and subject to permission from the managing body for a fee. Free shore visits. For info: www.ampisoleegadi.it

19. Marine protected area “Pelagie Islands”
One third of the island is off limits to stopping and anchoring. The remaining two-thirds are strictly regulated and restricted for recreational boats. Free shore visits. For info: www.ampisolepelagie.it

20. Marine protected area of “Plemmirio”
Allowed navigation and parking to vessels and boats only in two-thirds of the area, subject to permission and consideration at identified sites. For info: www.plemmirio.eu

21. Natural marine protected area of the “Cyclops Islands”
Area divided into three zones with navigation, access, stopping for anchoring and mooring, bathing and diving allowed with some restrictions. For info: www.isoleciclopi.it

Sardinia

22. La Maddalena Archipelago National Park
The park is divided into four zones with progressive restrictions on boating, parking, mooring, anchoring, and fishing ranging from outright ban to limited possibility and subject to payment of a fee. For info: www.lamaddalenapark.it

23. Marine protected area “Asinara Island”
Area divided into three zones with navigation, access, stopping for anchoring and mooring, bathing and diving allowed with restrictions with prior permission. For info: www.parcoasinara.org

24. Marine protected area of Capo Caccia – Isola Piana
Only in two-thirds of the area allowed bathing, sailing and rowing, motor boating with speed less than 5 knots and anchoring in authorized areas. Diving and fishing subject to limits and permits. For info: www.algheroparks.it

25. Sinis Marine Protected Area – Mal di Ventre Island.
Only in two-thirds of the area allowed bathing, rowing and motor sailing and anchoring in authorized areas. Diving and fishing subject to limits and permits. For info: www.areamarinasinis.it

26. Capo Carbonara marine protected area
Only in two-thirds of the area allowed bathing, rowing and motor sailing and anchoring in authorized areas. Diving and fishing subject to limits and permits. For info: www.ampcapocarbonara.it

27. Tavolara marine protected area – Punta Coda Cavallo
Free nautical tourism is only allowed in two-thirds of the area, including sailing and mooring at the appropriate facilities. Regulated shore and underwater visits. Free anchoring, professional fishing and sport fishing prohibited. For info: www.amptavolara.com

Apulia

28. Marine protected area “Porto Cesareo”
Allowed in two-thirds of the area access and navigation of authorized boats, bathing, underwater activities, rod or line fishing. For info: www.ampportocesareo.it

29. Torre Guaceto marine protected area
Allowed in two-thirds of the area access and navigation of authorized boats, bathing, underwater activities, rod or line fishing. Anchoring is prohibited. For info: www.parks.it/riserva.marina.torre.guaceto/par.php

30. Tremiti Islands Marine Protected Area
Area divided into 3 zones with access, navigation and parking all subject to strict regulation and authorization. Permits to boaters are issued by the managing agency. For info: www.parcogargano.it

Molise, Abruzzo, Marche, Emilia Romagna

31. Torre del Cerrano marine protected area
Allow bathing, boating and boat access and mooring in identified areas. For info: www.torredelcerrano.it

Marine Protected Areas. Friuli Venezia-Giulia

32. Miramare marine protected area
Prohibited navigation, access and parking of boats of all kinds and types, and bathing (unless authorized if for the purpose of research and study). For info: www.riservamarinamiramare.it