Pianosa is the lowest-lying island of the archipelago, practically flat with the highest point rising only 29m above sea level, and is located 14km SSW of the Island of Elba and approximately 27 km SSE from the southern-most point of Montecristo. On the map, the island resembles a steak on the bone and has a surface area of 10.25km² and a coastal perimeter of 26km. It is included in the territory of the Comune of Campo nell’Elba. Notwithstanding the low-lying land, the coasts are rocky with cliffs, especially on the western side, and there are very few beaches. The rocks are sedimentary in origin, with a stratum of clay that dates to the Miocene Period and strata of Pliocene limestones rich in marine fossils, providing evidence that sedimentation took place on an ancient seabed. The vegetation that covers Pianosa is of a typical Mediterranean brush with species that love a calcareous bed: plenty of Mastik trees, rosemary, Phoenician juniper, cists, olives and Shaggy Sparrow-Wort, a rare shrub that loves poor and rocky soils. Aleppo Pines are abundant and were introduced during reforestation in the 20^th Century.

Up until 1997, a large part of the island was used for agriculture by the penal colony of Pianosa since the second half of the 19^th Century. Since the termination of the agricultural activity, the spontaneous flora is slowly re-colonizing the territory.

The fauna on Pianosa is represented by small mammals such as rodents, hedgehogs and wild hares. There is abundant avifauna, both local and migratory. There are plenty of pheasants and red partridges. The Shearwaters and Corsican seagulls nest on the coast.

Since the closure of the prison in 1997, the island is almost uninhabited. The old prison buildings are today empty and the small urban nucleus on the western side of the Pianosa is uninhabited. There remains a small garrison of Penitentiary Police and the Corpo Forestale dello Stato.

The sea around Pianosa is particularly abundant in marine fauna. The waters, once protected indirectly by the severe police surveillance, today are protected for their environmental value and rich fauna.

Protected Areas

• On land: 100% of the territory (zone 1), also included in the perimeter of the Park are the small islands La Scarpa and La Scola.

• At sea: 100% up to 1 mile from the coast (zone 1).In order to visit the Island of Pianosa it is necessary to act through a travel agency.

  Regulations for Scientific Research

  Conditions of online booking

Regulations of Pianosa

In order to visit the Island of Pianosa it is necessary to act through a travel agency.
In order to reach the island there is also a ferry service run by Toremar that leaves every Tuesday from Rio Marina (for information, Ticket Office Rio Marina Tel. 0565 960131)
During the summer season, the Park Authority offers a free Tour Guide to the island, arranged on the ferry, who can accompany tourists on a guided tour of duration approximately 2 hours.

 Access to land: Limited

Map of authorized routes (pdf)

Important things to know about the island: