The various activities offered by the Hotel Ilio include snorkelling and diving, discovering the submarine world of Capo S. Andrea, in Elba

The sea is a secret hideaway of flower filled gardens. The Island of Elba offers all sorts of unexplored corners, home to real treasures of a rare beauty. Many habitual seaside holidaymakers of the sun bathing kind are perhaps unaware that "Sea Watching", which also involves learning about and studying the sea, is the best chance to transform a normal holiday into a surprise-filled experience. Something that will thrill your eyes, and also your heart. This cheap and physically undemanding hobby is able to generate great enthusiasm and a life long passion. Maurizio Testa, owner of the Hotel Ilio in Capo S. Andrea, includes "sea watching" amongst their range of activities available to sea and nature lovers.
This sport is also known as snorkelling, because you move slowly along the surface of the water with a snorkel; it is possible to go snorkelling alone, but it is certainly more interesting if you go with an expert marine biologist guide, ready to answer all your questions about this world rich in fauna and flora. Maurizio offers guests a truly captivating programme, running from 15th June to 15th September, which is held by expert marine biologists: an initial theory lesson is followed by a guided snorkelling trip, with mask, flippers and snorkel. If you wish, you can also wear a light wet suit in order to protect your body from cuts, cold or sun burn, depending on the season. However, in order to make this experience truly unforgettable, don't forget your underwater camera. The snorkelling rule is "look but don't touch!" This is also the case for those who fall so much in love with the wonders of the submarine world, that they wish to explore this authentic underwater paradise in greater depth. In fact, when diving, in addition to seeing myriads of multicoloured fish, you may come across the remains of ancient shipwrecks, which sunk years ago with their precious cargoes. There is a well-equipped Diving centre at just 150 metres from the Hotel Ilio, which offers scuba diving courses and guided dives with PADI and SSI instructors. The centre also offers equipment rental.
Guided snorkelling trips cost € 33.00 per person (minimum 6 people)
Customized guided snorkelling trips cost € 200.00 for 1 person, or € 100.00 each for 2 people.


For further information:
Hotel Ilio Capo S. Andrea 24 - 57030 Marciana - Isola d'Elba
Tel. 0565.90.80.18 Fax 0565.90.80.87
Website: www.ilio.it