Isole di Cerboli e Palmaiola, Protected marine islands in Tuscan Archipelago, Italy.
Isole di Cerboli e Palmaiola is a 21-hectare Natura 2000 site comprising six islands in the Tuscan Archipelago: Cerboli and Palmaiola northeast of Elba, Topi north of Cavo, Scoglietto north of Portoferraio, and the two Gemini islands off Elba's south coast. The two main islands have rugged, hard-to-reach rocky coasts and low macchia vegetation.
The Republic of Pisa built a watchtower on the islands in 1108, which was later rebuilt by the Appiano family during their rule of Piombino. These structures marked the islands' importance for controlling the surrounding waters.
The islands are uninhabited and have no cultural traditions; their value is ecological. Cerboli and Palmaiola, about six kilometres apart, host 25 to 50 breeding pairs of Yelkouan shearwaters on Cerboli alone. Visitors can spot Audouin's gulls and Mediterranean shags, and should keep boats away from the rocky coasts during the nesting season.
Access to both islands requires special permits to protect their natural environment. The clear waters around them offer good conditions for diving, though visitors must follow the protection rules in place.
Cerboli and Palmaiola lie about six kilometres apart and are both uninhabited. Between 25 and 50 breeding pairs of the Yelkouan shearwater nest on Cerboli, and the islands also host endemic invertebrates and reptiles. Landing is discouraged because dogs and visitors disturb the nests.
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