Eunicella cavolini is a much-branched soft coral growing to a height of about 50 cm (20 in).

It is fan-shaped with the irregular, cylindrical branches largely growing in a single plane.

The stem has an enlarged base fixed to the substrate and the branches are smooth, short and about 3 mm (0.12 in) thick.

It is often found growing in association with other soft corals, sponges, polychaete worms, bryozoans, barnacles and winged oysters.

After drifting as part of the plankton for one to four weeks, these settle on suitable surface and undergo metamorphosis into new polyps.