They are located in open sea among the coast of the Natural Park of Maremma and Pianosa, approximately 13 nautical miles (24 km) from Porto Santo Stefano on Monte Argentario and 9.4 miles (15.1 km) from Marina di Grosseto; they are part of the comune of Grosseto and are placed in a nature reserve which makes part of a special protection area.

Formica Media is a long narrow strip of rock that continues under water situated on a shoal.

The island has three old docking points on three different sides to permit the mooring depending on the wind and is equipped with a helipad utilized for the maintenance of the lighthouse.

[1] The Formiche di Grosseto is a place enjoyed by scuba divers for the richness of its waters.

The seabed is prosperous in sponges, gorgoniidae, sabella spallanzanii and in fishes as grouper, sarago, conger, muraena, astice and lobster.