Diving in Portofino & Liguria

Explore 220 dive sites in Portofino & Liguria, Italy. Ocean conditions, marine species, and dive centres.

Marine Life in Portofino & Liguria

Home to 73 recorded species including 37 reef fish, 9 sharks & rays, 8 whales & dolphins, 4 sea snails & nudibranchs, 3 hard corals, 3 crabs & lobsters.

Dive Site Difficulty in Portofino & Liguria

Portofino & Liguria has 34 beginner, 18 intermediate, 8 expert dive sites - suitable for divers of all levels.

Marine Protected Areas in Portofino & Liguria

  • Area naturale marina protetta Portofino - Natural Marine Reserve and Natural Protected Marine Areas (IUCN Category IV)
  • Area marina protetta Cinque Terre - Natural Marine Reserve and Natural Protected Marine Areas (IUCN Category IV)
  • Riserva naturale regionale di Bergeggi - Regional/Provincial Nature Reserve (IUCN Category IV)
  • Parco nazionale dell' Arcipelago Toscano - National Park (IUCN Category II)
  • Riserva naturale regionale dell' Isola di Gallinara - Regional/Provincial Nature Reserve (IUCN Category V)
  • Santuario per i Mammiferi Marini - International significance Natural Marine Area (IUCN Category IV)
  • Pelagos Sanctuary For The Conservation Of Marine Mammals - Specially Protected Areas of Mediterranean Importance (Barcelona Convention) (IUCN Category Not Assigned)
  • Portofino - Specially Protected Areas of Mediterranean Importance (Barcelona Convention) (IUCN Category Not Assigned)
  • Area marina protetta Secche della Meloria - Natural Marine Reserve and Natural Protected Marine Areas (IUCN Category IV)
  • Area protetta di interesse provinciale Costiera Celle Ligure e Varazze - Other Protected Natural Regional Areas (IUCN Category V)
  • Area marina protetta Isola di Bergeggi - Natural Marine Reserve and Natural Protected Marine Areas (IUCN Category IV)
  • Fondali Capo Berta - Diano Marina - Capo Mimosa - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Fondali Porto Maurizio - San Lorenzo al Mare - Torre dei Marmi - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Fondali Riva Ligure - Cipressa - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Fondali Arma di Taggia - Punta San Martino - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Fondali Capo Mortola - San Gaetano - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Fondali San Remo - Arziglia - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Fondali Varazze - Albisola - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Isola Bergeggi - Punta Predani - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Fondali Noli - Bergeggi - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Fondali Finale Ligure - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Isola Gallinara - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Fondali Loano - Albenga - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Fondali Santa Croce - Gallinara - Capo Lena - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Fondali Capo Mele - Alassio - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Fondali Arenzano - Punta Ivrea - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Fondali Nervi - Sori - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Fondali Boccadasse - Nervi - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Fondali Golfo di Rapallo - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Fondali Monte Portofino - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Fondali Punta di Moneglia - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Fondali Punta Baffe - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Fondali Punta Manara - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Fondali Punta Sestri - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Fondali Punta Apicchi - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Fondali Punta Mesco - Rio Maggiore - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Fondali Punta Picetto - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Fondali Punta Levanto - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Fondali Anzo - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Isole Tino - Tinetto - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Costa di Maralunga - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Fondali Isole Palmaria - Tino - Tinetto - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Isola di Gorgona - area terrestre e marina - Special Protection Area (Birds Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Isola di Capraia - area terrestre e marina - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Isola di Pianosa - area terrestre e marina - Special Protection Area (Birds Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Isola di Capraia - area terrestre e marina - Special Protection Area (Birds Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Secche della Meloria - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Scoglietto di Portoferraio - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Scarpata continentale dell'Arcipelago Toscano - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Isole di Cerboli e Palmaiola - Special Protection Area (Birds Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Tutela del Tursiops truncatus - Site of Community Importance (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Calafuria - Area terrestre e marina - Site of Community Importance (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Isole di Cerboli e Palmaiola - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Isola di Pianosa - area terrestre e marina - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Isola di Gorgona - area terrestre e marina - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Tutela del Tursiope Mar Ligure - Site of Community Importance (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)

Getting to Portofino & Liguria - Nearest Airports

  • Genoa Cristoforo Colombo Airport (GOA), Genova (GE) - 57 km away, approx 77 min travel time
  • Pisa International Airport (PSA), Pisa (PI) - 91 km away, approx 114 min travel time
  • Milano Linate Airport (LIN), Segrate (MI) - 144 km away, approx 172 min travel time

Dive Sites

Dive Centres

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best times of year to go scuba diving in Portofino and Liguria, considering water temperature and visibility?
The provided data context for Portofino and Liguria does not include specific information regarding the best times of year for diving, water temperatures, or typical visibility conditions. For general guidance on when to dive in the Mediterranean, please consult our When to Dive section.
What specific marine life can divers expect to encounter in the Portofino Marine Protected Area and surrounding Ligurian waters?
While the Portofino Marine Protected Area is described as having 'rich biodiversity,' the provided data context does not list specific marine life species that divers can expect to encounter. For more detailed information on marine life in the region, please visit our wildlife database.
What are considered the top dive sites in Portofino and the Ligurian coast for recreational divers?
The Portofino and Ligurian coast boasts 221 dive sites, offering a wide range for recreational divers. Notable sites include the beginner-friendly wreck Relitti di Salò, the intermediate pinnacle Secca del Magazzino, and the expert wreck BR-20 Wreck. Divers can explore various wrecks, reefs, and pinnacles across different skill levels.
Is the Christ of the Abyss statue dive site suitable for all experience levels, and what makes it a popular dive?
The provided data context for Portofino and Liguria does not include 'Christ of the Abyss' among its listed dive sites. Therefore, we cannot provide information on its suitability for different experience levels or what makes it a popular dive based on the given data.
What diving experience levels are best suited for the various dive sites within the Portofino Marine Park and Liguria?
The dive sites within Portofino Marine Park and Liguria cater to all experience levels. Beginners can explore sites like the wreck Relitti di Salò or the reef Grotte à Corail, while intermediate divers might enjoy the wreck MV Equa or the pinnacle Secca del Magazzino. Expert divers have challenging options such as the BR-20 Wreck or the Saint Nazaire reef.
What are the most convenient ways for travelers to get to the Portofino and Ligurian dive regions?
The provided data context does not include information on the most convenient ways for travelers to get to the Portofino and Ligurian dive regions. For travel planning, divers should consult general travel resources for Italy.
Are there any notable wreck dives or unique underwater geological features like caves to explore in Portofino and Liguria?
Yes, Portofino and Liguria are rich in notable wreck dives, including the expert-level BR-20 Wreck and the intermediate Relitto Haven. For unique underwater geological features, divers can explore sites like Grotte à Corail, which suggests cave-like formations, and the Canyon reef.
How do visibility and currents typically vary across different dive sites in the Portofino Marine Protected Area?
The provided data context does not include specific information on how visibility and currents typically vary across different dive sites within the Portofino Marine Protected Area. Divers are advised to check local conditions with one of the 116 dive centres in the region before planning their dives.