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    Diving in Portofino & Liguria

    Diving in Portofino & Liguria

    Italy
    221 dive sites
    116 dive centres

    Why dive here

    Portofino & Liguria offers some of Italy's richest diving, with 70+ marine species recorded in the area - including blue sharks, dolphins, humpback whales, mobula rays (devil rays) and oceanic whitetip sharks. Water ranges 14-27°C, warmest July, August, September.

    Best timeJul–Aug
    WetsuitA 3mm shorty or thin full wetsuit
    Marine lifeBlue Sharks, Dolphins, Humpback Whales, Mobula Rays (Devil Rays) and Oceanic Whitetip Sharks · 70+ species recorded
    Water14-27°C · warmest July, August, September
    Dive sites216 sites · wreck, reef, cave
    StandoutRich in charismatic marine life

    The Italian Riviera might conjure images of pastel villages and yacht-dotted harbours, but drop beneath the surface at Portofino and Liguria, and you’ll find some seriously compelling diving. We love the dramatic topography here - sheer walls draped in red gorgonian fans, secret caves, and pinnacles that scrape the surface. Keep an eye out for curious painted combers zipping through the crevices and we've even spotted loggerhead turtles cruising by on occasion. This is quintessential Mediterranean diving, where the magic lies in the details and the feeling of exploring ancient underwater landscapes. Our favourite time to visit is late spring or early autumn. You dodge the biggest crowds, and the water still holds a pleasant warmth. We’d suggest focusing on the Portofino Marine Protected Area for the best chance of encountering healthy gorgonian forests and schools of blacktail bream. The wrecks are a real highlight too; they've become artificial reefs, providing shelter for scorpionfish and morays. Currents can pick up, particularly around the exposed pinnacles, so it’s always worth chatting with the local dive centres about conditions on the day.

    Portofino & Liguria Dive Site Map

    Dive sites and dive centres in Portofino & Liguria

    Portofino & Liguria Dive Sites

    216 dive sites in Portofino & Liguria

    Airplane Wreck WWII

    There’s something about a plane wreck that just hits differently than a ship, isn’t there? The Airplane Wreck in Portofino Bay delivers that unique, eerie charm. We love diving this site because it feels like stepping into a moment frozen in time, a poignant reminder of WWII just off the Italian coast. You’ll drop down onto the sandy seabed and find the remains of a German Junkers JU 88 bomber, scattered but still recognisable. The cockpit section is particularly striking, often home to a grumpy moray eel peeking out from the gloom. We’ve spent whole dives just exploring the various pieces, imagining the impact, the sudden silence. Look closely at the wings and fuselage – they’re encrusted now with vibrant gorgonians and sponges, providing shelter for colourful nudibranchs and small schools of damselfish. The visibility here can be excellent, especially in late summer, giving the wreck a dreamlike quality. It's a fairly shallow dive, around 20 metres, making it accessible for open water divers who want a taste of historical wreck diving without the deep saturation. Our favourite time to go is first thing in the morning; you avoid the boat traffic and often get the wreck to yourself.

    15-30m

    ALFREDO CAPPELLINI

    The Alfredo Cappellini wreck, just off Portofino, is one of those sites we always recommend, especially if you’re looking for something a bit different, and shallow. At just seven metres deep, it’s a brilliant second dive or a relaxed day out, making it ideal for newer divers or anyone keen on a longer bottom time. This isn’t a grand, intact vessel. The Cappellini was a submarine, scuttled during WWII, and time has definitely taken its toll. What you find now are the scattered remnants of a wreck, strewn across a sandy bottom, with fragments of metal and machinery creating a really interesting landscape. We love how the parts have become artificial reefs, attracting groups of damselfish and small wrasse that dart in and out of the crevices. Look closely and you’ll spot nudibranchs, often several different species, clinging to the rusty metal. We often find ourselves just slowly drifting, peering under plates of steel, imagining the submarine’s past. It’s a contemplative dive, rather than an adrenaline rush, perfect for practising buoyancy and getting truly absorbed in the details.

    7m

    Ancorone

    Ancorone offers a straightforward dive along the Portofino coast. You'll navigate a rocky wall, exploring small crevices where moray eels often hide. It’s a reliable spot for seeing typical Mediterranean fish like damselfish and the occasional octopus, making it a good choice for newer divers or those looking for a relaxed afternoon dip.

    15-30m

    Andrea Ghisotti (ex Scoglio del Raviolo)

    Andrea Ghisotti, or the Raviolo as many still call it, sits just off the Portofino coast. It’s a solid Mediterranean dive, particularly if you’re into the smaller, more intricate stuff. You'll find a good collection of pink sea fans here, swaying gently, providing shelter for slipper lobsters and sometimes even a common lobster tucked away in the nooks. We’ve had pleasant dives watching painted combers dart through schools of damsel fish, and if you’re lucky, a conger eel might peek out from its hiding spot. Visibility can be excellent on a calm day, making it a nice spot for a relaxed exploration rather than a deep, dramatic wall dive. It’s a good choice for newer divers or those who prefer to take their time.

    Argentarola Caves

    Dropping into the Argentarola Caves, you’ll find a series of interconnected passages, each with a different character. Sunlight filters through openings, illuminating sponges and some small fish hiding in the crevices. It’s a straightforward cave system, suitable for divers comfortable in overhead environments who want something beyond a simple reef dive. We’d suggest a dive light to really pick out the details.

    10-30m

    ARMATAN III

    The Armatan III sits in a modest 22 metres, an old sailing vessel, not a grand freighter, but there’s a quiet beauty to it. We particularly love the bow, often draped in a shimmering curtain of damselfish, their scales catching the light. It's an easy dive, perfect for a relaxed afternoon, and the wreck itself, while not huge, offers enough nooks and crannies to keep you poking around for a good while. Look closely at the mast, now thickly encrusted, where we’ve often spotted small scorpionfish blending in perfectly. What makes the Armatan III special, for us, isn’t its size, but how it’s become part of the seabed. The wooden hull has long since given way in places, creating swim-throughs where you can glide past walls of jewel anemones. We always take our time here, circling the main structure, watching for moray eels tucked into the darker sections. It’s a gentle introduction to wreck diving in Liguria, suitable for anyone comfortable at this depth, and you’ll often have it mostly to yourselves, especially on a weekday. The visibility here can be variable, so aim for a calm morning after a few days of settled weather; it really makes a difference.

    22m

    ASD POSIDONIA

    Dropping into ASD Posidonia, you’re often greeted by the soft sway of the seagrass meadow, a crucial habitat here in Liguria. It’s a good spot for patiently observing some of the quieter residents, like the Mediterranean slipper lobster or maybe a well-camouflaged conger eel peeking from a crevice. We’ve had pleasant dives here, watching brown combers glide between the blades and occasionally spotting the flash of a horse mackerel passing through. While it might not have the dramatic drops of other Portofino sites, it’s a calm, rewarding dive for those who appreciate the subtle beauty of a healthy seagrass bed.

    Baia di Castiglioncello

    Baia di Castiglioncello sits tucked away near Portofino, a friendly spot for anyone just getting their fins wet. With a maximum depth of 10 metres, it's pretty forgiving, letting you relax and get comfortable. You’ll find schools of small fish zipping through the seagrass beds, and if you take your time, you might spot a shy octopus or a colourful nudibranch clinging to a rock. We've always found it a good place to brush up on skills or simply enjoy a quiet dip without the pressure of deeper or more challenging dives.

    10m

    Bettolina

    The Bettolina offers a straightforward dive to 30 meters, good for intermediate divers comfortable with that depth. You'll find the typical Mediterranean array here: moray eels peering from crevices and a decent population of groupers. It's a solid choice if you're in the Portofino area and looking for a reliable dive without strong currents.

    30m

    Biboz

    Biboz is a dive for technical divers, dropping to 49 metres. The wall is covered in red gorgonians, with plenty of resident lobsters and moray eels in the cracks. You'll often spot pelagics cruising by in the blue, though the visibility can be variable. This site is best for those comfortable with deep, dark diving.

    49m

    Bigo

    Bigo is a good spot for newer divers in Portofino, sitting at a comfortable 26 meters. The site gets its name from an old wooden crane, the bigo, that once stood here. Now, the remaining timbers create shelter for a surprising amount of Mediterranean fish. Look for moray eels tucked into crevices and schools of ornate wrasse darting between the rocks. It’s a relaxed dive, ideal for getting comfortable in the water.

    26m

    BOLZANETO

    Bolzaneto is one of those wrecks we keep coming back to. Built in 1918, she’s a big girl at 90 metres long, sunk by a British submarine in 1943. She sits upright on the seabed at 55 metres, an imposing silhouette emerging from the blue. Dropping down, you feel the water cool a few degrees, and the light dims to a hazy green. We love exploring her bow, a jumble of twisted metal and plates that offer plenty of swim-throughs for those with the right training. Her stern is our favourite, though, with the propeller still largely intact, a real magnet for schooling snapper and barracuda. The current can pick up here, so good buoyancy is key. Look closely at the cargo holds – they’re full of brittle stars and the occasional moray eel peeking out from the shadows. The sheer scale of Bolzaneto makes it a proper deep-diving adventure, best suited for experienced technical divers who appreciate a piece of history and the marine life that now calls it home.

    55m
    Show all 216 dive sites in Portofino & Liguria

    Portofino & Liguria Dive Centres

    116 dive shops and operators in Portofino & Liguria

    2.0 Diving

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    7 Perle ASD

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    A 2.0

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    Abissi s.r.l.

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    Accademia Blu Diving Center

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    ACQUA ACADEMY ASD

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    Acquasport

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    ACQUE LIBERE SUB TORINO ASD

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    Show all 116 dive centres in Portofino & Liguria

    Ocean Wildlife in Portofino & Liguria

    70 species recorded in Portofino & Liguria

    Portofino & Liguria Daylight & Sunrise/Sunset

    Sunrise and sunset times for Portofino & Liguria, calculated from coordinates

    Today - Sunday 11 October

    Sunrise

    06:32

    Sunset

    17:47

    Daylight

    11h 15m

    Golden Hour

    17:08

    First light (dawn) at 06:03 · Last light (dusk) at 18:16

    Monthly Averages

    Month
    Jan07:5517:089h 12m
    Feb07:2417:5010h 26m
    Mar06:3818:2711h 49m
    Apr05:4119:0513h 23m
    May04:5819:4114h 43m
    JunLongest04:3920:0715h 28m
    Jul04:5220:0515h 13m
    Aug05:2519:3114h 6m
    Sep06:0118:3712h 36m
    OctNow06:3617:4211h 6m
    Nov07:1716:589h 42m
    DecShortest07:5016:458h 54m

    Times are approximate local times based on longitude. Actual times may vary slightly depending on the exact timezone observed in Portofino & Liguria.

    Where to Stay near Portofino & Liguria

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    Marine Protected Areas near Portofino & Liguria

    56 protected areas near Portofino & Liguria - please respect local regulations when diving

    Pelagos Sanctuary For The Conservation Of Marine Mammals

    Specially Protected Areas of Mediterranean Importance (Barcelona Convention)
    IUCN Not Assigned
    87,669 km²

    Santuario per i Mammiferi Marini

    International significance Natural Marine Area
    IUCN IV
    23,698 km²

    Tutela del Tursiops truncatus

    Site of Community Importance (Habitats Directive)
    3,721 km²

    Tutela del Tursiope Mar Ligure

    Site of Community Importance (Habitats Directive)
    775 km²

    Parco nazionale dell' Arcipelago Toscano

    National Park
    IUCN II
    Green List
    564 km²

    Isola di Capraia - area terrestre e marina

    Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive)
    169 km²

    Isola di Capraia - area terrestre e marina

    Special Protection Area (Birds Directive)
    169 km²

    Isola di Gorgona - area terrestre e marina

    Special Protection Area (Birds Directive)
    146 km²

    Isola di Gorgona - area terrestre e marina

    Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive)
    146 km²

    Area marina protetta Secche della Meloria

    Natural Marine Reserve and Natural Protected Marine Areas
    IUCN IV
    94 km²

    Secche della Meloria

    Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive)
    87 km²

    Isola di Pianosa - area terrestre e marina

    Special Protection Area (Birds Directive)
    45 km²

    Showing 12 largest of 56

    Getting to Portofino & Liguria

    Genova (GE)

    GOA
    57 km~1.3 hrs

    Pisa (PI)

    PSA
    91 km~1.9 hrs

    Segrate (MI)

    LIN
    144 km~2.9 hrs
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