PIER FOSCARI - Portofino & Liguria
Pier Foscari is an absolute standout for us in Liguria, not because it’s a big wreck, but because of its story and the life it now holds. Sunk by German forces in 1943, this cargo ship sits upright in just 15 metres, making it incredibly accessible for most divers. We love poking around the bow, where the hull is draped in red gorgonians, and schools of damselfish flit in and out of the openings. You can still make out the superstructure and parts of the hold, now home to moray eels and the occasional spiny lobster tucked into crevices. What truly makes it special is the transformation from wartime casualty to thriving artificial reef. We always suggest taking your time here, letting your eyes adjust to the subtle movements of nudibranchs on the encrusted metal. It’s a gentle dive, rich in atmosphere and surprisingly colourful, perfect for photographers or anyone who appreciates a wreck with history.
- Location
- Portofino & Liguria, Italy, Mediterranean & Europe
- Coordinates
- 43.400100, 10.411683
- Type
- wreck
- Maximum Depth
- 15m
Marine Protected Area: Calafuria - Area terrestre e marina
Nearby Dive Sites in Portofino & Liguria
- Abyss Diving Center (wreck)
- Accademia Blu Diving Center
- Airplane Wreck WWII (wreck)
- ALFREDO CAPPELLINI - 7m (wreck)
- Ancorone
- Andrea Ghisotti (ex Scoglio del Raviolo)
- Argentarola Caves - 10-30m (cave)
- ARMATAN III - 22m (wreck)
- ASD POSIDONIA
- Baia di Castiglioncello - 10m
- Bettolina - 30m
- Biboz - 49m
- Bigo - 26m
- BOLZANETO - 55m (wreck)
- BR20
Nearest Dive Centres to PIER FOSCARI
- 2.0 Diving - ["PADI"]
- 7 Perle ASD - ["PADI"]
- A 2.0
- Abissi s.r.l.
- Accademia Blu Diving Center
- ACQUA ACADEMY ASD - SSI
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.
Notable Species
- Blue-white Dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba) - Whales & Dolphins
- Bushy Coral (Cladocora caespitosa) - Hard Corals
- Damsel fish (Chromis chromis) - Reef Fish
- Red coral (Corallium rubrum) - Soft Corals
- Sunset cup coral (Leptopsammia pruvoti) - Hard Corals
- Corb (Sciaena umbra) - Reef Fish
- Cowfish (Tursiops truncatus) - Whales & Dolphins
- Scarlet Coral (Balanophyllia (Balanophyllia) europaea) - Hard Corals
- Pink Sea Fan (Eunicella verrucosa) - Soft Corals
- Razorback (Balaenoptera physalus) - Whales & Dolphins
- Common Spiny Lobster (Palinurus elephas) - Crabs & Lobsters
- mauve stinger (Pelagia noctiluca) - Jellyfish
- Wrasse (Coris julis) - Reef Fish
- Painted Comber (Serranus scriba) - Reef Fish
- Salema (Sarpa salpa) - Reef Fish
- Garrupa (Serranus cabrilla) - Reef Fish
- Moonfish (Mola mola) - Reef Fish
- Cuvier's Beaked Whale (Ziphius cavirostris) - Whales & Dolphins
- Sperm Whale (Physeter macrocephalus) - Whales & Dolphins
- conger (Conger conger) - Reef Fish