wreck

Log This Dive

Relitti di Ranco

The Relitti di Ranco site in Portofino is a real charmer for divers starting out, or anyone who just fancies a mellow dive with a bit of history. We love it because it’s not some grand, spooky wreck but a collection of four small, wooden fishing boats sunk deliberately back in the 1970s. You’re only ever at about 14 metres, making it super accessible, even for those getting their buoyancy dialled in. The wooden skeletons of the boats are surprisingly intact, draped in a soft carpet of sponges and hydroids. We always spend a good while poking around the hulls, spotting nudibranchs, often some vibrant flabellina, and small moray eels peering out from cracks. Schools of damselfish shimmer around the masts, catching the sunlight that filters down through the Mediterranean blue. It’s got this calm, almost melancholic vibe that’s quite unique. Our favourite part is finding the old fishing gear, still tangled in places, a little snapshot of the past. Go early to get the best light, and you might just have the whole place to yourself.