| Dive area / region : Italy Liguria - See the map |
 
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| Best diving season : March • April • May • June • July • August • September • October | |||||||||||||||||||
| Recommended number of days to stay : 5 to 7 days | |||||||||||||||||||
| Number of dive sites : More than 20 Dive Sites | |||||||||||||||||||
| Water temperature and wetsuit advice : 16-20C : 2 Piece Wetsuit | |||||||||||||||||||
| Average visibility : 16 - 20 meters | |||||||||||||||||||
| Average dives depth : 30 Meters | |||||||||||||||||||
| Type of currents : Medium level currents | |||||||||||||||||||
| Months when these currents are present : Varies - some dive sites are always for Advanced Divers due to the currents but there are many dive sites suitable for Beginner divers as well | |||||||||||||||||||
| General surface conditions : Generally flat surface | |||||||||||||||||||
| Wreck types : Recent world ships • War ships |
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| Type of marine life : Anemone • Barracuda • Corals • Crayfish • Cuttlefish • Dolphins • Grouper • Jelly fish • Lobster • Moray Eels • Nudibranch • Octopus • Plants • Reef Fish • Sea urchins • Seahorses • Shrimps • Softcoral • Sponge • Squid • Star fish • Tuna • Worms | |||||||||||||||||||
| Presence of caves / caverns : Yes - Semiclosed | |||||||||||||||||||
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Scuba Diving in Italy Portofino Marine Park
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Description
THE MARINE PROTECTED AREA ENVIRONMENT Landscape and wildlife: the cape of Portofino constitutes one of the most important outlets of eastern Liguria. It has a quadrangular shape and stretches into the sea for approximately 5 km, delimiting to the west, the Gulf of the Paradise and to east, the Gulf of the Tigullio. To the North the cliff is constituted by calcareous marl and to the south by conglomerate rock. The southern side is approximately 6 km long and comprises the two inlets Cala dell’Oro and San Fruttuoso and a series of high and steep falesie (sea cliff), that continue under the water, until deep depths (40 and 50 m), where the muddy and debris banks begin. The emerged falesie are characterized by the presence of typical vegetation of the coastal cliffs, in which dominates the Sea Fennel. Amongst the most interesting species, there is the Sea Lavender from Liguria here at the oriental limits of its range. Higher, along the slopes exposed to the south, there is the maquis with the Heath tree and the Strawberry tree. Also present is the Maritime Pine and the Aleppo’s Pine, together with the Euphorbia Tree.
The flora of the cape is rich and heterogeneous, with more than 700 species, amongst which some endemism like the ligulate Saxifraga and the Ligurian Knapweed. In addition, the terrestrial fauna is influenced by the rich environment diversity of the cape. Numerous vertebrates are present: amongst the amphibians we note the Smooth Newt, the Common Tree Frog, the Common Newt, the parsley frog, the Jewelled Lacerta and the Mediterranean Gecko. The bird life is very rich and includes various sea birds like the Cormorant, the Gannet, the Manx Shearwater, the Common Tern, the Herring Gull and the Audouin’s Gull. In addition, some invertebrate endemism are present.
The marine environment: the sea banks of Portofino are amongst the richest and most interesting not only of the Riviera Ligure Sea, but also of the entire Mediterranean, and for this reason they are amongst the most studied and visited. The typical photophilic communities of the western Mediterranean distinguish the upper part of the submerged reefs, while in the lower part the typical sciophilous organism are present. Meadows and patches of Posidonia sea grass are present. The marine banks are rich in species and various biocenosis are present; amongst which the coralligenous, the semi dark coves and the coastal debris. There are many white, red yellow, white and pink gorgonian, the Yellow Cluster Anemone and the Sardinian coral.
Diving in the PORTOFINO PROTECTED MARINE PARK
You can see one of the most famous dive in the Med: CHRIST OF THE ABYSS
Many vertical walls for multi-level and deep dives. Wrecks, caverns, night dives. Large amount of Red Coral and Violet Gorgonian, Barracuda, Snapper, Tuna and Groupers. This is the home of the unique Giant Moon Fish. Dolphins are found in this region well known as the Dolphin Sanctuary. Diving is perfect for beginners and more experienced divers.
Luca from DWS Diving.
Credit Photos : Jorg Bauser
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