Portofino began its life as a small fishing village, and though fishing is still a major part of the lifestyle here, Portofino is now known more for its splendid resorts and beaches, waterfront cafes, and historic sites. There are many excellent wrecks and scenic dive sites to explore around Portofino; here are just five to help you begin planning your getaway.
Mohawk Deer
A cargo ship which had been slated for scrapping, the Mohawk Deer was being towed to the salvage yard in 1974, when she struck a rock and broke into two massive chunks. This is an intriguing multi-level dive site, with maximum depth being about 40 meters at the ship's stern, and minimum depth being about 22 meters at the bow, which is sitting upright at an almost right angle to the seabed, leaning up against a wall about 18 meters high. Moray and conger eels inhabit the wreck, as do corvinas and large groupers. There is a huge debris field to explore, and the site is large enough to keep you occupied for at least two or three dives. Watch for octopus, and be careful of the scorpionfish that inhabit this colorful wreck.
Cristo degli Abissi
The famous Christ of the Abyss statue is cast of bronze, and depicts Jesus with hands outstretched, and gaze pointed upward toward the surface. Located off San Fruttoso, between Portofino and Camogli, the statue is situated at a depth of 17 meters and is 2.5 meters tall. Created by artist Guido Galletti, it was placed here for all to enjoy, and is actually located near the spot where Dario Gonzatti, the first Italian to use SCUBA gear, died in 1947. The statue was removed in 2003 and restored, and put back on its pedestal in 2004. You'll find identical statues in Key Largo, Florida, and off the coast of St. George's in Grenada.
Secca di Punta Carega
Sometimes referred to as the dry Gonzatti, Secca di Punta Carega features a fantastic reef that can be easily accessed either from shore or by boat. The reef's top is just 5 feet below the surface, and maximum depth on its outer edge is just over 50 meters, making the site popular with divers of all skill levels. Home to a wealth of damselfish and anthias, along with nudibranchs, octopus, moray eels, and lots of shrimp, crabs, and other crustaceans, this reef is constructed of massive rocks that create the perfect backdrop for photographing all the life that inhabits it.
Punta della Torretta
Literally translating to "The Front of the Tower," Punta della Torretta is a colorful dive site with a wall covered in red gorgonians and fantastic sea daisies. Home to schooling snapper, and often visited by small yellowtail and tuna, the site offers maximum depth at over 40 meters, though most of the best features are between 16 and 35 meters. Keep an eye out for mola mola, barracuda, and amberjack hunting from the numerous smaller fish that inhabit the site.
Altare
A small cove with depths between 5 and 15 meters, ringed with massive boulders and sitting adjacent to a beautiful wall and canyon covered in corals, Altare is home to lobsters and other crustaceans, along with forkbeards, anthia, and lots of scorpionfish. More experienced divers can make their way outside the protected area and down to a depth of about 40 meters, where larger fish including some large groupers are in residence, and where the coral is much more pristine.
These are just a few of the many dive sites Portofino has to offer, and with so many topside attractions to enjoy as well, you might just find yourself wishing you had more time to spend on vacation. As this area is extremely popular, it is advisable to book well in advance, particularly if you plan to visit during the summer months.