Just off the coast of the beautiful village of Portofino, you'll find some spectacular deep dive sites including a number of fantastic wrecks that almost overshadow the area's natural wonders. While the wreck diving around Portofino is indeed excellent, there are some deep reefs here that definitely deserve your attention. Here are three to get you started.
Punta del Faro di Portofino
Located just offshore from the lighthouse that sits at Portofino's tip, Punta del Faro di Portofino is often not accessible due to treacherous currents and silty conditions. On days when the ocean is calm, however, this area offers an enchanting underwater landscape 70 meters beneath the surface. With immense walls and steep, stepped terraces covered in coral and sea fans in every color of the rainbow, the site features enormous boulders and crevices teeming with fish, crustaceans, and invertebrates representing the abundance of the Mediterranean. The giant conger eels that are seen on every dive share their burrows with forkbeards and large moray eels, and on occasion, you'll see enormous octopus. At a depth of 62 meters, a beautiful garden of false black coral awaits, creating the perfect opportunity for photographers to capture exquisite images of this rare species. At 68 meters lie the remains of an unknown, ancient shipwreck, and as you make your way to the surface, you'll enjoy color and life all the way up to a depth of about 10 meters.
Secche Isuela e Isuelina
An outstanding site which can be completely circumnavigated in 25 to 30 minutes of bottom time, Secche Isuela e Isuelina features stunning boulders and incredible topography at depths between the surface and about 54 meters. With a massive wall to the south and west of the little islands, plus a saddle covered in tube sponges and false black coral, the site is home to such creatures as dogfish and eels, plus large bream and even snappers and moonfish, not to mention an astonishing array of invertebrates and crustaceans everywhere you look. Watch for yellowtail darting between gorgonians, and use caution as you explore since there are concealed stonefish and scorpionfish just waiting to zap a careless diver with a dose of venom. Certainly an outstanding place for photography and one you'll want to visit at least twice, this site will remind you of the reasons you decided to become a diver in the first place!
Punta Manara
A vast area with rocky ridges that parallel one another, pointing the way from shore to the open sea, Punta Manara is incredible, both from geological and biological standpoints. The ridges rise up to heights between 3 and 5 meters, and depths vary from 35 to 50 meters. The most popular way to explore this site is with the help of DPV's, since it is so extensive. With incredible coral and sponge growth, plus multitudes of fish and other marine life, the site is at its best at the beginning and end of summer as well as during the off season when overhead boating is at a minimum.
While in Portofino, remember to visit the Christ of the Abyss (Cristo degli Abissi) and other popular sites, and take some time to enjoy the many topside attractions which include vestiges of ancient Roman and Greek culture. With astonishing dive sites and incredible opportunities for exploration and relaxation while on surface intervals, the area is one you'll want to return to again and again. Book early, particularly if you hope to visit during the summer months; doing so will ensure you get the opportunity to dive the sites you want to see most.