Massub Diving Center - Portofino

Massub Diving Center is situated in Lavagna, positioned just 40 steps from the boat embarkation point. It serves as a gateway to the stunning underwater landscapes of the Portofino promontory, an area renowned for its biological diversity and varied topography.

The centre is an SSI affiliated dive centre, catering to everyone from those taking their first breaths underwater to technical divers looking for deeper challenges. Its location allows for efficient logistics, with the ability to unload equipment directly in front of the centre before heading to the boats.

The team is composed of young, professional, and enthusiastic instructors who maintain a friendly, family-like atmosphere. They are dedicated to providing a high level of service, ensuring that both novice and experienced divers feel well-supported throughout their experience.

Beyond the guided dives, the staff manages a full range of services including equipment repair and servicing. Their commitment to the marine environment is reflected in their daily operations, such as the strict avoidance of single-use plastics on board the vessels.

The centre offers a comprehensive range of SSI courses covering every stage of a diver's progression. This includes foundational training such as Basic Diver, Open Water Diver, and Scuba Diver, as well as advanced training like Deep Diver, Wreck Diving, and Navigation.

Specialised training is also available for those looking to refine specific skills, including Perfect Buoyancy, Dry Suit Diving, Night & Limited Visibility, and Search and Recovery. For those pursuing a professional path, the centre provides the Instructor Training Course (ITC). Technical and scientific modules such as Decompression Diving, Computer Diving, Science of Diving, and Marine Ecology are also part of the curriculum.

The centre operates two distinct vessels to suit different group sizes and diving styles. The Motumba is a 10-metre boat powered by a 300 Cv engine, designed to accommodate larger groups comfortably.

For those seeking more speed and agility, the BWA is a 7.40-metre semi-rigid powered by a 250 Cv engine. Both boats are well-equipped for safety, carrying VHF radio, first aid kits, oxygen, safety cylinders, and spare equipment. To ensure comfort, the boats include a small bathroom and covers for winter diving, and they are cleaned and disinfected daily.

On-site, you will find a dedicated station for cylinder refills using Coltri compressors, providing air, Nitrox, and Trimix. The centre also maintains a retail shop and a classroom for theoretical training sessions.

For those needing to rent kit, the centre provides high-quality equipment, including Mares products and SANTI drysuits. The facility is well-equipped for diver comfort, featuring separate changing rooms with hot showers and toilets.

The walls and rocky reefs of the Portofino area are draped in vibrant fixed life. You will frequently encounter red coral, gorgonians, and yellow madrepores, alongside sea anemones and various species of sea slugs or nudibranchs. The rocky crevices are often home to sponges and various types of algae.

The open water and reef structures host a wide array of fish. Look for common dentex, barracuda, groupers, and dusky grouper, as well as sea bream (sars), salema porgy, and amberjack. You may also spot scorpionfish, moray eels, and European conger hiding in the rocks.

Macro life and crustaceans add further interest to the dives. The area is known for its octopus, lobsters, spiny lobsters, and slipper lobsters, which inhabit the many cracks and holes. Small creatures like nudibranchs and various crustaceans can be found throughout the diverse habitats.

Divers should be aware that certain sites, such as Punta del Faro and Dragone, are subject to moderate currents. These currents are often responsible for the high concentration of marine life in those specific areas.

The topography varies from shallow plateaus and seagrass meadows to steep vertical walls that descend to 40 or 50 metres. While many sites like Scoglio Diamante offer calm conditions with no significant current, others require more active buoyancy control due to the depth and flow.