Portofino Divers

Located in Santa Margherita Ligure, Portofino Divers has been operating since 2002. The centre is positioned to provide access to the Portofino Marine Park, a protected area known for its unique geography and high concentration of marine life. The promontory acts as a natural barrier that intercepts currents, creating an oasis of biodiversity in the Ligurian Sea.

The area offers a wide variety of underwater topography, ranging from shallow reef flats to deep walls and historic shipwrecks. Whether you are looking for a shore-based introduction to the sport or a deep technical dive on a wreck, the centre provides a personalised experience away from the larger crowds.

Run by Bruno and Susi, the centre focuses on providing a high standard of service for both beginners and demanding technical divers. The team is dedicated to offering a personalised experience, ensuring that every diver can enjoy the local sites safely and effectively.

As a PADI affiliated centre, they offer a comprehensive range of training programmes. Their expertise extends into technical diving, with instruction available for GUE Fundamentals, DPV, and various PADI Tec courses, making them a key destination for those looking to progress beyond recreational limits.

The training programme is extensive, covering the full spectrum of PADI certifications. Beginners can start with the PADI Discover Scuba Diving programme or progress through PADI Open Water Diver, Advanced Open Water Diver, and Rescue Diver.

For technical divers, the centre offers specialised training including PADI Nitrox Diver, PADI Deep Diver, PADI Wreck Diver, and PADI Dry Suit Diver. They also provide advanced technical instruction through PADI Tec 40, Tec 45, and Tec 50 courses, alongside GUE Fundamentals, GUE DPV 1, and GUE drysuit and double courses.

The centre provides access to Nitrox and Trimix, catering to both recreational and technical diving requirements. This allows for extended bottom times on deeper wreck sites or more efficient profiles for multi-dive days.

For those travelling without their own kit, a range of equipment is available for hire, including wetsuits, regulators, and fins.

The marine park is home to a spectacular concentration of life forms. You will encounter various migratory fish species including dentex, amberjacks, sunfish, and schools of anchovies and horse mackerel. The rocky structures and reefs are frequently visited by large predatory fish.

On the wrecks and walls, the biodiversity is particularly high. You can find various species of eels, such as conger eels and moray eels, alongside lobsters and European lobsters that inhabit the crevices. Scorpionfish and various species of nudibranchs are also common sights for observant divers.

Macro life is abundant throughout the area. The wrecks are often covered in colourful anemones and various species of nudibranchs. You may also spot small crustaceans and catsharks resting near the scattered wreckage on the seabed.

The area is characterised by relatively calm conditions, with many of the primary dive sites experiencing little to no current. However, some wreck sites, such as the UJ2207, can experience variable currents.

Visibility in the marine park typically averages between 15 and 20 metres. On certain deeper wreck sites, such as the Genova or the Saint Nazaire, visibility can be more variable due to bottom currents affecting the silt.