Portofino Marine Reserve

Santa Margherita Ligure · Liguria · Italy

The Portofino Marine Reserve is where the glamour of the Italian Riviera meets the richness of the Mediterranean deep. Established in 1999, this marine protected area encompasses the coastal waters of three picturesque Ligurian towns: Santa Margherita Ligure, Portofino, and Camogli. Beneath the surface of this famously beautiful coastline lies an underwater world that matches the scenery above for sheer drama. The undoubted centrepiece is Il Cristo degli Abissi, the Christ of the Abyss. This iconic 2.5-metre bronze statue stands at 17 metres depth in San Fruttuoso bay, arms raised toward the light filtering down from the surface. Placed in 1954 to commemorate Dario Gonzatti, the first Italian to use scuba equipment, the statue has become one of the most recognizable underwater landmarks on Earth. The approach dive is beautiful in itself, with dense Posidonia meadows giving way to rocky reef as the Christ comes slowly into view. Beyond the statue, the reserve offers over 20 diverse dive sites. Steep walls plunge from the promontory's base, their surfaces covered in a spectacular tapestry of red coral, gorgonian sea fans, and yellow anemones. The colour palette is extraordinary, particularly on the deeper walls where red and orange dominate against the blue water background. Large schools of barracuda and sea bream patrol the open water, while dusky groupers lurk in the shadows of overhangs. Wreck enthusiasts will find 15 shipwrecks within the reserve, many accessible to recreational divers. The combination of natural reef and artificial structure creates habitat diversity that supports remarkable biodiversity for such a compact area. Deeper sections of the reef, reaching 50 metres, reveal false black coral and other species more commonly associated with much greater depths. Dive centres operate from Santa Margherita Ligure, Portofino, and Camogli, with boat rides to the best sites rarely exceeding 15 minutes. Water temperatures peak at 25 degrees in summer, while visibility averages 10 to 20 metres depending on conditions and season. The reserve's three-zone protection system balances conservation with responsible diving access, ensuring this Ligurian treasure remains healthy for generations to come.