Altare
A Unique Underwater Cathedral
Why is it called Altare? The site takes its name from a rock formation on the surface that vaguely resembles an altar. Beneath the waves, it offers a spectacular dive with three pinnacles and a coral-covered wall that drops vertically to 40 meters. Schools of fish, large brown groupers, snappers, corvinas, bream, and barracudas make this an unmissable dive spot.
🔴 RED ROUTE: Pinnacles & Coral Wall (Max Depth: 40m)
Dive Plan:
- After the pre-dive check, we descend to 16 meters, reaching the buoy’s mooring block.
- Keeping the wall on the right, we fin at 18 meters until we reach the three pinnacles rising dramatically from the seabed.
- Between the second and third pinnacle, we descend along a breathtaking coral-covered wall.
- Exploring the ravines, we may spot lobsters, moray eels, and octopuses hiding in the crevices.
- We then ascend to 20 meters, crossing a rocky gully leading to a landslide area.
- At 18 meters, we encounter a huge boulder with a yellow coral vault (Leptopsammia pruvoti).
- Following the wall on our left, we gradually ascend to the bay, where we finish the dive near the mooring point.
- During the safety stop at 5m, enjoy the stunning play of light filtering through the water.
🔴 RED ROUTE VARIANT: Landslide & Coral Wall (Max Depth: 40m)
Dive Plan:
- From 16 meters, we descend along the right wall to 30 meters.
- Following the landslide, we reach a beautiful coral-covered wall inhabited by lobsters.
- Gradually ascending to 20 meters, we continue westward through a rocky gully leading to a landslide.
- At 18 meters, we find the massive boulder with yellow coral.
- Returning towards the bay, we follow the wall on our left, passing above the pinnacles we saw earlier.
- The dive ends with a scenic swim-through between two large boulders, before ascending for the safety stop at 5m.
🟢 GREEN ROUTE: Scenic Canyon & Pinnacles (Max Depth: 18m)
Dive Plan:
- Descending to 16 meters, we follow the right wall at a constant depth of 18 meters.
- We soon reach the three pinnacles, where barracuda schools often cruise above us.
- Continuing westward, we cross a rocky gully leading to a landslide.
- At 18 meters, we visit the large boulder with yellow coral before starting our return journey.
- Swimming back towards the bay, we cross another canyon and pass between two massive boulders.
- The dive ends with an easy ascent and a 5m safety stop.
Dive at Altare with Diving Group Portofino
- Location: Portofino Marine Protected Area
- Access: Boat dive
- Best Conditions: Moderate currents, great visibility
- Depth: 18m (Green Route) | 40m (Red Route)
- Difficulty: Beginner to Advanced
Ready to explore one of Portofino’s most fascinating dive sites? Book your dive with us today!