The Lighthouse

An Iconic Dive with Stunning Marine Life & Dramatic Rock Formations

One of the most fascinating and biodiverse dive sites in the Portofino Marine Protected Area, Il Faro (The Lighthouse) offers breathtaking underwater scenery, from vibrant gorgonians to majestic groupers and hunting barracudas.

This site is perfect for both recreational and advanced divers, with two dive routes that explore the dramatic underwater terrain beneath Portofino’s historic lighthouse. The steep rock walls, massive boulders, and marine-rich plateaus make this dive one of the best in the Mediterranean.

Dive Routes

🔴 Red Route (Up to -40m) – For Advanced Divers

A deeper, more technical dive with impressive rock formations, gorgonian forests, and close encounters with large predators.

1. Descent & Reference Point

  • After the pre-dive check, we descend along the buoy chain to -25m.
  • The dive begins eastward, keeping the promontory to our left.
  • At -32m, we reach the first gorgonians, marking the transition into deeper waters.

2. Exploring the Ridge

  • Divers certified for deep diving can descend further to -40m, following the ridge.
  • At -27m, we navigate through large boulders, often home to octopuses, moray eels, and conger eels.

3. Marine Life Encounters

  • Schools of barracudas, snappers, amberjacks, and tuna can be seen hunting in the open blue.
  • At -14m, we reach a distinctive round boulder resting on a small plateau—one of the site’s signature landmarks.
  • A large plateau at -14m is home to huge brown groupers, a common sight near Il Faro.

4. Ascent & Safety Stop

  • The dive concludes at -8m, directly under the Portofino Lighthouse.
  • If conditions allow, we continue a northwest loop, passing by a rock collapse from the 2018 storm, before making a safety stop at -5m.
  • Due to frequent boat traffic, a surface marker buoy (SMB) must be deployed before surfacing.

🟢 Green Route (Up to -18m) – Perfect for Recreational Divers

A shallower but equally rewarding dive, exploring massive boulders, hidden caves, and thriving marine life.

1. Descent & Exploration

  • Following the buoy chain to -18m, we head eastward, navigating between gigantic boulders where octopuses, moray eels, and groupers hide.

2. Encounters with Pelagic Life

  • Schools of barracudas, snappers, amberjacks, and tuna hunt in the blue water along the outer plateau.

3. Scenic Plateau & Return

  • We reverse direction westward, circling a large cone-shaped rock, then arriving at a stunning plateau at -14m, home to massive brown groupers.
  • The dive concludes at -8m under the lighthouse, following the same return path as the Red Route.
  • Ascent with a safety stop at -5m before surfacing.

VIDEO BRIEFING 1 refers to the RED Route

Video Briefing 1

Video Briefing 2

Dive The Lighthouse with Diving Group Portofino

  • Location: Portofino Marine Protected Area
  • Access: Boat dive with mooring buoy
  • Best Conditions: Mild currents, good visibility
  • Depth: 18m (Green Route) | 40m (Red Route)
  • Difficulty: Beginner to Advanced

Want to experience one of the most thrilling dives in Portofino? Book your dive with us today!