Gonzatti Plaque

Dive into History: Dive into the Legacy of Gonzatti

Gonzatti Plaque is a fascinating and historically significant dive site. This site takes its name from a marble plaque once cemented into the rock in memory of Dario Gonzatti, a true pioneer of scuba diving who lost his life in 1947. Though the plaque was swept away by the sea during the violent storm of 2018, the site still carries his legacy beneath the surface.

Today, this evocative dive offers more than just history—it’s a journey through coral-covered walls, hidden passages lined with yellow cup corals, and rocky formations patrolled by brown groupers and dentex. With two route options—one reaching 40 metres, the other ideal for beginners—it’s a moving and memorable experience for divers of all levels. The site is accessed by boat and is best dived in calm, clear conditions.

🔴 RED ROUTE (down to -40 m)

DESCENT

  • After completing our pre-dive check, we’ll be ready to descend. As the buoy is quite a distance from the promontory, if visibility is excellent, we can follow the chain visually during the descent. However, if visibility is poor, it will be much safer to descend along the wall and choose a reference point at -6 m for the return.

OUTBOUND

  • Once we reach a depth of -22 m near the buoy’s anchor block, we’ll swim with the wall on our left until we find a coral-covered wall that drops to -40 m.

  • Following this wall at around -36 m, we’ll come across the entrance to a wide passage, with a ceiling covered in brilliant yellow Leptopsammia pruvoti (cup coral).

  • In the crevices, we may spot the antennae of lobsters and shy forkbeards hidden in the shadows.

  • After exiting at -30 m, we’ll begin to ascend gently, swimming among scattered boulders and large brown groupers moving in and out of their dens.

  • Continuing eastward with the wall still on our left, we’ll eventually reach the anchor block of Raviolo Rock’s buoy at -17 m.

RETURN

  • Now it’s time to head back towards the boat.

  • We’ll follow the contour of the wall with it on our right, swimming through schools of brown meagres, sea bream, damselfish, and even two European sea bass that often cruise through the upper water layers.

ASCENT

  • Upon spotting the large boulders where we first descended, we’ll pause for our 3-minute safety stop at -5 m.

  • If we can’t see the chain clearly, we’ll safely exit the dive next to the wall.

🟢 GREEN ROUTE (down to -18 m)

DESCENT

  • After the pre-dive check, we’ll be ready to descend. As the buoy is quite distant from the promontory, if visibility is excellent, we can descend along the chain. If visibility is limited, it’s much safer to follow the wall down and take a reference point at -6 m for the return.

  • At -18 m, with the wall on our left and the large boulders behind us, we’ll swim across the plateau, weaving between the many rocks scattered along the way, where large brown groupers move in and out of their shelters.

  • Continuing eastward with the wall on our left, we’ll arrive next to the anchor block of Raviolo Rock’s buoy at -17 m, often surrounded by a school of dentex circling the chain.

RETURN

  • It’s time to return to the boat.

  • We’ll follow the wall back with it on our right, swimming through schools of brown meagres, sea bream, damselfish, and the two European sea bass that are often seen in the shallows.

ASCENT

  • Upon seeing the large boulders where we began our descent, we’ll pause for our 3-minute safety stop at -5 m.

  • If visibility is low and we can’t see the chain, we’ll safely exit next to the wall.

Dive the Gonzatti Plaque Site with Diving Group Portofino

  • Location: Portofino Marine Protected Area
  • Access: Boat dive
  • Best conditions: No or light current, excellent visibility
  • Depth: 18 m (Green Route) | 40 m (Red Route)
  • Difficulty: From beginner to advanced

Book your dive with us today and explore this historic and fascinating site!