{"id":2310,"date":"2017-01-19T15:19:21","date_gmt":"2017-01-19T14:19:21","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/dgportofino.ne-ws.it\/portofino\/testa-leone\/"},"modified":"2025-03-22T12:32:27","modified_gmt":"2025-03-22T11:32:27","slug":"testa-leone","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/dgportofino.com\/en\/portofino\/testa-leone\/","title":{"rendered":"Lion’s Head"},"content":{"rendered":"

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”14877″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_shadow_3d” onclick=”img_link_large” css=””][vc_single_image image=”14881″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_shadow_3d” onclick=”img_link_large” css=””]

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\n\t<\/i>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

Lion's Head<\/h3><\/div>
<\/p>\n

Discover a Dramatic Vertical Wall Dive with Red Coral and Predatory Fish<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Lion’s Head is an extraordinary dive site located within the Portofino Marine Protected Area<\/strong>, known for its striking vertical wall<\/strong> covered in vibrant red coral<\/strong> and its rich, ever-changing marine life<\/strong>. This site offers three dive routes\u2014one reaching a maximum depth of 40 metres and two other shallower routes ideal for beginners\u2014making it a versatile spot for divers of all levels<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

The dive begins from a boat, with mooring available nearby. With excellent visibility and light to no current, Lion’s Head is best explored in calm sea conditions. Whether you’re looking for colourful macro life in crevices or hoping to spot pelagic predators in the blue<\/strong>, this dive promises an unforgettable underwater experience.<\/p>\n

\ud83d\udd34 RED ROUTE (up to -40 m)<\/strong><\/h2>\n

DESCENT<\/strong><\/p>\n

    \n
  • \n

    After completing the pre-dive check, we have two options: either descend near the mooring buoy<\/strong> to reach the anchor block at around -27 m<\/strong>, or follow the wall<\/strong>, taking a reference point at -6 m<\/strong> for the return, as the boat is moored slightly away from the headland.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    OUTBOUND<\/strong><\/p>\n

      \n
    • \n

      With the wall on our right, we\u2019ll swim south, first encountering a landslide area with large boulders<\/strong> stacked upon each other.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

    • \n

      We\u2019ll light up the many cracks and crevices in search of lobsters, moray eels, forkbeards, and nudibranchs like sea slugs<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

    • \n

      Keep an eye on the blue \u2013 it\u2019s common to see predators such as barracudas, amberjacks, dentex, and tuna<\/strong> passing through.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

    • \n

      After reaching a depth of -40 m<\/strong>, we\u2019ll begin to ascend until the wall ends, opening onto a sandy plateau at around -23 m<\/strong>, with a solitary boulder in front of us.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

    • \n

      We\u2019ll circle around it and reverse direction with the wall now on our left, gradually ascending until we reach -6 m<\/strong> and discover a small yet fascinating cave<\/strong>. Inside, a freshwater spring<\/strong> creates a halocline effect<\/strong> as it mixes with the saltwater.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      RETURN<\/strong><\/p>\n

        \n
      • \n

        We\u2019ll continue swimming with the wall on our left at around -6\/7 m<\/strong>, descending again to -14 m<\/strong> to reach a passage between rocks near the bay, with the exit at -6 m<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

        ASCENT<\/strong><\/p>\n

          \n
        • \n

          After exiting through the rock passage, we\u2019ll perform a 3-minute safety stop at -5 m<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

        • \n

          If visibility allows, we\u2019ll head towards the mooring buoy; if not, we\u2019ll exit via the wall.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

          \ud83d\udfe2 GREEN ROUTE (up to -18 m)<\/strong><\/h2>\n

          DESCENT<\/strong><\/p>\n

            \n
          • \n

            After completing the pre-dive check, we have two options: either descend near the mooring buoy<\/strong> to reach -18 m<\/strong> before moving away, or descend along the wall<\/strong>, taking a reference point at around -6 m<\/strong> for the return, since the boat is moored slightly away from the headland.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

          • \n

            We recommend the second option.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

            OUTBOUND<\/strong><\/p>\n

              \n
            • \n

              With the wall on our right, we\u2019ll swim following the contour of the headland at a maximum depth of -18 m<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

            • \n

              The wall is rich in cracks and crevices. In the blue, it\u2019s easy to spot predators such as barracudas and dentex<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

            • \n

              Once we reach the end of the long wall, we\u2019ll turn 180\u00b0, keeping it now on our left, and ascend to -6 m<\/strong> to visit the small but fascinating cave<\/strong> where a freshwater spring<\/strong> creates the halocline effect<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

              RETURN<\/strong><\/p>\n

                \n
              • \n

                It\u2019s time to make our way back to the bay where we started.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

              • \n

                We\u2019ll continue swimming at around -6\/7<\/strong> m until the large bay opens up on our left.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

              • \n

                We\u2019ll keep following the wall until we find the same reference point taken during the descent.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                ASCENT<\/strong><\/p>\n

                  \n
                • \n

                  After the 3-minute safety stop at -5 m<\/strong>, if visibility is poor, it\u2019s best not to try reaching the buoy but instead exit via the bay, staying close to the headland.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                  THE EAST SIDE (wall on your left)<\/strong> is instead characterised by a rockfall.<\/p>\n

                  This dive is truly beautiful when done at high tide.\u00a0Abundant fish and imposing boulders projecting outward create a truly impressive underwater environment. It’s ideal for Open Water Divers<\/strong>, it\u2019s a great alternative dive site for those wanting to try a different route.<\/p>\n

                  \ud83d\udfe2 GREEN ROUTE (up to -18 m)<\/strong><\/h2>\n

                  DESCENT<\/strong><\/p>\n

                    \n
                  • \n

                    We\u2019ll descend along the wall, identifying a reference point at around -6 m<\/strong> for the return.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

                  • \n

                    After the pre-dive check, we\u2019ll be ready for a fantastic loop dive<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

                  • \n

                    At -8 m<\/strong>, we\u2019ll continue descending with the wall behind us, heading south-east until we reach a large boulder at -18 m<\/strong>, home to numerous groupers and dentex<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                    OUTBOUND<\/strong><\/p>\n

                      \n
                    • \n

                      We\u2019ll keep swimming with the wall on our left, among the rocks, lighting up the various crevices where we may spot moray eels and octopuses<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                      RETURN<\/strong><\/p>\n

                        \n
                      • \n

                        After about 20 minutes, or once we\u2019ve reached 100 bar, we\u2019ll ascend with the wall now on our right, to -10 m<\/strong>, where we\u2019ll find huge boulders jutting outward.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

                      • \n

                        You can even swim underneath some of them, as they\u2019re detached from the seabed \u2013 a fun and exciting part of the dive!<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

                      • \n

                        At this depth, there\u2019s always an abundance of fish: groupers, dentex, sea bream, brown meagres, schools of salema and damselfish, and ornate wrasses<\/strong> dancing frantically across their rocky stage.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                        ASCENT<\/strong><\/p>\n

                          \n
                        • \n

                          Once we\u2019ve reached the same reference point from our descent, we\u2019ll decide whether to exit there after our 3-minute safety stop at -5 m<\/strong>, or head for the mooring buoy if visibility allows.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                          Dive at Lion\u2019s Head with Diving Group Portofino<\/strong><\/h2>\n
                            \n
                          • Location:<\/strong> Portofino Marine Protected Area<\/li>\n
                          • Access:<\/strong> Boat dive<\/li>\n
                          • Best conditions:<\/strong> No or light current, good visibility<\/li>\n
                          • Depth:<\/strong> 18 m (Green Route) | 40 m (Red Route)<\/li>\n
                          • Difficulty:<\/strong> From beginner to advanced<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                            If you love coral-rich walls, this is the dive for you! Book your dive now!<\/strong><\/p>\n

                            Cecilia Luconi<\/p>\n

                            <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> [vc_video link=”https:\/\/youtu.be\/31GbuRV-w98″][vc_video link=”https:\/\/youtu.be\/un3TLSorwXM”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]<\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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