Where to dive in Liguria

This region offers an intertwining of villages set like diamonds in the mountains that surround them and, with them, descend to the sea. Perhaps this is why every time its name is pronounced, the first thing that comes to mind are the Cinque Terre, Portofino, and Santa Margherita, two pearls of the Eastern Riviera (Levante), and Porto Venere with the Gulf of Poets (Golfo dei Poeti), so praised by Petrarch and Montale. And, again, endless coves from east to west with the most varied landscapes: from rocks sheer to the sea from which to dive, to smaller stones as on the beaches of Varigotti and Spotorno, to the very fine sand of Alassio, Laigueglia and beyond...

Diving in Liguria Surrounded by endless landscapes, Liguria, whether you visit it on foot, by car, or by train, offers breathtaking views, even below sea level, because this incredible region offers splendid seabeds of the most varied conformations for those who are passionate about diving and freediving. I will take you to discover the most evocative places where you can practice fantastic dives without problems!

Places to Dive

The dive sites are numerous and varied. There are walls, shoals, wrecks, and caves scattered in the various Marine Protected Areas, which are actually three:

1. Cinque Terre It includes the municipalities of Riomaggiore, Vernazza-Monterosso, and part of Levanto. Here, you can admire the great predators of the Mediterranean such as barracudas and dentex, as well as black coral, a real rarity, recently sighted. It is impossible not to dive into the Secca delle Aragoste (Lobster Shoal) to discover the habits of these fantastic crustaceans and I'm sure... you will fall in love with the seabeds!
2. The Portofino Marine Park The most renowned and elegant location in Liguria that has managed to repopulate the stretch of sea it oversees. In fact, from Camogli to Santa Margherita Ligure, there are more than 20 dive sites reachable by boat. Among these, the marvelous Bay of San Fruttuoso must be mentioned, which, in addition to offering the richest seabed in the entire Mediterranean, is also the home of the "Christ of the Abysses" (Cristo degli abissi): a bronze statue about two and a half meters high and located at a depth of between 13 and 17 meters, whose arms are turned upwards and open in a sign of peace. It is a symbol of protection for those who live the sea!
3. The Island of Bergeggi You dive around the island and, at these depths suitable even for the less experienced, you explore Il Canalone (The Big Channel) where you can easily admire octopuses, barracudas, and Posidonia oceanica meadows.

Pelagos Sanctuary In addition to these 3, we have a fourth one. It is also a marine protected area but not only Italian: it is a triangle that also includes the waters of France and the Principality of Monaco. It exists to protect and safeguard the mammals that inhabit or pass through those waters, in fact, it is known as the Cetacean Sanctuary. It is not uncommon, in fact, to come across groups of dolphins during dinghy outings with the diving centers. Instead, if you want to spot larger cetaceans, there are real specialized excursions that depart from the region's main ports.

Curiosity and Safety To dive in the waters of the protected parks, you must have authorizations, which is why diving centers are located right near the protected areas. Diving and exploring such fascinating places is truly an incredible experience, to be done at least once in a lifetime. Remember, however, to take care of your safety first of all: any type of dive, even the most basic, must never be done alone.

Useful tips for safe diving Always notify people on land about your plans and related departure and return times. Please note: remember above all that the environment in which you dive is not your home but someone else's who, not only did not invite you but is granting you some of their space, so the watchword is RESPECT! And now, all that remains is to wish you a wonderful adventure!