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Punta Vessinaro

3.9 — based on 18 community signals
4.2 12 species 29 contributors

Punta Vessinaro is a year-round dive site near Portofino, Italy, protected within a marine reserve's Zona B.

⭐ Best for intermediate divers.

🐢 MPA · Zona B updated 4 months ago
MPAShore entryFamily-friendlyPhotoFriendly

At a glance

Activity
dive
Marine life
Common octopus

Top operators here

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Map

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Punta Vessinaro location map © Google · Map data © Google, contributors
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Conditions today

Conditions

Open-Meteo
Wind
3.9 kn
Wave
0.54 m
Water
25.7°C
N E S W
Wind direction (7d)
Primary: N (34%)
Now: N (360°)
Tide (7 days)
range: 0.3m

Today: High 15:00 (-0.44m), Low 09:00 (-0.53m)

+-0.4 m-0.7 m
▼ 09:00 · -0.53m ▲ 15:00 · -0.44m ▼ 17:00 · -0.45m ▼ 23:00 · -0.53m Now -0.4m
Sat 19Sun 20Mon 21Tue 22Wed 23Thu 24Fri 25
UV5.45 · mod Air PM2.54 · good 07:06 19:26
Day Wind Wave UV Rain
09-19 5 0.56 5 0mm
09-20 4.5 0.2 5 0mm
09-21 4.2 0.12 5 0mm
09-22 4.4 0.14 5 0mm
09-23 4.3 0.58 5 0mm
09-24 6.5 0.16 5 5mm
09-25 5 0.48 3 0mm

About this spot

Punta Vessinaro sits in the waters off Portofino on Italy's Ligurian coast, within the Portofino Marine Protected Area. The site falls under Zona B regulations, which means access is permitted but subject to local marine reserve rules. Divers should check current entry requirements and any gear or group-size restrictions before planning a visit. The site supports documented marine life, with 12 species observations recorded by the diving community. Local conditions vary seasonally, though the site is accessible year-round. Water conditions, depth ranges, and typical visibility are best confirmed with local dive operators or recent trip reports from other divers. Three community videos exist of dives at Punta Vessinaro, offering real footage of what to expect. These resources can help you gauge site conditions, marine encounters, and whether the spot matches your skill level and interests. The Portofino area is famous for Mediterranean biodiversity, so typical inhabitants may include grouper, amberjack, octopus, and various reef fish. Exact difficulty and depth depend on where you enter and which underwater features you explore.

📖 Guide: Diving in Italy: 74 Sites from Caves to Open Water

Marine life

Common octopus

Dive types

Reef

Trip essentials

Everything you need before you pack — checklist, sun, logistics.

Trip checklist

  • 🛂 Visa-free or visa-on-arrival
  • 📜 C-card + dive insurance (DAN)
  • 📔 Dive logbook
  • 🧴 Reef-safe sunscreen SPF 50+
  • 🔌 Plug type C/F/L · 230V adapter
  • 💊 Seasickness meds + ear drops
  • 📱 Offline maps + emergency contact

Quick facts

  • 🌓 Moon First quarter · 48%
  • GPS
Sustainability disclosures
🌍 CO2 footprint LHR ↔ 1072km · ~247kg · €4

From your departure country

United States
Origin score: 77/100
  • Visa: Visa-free · 90 days max
  • Flight: 7h · direct
  • Jet-lag: 6h east · 4 days recovery

FAQ

When is the best time to dive Punta Vessinaro?

Punta Vessinaro is open year-round. Seasonal variations in water temperature and visibility occur, but local conditions can shift quickly in the Mediterranean. Check recent dive logs and local forecasts before booking to match your exposure protection and comfort level.

What depth and difficulty level is this dive?

Specific depth and difficulty data for Punta Vessinaro are not standardized in available records. Consult community videos, recent trip reports, or contact local Portofino dive operators to confirm depth ranges and whether the site suits your certification level.

What marine life can I expect to see?

Twelve species observations have been logged at Punta Vessinaro. The Portofino area typically hosts Mediterranean fish like grouper, amberjack, wrasse, and octopus. Check community video footage and recent sightings to learn what divers have encountered recently.

Are there permits or access restrictions?

Punta Vessinaro is located within the Portofino Marine Protected Area, Zona B. This zone allows diving but requires compliance with reserve regulations. Verify entry permits, group sizes, and any seasonal closures with local authorities or dive operators before your visit.

Operators near this spot

Dive centres, kite & surf schools within 10 km, sourced from OpenStreetMap.

Wrack `Genova`

2.7 km
Dive centre

Portofino Divers

3 km
Dive centre

Rasta Divers

3.1 km
Dive centre

DGP Diving Group Portofino

3.1 km
Dive centre

San Fruttuoso diving center

3.1 km
Dive centre

Dive System Flagship Store

3.1 km
Dive centre

Recently spotted by divers

iNaturalist →

See this spot in action

YouTube videos — click to play.

Punta Vessinaro - Dragone

Matteo Zanoni

Deep diving in Portofino

PORTOFINO DIVERS

Immersioni a punta Vessinaro e al Faro di Portofino con Massub Lavagna

Paolo Fiorini

Local knowledge

OpenStreetMap Notes
  • "Smile! There are a couple of cameras on a pole near here. #CCTV #MapComplete #notes"

    jonato ieri · 2026-04-22
  • "I think I saw a surveillance camera nearby on the street, but a check from Viale Bernardo Gaggini is needed. #MapComplete #notes"

    jonato ieri · 2026-04-12
  • "Can’t see any branching path, there or nearby. No dirt path was seen?"

    jonato ieri · 2026-02-25
wind peaks Nov-Jan-Mar, calmest Jul-Aug-Jun, dry Mar-Dec.

5-year monthly climate

60 samples
0 5 10 15 20 25 JFMAMJJASOND
p25–p75 range Median Wind (kn) Air (°C)
Visibility (month-by-month)
Best: Jun (100/100) Worst: Dec (0/100) Now: Sep (50/100) NOAA MODIS Aqua · 5y mean

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