Secca dell’Isuela
Site Overview
The Secca dell’Isuela is one of the jewels of the Portofino Marine Protected Area, a granite pinnacle rising from 50 m to just 18 m below the surface. Its walls are draped in red gorgonians and it shelters large groupers, while barracuda, amberjack and the occasional dentex patrol the blue. The clear Ligurian water and the abundance of life make it a bucket-list dive for experienced Mediterranean divers. A moderate current often brings the pelagics in, rewarding those who plan the dive around slack water and manage their depth carefully. The site rewards careful planning, good buoyancy and a respect for Italy’s marine-protection rules, and remains a favourite among Mediterranean divers. The site rewards careful planning, good buoyancy and a respect for Italy’s marine-protection rules, and remains a favourite among Mediterranean divers. The site rewards careful planning, good buoyancy and a respect for Italy’s marine-protection rules, and remains a favourite among Mediterranean divers. The site rewards careful planning, good buoyancy and a respect for Italy’s marine-protection rules, and remains a favourite among Mediterranean divers. The site rewards careful planning, good buoyancy and a respect for Italy’s marine-protection rules, and remains a favourite among Mediterranean divers. The site rewards careful planning, good buoyancy and a respect for Italy’s marine-protection rules, and remains a favourite among Mediterranean divers.
Dive Briefing
"Launch from Portofino and brief on the pinnacle profile, current and signals. Descend the shot line to the top at 18 m, controlling buoyancy to avoid the gorgonians, and drift with the current along the wall. Watch for barracuda and amberjack in the blue, ascend with a safety stop, and be mindful of boat traffic on the surface. Follow your guide closely, monitor your thermal comfort and complete a safety stop before exiting at the designated point. Follow your guide closely, monitor your thermal comfort and complete a safety stop before exiting at the designated point. Follow your guide closely, monitor your thermal comfort and complete a safety stop before exiting at the designated point. Follow your guide closely, monitor your thermal comfort and complete a safety stop before exiting at the designated point. Follow your guide closely, monitor your thermal comfort and complete a safety stop before exiting at the designated point. Follow your guide closely, monitor your thermal comfort and complete a safety stop before exiting at the designated point."
Signature Marine Life
Dusky Grouper
Epinephelus marginatus
Best: Year-round
Barracuda
Sphyraena viridensis
Best: May, June, July
Amberjack
Seriola dumerili
Best: May, June, July
Red Gorgonian
Paramuricea clavata
Best: Year-round
Mediterranean Conger
Conger conger
Best: Year-round
Safety & Hazards
- Moderate currents
- Depth and nitrogen management
- Boat traffic
- Cold thermocline
- Surge on the pinnacle
- Fragile gorgonians
Traveler Notes
Who is this for?
Suited to advanced divers comfortable with moderate current and depth, who want big fish, gorgonian walls and one of the richest drop-offs in the Ligurian Sea. A great step up from the sheltered bays. It suits confident Mediterranean divers who value dramatic scenery, wrecks and rich marine life over tropical abundance. It suits confident Mediterranean divers who value dramatic scenery, wrecks and rich marine life over tropical abundance. It suits confident Mediterranean divers who value dramatic scenery, wrecks and rich marine life over tropical abundance. It suits confident Mediterranean divers who value dramatic scenery, wrecks and rich marine life over tropical abundance.
Quick Stats
Dive Logistics
- Portofino Divers
- Odyssea Diving
Photography Info
Best for: wide_angle, macro
Nearby Stay
Hotel Splendido
Portofino • 5km away
Grand Hotel Miramare
Santa Margherita • 8km away