Liguria is a coastal region of Italy that lies in the northwest side of the country, with the Alps on one side and the Ligurian Sea on the other. Not only is it home to the Italian Riviera it is also the heart of the Italian diving scene thanks in no small part to the rocky cliffs that plunge into the waters and become fascinating canyons to explore.
As well as vertical walls and pinnacles there are wrecks covered in coral, plenty of fish and a visibility of between 20 and 30m (66 and 98ft). The diving in this area takes place in three main clusters, the Portofino protected marine area, Arenzano and Sestri Levante, and on the western coast of Liguria.
One of the most beautiful coastal regions in all of Italy, Liguria draws tourists from all around the world with its beaches, beautiful scenery and cuisine.
Beyond the spectacular diving there are also four different UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Cinque Terre, Portovenere, Palmaria, Tino and Tinetto, to enjoy above the surface of the sea. In Portofino, you will find a onetime quaint fishing village that is now famous as an extravagant international holiday destination where luxury yachts dock in the harbor.
The abundance of coral and nutrient-rich waters of this area make it a fantastic spot for a variety of marine life. It is home to many varieties of fish such as snapper, grouper scorpion fish, brown grouper and meagre and even barracuda. There are other types of marine life as well that call the area home, like moray and conger eels and sponges. There is also a dive site know and Shrimp Cave that is famous for its abundance of pale red pandalid shrimp which are known to scatter when divers shine a light on them.
Diving is a sport in nature. Learn more about the creatures, ecology and conditions of our oceans.
