Camogli, Liguria, Italy

Scoglio Ferale

Scoglio Ferale is a rocky shoal a short boat ride off the western edge of the Portofino headland, between Camogli and Punta Chiappa. The shoal rises from a sandy base at about 50 metres to a top around 14 metres and is one of the most acclaimed deep dives of the Portofino Marine Protected Area. The walls below 28 metres host one of the densest red gorgonian (Paramuricea clavata) forests in the central Mediterranean, with the typical mix of red, pink and white colour morphs. Yellow Eunicella cavolini fans, encrusting orange Astroides calycularis on shaded faces, yellow Parazoanthus axinellae and a rich sponge community complete the wall. Resident species include large dusky groupers, brown meagre, conger eels, big octopus, moray eels and scorpionfish; barracuda and amberjack schools cruise the deeper blue. Visibility is typically 12–22 metres. Currents around the shoal can be moderate to strong. Reserved for advanced divers.