Portofino, Liguria, Italy

Secca dell'Isuela

Secca dell'Isuela is a submerged shoal off the southeastern edge of the Portofino headland, just outside the small bay of San Fruttuoso. The shoal rises from the sandy base around 45 metres to a top at about 18 metres, dropping vertically on most sides. The walls below 28 metres are covered in red gorgonian (Paramuricea clavata) fans in the typical Portofino colour morphs, with yellow Eunicella cavolini fans on shallower sections, encrusting orange Astroides calycularis on shaded faces, yellow Parazoanthus axinellae and a varied sponge community. Resident species include dusky groupers, brown meagre, conger eels, octopus, moray eels and scorpionfish; barracuda and amberjack schools cruise the open water. Visibility is typically 15–25 metres. Currents around the shoal are moderate and can pick up rapidly. The dive sits inside the Portofino MPA and is reserved for advanced divers led by authorised local guides.