Scuba Diving in the Portofino Marine Protected Area with Corderia Nazionale

Scuba diving with Corderia Nazionale is a boat-based diving experience departing from Genoa, in the Liguria region of northwest Italy, and reaching the Portofino Promontory Marine Protected Area and wrecks in the Gulf of Genoa. The centre is a PADI operation that has been active for more than 25 years, with its base at Via Antonio Gramsci 53r near the old port; Visitgenoa also lists Piazzale Kennedy 1 at the Fiera di Genova. The dive sites lie roughly 30 km by sea from the city, so a typical outing combines a boat transfer with one or two dives. Formats range from single dives to full-day and weekend trips. Certified divers need to bring a valid certification card, while those without one can enrol on PADI courses offered by the centre. Swimwear and a towel are the only personal items required, because diving gear is available through the centre. Fitness prerequisites are modest but real: participants should be comfortable in open water, able to equalise ear pressure and free of medical conditions that contraindicate diving. Minimum age depends on the PADI programme, with junior certifications generally starting around ten years old; the centre should confirm limits when booking. Safety follows standard PADI practice, including a pre-dive briefing on the site, depth and air limits, buddy checks and surface support from the boat, with the coast guard and local emergency services as the evacuation route to hospital in Genoa. The Portofino protected area is known for rocky walls, gorgonians and Mediterranean marine life, and the wrecks in the gulf add variety for more experienced divers. The best window is May to October, when sea temperatures and visibility are most favourable; strong southerly or easterly swells can cancel or reroute trips, and winter diving is possible only with thicker exposure protection. Prices are not officially published, although the Yumping booking platform lists dives from about EUR 35 (around $40) per dive. Visitors should check current rates directly with the centre at corderianazionale.it or by phone, and confirm whether protected-area access fees are included.