Portofino — Porto di Portofino
Porto di Portofino · Portofino harbour anchorage
44°18.2'N 09°12.6'E
Depth
3–10m
Bottom
sand
Alarm Radius
70m
Holding
Fair holding
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
70m
70m in the outer bay. The AMP zones within and around Portofino harbour are complex — Zone A at the tip of the promontory, Zone B along the headland coast. Download the official AMP zone map from portofinoamp.it before entering the bay. In Zone B areas: mooring buoys only; in Zone C or outside the AMP: anchoring on sand only.
About This Anchorage
Portofino is the jewel of the Italian Riviera — a tiny fishing village transformed by the 1950s into the most glamorous small port in the Mediterranean. The piazzetta (the central square facing the harbour) is lined with colour-washed palazzi and is one of the most photographed and expensive real estate locations in Europe. The Portofino AMP (Area Marina Protetta di Portofino) was established to protect the marine environment of the promontory. The village harbour has very limited berth space (primarily reserved for local boats and superyachts with reservations). The anchorage in the outer bay provides access to the village by dinghy. One-third of the AMP area is Zone A (off limits); the remainder has mooring buoys subject to fees.
Protected From
N · NE · NW · W
Exposed To
S · SW
Anchoring Rules
- Anchoring fee
- Free anchoring only in Zone C or outside AMP boundary on verified sandy bottom.
- Maximum stay
- 3 days
- Permit required
- No
- Permit details
- AMP rules apply within the Portofino marine protected area. Check zone map at portofinoamp.it or contact Portofino AMP office +39 0185 289 649 (VHF Ch 16). Mooring buoy fees apply in Zone B. No anchoring in Zone A.
Restrictions: Zone A: strictly no entry. Zone B: no free anchoring; mooring buoys only; boats >23.99m LOA not permitted to navigate along the headland coast (Zone B). No fishing in AMP. Speed limit 5 kn. No anchoring on Posidonia. No spearfishing.
Hazards
- !AMP zone confusion: The zone boundaries are complex — downloading the official map is essential; entering a Zone A area incurs a substantial fine
- !S/SW exposure: The outer bay anchorage is open to S and SW — Libeccio creates uncomfortable conditions quickly; the enclosed inner harbour provides better shelter but is inaccessible without reservation
- !Superyacht traffic: Portofino attracts the world's largest private yachts — manoeuvring around anchored superyachts in the limited space of the outer bay is challenging
- !Peak season prices: Everything in Portofino is extremely expensive in July–August — fuel, berths, restaurants; budget accordingly or use Santa Margherita Ligure as the base
Skipper's Tips
- →The Piazzetta is best appreciated at 08:00 before the day-trippers arrive — sit at the Caffe Excelsior for espresso and watch the village wake up; it's a uniquely elegant Italian morning
- →The castello (Castello Brown, former British consul's residence) above the harbour has the finest view of Portofino and the surrounding AMP — admission fee
- →Santa Margherita Ligure (3nm by boat, 10 min water taxi) is a better value base — 5-star hotel quality at half the Portofino price; the regular ferry connects the two
- →Book any marina berth at Portofino months in advance for peak season — the alternative is anchoring in the outer bay (AMP rules permitting) and accessing town by dinghy
Facilities
World-class (and very expensive) restaurants in Portofino. The Pitosforo and Stella restaurants on the piazzetta are the iconic choices. Santa Margherita Ligure (3nm by boat) has more affordable and equally excellent dining.
Nearest provisions: Santa Margherita Ligure (3nm)
Best Months & Season
May, June, September, October
Best May–June and September–October for combination of good weather and manageable crowds. July–August: extremely crowded and expensive; the Riviera is at its most glamorous but least relaxed.
Recommended Anchor Types
Nearby Anchorages
Set Your Anchor Alarm to 70m
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