Isuela

Isuela is a large rock formation in the Portofino National Marine Reserve in Italy, with its top at 13 metres and its base at about 55 metres. It is considered one of the best dive sites in the Mediterranean, and it suits both recreational and technical divers. Visibility is good and the current is variable, from weak to strong.

The top of the rock is full of many kinds of fish, while its slopes are rich in sponges and coral formations. To circle the whole rock, including the outlying rocks a little way off to the south, plan a bottom time of at least 30 to 35 minutes. The distance from the coast and the often strong currents are thought to explain the growth of plant and animal life here.

A smaller rock called Isuelita is joined to Isuela by a saddle running west, with the junction at about 40 metres. If visibility allows, you can leave the west side of Isuela at 30 metres and cross the blue to the cap of Isuelita at about 33 metres. The south and west faces of Isuelita fall almost vertically to about 54 metres.