Portofino beach: what to expect
The harbour in Portofino is for boats, and nothing makes it a swim spot. The beaches lie in small bays near the village. The best known is Paraggi, a short walk or ride away, and the bay of San Fruttuoso is reached by boat or on foot.
The coast is also a marine protected area, so where you swim depends on zones and local orders. Swimming is never guaranteed at a given bay on a given day. Look at the signs on arrival.
Paraggi bay
The bay nearest to Portofino.
The small beaches around Paraggi and the Niasca bay are mostly sandy. The little beach at the Castello di Paraggi is pebbles, so check which one you mean. A path runs above the road through the woods from Paraggi to Portofino, about 30 minutes, marked with three red dots in a triangle.
Two practical limits apply. Anchoring is excluded in Paraggi, and designated swimming areas are kept clear of boats. Beach entry fees, deckchair rates and the size of the free stretches in 2026: ask on the spot.
Our pick: snorkelling in Paraggi Bay
Paraggi is the most popular bay near Portofino, and this guided hour comes with the full set of gear.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in euros (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Boat trips and coast tours near Portofino beaches
Boat trips, coast tours and day tours, with live prices and availability.
San Fruttuoso bay
A bay with an abbey and no road.
San Fruttuoso can be reached only on foot or by sea. The abbey stands at the water's edge, and the public path into the village is a separate matter from the abbey ticket of €10 in 2026. Mooring fields at Punta Chiappa and San Fruttuoso closed for the season on 27 September 2026, and mooring there is no longer possible.
Boat fares from Camogli are €11 single and €17 return for adults in 2026. See the San Fruttuoso guide and the Camogli guide for times.
Olivetta and the castle path
A small beach below the walk.
On the walk from the Piazzetta to Castello Brown, a branch called Olivetta leads down to a small beach. Check the signs before you take the branch, and check the sea and the zone rules before you swim. Walk the main path first. More on the route is in the Castello Brown guide.
Swimming rules in the marine area
Three zones, three sets of rules.
| Zone | Swimming | Diving and snorkelling | Anchoring |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | Forbidden | Forbidden | Forbidden |
| B | Allowed under local orders, not in marked exclusion areas | Permit from the marine area authority for diving | Forbidden |
| C | Allowed under local orders, not in marked exclusion areas | Generally allowed with local limits | Only outside excluded areas |
Do not take or disturb sea life. Spearfishing is banned across the whole area. A private diver pays an administration fee of €15 a day for non-residents in 2026, and that is not the price of a guided dive. For most visitors, a swim from a boat tour or a marked beach is the simple choice.
When to swim
A look at the season.
In Genoa's long-term averages July is the driest month and August with the highest daily highs, 27.7 °C. October is the wettest. Those figures come from the nearby city, not from Portofino itself. Boats run on a reduced schedule in winter, so summer is the easiest season for beach days. Details are in the weather guide.
Portofino beaches: frequently asked questions
Is there a beach in Portofino village?
No beach at the harbour or Piazzetta can be recommended for swimming. The beaches are in nearby bays such as Paraggi and San Fruttuoso.
Is Paraggi sand or pebbles?
The small beaches around Paraggi and Niasca are mostly sandy, and the beach at the Castello di Paraggi is pebbles.
Can I swim at San Fruttuoso?
Swimming depends on the zone and on local orders, and it is forbidden in zone A and near mooring fields. Read the signs before you enter the water.
Can I snorkel near the Christ of the Abyss?
Rules for snorkelling and diving depend on the zone. See the Christ of the Abyss guide, and do not count on seeing the statue from the surface.
Can I anchor my own boat in Paraggi?
No. Anchoring is excluded in Paraggi and in marked swimming areas. Motor speed near mooring fields is limited to 5 knots.