Portofino Yacht Charter

Charter in Portofino: What to Expect

Portofino is the smallest and most exclusive harbour square in the Mediterranean — a population of 400 permanent residents, a harbour with roughly 14 superyacht berths, and a piazzetta so intimate that your espresso costs more than it would anywhere else in Italy. The harbour's central quay holds 6-7 berths for yachts up to 64 metres; two additional mooring buoys in Baia Cannone accommodate megayachts to 80 metres. For most charter yachts, the standard approach is to anchor in the bay or take a Baia Cannone buoy and tender to the quay — Santa Margherita Ligure (4km away, full marina with provisioning) serves as the operational base.

This is a destination where the harbour itself is the experience. The pastel-painted facades — ochre, terracotta, sage — the Church of San Giorgio above, and the Belmond Hotel Splendido on the hillside create a stage set that has barely changed in a century. Portofino rewards those who arrive by sea, stay for a day or two, and move on before it becomes familiar.

Anchorages & Highlights

San Fruttuoso is the anchorage that justifies chartering this coast. Anchor off the bay and tender to the 10th-century Romanesque abbey — accessible only by boat or a long coastal hike. The Christ of the Abyss bronze statue sits at 17 metres depth just off the bay, arms raised, placed in 1954 to commemorate those lost at sea. Snorkel or dive to see it — the water clarity in good conditions is remarkable. Da Giovanni, a simple seafood trattoria directly on the beach by the abbey, is boat-access-only dining at its purest.

Paraggi Bay between Santa Margherita and Portofino sits within the Portofino Nature Park — crystal-clear water over sandy bottom, but anchoring is prohibited inside the bathing buoy line during May-September. Depths of 10-20 metres outside the line offer holding in variable ground.

The Portofino Marine Protected Area operates three zones. Zone A (Cala dell'Oro) is integral reserve — all anchoring prohibited. Zone B (Punta Faro to Punta Chiappa) prohibits anchoring and requires authorisation for diving. Zone C has 107 mooring buoys bookable via the "Portofino AMP" app for vessels 7.5-24m. Larger yachts coordinate directly with the port authority.

Dining & Local Cuisine

Ristorante Puny (Da Puny) on the Piazzetta is Portofino's iconic table — Ligurian seafood, family-run, celebrity-frequented, closed Thursdays and January-February. Book well ahead: the terrace seats perhaps 40 covers with a view of the harbour that has launched a thousand magazine covers. Branzino al sale (sea bass baked in salt crust) is the signature. The Belmond Splendido Grill on the hillside terrace above the harbour serves dinner with sunset views — the hotel reopened its culinary programme with a focus on Ligurian-Mediterranean cuisine. Focaccia di Recco (paper-thin flatbread filled with crescenza cheese) is the Ligurian coast's essential street food — the best versions are in Recco, 15km north, but the Portofino restaurants all serve credible renditions. Pesto alla Genovese here is the original — basil, pine nuts, garlic, Parmigiano, pecorino, and Ligurian olive oil, never cooked, only stirred through trofie pasta.

Best Time to Charter in Portofino

The season runs from May to October. May through June and September offer the best balance — warm air (24C), calmer seas, and the harbour at a manageable density. July and August are peak: berths at Portofino are tightest, the piazzetta is crowded by mid-morning, and the bay anchorages fill early. The Ligurian coast enjoys generally moderate summer winds; the Gulf of Tigullio provides shelter from most conditions. October is still warm but wetter.

Getting There

Genoa Cristoforo Colombo (GOA) is the closest airport — 45km, 45 minutes by private transfer. Nice (NCE) is 200km to the west (2 hours) for guests arriving from the French Riviera. Milan Malpensa (MXP) is 200km north (2.5 hours) and serves as Italy's main long-haul hub. Helicopter from Milan to Portofino takes approximately 45 minutes; scenic coastal approaches are available via Esperia Aviation.

At Aris Drivas Yachting, Portofino is a natural highlight of Italian Riviera and western Mediterranean itineraries — typically combined with the Cinque Terre to the south, the French Riviera to the west, or Corsica and Sardinia via an overnight crossing. We handle the berth logistics in a harbour that has fewer superyacht spots than most restaurants have tables. Contact our charter team to begin planning your Portofino charter.