Our Base
Outdoor Portofino’s nautical base is located in Niasca in the bay of Paraggi, distant one kilometer from Portofino. The sandy beach is nestled in the green Mediterranean scrub which, only in this sheltered area from sea storms, it arrives to touch the water.
The entire bay of Paraggi, famous for the green intense color of its waters, is delimited by buoys inside which navigation is forbidden, guaranteeing safety to swimmers and yachtsman. The activities take place within the Park of Portofino and its marine protected area.
The nautical base in Niasca is open during summertime; during the the other months of the year we carry out our activities prior reservation. Contact us for any information!
Find out more about our activities in Portofino!
How to reach us
The small village of Portofino is very crowded, especially during the summer season. We always suggest to reach our base by public transport, thus avoiding the stress of traffic and parking! Here are some suggestions on how to reach us:
By train
The train station of Santa Margherita Ligure/Portofino is reachable from Milan (2 h 30 min), from Genoa (45 min), from Pisa (2 h). You may then continue walking, by bus, boat or taxi.
By bicycle
You can easily reach us by bicycle with a pleasant ride on the plains from Santa Margherita Ligure.
By bus
With the n. 82 line from the train stations of Santa Margherita Ligure or from Rapallo.
Walking
- From Portofino: approx. 10 min.
- From Santa Margherita Ligure: approx. 30-40 min.
- From Camogli: through the trails of the Portofino Park.
By boat
There are two lines serving the promontory of Portofino. From Santa Margherita Ligure you can reach Portofino with the Consorzio Marittimo del Tigullio.
From Genoa, Recco or Camogli, instead, the boat service Golfo Paradiso, embraces the route to San Fruttuoso, from where you can then take the ferries of the Consorzio Marittimo del Tigullio to Portofino.
By car
Highway A12 (Genova – Rosignano), exit in Rapallo, continue towards Santa Margherita Ligure/Portofino until the bay of Paraggi. Passed the inlet of the bay, after 200m on the left you will find a sandy beach where Outdoor Portofino is located. This area has very limited parking areas, especially during summertime.
In Paraggi there is a paid parking lot, but we suggest to reach our office by alternative means (bike, bus, boat) or walking from Portofino (about 10 minutes) or S. Margherita Ligure (about 40 minutes). Given the problems of parking and traffic, for those who decide to reach us the car, play in advance!
Explore Portofino
Una piccola insenatura sul mare, ridossata tra il verde della macchia mediterranea e l’acqua cristallina dove ritrovare un autentico contatto con la natura.
Explore the area
The picturesque village of Portofino is a small jewel immersed in the natural context of the regional park to which it gives its name. Located on the eastern cape of the headland, Portofino is a place of great tourist interest. Its tall and colorful houses disposed in semicircle and overlooking the main square and the marina are surrounded by hills covered with olive trees. The entire perimeter of the park is characterized by wild cliffs, small inlets, caves and solitary beaches, mostly accessible only from the sea.
Activities to explore the area
Starting from our base in the close by bay of Niasca in Paraggi, we organize outdoor activities visiting the village from a unique and unusual perspective. Paddling aboard kayaks and paddle boards you can explore the stretch of coast from Paraggi to Portofino up to the Lighthouse and beyond, admiring the breathtaking scenery on the Tigullio Gulf. Through activities designed for all levels, you may reach hidden coves and ravines while admiring from the sea the landscape of Portofino, Castello Brown and the Church of San Giorgio. From the Lighthouse on – the most exposed side south of the headland – sportsmen may also reach San Fruttuoso, Punta Chiappa and Camogli.
Portofino is the ideal place to carry out activities all year round and in any conditions: thanks to its sheltered position and mild climate, it allows to carry out outdoor activities at sea and on land all year round.
Nature
The Park of Portofino, which includes the cities of Camogli, Santa Margherita Ligure, Portofino and, with the neighboring area, Rapallo and Recco, is the northernmost protected coastal area of the western Mediterranean and shows scenarios and landscapes among the most famous in the world.
The promontory overlooks the Tigullio Gulf to the east and the Golfo Paradiso to the west. Composed of gigantic conglomerate deposits overlying limestone banks, it has geomorphological and microclimatic characteristics that offer extremely varied environments in a limited territory.
The Landscape
This strip of coastline is unique for its breathtaking landscapes and incredible nature. The richness and density of animal and plant species, of particular geological conformations and the presence of history and tradition make it a particularly evocative place. Protected since 1935, the Park is home to one of the major floristic concentrations of the Mediterranean, a remarkable variety of birds and invertebrates as well as important historical-architectural testimonies.
History
The origins of Portofino – remembered by Plinio as “Portus Delphini” – date back to the Roman age. After the possession of the Benedictines, in 1414 it passed to the Republic of Genoa and later was subjected to various invasions, until it was included in the Kingdom of Sardinia in 1815.
The Castello Brown and the castle of San Giorgio (now private) were in past the fortresses in the protection of Portofino. Inside the church of San Giorgio, which dominates the village from above are preserved the relics of the Saint that recall the participation of the people from Portofino to the Crusades.
Sport.Nature.Education.
Locations
Live as a local, visit the most authentic spots and learn the local traditions coming into contact with nature and sport.
Experience our kayak tours starting from Monterosso toward the Cinque Terre National Park: you’ll visit evocative places from an unusual perspective. Admire the Cinque Terre far from the tourist crowds, pleasantly paddling on your kayak. Activities are within everyone’s reach, from beginner to advanced paddlers.
Genoa, the “Superba”: so it was nicknamed by Francesco Petrarca in the 12th century. Overlooking the Ligurian Sea, Genoa and its “caruggi” accessible only on foot or by bicycle, are an ongoing discovery. The partnerships established with Genoese companies allows us to organize orienteering activities in the city center: discover the area in a fun, sustainable and instructive way!
Camogli preserves centuries of history and traditions with its beautiful pedestrian promenade and its small harbor where boats and fishing boats dock. In this small seaside village that enchants for its beauty, we organize kayak tours and Street Orienteering activities, thanks to the many partnerships established with local businesses.
