THE ADVENTURE COLLECTIVE® · Independent discovery and booking for outdoor travel
Learn to stand, paddle and read the sea in Paraggi Bay, a sheltered pocket of the Portofino Marine Park. This 90-minute beginner SUP offers calm waters, clear visibility and guided exploration along the promontory’s rocky coastline.
Learn to stand, paddle and read the sea in Paraggi Bay, a sheltered pocket of the Portofino Marine Park. This 90-minute beginner SUP offers calm waters, clear visibility and guided exploration along the promontory’s rocky coastline.
The sea in Paraggi opens like a private room of light — a sheltered crescent of sand and clear blue that pushes you into balance before you even mount the board. Early morning, the bay is glassy and the Mediterranean scrub smells of resin and salt; from your perpendicular stand-up position the promontory of Portofino reads like a low, rocky ridge sculpted by wind and tide.
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by Outdoor Portofino · Portofino, Liguria
The sea in Paraggi opens like a private room of light — a sheltered crescent of sand and clear blue that pushes you into balance before you even mount the board. Early morning, the bay is glassy and the Mediterranean scrub smells of resin and salt; from your perpendicular stand-up position the promontory of Portofino reads like a low, rocky ridge sculpted by wind and tide.
This stretch of coast has been a working fishing coastline for centuries and the tiny harbor of Portofino grew as an outpost of Ligurian mariners. The promontory sits on ancient ophiolite rocks — dark, dense slabs of sea-floor pushed skyward — and the water here is protected as part of the Portofino Marine Park, which keeps boat traffic away from Paraggi and preserves visible underwater life.
Local culture still orbits the sea: family-run cafés on the bay serve focaccia and espresso, and fishermen’s nets are now as likely to be replaced by snorkelers’ fins. You’ll learn basic SUP technique from an English-speaking instructor, then use it to explore reefs, small caves and the rocky coastline that rings the promontory.
Practical guidance: sessions run about 90 minutes, wetsuits and lifejackets provided; bring swimwear, reef shoes and sun protection. Minimum two participants; ability to swim required. Aim for morning sessions when winds are light and marine visibility is best. Respect the marine reserve by keeping distance from wildlife and using refillable water bottles — Portofino rewards steady balance and careful curiosity.
easy.
1–1.5 hours.
Light fitness—able to stand, kneel, and paddle; comfort in open water required
No—this is a beginner-focused session where an instructor teaches balance, paddling technique and safe re-boarding.
The nautical base at Niasca in Paraggi Bay, about 1 km from Portofino; staff provide local directions when you book.
Yes—participants must be able to swim and manage brief swims in case of a fall from the board.
Yes—wetsuits, lifejackets, boards and paddles are supplied; lockers are available but space is limited.
Portofino evolved from a small Ligurian fishing settlement into a favored harbor; the promontory’s rocky shoreline has maritime uses dating back centuries.
Paraggi lies within the Portofino Marine Protected Area—stay out of restricted zones, avoid touching marine life and use refillable containers to reduce waste.
Outdoor Portofino operates guided outdoor trips and adventures with an emphasis on safety, stewardship, and memorable experiences.
The sea in Paraggi opens like a private room of light — a sheltered crescent of sand and clear blue that pushes you into balance before you even mount the board. Early morning, the bay is glassy and the Mediterranean scrub smells of resin and salt; from your perpendicular stand-up position the promontory of Portofino reads like a low, rocky ridge sculpted by wind and tide.
The sea in Paraggi opens like a private room of light — a sheltered crescent of sand and clear blue that pushes you into balance before you even mount the board. Early morning, the bay is glassy and the Mediterranean scrub smells of resin and salt; from your perpendicular stand-up position the promontory of Portofino reads like a low, rocky ridge sculpted by wind and tide.
This stretch of coast has been a working fishing coastline for centuries and the tiny harbor of Portofino grew as an outpost of Ligurian mariners. The promontory sits on ancient ophiolite rocks — dark, dense slabs of sea-floor pushed skyward — and the water here is protected as part of the Portofino Marine Park, which keeps boat traffic away from Paraggi and preserves visible underwater life.
Local culture still orbits the sea: family-run cafés on the bay serve focaccia and espresso, and fishermen’s nets are now as likely to be replaced by snorkelers’ fins. You’ll learn basic SUP technique from an English-speaking instructor, then use it to explore reefs, small caves and the rocky coastline that rings the promontory.
Practical guidance: sessions run about 90 minutes, wetsuits and lifejackets provided; bring swimwear, reef shoes and sun protection. Minimum two participants; ability to swim required. Aim for morning sessions when winds are light and marine visibility is best. Respect the marine reserve by keeping distance from wildlife and using refillable water bottles — Portofino rewards steady balance and careful curiosity.