Christ of the Abyss Monument

Submerged bronze Christ statue in Ligurian waters

Underwater bronze statue in San Fruttuoso bay near Portofino; divers and snorkelers visit the submerged figure inside a protected marine area.

Main image

Christ of the Abyss at a Glance#

Address: Off the coast of San Fruttuoso, Gulf of Tigullio, Liguria, Italy

About Christ of the Abyss#

Christ of the Abyss is a submerged bronze statue located off the Ligurian coast of Italy near San Fruttuoso in the Gulf of Portofino. The statue was placed underwater in 1954 and commemorates divers lost at sea.

The figure of Christ stands on the seabed with arms raised and is a recognized site for diving and underwater photography. It attracts recreational scuba divers and boat visitors to the marine-protected area.

The statue is part of the maritime landscape of the Gulf of Portofino and is visited in conjunction with the coastal village of San Fruttuoso and nearby marine attractions.

The monument sits underwater in the Portofino area of Liguria, within the Portofino Regional Marine Protected Area and reachable by boat from coastal towns such as Camogli and Portofino.

  • Installation date and protection: Placed underwater in 1954 in the Bay of San Fruttuoso and now located within the Portofino Regional Marine Protected Area.
  • Diving site depth: Sited at roughly 17 metres depth, it is a popular destination for recreational scuba divers and snorkel excursions.

How to Get to Christ of the Abyss#

San Fruttuoso is accessible by boat from Portofino or Camogli (regular summer ferries), or by a coastal hiking trail from nearby towns (a 45-60 minute walk from Camogli). Dive operators in Portofino and Santa Margherita Ligure run excursions to the site.

Tips for Visiting Christ of the Abyss#

  • If diving/snorkeling to see the statue, go with a reputable local dive operator and ensure proper insurance and equipment.
  • There are multiple casts of Christ of the Abyss; confirm which site (San Fruttuoso, Italy) the operator visits.
  • Even if not diving, take the short hike around the headland above San Fruttuoso for a dramatic vantage point of the submerged statue.

Best Time to Visit Christ of the Abyss#

Summer months are best for boat access and diving; spring and autumn offer quieter coastal trails and fewer crowds.

Summer
June-September · 22-28°C (72-82°F)
Calmer seas and warm water make diving and boat trips most common.
Spring/Autumn
April-May, October · 15-22°C (59-72°F)
Fewer crowds; water is cooler but visibility can still be good on calm days.

Weather & Climate near Christ of the Abyss#

Climate

Christ of the Abyss's climate is classified as Hot-Summer Mediterranean - Hot-Summer Mediterranean climate with warm summers (peaking in August) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 4°C to 27°C. Abundant rainfall (1233 mm/year), wettest in October.

Air Quality: AQI 38 Good
Best Time to Visit
JulyAugustJune
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
36°
Warmest Month
-10°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions
Month Comfort Temp Feels Rain Sky Humidity Wind UV Daylight
January Acceptable 4° - 10° 4° 129 mm partly cloudy 86% 3.5 m/s 0.1 low 9.1h
February Acceptable 4° - 11° 5° 75 mm partly cloudy 84% 3.5 m/s 0.3 low 10.3h
March Acceptable 6° - 13° 8° 97 mm partly cloudy 79% 3.6 m/s 0.6 moderate 11.8h
April Good 9° - 16° 12° 96 mm partly cloudy 78% 3.5 m/s 1.0 moderate 13.3h
May Good 12° - 20° 16° 78 mm partly cloudy 76% 3.0 m/s 1.4 high 14.6h
June Excellent 15° - 24° 20° 62 mm partly cloudy 71% 3.0 m/s 1.8 very high 15.3h
July Excellent 18° - 27° 23° 30 mm some cloud 64% 2.7 m/s 1.9 very high 15.0h
August Excellent 19° - 27° 23° 78 mm some cloud 64% 2.7 m/s 1.6 very high 13.8h
September Very Good 16° - 24° 20° 123 mm partly cloudy 70% 2.9 m/s 1.0 high 12.4h
October Good 12° - 19° 15° 205 mm partly cloudy 80% 3.2 m/s 0.5 moderate 10.8h
November Acceptable 7° - 13° 10° 145 mm partly cloudy 85% 3.4 m/s 0.2 low 9.5h
December Acceptable 5° - 11° 5° 115 mm partly cloudy 86% 3.5 m/s 0.1 low 8.7h