Snorkelling at Portonovo and the Trave
Below Portonovo bay the water is clear and full of life on the rocks: you swim among white bream, octopus and wild mussels clinging to the rocks, out to the Trave, a long natural reef running into the sea.
The story
The Trave is a blade of rock that stretches for about a kilometre from the coast below the Conero, like a natural pier. The rocks of Portonovo are home to moscioli, the Conero's wild mussels, which only licensed fishermen may harvest.
Why go
Because it is the easiest and most beautiful snorkelling in the Marche, in one of the loveliest bays on the Adriatic.
Which wind
Good with Maestrale, calm sea
Avoid with Bora, Scirocco
Practical information
- Activities
- Snorkelling, SUP
- Level
- Beginners
- Seabed
- Rocks, white pebbles and a long natural reef
- Best time
- June–September
- Seasons
- Summer
- Getting there
- From the beaches of Portonovo and Mezzavalle; the Trave can be reached by swimming or by SUP.
Get directions ↗Marine reserve rules
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Weather and sea forecast
The forecast for the next 7 days at this spot: sky, temperatures, rain and wind, wave height and sea temperature.
Forecast by Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), from the models of national weather services. Your browser downloads it directly from Open-Meteo, and only when you ask. In the mountains and at sea the weather changes quickly: check the official forecast as well before you set off.
Getting there
- By train. The nearest station is Varano station, 5.2 km away. Alternatively: Ancona Stadio station, 5.5 km away. From the station you need a bus, a taxi or a car.
- By air. The nearest airport is Ancona Airport (AOI), about 19 km away.
- Parking. The nearest public car park is 1.1 km away, paid.
Stations, ports, airports and car parks from OpenStreetMap (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL); distances as the crow flies. Timetables and connections change: check them before you travel.
Climate and sea month by month
The most pleasant months for weather are from May to October, with average highs between 18 and 29 °C. The wettest month is November (about 94 mm), the driest July. The sea is above 22 °C from June to September, peaking at 27 °C in August.
| Month | Temperature | High / low | Rain mm | Sea |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | from 8 to 12 °C | 12° 8° | 77 | 13° |
| Feb | from 8 to 12 °C | 12° 8° | 78 | 12° |
| Mar | from 9 to 13 °C | 13° 9° | 82 | 12° |
| Apr | from 12 to 15 °C | 15° 12° | 56 | 14° |
| May | from 16 to 20 °C | 20° 16° | 67 | 17° |
| Jun | from 21 to 25 °C | 25° 21° | 41 | 23° |
| Jul | from 25 to 28 °C | 28° 25° | 40 | 26° |
| Aug | from 25 to 28 °C | 28° 25° | 49 | 27° |
| Sep | from 21 to 25 °C | 25° 21° | 73 | 24° |
| Oct | from 17 to 21 °C | 21° 17° | 82 | 20° |
| Nov | from 13 to 17 °C | 17° 13° | 94 | 17° |
| Dec | from 10 to 14 °C | 14° 10° | 78 | 15° |
Averages for 2015–2024, estimated for an altitude of 0 m. Air: NASA POWER (MERRA-2 reanalysis), corrected for the altitude of the place; rain: average monthly total; sea: surface temperature from NOAA OISST. These are indicative values: the weather on any given day can be very different, so always check the forecast before you go.
In the guide
Nearby hikes
Other spots nearby
- Kayaking to the Due SorelleKayaking, SUP, Snorkelling · 5 km
- ★ Canyoning in the Fiastrone GorgeCanyoning · 65 km
- Lake FiastraSUP, Kayaking, Lake swimming · 68 km
- Canoeing in the Furlo GorgeKayaking · 70 km
Sea conditions can change within hours: before going in, check the marine forecast and the local harbour office (Capitaneria di porto) rules. Emergencies at sea: 1530.