Portobello is a small settlement, but its residents play an active part in community life. Many local incorporated societies and other organised groups are focussed on harbour activities. These include:

• Portobello Boating Club Incorporated - Small boat and yacht owners
• Otago Harbour Ferry Incorporated - Restorers of Elsie Evans, harbour ferry
• Portobello Community Incorporated - Local community group
• Small Boat Club - Small boat owners
• Cape Saunders Fishing Club - Power vessel owners
• St Martins Island Community - Use the harbour to access Quarantine Is
• Otago Maritime Heritage Group - Interested in heritage of harbour
• NZ Coastguard - Wish to base a boat in Otago Harbour

Many other groups of people use the harbour in Portobello, including small boat owners, children, walkers along the footpaths and people fishing from the jetty. Organised societies from the remainder of Otago Harbour such as the Port Chalmers Small Boat Society use the facilities at Portobello in their activities.