- Spiaggia Santa Maria - The splendid Bay of Santa Maria is home to the only fishing village in the Capo Vaticano area. The popular tradition divides it into three zones: Scoglio Fortino, Santa Maria and Petrario. In the center of the bay, a small church was built in a square surrounded by a few small fishermen-inhabited houses.
Our tour will start and end here.
- Grotticelle beach - The wide and jagged Grotticelle Bay, divided into a series of inlets and small bays, culminates with the Scoglio del
Palombaro, the extreme point of Capo Vaticano.
Here we will stop for about 30 minutes with the possibility of snorkeling among fish and other fish species.
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Capo Vaticano - apo Vaticano is one of the best places where a lighthouse indicates the safe way for sailors since ancient times. Flanked by the Grotticelle bay, its splendid beaches are universally classified among the most beautiful in the world. A Belvedere has been created at the top which we advise our guests to visit to enjoy a wonderful landscape to say the least.
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Praia di Fuoco - Praia i Focu, located at the foot of the Cape, under the Lighthouse, is one of the 100 most beautiful beaches in the world and among the 10 most beautiful in Italy. From the public reachable only by sea, while a private staircase connects it to the lighthouse and to the Berto house, the writer who, having arrived in the 1960s, attracted by this splendid place chose it as his home.
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Formicoli Beach - Formicoli, name that derives from Forum Hercules, an ancient commercial port founded by Hercules as reported by some Latin historians. Today by snorkeling we can admire many fish species.
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Spiaggia di Riaci - The enchanting Riaci Bay with its blue waters and transparent waters, takes the name of the stream that flows there, Riace that derives from the Greek and means impetuous torrent. A stratified rocky wall rises over the sea. The long white sand beach is divided by a small promontory that goes into the sea: the Scoglio di Riaci with caves and inlets to be crossed by swimming.
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Grotta dello Scheletro - The Grotta dello skeleton, also called the Blue Grotto because the reflection of the sun on the white sand creates a play of colors which, projected inside the cave, take on skeletal forms. The beach is called Pietre di Mulino because, as you will see, the millstones of the mills were still extracted from the many round hollows in the rock.
In this place we will make another stop with a bath and by snorkeling among fish, sea urchins and starfish there will be the opportunity to swim inside the cave.
- Tropea Beach - TROPEA - RUPE
Our excursion closes at the foot of this 50 meter high cliff overlooking the sea, on which Tropea is a town of 6200 inhabitants. A real balcony overlooking the sea, an elegant center. Today Tropea welcomes thousands of tourists, coming from all over the world, attracted by the natural beauties, landscape, art and its food and wine products.
- Santuario di Santa Maria dell’Isola di Tropea - TROPEA - ISLAND
Opposite the cliff of Tropea, stands a large rock of sandstone rock, once completely surrounded by the sea, on which stands the Sanctuary of Santa Maria dell’Isola.
Of great interest is the large cave that crosses the rock, known as the Cave of Lovers.
On the homonymous rock rises the Sanctuary of Santa Maria dell’Isola.
It is likely that the rock of the island was inhabited, around the 7th-8th century, by hermits. These, isolating themselves from the civilized world, dedicated themselves to a contemplative and ascetic life. The staircase to follow to reach it was built around 1810.
Having become one of the symbolic places of Calabria in the world, this church is of medieval origin.
Here our tour will end. We will return to Capo Vaticano to make the last stop with a bath.
Navigation time 15 minutes.
- Porto Turistico di Tropea - The Port of Tropea, born as a natural shelter for boats, today is a modern latest generation Marina Resort that offers all the services necessary to satisfy the most demanding boaters. Let’s go and discover one of the most beautiful marinas in the Tyrrhenian Sea!
- Bottled water included
- SCUBA equipment provided
- Snorkeling gear available
- Alcoholic beverages offered
It’s hard to fully appreciate the beauty of Costa degli Dei (from Capo Vaticano to Tropea) without embarking on a boat adventure. A few highlights to note: you’ll spend a day at sea with delightful local skippers and witness breathtaking coves unique to Capo Vaticano, that are only accessible by boat.
The tour departs daily from the Bay of Santa Maria (Capo Vaticano) and follows this schedule:
Morning: 09.00 - 12: 00 Afternoon: 15.00 - 18.00
On this journey, we’ll stop three times at the most picturesque locations where snorkeling is an option. On our way back from Tropea, our final stop will be near the tip of Capo Vaticano, where you’ll see crystal clear waters, vibrant with marine flora and fauna.
We’ll return to our starting point at the end of the tour.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
