San Domino Island: the most beautiful beaches

In this article we focus on the island of San Domino, the most famous and visited of the Tremiti Islands. The reason for its success is the incredibly crystal clear beaches, breathtaking caves and marine life! The island can be visited entirely on foot, through special paths and is ideal for those looking for a place with unspoiled nature.

How to get to the Tremiti Islands

To get to the island of San Domino you can take the helicopter from Foggia or Vieste. Here you will find all the info to get to the Tremiti Islands by helicopter. Alternatively you can take the ferry or the hydrofoil which depart from the ports of Vasto, Termoli, Rodi Garganico and Vieste and take you to the ports of San Domino and San Nicola. Here you will find the individual routes with timetables and prices.

The beaches of San Domino Island

Let’s see together all the beaches of the island that are within walking distance and their characteristics.

Cala Zio Cesare and the Grotta delle Viole

Cala Zio is a free beach, located in the southeast area of the island and is made up of rocks and pebbles. It is located in the middle of a luxuriant pine forest, excellent for protecting yourself from the sun during the hottest hours. The name Cala zio Cesare derives from the keeper who lived in the lighthouse near the beach. This beach is the right opportunity to have a unique experience: snorkelling or scuba diving! The seabed is full of life, we absolutely recommend you bring a mask and snorkel or book a guided excursion. Swimming to the left of Cala Zio Cesare you will come across the Grotta delle Viole, so called for its purple walls that derive from the algae that surround it. In this cave you will meet schools of little fish that will swim around you and you will feel like in the cartoon of the Little Mermaid, it will be an unforgettable day!

Cala Matano

This beach is sandy and equipped. If you are looking for a little relaxation with umbrellas and sunbeds, this is the one for you. The sea is crystal clear and you will be enchanted by its beauty. To get there there is a small path that descends from the pine forest. Cala Matano is not only a beach but it was also a source of inspiration for Lucio Dalla who composed the album “Luna Matana” right here. The name of the bay derives from the ancient administrator of the Apulian archipelago.

Cala Spido

Cala Spido is a beautiful cove that can only be reached by a path. The whole area is surrounded by a splendid pine forest, the water is absolutely transparent and the area is very quiet. There is no sand, only rocks, so we recommend that you bring your own rock shoes.

Cala Tramontana

The name says it all, at Cala Tramontata you can admire one of the most splendid sunsets of the Tremiti islands. Just before sunset, this beach is filled with tourists ready to enjoy the colors of the sunset that the Tremiti Islands offer.

Cala del Bue Marino and Bue Marino cave

This is the largest cave on the island of San Domino, about 70 meters long, it is divided into two parts, one of which ends on a small beach. The Bue Marino cave can only be reached by swimming or by boat from the cove of the same name. It was once the home of the now endangered Monk Seal. It is a place that you absolutely cannot miss for the colors it offers during sunset. In fact, the sun’s rays that penetrate the cave illuminate the two walls with a golden yellow, enhancing the clarity of the water, an unmissable natural spectacle.

Pagliai

Pagliai is the beach of the Tremiti islands perfect for children and for those who do not like swimming due to the presence of very shallow seabeds. This beach is one of the best known, the name derives from the unusual shape of the stacks that characterize it.

The Rock of the Elephant

The rock of the Elephant is one of the most characteristic features of the island of San Domino. It is an elephant-shaped rock that seems to drink from the Adriatic Sea. The area in which this rock is located is a popular destination for diving, the seabed is crystalline rich in colorful flora and fauna. Trekking lovers can reach the Rock of the Elephante by going to the eastern part of the island and taking path no.1. Alternatively, it is possible to rent a boat to go directly near the rock.

Curiosities on the Island of San Domino

A forest of black corals, the largest in the Mediterranean, has been discovered in the Tremiti Islands. This area offers more than 50 diving spots where you will be enchanted by the flora of the seabed and the variety of organisms that inhabit it. In fact, in the Tremiti Islands it is possible to admire many spectacular marine landscapes, in addition to the black coral forests there are often the so-called “rainforests of the sea”: the Posidonia meadows or the expanses of Gorgonias.