Still, clear water, rocky seabeds: a guide to the best public reefs for snorkelling between the Adriatic and the Ionian, with the criteria for telling whether the sea is suitable today.
Snorkelling doesn't need postcard beaches: it needs still, clear water and rocky
seabeds, where seagrass, anemones and fish give you something to look at. Apulia, with its
low cliffs and sheltered inlets, is one of the best regions in Italy for mask and
fins. Here are the best public reefs and coves, between the Adriatic and the Ionian, with today's
sea state for each one and the criteria to tell whether it's really suitable.
What you need for great snorkelling
Three conditions, in order of importance:
Calm sea (a "Flat" or "Calm" state on our scale): waves
stir up the sand and ruin visibility.
Little wind (below ~18 km/h): it ripples the surface and makes
swimming tiring.
No swell: waves from a distant storm cloud
the water even when there's little wind.
These are exactly the criteria MareCalmo applies when you choose the Snorkelling activity: the
ranking puts at the top the spots where these conditions are met today. To
learn more about the sea state and the types of waves, read the sea guide.
Stacks and arches of white rock with small sheltered inlets, north
of Otranto. The low rocks and the transparent water make it one of the most loved spots
for snorkelling on the Adriatic side.
A cove tucked beneath a cliff, in the territory of Santa
Cesarea Terme. Deep, clear water and interesting rock walls to follow with your
mask when the sea is still.
The famous natural pool among the rocks, near Tricase: a basin
of seawater enclosed by the rock, handy for getting into the water and exploring the nearby
seabeds when the sea is calm.
Grotta Verde (Marina di Andrano)calm sea · water 30 °C
At Marina di Andrano, a small sea cave with emerald-green
reflections is reached by swimming. The area is full of life and is one of the best spots in the
lower Salento for snorkelling: bring your mask and snorkel.
A bay of rocks and pebbles inside a regional nature park of
pines, in the territory of Nardò. No beach clubs: you arrive on foot with a walk through the pine wood.
Cool, deep and crystal-clear water - a classic for snorkelling.
Shallow seabeds in the Porto Cesareo marine protected area: shallow
and quiet water, suitable even for those with their first experiences with the mask.
At Santa Maria al Bagno, around the remains of an ancient tower: rocks and
some submerged structures that attract the fish, perfect to explore with a flat sea.
Gear and safety
Reef shoes: the seabed is sharp and sometimes slippery.
Signalling buoy: where boats pass, always make your
position visible.
Never alone: swim with a buddy and keep an eye on the currents.
Respect the marine protected areas: at Porto Cesareo and along other stretches
specific rules apply; don't touch or collect anything.
Where not to snorkel: avoid the sites where bathing is forbidden. At the Grotta della Poesia
(Roca), for example, swimming is prohibited by ordinance, as it is a fragile and
dangerous archaeological site. Beautiful to see, but it is not a place to get into the
water.
Find the right cove for todayOpen MareCalmo already filtered on the Snorkelling activity.
Early in the morning, with a calm sea and little wind: the water is stiller and clearer. The days
right after a storm are often murky even if the wind has already dropped.
Do you need to be experienced?
No: all you need is a mask, snorkel and fins, and a sheltered cove with shallow water like La Strea at
Porto Cesareo. But check that the sea is really calm today at the spot you choose.
Can I snorkel anywhere there are rocks?
Almost: but you need clear water and no ban. Check the local ordinances and the marine
protected areas, and avoid the sites where bathing is not allowed.
