From the cliffs of the Plemmirio Marine Area to the sands of Fontane Bianche and the Vendicari Reserve, with Calamosche and the Tonnara, each with up-to-date sea conditions.
The stretch of coast between Siracusa and Vendicari gathers two different souls of southeastern
Sicily: the rocky Plemmirio peninsula, made of cliffs and coves, and further south the golden
sands of Fontane Bianche, San Lorenzo and the Vendicari Reserve, among dunes and coastal towers.
It is a coast facing east and southeast, and that decides when the sea is calm.
The rule is simple: with the scirocco and the levante, from the southeast and the east, the sea
rises; with westerly and northerly winds, which blow off the land, it turns quiet again. Below are
the most beautiful public beaches, each with today's sea conditions: tap a row to open the full
card with waves, wind and water temperature.
Siracusa and the Plemmirio Marine Area
South of Siracusa, the Maddalena peninsula is protected as the Plemmirio Marine Area: a rocky
coast of cliffs, with a few small beaches set into it and a sea of intense colours, much loved by
snorkellers. Towards the city, instead, there are sandy bays that are handy for families.
South of Siracusa, a bay of fine golden sand with a gentle, shallow
seabed, handy for families. A good base before venturing into the rocky coast of the
Plemmirio.
Spiaggia del Minaretoslightly choppy sea · water 30 °C
Two small beaches along the Maddalena peninsula, between sandy stretches
and rock, near the Plemmirio Marine Area. The water is very clear, but these are basic beaches:
bring water and shade.
In the Plemmirio Marine Protected Area spearfishing is banned across the whole area. By Capo Murro
di Porco there is Zone A, of maximum protection, where bathing, fishing and anchoring are
forbidden: always respect the signs and the zone limits.
The sands to the south: Fontane Bianche and San Lorenzo
Heading south the coast turns sandy again and the seabeds shallow: these are the beaches most loved
by families and the young, with wide shores and clear water.
A wide shore of pale sand with a shallow seabed that slopes gently, so
much so that it is nicknamed the Caribbean of Siracusa. It is reached by car or by train, and is
flanked by equipped lidos and free stretches.
Further south, near Marzamemi, the bay of San Lorenzo is another expanse of fine golden sand with
a shallow seabed, between equipped lidos and free stretches: the shallow, calm water makes it
suitable for children.
The Vendicari Reserve: Calamosche, Vendicari and Eloro
Between Noto and Marzamemi stretches the Vendicari Reserve, one of the most beautiful in Sicily:
dunes, marshes with flamingos, the old tonnara and beaches reached only on foot. Here nature comes
first, and access follows the reserve's rules.
A sandy cove about two hundred metres long, closed between two headlands
that protect it from the winds, with a sea that is almost always calm and clear. From the car
park it is reached by about a kilometre on foot: no facilities on site.
The Tonnara beach, pale sand with rocky stretches and a posidonia bank, a
shallow seabed, at the foot of the Torre Sveva. A landscape of rare beauty, between nature and
industrial archaeology.
North of the reserve, two stretches of fine golden sand among the dunes,
not crowded. Marianelli is also used by naturists; both are reached on foot through the
reserve.
The Vendicari Reserve is visited on foot and with precise rules: a ticket of about 3.50 euros
(reduced 1.50), seasonal hours (in summer it opens early in the morning until evening). Inside the
reserve there are no kiosks or lidos, dogs and beach games are not allowed, and litter must be
carried out. Bring water, shade and comfortable shoes.
When the sea is calm between Siracusa and Vendicari
This whole coast faces east and southeast, so it moves with the scirocco (from the southeast) and
the levante (from the east) and calms down with westerly and northerly winds, from the ponente to
the mistral to the tramontana, which blow off the land. The practical rule: when the scirocco
arrives, skip the exposed beaches and look for the enclosed bays; Calamosche, narrow between two
headlands, stays sheltered almost always. MareCalmo takes into account each beach's exposure to wind
and waves, so you can see at a glance where the sea is calmest today.
Practical tips
Go early. In the morning the sea is usually calmer, before the breeze picks up,
and in the reserves you find parking and walk in the cool.
Factor in the walk. The Vendicari beaches, Calamosche included, are reached
only on foot: comfortable shoes, water and shade.
Respect the protected areas. In the Plemmirio spearfishing is banned and Zone
A is off-limits; at Vendicari the reserve's rules apply.
Check flags and ordinances. The Harbour Master's notices always come before
the forecast.
What is the sea like right now?See the calmest beaches in real time, coast by coast.
Which is the most beautiful beach between Siracusa and Vendicari?
Calamosche and the Vendicari beach are among the most famous, but there is no single most beautiful
beach: there is the most beautiful one today. With the scirocco the exposed beaches turn choppy,
while Calamosche, closed between two headlands, stays calm. That is why it is worth checking the sea
conditions before you set off.
How do you visit the Vendicari Reserve?
On foot, with a ticket (about 3.50 euros, reduced 1.50) and seasonal hours. Inside there are no
lidos or kiosks, dogs and beach games are not allowed, and litter must be carried out. Calamosche is
about a kilometre on foot from the car park.
When is the sea calmest?
Usually early in the morning and, with a scirocco or levante, in the enclosed bays such as
Calamosche. The calm sea today page shows you in
real time where to find it now.
