Boat Tour of Porto Cesareo Marine Protected Area: Discover Underwater Beauty

Highlights

• Historic Santa Maria Ship
• Marine Protected Area
• Inclusions

What's included

Itinerary

1. 1

   Area Marina Protetta Porto Cesareo

   20min

   From embarkation, the Santa Maria motorboat will sail north touching some of the most important points of the Porto Cesareo Marine Protected Area, thus exploring naturalistic and archaeological sites.

2. 2

   Isola dei Conigli

   Pass by

   It is also known as Isola Grande, due to its size, and is located a few meters from the coast of Porto Cesareo. It was renamed as Isola dei Conigli by the local population because in the past it was a common custom to use this strip of land for cattle breeding, necessary for the sustenance of the few local families especially during the period of the two world wars.

3. 3

   Scala di Furno

   Pass by

   Archaeological site. Excavations in 1969 brought to light the remains of a human settlement from the Bronze Age, including an important quantity of archaeological finds and animal fossils.

4. 4

   Stop 4

   Pass by

   The island of Malva is an uncontaminated islet, little more than an apparently desert sandy tongue, which emerges from the turquoise waters of Porto Cesareo, a true jewel of Salento. Its name is due to the large amount of tree mallow that abounds on this small piece of land but its main feature is its heart shape.

5. 5

   Torre Chianca

   Pass by

   Torre Chianca is a 16th century watchtower built by the Spaniards precisely to defend the territory from the Turks and Saracens and, of all those that embellish the Salento coast, it is certainly the most impressive. This coastal tower, also known as Torre di Santo Stefano, was built by the Spaniards to defend the territory from the incursions of Saracen pirates.

6. 6

   Torre di San Tommaso

   20min

   The locality takes its name from the watchtower that rises close to the sea, built in the 16th century to protect the coast from pirate raids and part of the coastal defense system of the Kingdom of Naples. The term "Lapillus" refers to the type of sand present on the beach, made up of small stones and sea shells similar in size to rice grains. This particular type of sand is very common in various places in Salento.

7. 7

   Punta Prosciutto

   Pass by

   Expanses of soft golden sand, a crystalline sea set in a breathtaking naturalistic landscape. Punta Prosciutto is located within the MPA - Marine Protected Area of Porto Cesareo, an institution that protects and enhances the maritime environment. The remaining time on the tour will be spent commuting between attractions and having free time.

Before you go

Location