Where to see dolphins in Calabria

The sun blazing on the horizon, the sea calm, the boat moving slowly along. Then, suddenly, the surface of the water ripples and heralds the most exciting spectacle your holiday in Calabria will give you: the leap of the dolphins, just a few metres from the bow.

The Tyrrhenian and Ionian coasts offer the marvellous opportunity of sighting splendid specimens of cetaceans even a short distance from the beach. It is possible to catch a glimpse of them even from the shore, perhaps with the help of binoculars to better observe them, but in many places boat excursions with experienced skippers are organised.

You just have to find out how and where to see dolphins in Calabria.

Meeting dolphins in their natural environment is a unique and undoubtedly rare experience, yet in Calabria their sightings are quite frequent.

One of the favourite areas for these splendid cetaceans is the stretch of water in front of Pizzo (VV), along the Costa degli Dei. If you are thinking of experiencing this adventure, there are associations that organise tourist excursions from the port of Vibo Valentia. With the help of experienced skippers and especially a bit of luck, it is possible to see dolphins playing under the bow following the wake and in some cases coming so close to the boat that you can hear their breath.

Another spot in the open sea where you can meet dolphins is in front of Amantea (CS), in the Scogli di Isca Regional Marine Park, a protected area. Among the expanses of green posidonia, it is not uncommon to see dolphins peeping out, as well as turtles of the Caretta Caretta species.

Tourists' travel memories in Calabria are full of dolphin sightings even on the Ionian coast. You may happen to watch their evolutions even from the beach, to see them appear and disappear, while they play and chase each other.

An experience that is possible in Amendolara (CS), but also from the beach at Sibari. In this stretch of water, in fact, favourable conditions are created for the quality of life of cetaceans and other aquatic species: the currents, the depth of the sea, the oxygenation of the water and - very importantly - the absence of polluting discharges from industries.

The so-called ‘’Calypso Abyss‘’ is the deepest point in the Mediterranean (it is located in the stretch of sea between Apulia, Basilicata, Calabria, Sicily, Albania and Greece) and its pristine waters make it an ideal habitat for our dolphin friends. Because it is true that seeing dolphins at sea provides the joy of witnessing a unique spectacle, but their presence also reassures the health of this stretch of sea.