Where to snorkel in Calabria: suggested destinations

Swimming on the surface of the water, immersed in the silence of the seabed, among fish, plants and mysterious dark recesses. Watching life flowing in the sea, spectators of an ever-changing spectacle.

If you love nature and never leave without slipping your mask into your suitcase, then welcome to Calabria: a paradise for snorkellers. All you need is an essential equipment (mask, snorkel, fins) and anywhere along the Calabrian coast the underwater spectacle is guaranteed. But for those who don't want to miss the most evocative spots rich in flora and fauna, here are four destinations that will leave you (but only metaphorically!) breathless.

One of the many good reasons to visit Tropea is certainly the charm of its seabed.

Swimming in its crystal-clear waters, you can spot numerous species of fish and admire an enchanting underwater landscape. You can choose to dive on your own or explore the seabed in the company of others, as there are several agencies offering guided snorkelling boat tours. Amidst the reefs and caves, the sights offer great thrills. In the Blue Cave, for instance, the filtering light creates incredible and ever-changing plays of light.

One does not need to travel far to discover another important destination for snorkelling enthusiasts. Indeed, Capo Vaticano has turquoise waters and a biodiversity that make the seabed particularly rich and evocative.

You will move among fish of all shapes, octopuses and starfish clinging to the rocks and the clear sea will allow you to catch every detail. The Grotticelle bay, Capo Vaticano's most famous, has fine white sand that makes the water turquoise, a characteristic that has earned it the nickname "the Calabrian Caribbean".

It is impossible to resist the idea of exploring the depths of a Marine Protected Area. That of Isola Capo Rizzuto, then, is the largest in Italy and among the most extensive in Europe and is located along the Costa dei Saraceni. Here, the seabed is particularly rich in flora and fauna, and you can explore the bays and coves and admire the fish swimming in the clear waters up close.

The marvellous Costa Viola, the last southern stretch of Tyrrhenian Calabria in the province of Reggio Calabria, shows its hidden treasures only to snorkellers.

Caves, monoliths covered in dense gorgonia, ancient wrecks: diving along the stretch of coastline that from the port of the Palmi tuna fishery (and here you cannot fail to visit the Marinella beach and the Tonnara beach) proceeds towards Scilla, you will be able to observe a spectacle that is always different and always unique. Chianalea, the seaside district of Scilla, with its magical atmosphere and houses skimming the water, is a popular destination for those who love to explore underwater landscapes. In this area too, some diving centres offer tourists the possibility of exploring the seabed together with experienced divers and instructors.