The Tremiti Islands have a fairly compact list of things to do: you can see the best of them in two or three days, but to really enjoy the sea caves, the sunsets and the diving you need at least one night on the archipelago. Here are the ten unmissable sights and activities, chosen for the substance and accessibility — no brochure flights of fancy.
1. Boat tour of the five islands
The full archipelago tour leaves from San Domino harbour and lasts 3-4 hours: you circumnavigate San Domino, San Nicola, Cretaccio, Capraia and La Vecchia in succession, with stops at the accessible sea caves (Bue Marino, Viole, Murene) and a swim at Cala dei Pagliai below the sea stacks. Price: €25-30 per person, with departures every morning at 10:30 and every afternoon at 15:00 in high season. Several operators: Coop. Marlin Tremiti, Coop. Pelagos, Coop. San Domino.
2. Grotta del Bue Marino
The Grotta del Bue Marino is the most striking of the archipelago’s sea caves. It lies on the western flank of San Domino, runs 70 metres deep, is up to 14 metres high, and is accessible only from the water. Inside there is a small white-gravel beach, and the water has a luminous blue tint thanks to light refracting off the limestone walls. The name comes from the Mediterranean monk seal — “bue marino” in dialect — which nested here until the 1950s.
3. Abbazia di Santa Maria a Mare
On the island of San Nicola, this is the most important monumental complex in the archipelago: founded in the 9th century by Benedictine monks from Montecassino, it preserves a polychrome mosaic floor from the 11th century, a 13th-century Byzantine crucifix carved in cedar, and a 15th-16th century fortified wall built to repel Saracen raids. Entry €3-5.
4. The San Domino coastal path
A four-kilometre loop around the coast of San Domino, from Piazza Belvedere out to Punta Secca via Punta del Diamante, Cala dei Benedettini and the Architiello. Mild elevation, 1h30-2h to walk, between Aleppo pines and panoramic clifftops. Best done at sunset to catch the light on the Pagliai stacks.
5. Guided snorkelling with a marine biologist
Marlin Tremiti and Pelagos run guided snorkelling outings to three spots (Cala dei Pagliai, Cala dei Benedettini, the Cretaccio shallows) led by marine biologists. Duration 2-3 hours, price €25-35 per person including gear. You can expect to see groupers, white seabream, octopus, saddled seabream and salema in waters 2-8 metres deep. The Marine Reserve, established in 1989, has brought fish populations back to levels comparable to the 1960s.
6. Diving at the Secca di Punta Secca
The Secca di Punta Secca, on the south side of San Domino, is rated by Italian diving magazines (Sub, ScubaZone) among Italy’s ten best dive sites. Vertical walls down to 40 metres, overhangs, red and yellow gorgonians, and shoals of barracuda in August. Authorised operators: Tremiti Diving Center, Marlin Diving. Prices: €50-70 for a single dive, €90-120 for a morning double dive.
7. Cala delle Arene
The only sandy beach in the archipelago, on the north-east flank of San Domino. Reach it from the harbour by a 220-step staircase (10 minutes down, 15-20 up) or by boat. Turquoise water, shallow sandy seabed, ideal for families with young children. A bar and sunbed hire in high season.
8. The underwater Padre Pio
At Punta Secca, at a depth of 14 metres, a bronze statue of Padre Pio sculpted by Domenico Norcia was placed in 1998. It draws devotional and photographic divers and is reachable by anyone with an Open Water certification. The descent is guided by the local centres, total dive time 30-40 minutes including safety stop.
9. RIB and kayak hire
To explore the coves you cannot reach on foot — Cala degli Inglesi, Cala dei Benedettini, the Architiello, Cala dei Pagliai — RIB hire is the classic solution. Price: €80-150 a day for a 4-5 person RIB with no boat licence required (engines up to 40 hp), €200-350 for a larger boat. Single kayaks rent for €25-35 a day, doubles for €40-55. Operators: Pelagos, Marlin, Tremiti Boats.
10. Sunset from Punta del Diamante
Punta del Diamante is San Domino’s western viewpoint, looking straight onto the Pagliai sea stacks and out to open sea. It is the favourite sunset spot of Gargano photographers, especially in July and August when the sun drops directly behind the largest stack. Reached on foot from the village in 25 minutes.
What to bring
To make the most of the Tremiti you need: reef shoes (the seabed is rocky and sea urchins are common), mask and fins (snorkelling is one of the main pleasures), high-factor sunscreen (sea reflection amplifies the UV), a lightweight windbreaker (the evening breeze is cool even in August), and cash (ATMs are scarce — one at San Domino harbour, sometimes out of order).
For accommodation, see where to stay. For the largest island in depth, San Domino. For ferry logistics, getting there.