Pantelleria is a stunning island filled with breathtaking beaches. With its crystal-clear waters, fine sandy shores, and rocky coves, Pantelleria is a dream destination for lovers of the sea and sun. Unlike the more well-known Italian islands, there are no crowded beaches or resort towns here. What Pantelleria offers its visitors is unspoiled nature and secret coves where you can still enjoy solitude.
So, how do you discover these beaches, often hidden between volcanic cliffs and crystal-clear seas? Follow us as we explore this still little-known paradise.
Pantelleria: The Island of Volcanic Landscapes and Secluded Coves
Pantelleria doesn't reveal itself to just anyone. Its charm lies in its mysterious nature and landscapes shaped by volcanic eruptions. Unlike islands with long stretches of fine sand, here you’ll find black pebble beaches, rocky bays, and steep cliffs dominating the scenery. Each cove feels like a reward for explorers ready to venture off the beaten path. The island is full of secret beaches, often accessible by foot or boat, just waiting to be discovered. Follow the guide…
PLAGES DU NORD-EST DE L'ÎLE
Cala del Bue Marino
Cala del Bue Marino is one of the most popular beaches on the island of Pantelleria, due to its proximity to Pantelleria Centro and its easy access.
The shallow water and the smooth, low cliff make it easy to get into the sea. These features also make it comfortable for families with children.
This cove is particularly interesting because of the presence of a sea cave where the monk seal used to find refuge during breeding season.
Campobello
The road to the Campobello beach is unpaved, but can be traveled with a medium to small car, such as a Fiat Punto. Afterward, a short path between the rocks, which can only be traversed on foot, leads to the beach.
This beach, quite suitable for children, is characterized by low rocks that gradually slope into the sea.
The sea depth ranges from 15 to 30 meters. Here, sponges and corals of beautiful pink hues thrive, accompanied by snapper, amberjack, sea bream, grouper, and lobster, making for a spectacular underwater scene.
Kattibuale
Khattibuale beach (sometimes called "Kattibuale" without the "H") is located not far from the Venus Lake.
This long coastal strip, full of coves and sea access points, is sheltered from the sirocco wind and is particularly appreciated by families with children due to its easy entry into the water and the presence of low, flat rocks.
Venus Lake
Nestled in the wild heart of the volcanic island of Pantelleria, the splendor of Venus Lake fascinates anyone who ventures to its shores. This volcanic lake, fed by natural thermal springs, reveals turquoise waters with changing reflections, seemingly trapping the Mediterranean sky. According to legend, the goddess Venus once gazed into this shimmering surface before meeting Adonis, giving this magical place its poetic name. More than just a natural curiosity, Venus Lake is a true sanctuary of well-being: its mineral-rich mud offers natural treatments renowned for their therapeutic properties and their ability to rejuvenate the skin.
Surrounded by volcanic hills and vegetation typical of arid lands, this site invites you to relax and marvel. After a refreshing swim, you can enjoy a hike around its shores or spend a moment in quiet contemplation in this tranquil setting. More than just a landscape, Venus Lake offers a sensory experience: the perfect union of earth, water, and history. Here, Pantelleria reveals one of its most beautiful facets in a harmonious blend of nature and mythology.
Cala Cinque Denti
Cala Cinque Denti, a small gulf sheltered from the sirocco wind, is located between Punta Pozzolana and Laghetto delle Ondine.
Access from land is not easy due to the steep slope of the path and the presence of large rocks that have fallen from the ridge, so this bay is mainly accessible by sea. However, the beauty of the place erases any effort made to get there. It is one of the favorite stops for sailors on days marked by southern winds. However, the beach is not suitable for children.
Cala Cinque Denti takes its name from the high coastline cut by large rocky points that have fallen from the cliff, making it quite steep in some places. Sheltered by its hill and protected from the sirocco, the bay offers clear waters tinged with emerald and turquoise, particularly cool on the hottest days. From here, the boldest swimmers can venture to the enchanting Scarpetta di Cenerentola ("Cinderella’s Slipper") cave, a magical spot accessible only by sea.
Laghetto delle Ondine
Laghetto delle Ondine is one of Pantelleria's iconic spots. Accessible by both sea and land, though with some difficulty, it is a shallow "mini" saltwater lake, fed by the sea, which rises and crashes against the cliffs during storms.
Indeed, the surrounding sea has very deep waters with moderate to strong currents. It is especially popular in summer when the sea is rough, constantly replenishing the water inside.
A mythical scene from the movie "A Bigger Splash" was filmed on this beach.
Punta Spadillo
Punta Spadillo is dominated by a magnificent lighthouse built at the end of the 19th century. On this promontory, the unique panorama composed of rocks overlooking the sea offers a breathtaking view of the Sicilian Channel. The path leading to the lighthouse passes by the volcanological museum, inaugurated in 2010. Several hiking trails also start here, allowing you to explore the island.
Punta Spadillo is a popular diving site thanks to its exceptional rocky and coral-filled seabeds, providing unique thrills, especially for beginners due to its shallow depth (10 to 20 meters). However, the seabed quickly drops to 30 meters and then plunges over 180 meters deep. The strong currents in the area make it suitable only for experienced divers. Thus, diving can be done either by staying at the edge of the underwater cliff, almost suspended in the void, or slightly deeper to discover large volcanic rock formations.
For underwater photographers, the splendid interplay of light between the rocks and the beautiful schools of parrotfish is worth noting. You can also spot red gorgonian sea fans, bonitos, tuna, large black groupers, octopuses, sunfish, manta rays, and amberjack.
Cala Cottone
Cala Cottone is named after the fact that this cove used to serve as a small port for shipping the cotton produced on the island, a crop that has since disappeared.
Located on the northeast coast of the island of Pantelleria, in a particularly wild and isolated area, its beauty begins with the twenty-minute walk leading to this enchanting bay. Unlike other more popular coves on the island, this cove is not often visited, partly due to its relatively difficult access. There is no direct road to the cove; it is typically accessed via a rocky path, requiring good physical condition, or by sea, which is the easiest and most spectacular option.
This small bay, with rocks smoothed by the sea, is ideal for those who enjoy walks amidst the lush greenery of the preserved Mediterranean scrubland.
The sea around Cala Cottone is a clear azure blue. The water's transparency is exceptional, offering excellent underwater visibility, perfect for snorkeling enthusiasts. The seabed is rich in marine life, including rockfish and, occasionally, rays or small schools of rarer fish. The marine biodiversity around Pantelleria is well-preserved, and Cala Cottone is no exception.
It is one of the many "Buvire" scattered across the island, brackish water sources formed by the mixing of seawater and rainwater. In the past, before cisterns were introduced in the Dammusi, these were the primary sources of water for non-drinking purposes.
Cala Gadir
A picturesque village with a small fishing port, Cala Gadir is also one of the most popular spots on the island due to the presence of two very famous attractions: the natural spa with large hot water pools and the underwater archaeological site, which contains many fragments of Punic and Roman amphorae dating from the 3rd to 2nd century BC, located 18 meters deep.
This thermal site of fundamental importance is believed to have been discovered by the Punics. There are two reservoirs carved into the rock where the temperature reaches 55°C. In addition to the therapeutic properties of the water, the algae that spontaneously grow on the walls of the pools are particularly effective for respiratory care.
Additionally, thanks to an easy descent into the sea, the immersion begins along the ridge where you can see colorful sea sponges and other typical marine life forms. This is the only place in the Mediterranean where thousands of "Menola Spicare Maena" fish gather to spawn in June, producing a phenomenon similar to the glassfish in the Red Sea. This attracts many dolphins, whose graceful movements can be observed from the nearby coast.
PLAGES DU SUD-EST DE L'ÎLE
PLAGES DU SUD-OUEST DE l'ÎLE
PLAGE DU NORD-OUEST DE L'ÎLE
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