Archaeological and paleontological treasures, rocky coves and beautiful coastal towers, but, above all, breathtaking panoramas make the Porto Selvaggio Regional Park one of the most fascinating places in Salento and in the entire Puglia.

Duration
3 hours

Available
Tue-Thu-Sat

Small Group
Max 20 people

Meeting Point
Nazario Sauro Square

Start time
9:30am or 3:00pm

With this 3 hours boat trip you will have the chance to visit the Porto Selvaggio Nature Reserve from the sea, swimming in the Mediterranean, snorkelling in the most beautiful bays, and exploring the ancient sea caves with the assistance of your skipper and your environmental guide who will show you all the region’s natural wonders. A magical place, to protect and admire; not to be missed on your trip to Salento.

Tour program to Porto Selvaggio from Porto Cesareo – Salento:

Meeting point in Nazario Sauro Square, in front of the Restaurant Lu Cannizzu.
Start of the boat tour with stop to Torre dell’Alto Bay, dominated by the homonymous defensive tower built between the XV and XVI. Enjoy swimming and snorkeling, if the sea conditions allow to, into the most famous caves, both underwater and emerged, along the Salento coast.
Continue the tour stopping for swimming and snorkeling at Punta Lea, where you will admire the extraordinary and colorful nature of the magic sea bottoms of this stretch of coastline.
The third stop will be in Uluzzo Bay, one of the most beautiful point of the Salento coast overlooking the Ionian Sea. Uluzzo Bay also represents an important prehistoric archaeological site, safeguarding caves like the Grotta del Cavallo, Grotta di Carlo Cosma and Grotta dell’Uluzzo, beside which they have found proof of prehistoric figurative art, which led to the definition of the ‘Uluzzian Paleolithic’.
The tour will end in the bay of Sant’Isidoro, perfect spot for snorkeling as the sea, thanks to water springs which come out of the karst underground, is always transparent.

The price includes: Professional skipper – Environmental guide – Snacks – Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages – Masks and jackets for snorkeling.

The price does not include: Hotel pick-up and drop-off.

Do not forget: Swimsuit – Beach towel – Sunscreen – Sun hat – Camera.

Maximum: 20 people on board.

To know more about your boat trip...

Bays of Porto Selvaggio

Porto Selvaggio Bay gives its name to the entire Nature Park and is formed by beaches and inlets surrounded by the characteristic pine forest that was planted in the fifties. Among the most characteristic bays there are definitely Torre dall'Alto Bay and Uluzzo Bay. These two bays are a little hard to reach by land; however they provide unique, scenic landscapes panoramas if explored from the sea. The beach of Sant’Isidoro Bay is an exception in this regard: as a matter of fact, it is among the favorite beaches from families for its fine and golden sand and the crystal clear sea, calm and sheltered from the wind.

Torre dell'Alto Bay

It is a fascinating inlet of Porto Selvaggio Nature Reserve, and the only way to get inside is by boat. The coast, dominated by a tower of the same name, is rocky, jagged and with the most spectacular colors of the Mediterranean vegetation.

Uluzzo Bay

This is the stretch of sea near Torre Uluzzo, characterized by the sea with beautiful shades, going from emerald green to deep blue. This place is particularly famous thanks to its archaeological finds dating back to the Paleolithic age. The shallow water is perfect for some spectacular dip in the Porto Selvaggio Nature Reserve.

Sant'Isidoro Bay

A beach sheltered from winds and currents in the heart of the Natural Reserve of Porto Selvaggio. The Bay of Sant'Isidoro will enchant you with its crystal clear water and golden sand.

Legend of the Torre dell'Alto

The Nature Reserve of Porto Selvaggio is characterized by the presence of many towers overlooking the coast of Salento, built to spot enemies that came from the sea. One of them is the Torre dell’Alto or “tower from above”, an ancient Aragonese watchtower, main subject of an old story. According to the legend, a young woman decided to take her own life by jumping off the cliff of the tower in order to escape the Count Gian Gerolamo Acquaviva, who claimed on her the jus primae noctis, the supposed right of a feudal lord ro have sexual relation with a vassal’s bride. From that moment, the cliff overlooking the blue sea took the name of Dirupo della Dannata, the cliff of the damned woman. For this reason too, Torre dall’Alto is considered one of the most fascinating destinations to be visited in the Bay of Porto Selvaggio.

Punta Lea

This is where you can truly appreciate the wonders of the Ionian Sea. Punta Lea is definitely one of the best places to snorkel inside the Nature Reserve of Porto Selvaggio.

Porto Selvaggio's Grottos

The Nature Reserve of Porto Selvaggio is also characterized by the presence of caves. The most important ones, from an archaeological point of view, as well as in terms of landscape, are the Grotta del Cavallo, and the Grotta di Uluzzo. Here, in fact, many archaeological finds going back to the prehistoric era have been found, to such an extent that the Grotta di Uluzzo has given the name to an entire prehistoric civilization.

Grotta del Cavallo (“horse cave” in English)

Located in the Uluzzo Bay, right in the heart of the Porto Selvaggio Nature Park, the Grotta del Cavallo, is the perfect mix of nature and history. Many recent research places here the first traces of the appearance of man on Earth, that is, 45 thousand years ago. Its name comes from some finds of equidae, that is of horses, which were discovered inside the cave. But its fame is mainly due to the discovery of the remains of the Neanderthal man.These findings were a significant source of information for the studies on the lifestyle of the early hunters.

Q&A

How to reach Porto Selvaggio?

Porto Selvaggio Nature Reserve includes 432 hectares of coastline and 268 hectares of pine forest. The Reserve can be reached from Porto Cesareo, Gallipoli and Lecce by bus or by car. Once you reach the parking area, you will then have to enter the characteristic pine forest and walk for at least one kilometer to reach the beaches, which are very busy during the summer. Then, the most practical alternative to enjoy the Nature Reserve is to reach Porto Selvaggio from Porto Cesareo with a boat tour, in order to admire all the beauty that this pristine stretch of the Ionian coast can offer.

Can I visit Porto Selvaggio with kids?

Park of Porto Selvaggio by sea is the best choice to reach in a short amount of time all the most beautiful bays, without missing, not even for one second, the colors, the history and legends of this wonderful landscape. Children will be able to swim in the crystal clear water of the park, away from the chaos of the beaches, especially during high season, in June, July and August.

How long is the boat tour?

The boat tour will last around 3 hours.

Can I choose the departure time?

Yes, you can choose to depart at 09:30 or at 15:00 depending on availability.

Do I have some free time to swim and snorkel?

Yes you will have some free time to swim and snorkel during the boat tour. The skipper will decide the best and most comfortable stops for you thanks to his experience.

Are drinks and snacks included in this tour?

Yes drinks onboard are included. You will be offered water, soft drinks as well as beer and wine all accompanied by some snacks (chips, peanuts etc…).

Are there toilet breaks during the tour?

On board there is the opportunity to use the restroom.

Is lunch included in the boat tour?

Lunch is not included in the boat tour.

Will the tour be cancelled in case of heavy rain or rough sea?

Yes, in case of bad weather/sea conditions the tour might be cancelled. In case of cancellation we are happy to offer our customers the choice of an alternative date or, in case of inability to rebook, the full refund.

Porto Selvaggio Nature Reserve boat tour from Porto Cesareo – Salento

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