San Domino: Island Nature, Caves and Roman Traces

San Domino: Island Nature Between Trails and Sea

San Domino is the largest island in the Tremiti Archipelago. Mediterranean maquis covers the island, complemented by a lush Aleppo pine forest. Cars and motorcycles may not be brought onto the island. You can get around on foot or by bicycle along numerous marked trails. For planning your time on the island, the landscape, coastline and marked trails can be considered together.

Trails, Coves and the Sandy Beach

A nature trail leads around San Domino and branches off to coves, caves and beaches. The Perimetrale San Domino–Faro San Domino circular route has a stabilized surface and Braille panels. Cala delle Arene is the island’s only sandy beach; it lies behind the harbor and is accessible and equipped. This allows you to treat the circular route and the beach as different focal points of an island stay.

Caves, Rocks and Boat Excursions

Between Punta Secca and Cala del Bue Marino lies the Architiello, a natural arch created by nature. In one cave, the presence of numerous species varies as the incidence of light decreases. Bluish reflections appear in the semi-dark area; shallow water creates patterns of light and colors the walls blue through reflections.

Boat excursions are offered on San Domino; you can rent boats or join organized boat tours. San Domino is surrounded by Zone B of the Tremiti Islands Marine Protected Area. Diving as well as research and environmental monitoring activities are permitted in this zone. A total of 29 recreational and 15 technical dive routes are offered around Caprara, San Nicola, San Domino and Cretaccio; San Domino is one of the islands included.

At the Scogli del Sale dive site, an easy dive follows a fissured rock wall. There are Posidonia seagrass meadows as well as groupers, sea bream, spiny lobsters and conger eels, among other species.

Roman Ships and Older Traces

The Relitto delle Tre Senghe wreck is a Roman ship that sank 80 meters off the coast of San Domino at a depth of about 25 meters. Relitto delle Tre Senghe A lies at a depth of 24 meters off the southern coast; the approximately 20-meter-long Roman merchant ship was carrying Lamboglia 2 and Dressel 2–4 amphorae. During the examination of the Relitto delle Tre Senghe wreck, 150 amphorae were recovered. Relitto delle Tre Senghe B near San Domino preserves a cargo of stone blocks that probably belonged to another Roman or late antique merchant ship.

The Relitto del Lombardo at Cala degli Inglesi also tells of a historical event: Nino Bixio seized it in 1860 to transport part of Garibaldi’s Mille. Ceramic fragments and stone tools from the Middle Neolithic were also found in the area of Cala degli Inglesi. They indicate a settlement next to the settlement of Cala Tramontana.

On San Domino, Benedictines built a monastery and the Church of San Giacomo between the end of the 9th and the beginning of the 10th century. At the Pagliai, you can observe the Eocene San Domino Formation and fossil-rich organogenic limestones.

Accommodation Suited to Your Island Experiences

Choosing your accommodation in San Domino is easier with clear priorities: marked trails and coastal formations, Cala delle Arene, boat excursions and dive routes, or historical sites and finds lead to different travel plans. This allows you to base your decision on the island experiences you want to place at the center of your stay.

More Destinations for Planning Your Trip

Rodi Garganico, Cerignola, San Severo, Rignano Garganico, Carpino, Accadia, San Marco In Lamis and Pugnochiuso

To the higher-level travel overview: Foggia.