Santa Maria Del Focallo: Beach, Dunes and Underwater Discoveries

Santa Maria Del Focallo combines a long sandy beach with archaeological finds in the waters off the coast. If you are choosing an Italian coastline for its landscapes and cultural depth, you will find two different ways to experience it here: a seaside stay and an exploration of an ancient shipwreck. The surrounding area adds beaches, museums, palaces and the wider area of Ispica to this picture.

Beach and Dunes

Santa Maria del Focallo beach has golden sand, clear water and a seabed that slopes gently towards the open sea. It is approximately 8 kilometres long. In some sections, low dunes covered with Mediterranean maquis lie behind the beach. The beaches of Santa Maria del Focallo are bordered by dunes covered with dense Mediterranean maquis. The beach has a beach bar, sun lounger and parasol hire, as well as bathing establishments.

The beaches Spiaggia Santa Maria del Focallo and Plaja Ulisse are located in the immediate vicinity of Santa Maria del Focallo. Spiaggia Bove Marino and Spiaggia Tegolaio are also located in the surrounding area. You can use the different beach names as a guide when planning your own trip to various coastal destinations.

Nature on the Coast

Isola dei Porri is designated as Natura 2000 site ITA080005. If you also take natural features into account alongside the sea, this adds another focus to the beaches and dunes.

Archaeology and Culture in the Surrounding Area

A historical perspective emerges from looking at the waters off Santa Maria del Focallo. A shipwreck dating from the 6th–5th century BC was found there together with four stone anchors and two iron anchors. The wreck lay at a depth of six metres and was buried beneath sand and boulders. Underwater research at the shipwreck also uncovered the ship's mast, black-figure pottery, a small ointment vessel bearing the Greek inscription “NAU” and a piece of rope. These finds also make the coast interesting for travellers who want to explore historical connections through specific objects.

In the wider area of Ispica, the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore is considered one of the most outstanding examples of Sicilian Baroque. The surrounding area of Santa Maria del Focallo also includes the Museo Etnografico “G.Savarino”, the visitor destination Associazione Strada del Vino e dei Sapori del Val di Noto, which is among the museums, as well as the palaces Palazzo e Chiesa della Tonnara and Palazzo Tasca. This combination of coast, underwater archaeology, Baroque architecture and regional cultural destinations gives you several areas of focus without the beach losing its own character.

Planning Your Stay Effectively

When planning your stay, it is worth considering the existing coastal character and the outlook for planned changes. Measures are planned for the coastal dune ecosystem of Santa Maria del Focallo that are intended to improve the beach's usability and protect the ecosystem. When choosing a hotel, you can decide in advance whether the sea, nature or culture should be the focus of your trip and choose the location accordingly.

Further destinations for your travel planning: San Filippo, Sampieri, Donnafugata, Monterosso Almo, Scoglitti, Pozzallo, Punta Braccetto and Cava D'aliga.

For the wider travel overview: Ragusa.