Italy’s Secret Beaches You Can Only Reach by Boat

Sardinia could not be left on this list, as it offers some beautiful beaches. One of those that you can only reach by sea is Cala Granara on the island of Spargi in the Maddalena Archipelago. 

Fine, white sand and crystal-clear water. The perfect place for diving enthusiasts, with more than 15 metres of seabed depth and surrounded by rich vegetation, you can shelter from the sun during peak hours. 

Services available: No services on the beach: bring water, food and everything you need. 

How to reach it by boat: It can only be reached by sea, with tours from La Maddalena or Palau, or by dinghy or private boat. 

Local tips: Arrive early in high season and bring a mask and snorkel: the seabeds are one of the strongest points of the cove. Do not leave waste and do not approach any wild animals present on the island. 

Closed to the public for many years now due to the inaccessibility of its road, among the coastal destinations to discover there is the beach of Chiaia di Luna, located in the Pontine Archipelago, facing the Lazio coast, and today one of the most scenic bays of Ponza to admire by sea. It is characterized by a thin strip of light sand, set between high tuff cliffs that at sunset take on golden reflections.

Already frequented in ancient Roman and Greek times, it was once reachable by land through a tunnel carved into the rock, now closed to the public. Today you can see it only from the sea, with a boat excursion, a dinghy or a small boat rented from the port of Ponza, without however landing on the beach.

Warning: stopping on the beach is not allowed for safety reasons, linked to the fragility of the cliff. However, nothing prevents you from enjoying the view from the sea, taking a swim offshore in its blue waters and letting yourself be rocked by the movement of the boat in front of one of the island’s most iconic rock walls.

Services available: No services on the beach, which is not accessible for stopping. 

How to reach it by boat:  You can reach the bay with organized excursions, dinghy or small boats departing from the port of Ponza, without landing on the beach. 

Local tips:  Always check updated bans and ordinances before leaving. The best way to experience it is from the sea: swim offshore, take photos from the boat and keep a safe distance from the cliff. 

In Varigotti, a hamlet of Finale Ligure in Savona, there is the tiny beach of Punta Crena (about 40x50 metres). There are cliffs overlooking the sea, clear, turquoise water, fascinating seabed, and clear water. 

It is ideal for those looking for a bit of privacy—one of the least crowded bathing spots on the Riviera di Ponente in Liguria. Reserved and isolated, it can only be reached by sea and is popular with naturists. 

To experience Punta Crena in the simplest way, start from the nearby beach of Varigotti and reach it by sea with a canoe, SUP or pedal boat, preferably with calm sea. The route is short, about 10-15 minutes, and saves you the more demanding path.

With small boats you can get close, but always check local rules: near the coast there may be restrictions for motorboats, anchoring and distance from the shore.

The more experienced can also arrive by land, but the route is difficult and not suitable for everyone: in the final stretch you have to descend with the help of fixed ropes. It is better to choose this option only if you have experience and adequate equipment.

Services available:  No services on the beach. You can find canoe, SUP and pedal boat rental on the nearby beach of Varigotti. 

How to reach it by sea:  From Varigotti you can reach Punta Crena by canoe, SUP or pedal boat in a few minutes, with calm sea. Avoid approaching with motorboats if not allowed. 

Local tips:  Better to go early and only with calm sea. The path by land is difficult and not suitable for everyone: the final stretch requires the use of ropes. 

Let's go back to Sardinia to propose the Golfo della Mezzaluna on the island of San Pietro in Carloforte. It is a real jewel of nature, characterised by very high rocky cliffs overlooking the sea. A pure spectacle for those who love barren landscapes and tranquillity!

The beach is of pebbles and rocks. There is the Bue Marino cliff on the eastern side of the gulf, where there are Mezzaluna caves, submerged and at sea level, therefore also easily accessible. You can only reach the coves by sea: this is an unmissable place for those who love scuba diving. 

Services available:  There are no services directly in the coves. Organize yourself with water, food and personal equipment before leaving. 

How to reach it by boat:  The most practical way is to leave from Carloforte with a private boat, a dinghy or an organized excursion along the coast of the island of San Pietro. 

Local tips:  Choose days with calm sea, especially if you want to get close to the caves. The coves are reachable by sea, while the cliff can also be seen from above through land routes, but swimming and access to the inlets remain linked to sea conditions. 

At 140 km long, the Gargano coastline is home to some of Italy's most beautiful beaches. The Gargano National Park is a protected national area that coincides with the mountainous cape of the same name in the eastern part of the province of Foggia in northern Apulia. 

One of the most beautiful bays in the Gargano is Cala della Sanguinaria, 12 km from Vieste. With a white pebble seabed plunging into the turquoise sea: a milky-white Karst cliff protects the bay. It is a small and secluded cove, ideal if you are looking for a wilder stretch of coast that is less immediate to reach. 

Services available:  There are no services on the beach. Bring water, snacks and everything you need. 

How to reach it by boat:  You can reach it by sea with excursions or small boats departing from Vieste; alternatively, from some nearby bays it is also possible to arrive by pedal boat or canoe, only with calm sea. 

Local tips:  It can also be reached by land from the car park on the SP54, with a path of about 15-20 minutes. The route is steep and uneven: better to avoid flip-flops and use suitable shoes. 

On the splendid island of Elba, there is a genuinely suggestive cove. It is Cala dei Frati, a small sheltered bay near the beach of Le Ghiaie.

It is a tiny bay of golden sand, with a high rocky promontory behind it that shields it from the sun for most of the day. 

Services available:  There are no services at Cala dei Frati. Bars, restaurants and rentals are located on the nearby beach of Le Ghiaie. 

How to reach it by boat:  It is reached almost only by sea from the beach of Le Ghiaie, by swimming, pedal boat or small boats. Access on foot is possible only by passing through the water and getting wet at least up to the waist. 

Local tips:  Avoid stopping under the rocky ridge: in the stretch between Cala dei Frati and Le Ghiaie there may be a risk of small landslides. Better to bring rock shoes and also pay attention when snorkeling close to the coast. 

To propose the beautiful Cala di Luna, let's go back to Sardinia one last time (although that would never be enough). The name comes from its crescent moon shape. 

It is in the Gulf of Orosei, on the east coast of Sardinia. Between the municipalities of Dorgali and Baunei, of which it marks the border. 

Cala Luna is a peculiar white sandy beach that stretches between the blue sea and the freshwater lake. It frames by caves and inlets formed by sea erosion on rocks of calcareous origin. 

Over the years, the beach has also been the setting for several Italian and international films. Among them, the cult film of the 1970s "Travolti da un insolito destino nell'azzurro mare d'agosto" (Swept away by an unusual destiny in the blue sea of August), starring Mariangela Melato and Giancarlo Giannini. 

The sea at Cala Luna is ideal for snorkelling, given its shallow waters accessible to tourists of all ages. In short, a beach that is a bit romantic and wild where you can take your time to sway on the waves. 

Services available:  In high season there may be a small refreshment point, but do not rely on services: still bring water, food and everything you need. 

How to reach it by boat:  You can arrive at Cala Luna with excursions or sea services from Cala Gonone, Santa Maria Navarrese, Arbatax and other ports of the Gulf of Orosei. Alternatively, there are walking trails, but they are long and demanding. 

Local tips:  Leave early, especially in summer, and check the sea before booking. If you choose trekking, use suitable shoes and do not underestimate the return: the route from Cala Fuili is suggestive, but requires training. 

Let's return to the great treasure chest of beauty, the Gargano. We are still not far from Vieste, and in its turquoise sea, the splendid Grotta Campana opens up before our eyes. 

Its inner walls cover with wild green moss, which gives the water extraordinary shades, especially when the sun shines its brilliant rays from the mouth of the cave. 

Services available:  There are no services: it is a sea cave, not an equipped beach. 

How to reach it by boat:  It can be reached with boat excursions departing from the port of Vieste, usually along the itinerary of the marine caves of the Gargano towards the southern coast and Baia delle Zagare. Some tours also include swimming stops, but not always inside or near the cave. 

Local tips:  Choose a day with calm sea: entry into the caves always depends on sea conditions and the skipper’s assessment. Bringing a mask and snorkel may be worthwhile if the tour includes swimming stops along the coast. 

In the Marche region, a few nautical miles from Ancona, in the shadow of the imposing Monte Conero, along the rugged Adriatic coast, and only accessible by boat, lies the Due Sorelle beach. It owes its name to the two white stacks that rise from the blue sea a few steps from the shore and dominate the landscape.

The beach is a beautiful cove with a wild charm. The best way to admire it is from the sea, when the light illuminates the sea stacks and the white profile of the beach stands out against the blue of the Adriatic.

Services available:  There are no services on the beach. Bring water, food and everything you need. 

How to reach it by boat:  It is reached by sea with excursions, seasonal ferries, canoes or boats departing from Numana. The Passo del Lupo trail to the beach is closed for safety reasons. 

Local tips:  Book the excursion in advance in high season and always check sea conditions. For a view from above, you can reach the panoramic points of the Conero, without descending from the forbidden section of the path. 

Back to Ponza: the largest island of the Pontine Islands. Suppose you want to discover this island and the entire Latium archipelago in an unusual way. In that case, there is nothing better than a sailing boat. It is from the sea that reveals inaccessible beaches (or almost inaccessible) on foot.

One such beach is Cala Felce, on the island's northern tip and just a few minutes' sailing away. It is a clear beach that enchants with its mix of sand and stones and a landscape that makes the surrounding area magical. An overwhelming nature envelops you with its intense colours, offering a contrast that makes you dream. 

Services available:  There are no services on the beach: bring water, food and everything you need. 

How to reach it by boat:  Cala Felce is located in the northern part of Ponza and is reachable only by sea, with taxi boat, organized excursions or private boat from the port of Ponza or from the area of Le Forna/Cala Fonte. 

Local tips:  Always check updated conditions before stopping on the beach: in some periods stopping may be discouraged or limited for safety reasons. Better to experience it from the sea, with a swim in the area of the cove and return by boat. 

The Buondormire beach is one of the most beautiful in Cilento, just a short distance from Palinuro. It is a destination for many tourists who want to enjoy its uncontaminated nature.

It looks like a small crescent made of white pebbles and surrounded by immense cliffs that plunge sheer into the sea, in transparent waters of a thousand different shades. 

Services available:  The beach has no stable services: bring water, food and what you need for the day. 

How to reach it by boat:  It is reached mainly by sea, with boats, shuttles or small excursions from the port of Palinuro or from the nearby beach of Marinella. From Marinella, with calm sea, you can also arrive by pedal boat, canoe or small dinghy. 

Local tips:  Go early or outside the central weeks of August: the bay can quickly fill up with boats and visitors. Before leaving, check the sea and agree well on the return time with the boat service. 

From the sea, Calabria also offers gems of great beauty. The northern part of Costa Viola hides the bluest sea in the region. 

It is where we find Palmi's Marinella Beach. It is the perfect place for those looking for a bit of quiet and relaxation because, although it is easily accessible, it is still little frequented. 

Services available:  There are no beach clubs or services directly on the beach. Organize yourself with water, food and rock shoes. 

How to reach it by boat:  You can include it in an excursion along the Costa Viola, departing from the tourist port of Palmi or from nearby locations. The beach can also be reached by land, following the signs for Marina di Palmi. 

Local tips:  The seabeds are stony and clear: bring a mask and snorkel if you love snorkeling. Better to check the sea before approaching by boat, because the coast is rocky and must be approached with caution. 

After talking about two of the most beautiful beaches in the Gargano, we return to Puglia to admire the splendid Cala dei Pagliai beach. On the island of San Domino, the largest of the Tremiti Islands. Here, the rocky coastline has created an infinite number of charming coves. 

The beach is a golden crescent that opens not far from the island's main port—surrounded by impressive cliffs that rise from the sea and offer an incredible panorama. 

Services available:  The beach is not equipped: bring water, food and what you need for the stop. 

How to reach it by boat:  Cala dei Pagliai is located on the island of San Domino and can be reached only by sea, with boat, dinghy, taxi boat or tour departing from the island’s port. 

Local tips:  Go early in the morning or outside the central hours of the tours. The bay is small and very photographed: with calm sea it is also ideal for a short swim and snorkeling near the rocks. 

And it is here that we conclude our journey by sea. Lampedusa in Sicily is home to one of Italy's most fascinating beaches. 

We are talking about La Tabaccara, an actual natural swimming pool set between rocky and imposing promontories covered in thick vegetation. Just a stone's throw away is the famous Conigli beach, one of the most popular destinations on the island.

Services available: There are no services: La Tabaccara is a natural bay, not an equipped beach.

How to reach it by boat: It can be reached by sea with boats, dinghies or organized tours departing from the port of Lampedusa. From land, you can see it from above by following the paths towards the Spiaggia dei Conigli area, but to swim there you need to arrive by sea.

Local tips: Go early in the morning if you want to avoid boat crowds. Bring a mask and snorkel: the transparent water and the “floating boats” effect are the reason why La Tabaccara is one of the most photographed places in Lampedusa. 

You can reach them with organized excursions, taxi boats, rental dinghies or private boats. In some areas, if the sea is calm and the distance is short, you can also arrive by kayak, SUP or canoe. Before leaving, always check sea conditions, local rules and landing possibilities.

Bring water, food, sunscreen, a hat, towel, rock shoes and a waterproof bag. Many coves have no bars, beach clubs or shaded areas, so it is better to organize yourself beforehand. Mask and snorkel are recommended: often the seabeds are among the most beautiful parts of the experience.

It depends on the beach and the type of access. Some bays can be easily visited with an organized tour, others require more attention due to rocky seabeds, lack of services, landing bans or variable sea conditions. If you travel with children or inexperienced people, choose guided excursions and coves with safe stops.