Explore the sea caves of Gargano by kayak

Discover the sea caves and grottos dotting the Gargano coast by heading inside with your own kayak from Cala Campi.

Sun, sea, and adventure.

The promise of summer, at a bargain price.

How to visit the sea caves

There are 2 options (3 if your swimming skills match those of Michael Phelps or Katie Ledecky):

By boat

There are several companies offering motorboat tours along this coast. Not only do they take you to the most famous caves and venture into the largest ones, but they also include stops at certain local beaches.

Any downsides?

• You can't stay as long as you want at each stop.
• Some groups can get a bit too… crowded.
• It pollutes!

By kayak

Can you picture yourself paddling at your own pace over a turquoise sea while exploring every grotto, every hidden corner, every tiny beach along the Gargano coast?

Rent a kayak at Cala Campi.

I promise you, within 10 minutes you'll already be glad you did.

The downside?

You need some arm strength (something I totally lack).

What trick did I use to fix this?

I found myself a pretty fit travel buddy and let him do the paddling (he's not Channing Tatum, he's even better).

Anyone could do it like that, don't you think? 😉

Cala Campi

Despite not being as famous as Vignanotica or Faraglioni, this is one of the beaches with the most potential in Gargano.

Why?

• It's wide, with a lively area next to the beach bar and another almost deserted section where you can relax in the shade of the cliff.
• It gets fewer tourists because it's not as photogenic and parking spaces are scarce.
• It makes the perfect starting point to set off on a kayak excursion and explore the sea caves of Gargano.

Where to park

If you're not staying at camping Baia Campi, you'll most likely get to this beach by car.

Heading towards Vieste along the SP53 provincial road, once you pass the campsite entrance you'll spot a line of cars parked on the left shoulder and, a bit further ahead, a slightly larger parking area on the right.

You have the exact location on the map at the bottom of the page.

We left our car there and never got a ticket. However, I'm not 100% sure if restrictions or fines might be stricter during peak season.

From the parking area, head down a steep dirt path toward the rocks at the northern end of the cove.

Once you reach them, all you have to do is cross a small bridge, dodge the kids doing cannonballs off the rocks, and walk along the shore to wherever you want to spend the rest of your day.

Where to rent a kayak

At the southern corner of Cala Campi, they rent 1- and 2-seater kayaks, SUP boards (stand-up paddleboards), and windsurfing gear.

The first hour of rental costs €10 for a single kayak and €14 for a double. From then on, each extra hour is €6 more.

To give you an idea, we did the route shown on the map (yellow line) in 2 hours (€20 in total), stopping several times for a swim and to take in the scenery.

Right or left?

There are three main reasons why we decided to head up towards Vieste from Campi beach along the coast (that is, to the left):

1. We knew there were caves on that side because we had spotted them from a small rocky outcrop near the parking area.
2. Everyone renting a kayak (or using their own) that day was heading in that same direction.
3. The waves were pulling south, so it was smarter to start by paddling against the current while we were still fresh and let the sea and wind help us on the way back.

We absolutely loved the route, as it's dotted with sea caves, including a standout large one with an open roof and its very own sandy cove inside.

In fact, the whole route is dotted with dozens of caves to explore by kayak and intriguing trabucchi—traditional fishing platforms of Phoenician origin that are still in use today.

And, as a reward, if you go past the so-called ‘Testa (head) del Gargano’, you will enjoy the views of Vieste outlined against the Adriatic.

If you manage to get this far, keep going a few more meters along the coast to the bell cave (Grotta Campana).

I missed it because I didn't even know it existed or where it was (I wasn't even quite sure where I was…). I was so close! Don't make the same mistake.

Where to sleep

We spent 5 days for €220 at the Argeste Club Vacanze apartment complex, a 15-minute walk from the center of Vieste and its beaches.

It turned out to be a great base camp for exploring the Gargano park, including the Foresta Umbra and its lovely coastline dotted with white cliffs.

However, I must admit that the location and tranquility I noticed at Camping Baia Campi really caught my attention.

Just 2 steps from Cala Campi and surrounded by nature? Next time I won't think twice. 🙂

Useful links

• Camping Baia Campi.
• Argeste Club Vacanze.
• Other hotel deals.
• Flights to Italy: Trabber, eDreams, Momondo, and Vueling.
• 5% discount when booking your travel insurance with IATI.

Road tripping through Italy and checking out Puglia and the Gargano park? Then this is for you:

• Vieste, the capital of Gargano.
• Baia delle Zagare: how to get to the 2 most inaccessible coves in Italy.
• Enjoy a beach day under the white cliffs of Vignanotica.
• The 15 hiking trails crossing the Gargano's Foresta Umbra.

Have you also explored the Gargano sea caves by kayak? Share your experience in the comments. Thanks! 🙂

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