Explore the Gargano's sea caves by kayak

Discover the caves and sea grottos that dot the Gargano coastline by venturing inside them in 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 two possibilities (three if your swimming skills are on par with Mireia Belmonte or David Meca):

By boat

Several companies offer boat tours along this coast. Not only will they take you to the most famous caves and introduce you to the largest ones, but they also include stops at certain beaches in the area.

Negative points?

• You can't stay as long as you want at each destination.
• Some groups can be too... numerous.
• Pollute!

By kayak

Can you imagine paddling at your own pace on a turquoise sea while exploring every cave, every corner, every little beach on the Gargano coast?

Rent a kayak at Campi Cove.

I assure you that within 10 minutes you will be glad you did.

Negative point?

You need some arm strength (which I don't have).

What trick did I use to solve this?

I found myself a well-built partner and let him take the lead (he's not Channing Tatum, he's even better).

Anyone would, don't you think? 😉

Campi Cove

Although not as well known as Vignanotica orFaraglioni, this is one of the beaches with the most potential in the Gargano.

Why?

• It is spacious, with a very busy area next to the beach bar and another almost deserted area where you can relax in the shade of the cliff.
• It receives fewer tourists because it is not as photogenic and parking spaces are scarce.
• It is the perfect starting point for a kayaking excursion to visit the sea caves of the Gargano.

Where to park

If you are not staying at Baia Campi campsite, you will most likely arrive at this beach by car.

Heading towards Vieste on the SP53 provincial road, once you pass the campsite entrance, you will see a line of poorly parked vehicles on the left-hand shoulder and, a little further on, a slightly larger parking area on the right.

You can find the exact location on the map at the bottom of the page.

We left our car there and were never fined. However, I don't know for sure if the restrictions or penalties during high season might be stricter.

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

Once there, you just have to cross a small bridge, dodge the children diving off the rocks, and stroll along the shore to wherever you want to spend the rest of the day.

Where to rent a kayak

At the southern end of Cala Campi, you can rent single and double kayaks, SUP (stand up paddle) boards, and windsurfing equipment.

The first hour of rental costs €10 for a single kayak and €14 for a double kayak. After that, each additional hour costs €6 more.

To give you an idea, we completed the route shown on the map (yellow line) in two hours (€20 total), stopping several times to swim and enjoy the surroundings.

Right or left?

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

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

We loved the route, as it is dotted with caves, including a large one with an open vault and a sandy cove inside.

But the route is dotted with dozens of caves where you can venture in with your kayak and curious trabucchi, fishing platforms of Phoenician origin that are still in use today.

And, as a reward, if you cross the so-called 'Testa (head) del Gargano', you will enjoy the views of Vieste silhouetted against the Adriatic Sea.

If you manage to get this far, continue a few more meters along the coast to the bell cave.

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

Where to stay

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

It turned out to be a good base camp for visiting Gargano Park, including the Foresta Umbra and its delightful coastline dotted with white cliffs.

However, I must admit that the location and tranquility I observed at the Baia Campi campsite caught my attention.

Just a stone's throw from Cala Campi and surrounded by nature? Next time, I won't think twice. 🙂

Useful Links

• Baia Campi Campground.
• Argeste Club Vancanze.
• Other hotel offers.
• Flights to Italy:Trabber,eDreams,Momondo, andVueling.
• Get 5% off when you purchase travel insurance with IATI.

Are you on a tour in Italy visiting Puglia and the Gargano Park? Then this is of interest to you:

• Vieste, la capital del Gargano.
• Baia delle Zagare, how to reach the two most inaccessible coves in Italy.
• Enjoy a day at the beach under the white cliffs of Vignanotica.
• The 15 hiking trails that cross the Umbra forest of Gargano.

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

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