Grotta Monaca
A narrow inlet between limestone cliffs north of Otranto, in the San Pietro channel: this is where Grotta Monaca opens, nearly 85 metres deep. Legend has it the name comes from the Mediterranean monk seal, once found in these waters.
At a glance
- Inlet between the cliffs
- Sea cave, nearly 85 m deep
- Tied to the monk-seal legend
- Seen from the boat
From the boat you see the pale walls and the cave entrance, which has two inner chambers — we don’t go in, but the view from the water is one of the finest stretches of the North tour.
Swim stops on this tour stay at Mulino d’Acqua, Baia Morrone and Baia dei Turchi.
Land access is steep and not advisable: the tour reaches it from the sea only.
Location on the route
This stop appears on multiple tours: here you can choose which route to draw on the map.
Route on map
Approximate offshore route
More stops on the NORTH tour
A few stops on the NORTH tour — swipe for more or open the full list.
NORTHNORTH EXTENDEDFaro Bianco
We leave the harbour and right at the mouth stands Faro Bianco at Punta Craulo: a real lighthouse, built in 1930 by the Italian Navy. First stop on the North tour.
NORTHNORTH EXTENDEDMulino d'Acqua bay
A bay set between cliffs north of Otranto, named after an old water mill that once stood here and is long gone — only the name remains. The beach has largely disappeared, and the bay is best seen from the sea.
NORTHNORTH EXTENDEDGrotta Sfondata
In Mulino d’Acqua bay there is a cave with a collapsed roof: from the water you see the hole to the sky and the light pouring in from above.
