Cala Pulcino, the beach that disappears between rocks and waves
Cala Pulcino in Lampedusa opens between low rocks and sparse vegetation, a small corner where the sea watches over everything. The sand is pale, dotted with pebbles and shells, and the water changes from intense turquoise to transparent green with every change in the light. On calm days it feels like a natural aquarium, but when the wind picks up, the sound of the waves bounces off the rocky walls and fills the air.
Where is Cala Pulcino and how to get there?Cala Pulcino is located in the southern part of Lampedusa , immediately after the Vallone della Forbice and Isola dei Conigli, within the Lampedusa Island Oriented Nature Reserve . You can get there on foot from Casa Teresa, at Capo Ponente, following a path that descends into the valley among Mediterranean scrub, white rocks, and the scents of fennel and capers.
The whole thing could be done (note, the conditional is not a coincidence ) by following a 20-30 minute path that ends on a small beach of sand and pebbles, surrounded by limestone cliffs and lapped by a sea that changes color with the light. Alternatively, it could be reached by sea.
Attention: Cala Pulcino is prohibitedUnfortunately, Cala Pulcino is currently closed for safety reasons: the path leading down from the Vallone della Forbice is closed, and access on foot is prohibited due to the risk of landslides. The Sicilian Region and Legambient , which manages the reserve, have extended the ban to include swimming, parking, and transit in the area. Therefore, it is not possible to dock or disembark, even when arriving by sea.
Boaters are only allowed to sail offshore and admire the cove from a safe distance. In essence, no diving, no diving, no stopping. This is a strict restriction, but it serves to protect both people and a delicate and unstable environment.
Despite what has just been said, there are people who choose to ignore signs and ordinances, risking hefty fines or worse, but from our side, this is unacceptable behavior: respecting the rules means protecting your own safety and that of a place that, precisely because it is fragile, deserves attention, not challenge.
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The beautiful Cala Pulcino is a small cove enclosed between pale limestone cliffs, shaped by wind and marine erosion, which drop steeply to the water's edge. The beach , now inaccessible, is composed of light-colored sand mixed with pebbles and shell fragments, evidence of the sea's constant erosion of the rocks and the marine life that inhabits the area.
The water is transparent and ranges from deep turquoise to emerald green, with a seabed that alternates between sandy and rocky stretches, a haven for fish and small marine life. From a distance, especially from the sea, the entire landscape can be seen in all its harmony: the contrast between the white cliffs, the green Mediterranean scrub that thrives on the crests, and the ever-changing hues of the sea below.
On clear days, the light amplifies the colors and every detail seems sharper, like a natural painting where nothing is missing except the possibility of setting foot on it. Today, it can only be legally observed from a distance , and several boat tours organized on the island include a passage in front of the cove.
In short, you stay on board, admire the landscape and maybe take a few photos, taking home an intact image of one of the wildest places on Lampedusa.
