Sea and Nature

Salento is an oasis situated between two seas: the Adriatic and the Ionian. The lengthy coastline starts at the Alimini Lakes and continues to the seaside resort, Santa Maria di Leuca. Further on, one reaches Gallipoli and finally the border of the province of Taranto. Surfers of all kinds find respite here. Kite and wind surfing as well as scuba diving are activities that the visitor will find well structured as equipment centres are abundant. Lovers of the sea and the vistas inherent therein are strongly advised to visit the The Regional Natural Park of Porto Selvaggio in which there are diverse environments: the steppes, a habitat rich in graminacee and annual plants, and the bluff characterized by the famous Salentine lemon. The visitor has the opportunity to catch a glimpse of foxes and weasels, hedgehogs, chameleons and, during the migration period, also the blackbird, the thrush and the hoopoe as well as birds of prey like hawks and kestrels.
A few meters from the coast one can see Captain's Swamp, an interesting area from the environmental point of view, developed by a karstic phenomenon that has long been a point of interest in this territory. For those who choose to vacation during the summer season, Porto Selvaggio is particularly recommended as the submerged caves are a must-see. For the birdwatchers, the Island of St. Andrew and the Shore of Punta Pizzo are not to be missed. In this area there is a nesting colony of Gulls (Larus audonii) that has international importance in the Mediterranean basin. The seafront of Pizzo includes particular environments, that are harmonized in an interesting environmental mosaic composed of Mediterranean scrub, Mediterranean steppes, and damp, swampy areas. Finally it is advised to visit the Rauccio Swamp and Wood. The park represents the last example of the great system of woods and marshes that in the past, extended along the coast between Brindisi and Lecce.

- The Province of Lecce
- Typical products