Overview

Three islands, one love

Little more than a rock, Cretaccio, the smallest of the Tremiti Islands, is named after the yellowish clay it is made of, constantly eroded by the sea and currents. It is about 400 metres long and, at its widest point, about 200 metres wide, for a total coastal development of only 1.3 kilometres. When visiting, we recommend starting from the ruins of the old harbour, however the best treasures are found on the seabed and the surrounding shallows.
For lovers of legends, it is said that the ghost of a penal colony inmate who was beheaded on the islet still wanders here, carrying his head under his arm. According to some, during the wildest, stormiest nights, the screams of an old witch who lived on the nearby Scoglio della Vecchia can be heard.

The island of Capraia, also called Caprara or Capperaia, due to the prominence of caper plants on the island, as well as artemisia, thistles and mastic, is also small and uninhabited, populated by granite rocks. Visitors are not permitted to disembark. However, when venturing out, perhaps by kayak, you can stop a few metres from the banks and take a dip in the clear waters. The seabed hosts a submerged statue of Padre Pio, now Saint Pio.

About twenty kilometres northeast of Capraia, Pianosa is a rocky plateau, also completely uninhabited. At a maximum of 15 metres above sea level, during storm surges it is almost completely submerged. Pianosa is part of the strict nature reserve, so bear in mind that, within 500 metres of the island, landing, sailing, fishing and diving are prohibited, unless accompanied by authorised diving guides. We recommend contacting them to make arrangements: the seabed is spectacular!
The marine flora is magnificent, rich in sponges, soft corals and seaweed meadows, while the fauna of fish and crustaceans is equally fascinating, with octopus, white seabream, gilthead bream, dentex, groupers and giant lobsters. Birdwatching enthusiasts also have plenty of surprises in store: circling the sky are greater and lesser shearwaters of the genus Diomedea, pallid swifts and Eleonora's falcons.