All About San Domino
The largest of the Tremiti Islands, San Domino, is also one of two inhabited in the archipelago. Infamous for being an internment camp in the early 1940s, the island is also where Roman Emperor Augustus imprisoned her granddaughter Julia the Younger.
Nowadays, travel enthusiasts visit the island for its offbeat nature, accentuated further by the many coves and caverns hidden amongst its 7km long, rugged coastline. As a result, the island promises several tourist facilities, from hotels and restaurants to boat rentals and excursions.
Routes and Ferries to San Domino
There are primarily two ways to reach San Domino. An exclusive and expensive choice is to take a helicopter from Foggia Airport. Helicopter charter services from Pescara and Bari are sometimes possible during summer. If planning to arrive at the San Domino helipad, book your tickets well in advance, as there are limited seats that fill up fast.
Ferry tickets to San Domino offer a much more convenient and pocket-friendly option. You can book ferry tickets for the one-hour-plus journey from Termoli using Ferryscanner. The ferry company NLG is the leading operator with regular connections that increase in frequency from June to August. While tourists cannot bring cars on the ferries, tickets cost under €20 per adult, one-way. Additional ferries sail between San Domino, Vieste, Peschici, and Rodi Garganico during summer.
Port of San Domino
As the most developed of the Tremiti Islands, San Domino sees regular ferry traffic around the year. Ferry tickets to San Domino are particularly in high demand during summers. As a result, the Port of San Domino, while modest in appearance, offers all the basic amenities travelers require upon arrival. Located next to the main town, the harbor has a minibus service, shops, restaurants, and bicycle rentals nearby. Furthermore, the port is the focal point for boat tours, water taxis, and gommone rentals.
Best Beaches
While the island provides unlimited access to the sea, it’s through craggy nooks and rocky bays. At the same time, San Domino does have the only proper sandy beach in the archipelago. So, in the end, you do end up with the best of both worlds.
Cala delle Arene
Although small in size, its sandy disposition and transparent waters make Calla delle Arene understandably popular. Situated next to the port, it is probably the first beach travelers lay their eyes on when arriving with ferry tickets to San Domino. The shallow seabed with plenty of fish adds to its fame, especially among families and snorkellers. Also known as Spiaggia Tremiti, the beach has a tiny free area. Still, it’s best to rent parasols and sunbeds for €15-€30 if you plan to spend a few hours here.
Cala Matano
Cala Matano is one of the most scenic coves on the island, situated on its northeastern coastline. An easily reachable beach, you do need to cover a short trail to reach the water. The main strand has a bar and a small sandy spot packed with sunbeds you can rent for €20-€30. If you want to sunbathe for free, lie down on the surrounding rocks, which also act as platforms for jumping into the sea. Cala Matano is known for its snorkeling possibilities. The water by the shore is a little murky. However, swim a little further, and you’ll be pleasantly surprised.
Cala Spido
An east coast sheltered rocky cove, you can reach Cala Spido either by boat or land. The trail through the pine forest to the blue-green waters is incredibly wonderful. A waterfront for nature lovers, there are no facilities at Cala Spido. There is a restaurant at the beginning of the trail where you can get snacks and drinks before going down. Entry into the sea is a bit tricky, and thus, it is advisable to wear water shoes.
Grotta dei Pagliai
The island’s west side has several coves you can reach only by boat. Grotta dei Pagliai in the north is the same. You can rent a dinghy or take an organized tour to visit this beautiful thin strip, named after the rising cliffs in the background that look like haystacks. Tourists typically come here to swim, snorkel, or as part of kayaking safaris around the coastline.
Grotta del Bue Marino
The largest cave on the island is on the southwestern shoreline, close to the Lighthouse of San Domino. At 70 meters long, the cave gets its name from monk seals that decades ago populated this area. Today, it is a testament to San Domino’s natural goodness. It’s possible to swim inside and outside the cave at any time. Still, plan a trip around sunrise or sunset. At that time, the sun’s rays reflect off the water, drenching the cave in a mesmerizing shade of blue.
Things To Do
A holiday in San Domino is about taking a step back and relishing the quiet moments of life. Things to do in San Domino follow the same philosophy. Excursions on the island are undoubtedly fun but also laidback affairs that allow immersion into the local culture and environment.
Eat, Drink, & Dance
There are ample restaurants on the island to keep your epicurean cravings at bay with international and regional recipes. Top restaurants in San Domino include Capatosta Tremiti for their inventive burgers and cocktails, Luna Matana for pizza and pucce, and L’Altro Faro for their fresh seafood. Nightlife in San Domino is somewhat muted. Restaurants do have live music. But for a more energy-filled night, head to A’Furmicula. The disco-restaurant has an island lounge ambiance, stays open till late, and regularly hosts DJ night and theme parties.
Rent a Gommone
Gommone is a small rubber dinghy one can use to travel around the islands of Tremiti. You can hire a boat for a specific period from several local rentals around the port you arrive at with ferry tickets to San Domino. It’s an excellent opportunity for tourists to spend the day in the sea, visiting different caves and bays along the coastline. Among the must-see caves of San Domino in your gommone are Grotta e Cala delle Rondinelle, Cala delle Murene, Gotta del Sale, and the astounding rock formation of Grotta e Scogli dell’Elefante.
Go Scuba Diving
One of the joys of vacationing in the Isole Tremiti archipelago is exploring its vibrant sea life. Snorkeling provides visitors with a glimpse of what lies underwater. But for a truly immersive adventure, book yourself a scuba diving excursion. Tremiti Diving Center and Aquodiving Tremiti are the two diving centers on the island. Not only do they organize day and night trips for beginners and experienced divers, but they also offer courses. First-time divers can expect to find caves, ship and plane wrecks, an old motorcycle, as well as a bronze statue of Padre Pio, in addition to a variety of fish and aquatic fauna.
Discover San Domino
A leisurely walk around the island promises fascinating discoveries. Nature’s paradise, the land boasts of Aleppo pine forests and beautiful trails leading to rocky outcrops next to the sea. During these hikes, you’ll see various flora, from junipers to rosemary and myrtle. Strada della Pineta, in particular, is a lovely path that goes past the Chapel of Romito. Another interesting spot to explore, hidden in the pine forest, is a rural village with 20 odd cottages dating back to 1935.
Visit the Lighthouse of San Domino
The abandoned Ripa dei Falconi Lighthouse of San Domino is a picturesque vantage point that grants spectacular views of the island and the Adriatic Sea. While visitors do not have access to the actual building, the vistas and the 2.6 km hike through the pine forests from the port are certainly worth the trip. Situated above Cala del Bue Marino, the region is also a favorite among birders.
Transportation Around San Domino
San Domino has limited transportation choices. Moreover, non-residents cannot bring their cars or mopeds onto the island. However, considering its small size, one can easily travel on foot. For tourists arriving with ferry tickets to San Domino, minibusses at the port help transfer you to the main town. Else, most accommodations have some form of vehicle to shuttle their guests to and fro from the helipad or port. The island does have a few taxis as well as bicycle rental options.
The most popular mode of transport, though, is a boat. Water taxis are available for point-to-point travel, especially between San Domino and San Nicola. Alternatively, you can rent a rubber dinghy and explore the coastline on your own. Boat hire costs €75 to €150 depending on the vessel size, duration of the rental, and demand at the time. Another economical option to tour the island is organized boat tours that take you to multiple snorkeling spots around the Tremiti Islands.
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