In this article I will show you everything you can explore around the island. Starting from the beach up to its wonderful caves and inlets. The Dino's Island in Italy seems made especially for excursions.
An article that will take you at the sight of one of the most beautiful places in Italy. A magical place, rich in natural beauty, full of places to discover.
A place for those who love adventure and for those who want to relax away from the chaos of the city. Welcome to the Dino's Island, a diamond in Praia a Mare in Calabria .
Take the oars and start paddling. P.s. at the end of the article I will explain where it is, how to get there and many other curiosities.
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Dino's Island beach: Punta Fiuzzi
This is exactly where we should start in case of solo hike ! By solitary I mean without having to rent a boat with a guide. In fact, you have 2 options on how to circumnavigate the island:
- Any means of water transport without engine (kayak, pedal boat, SUP (stand up paddle)
- Boat (which you can: rent or pay for the ticket for a guided excursion)
I'll tell you about the last option later. The Dino's Island beach is located exactly in front of it! To make it short, from the beach to the island it is just a few strokes to swim! The fact that the beach is very close creates a very suggestive scenario. Every time I go there I am always amazed. For me, Dino's Island and its beach are exactly the word "wild" in its pure state.
Spiaggia Punta Fiuzzi: starting point to rent kayak, pedal boat or SUP
Anyway, “iamm annanz” (let's go on in Neapolitan). Near the beach there are also lidos and it is from these that you can rent pedal boats and kayaks. Unless you decide to buy it inflatable to use it on other occasions.
Also because this area is full of places to discover but I'll tell you about them at the end. In case I leave you the amazon link of my inflatable Kayak . To circumnavigate the entire island (including the caves) you will need at least 2-3 hours! Then of course it's up to you how long you want to keep from place to place!
Dino's Island sea caves: the most beautiful of Italy are here
The thing that certainly fascinates the island the most are its beautiful caves . Of these, 3 are deep and very particular and differ for several reasons. Now we will go to discover them one by one in a clockwise direction starting from the beach.
Dino's Island Italy: pre-departure advice
I also tell you that, in my opinion, making the excursion by sea should do it in this sense ( clockwise )! The reason lies in the fact that the left side is more open and therefore exposed to winds. As I said in some other article, paddling with the wind is not the best.
If you start from this side (at a time that goes from 8 to 11 ) the wind won't get too high. So you will be able to enjoy the 3 most beautiful caves that are right on this side!
Do you know why I like sea caves? (Especially if you explore them in uncrowded periods) Because they are silent! The only thing you hear is that unmistakable sound of the sea and its echo within them.
Lion sea cave
The Lion sea cave is the first one you encounter as soon as you start the tour, and is close to the beach. It is so named for the shape of a crouching lion that takes on an immersed rock. Once you arrive outside the cave, it is impossible to confuse yourself.
At its top you will find white cottages that are no longer in use and I will reveal to you after a few curiosity. They look like real trulli , even if not stone but concrete!
The cave is very deep and very high, what I liked most about this is what you see in the picture. The panorama that you can see of the coast within it! I have been in this position for several minutes listening to the sound of the sea! Regenerated
Blue Grotto
Just from the name you can understand its peculiarity! It is much further ahead than that of the Lion but along the way of the coast will not mind you. The water is crystal clear and from the kayak (pedal boat, sup) you have just to admire all this.
The entrance to the blue grotto is as wide as that of Lion. The difference between the two is in the colors! In the cave of the Lion (by position) not much light enters that does not reflect from the water!
Instead, in the blue grotto the blue light seems to come out of the water from the intensity. It is a wonderful sight! It looks like the blue grotto of Capri . It is also very deep. Small parenthesis: beware of jellyfish , on one occasion I found an army there! (Obviously they are not always there, it depends on the periods)
Waterfalls sea cave
This one is really weird! I discovered the waterfall sea cave almost by accident. To enter it you have to go through a narrow passage and it is located after the blue grotto.
On the name, I honestly leave for an idea: that is, that the rocky part on the right looks like a waterfall. Waterfall that then flows into this crystal clear body of water. Beautiful, I liked it a lot and it is extremely special! Don't miss it!
Dino's Island Italy: the others sea caves
Continuing the circumnavigation of caves we meet 2 others that I will only mention. Not because they are ugly but simply because they are not as deep as the others. They are:
- The Cave of the monk , whose walls have an emerald green color. The rocks, here, seem to assume physiognomic features to a human being!
- The cave of the Sardines , so called because of the presence of this type of fish!
Where is Dino's Island
I want to clarify again where the Dino's Island is located and that is in Praia a Mare , in the province of Cosenza. Praia is a small town in Calabria a few km away from S. Nicola Arcella and Scalea . It is located on the "Riviera dei cedri" and is famous above all for the Dino's Island.
Every year there are many tourists (including foreigners) who choose it to admire its beauty. Not only that, the Dino's Island is a real oasis away from the stress and chaos of the city. Ideal for a perfect day of relaxation
Dino's Island story
The name of the island must be associated with "Dina" , a Greek term that means storm! The reason is for the waves that break into the rocks when there is bad weather.
There is also another hypothesis, according to which the name derives from “ adeina ”. Temple built by sailors on the island in honor of the Goddess Venus .
Over the years (especially in the past) the island has seen several changes of ownership. Today it is owned by the municipality of Praia a Mare but in the next paragraph I will reveal a little curiosity.
Dino's Island property: from Gianni Agnelli to the municipality of Praia a Mare
It was the year 1962 when Gianni Agnelli, president of FIAT decided to invest on the island. With 50 million lire the Agnelli family wanted to make it an exclusive resort like in Capri. The project faded away and there are trulli (the white ones above the lion's cave) and a restaurant.
Over time there have been other passers-by but in the end what won it was the municipality.
Well, my thought, on the one hand I am happy because in my opinion the place is beautiful as it is! On the other hand, I would be curious to see what the island would be like with accommodation facilities. But at the moment only thoughts remain. But above all, today there remains a uncontaminated Paradise and ready to be explored!
How to get to Dino's island
We are almost at the end but first I will explain how to get to Dino's island. Needless to say, the first thing to do is reach Praia a Mare for which I leave you the link. The starting point is Naples but you can change it with yours.
Once you arrive in Praia a mare, whose station is Praia - Ajeta - Tortora you can also continue on foot. I have posted a photo that shows you the walking distance (about 40 minutes) which is pleasant because it is on the seafront.
Once you leave the station, all you have to do is go to the seafront. Once there, continue on to Dino's Island which you should already see in the distance.
Dino's Island Italy: 5 minutes by the sea to the Arco Magno
What is the Arco Magno ? Where is it? How to get there? Where is it I'll tell you immediately: San Nicola Arcella, a town adjacent to Praia a Mare. What's this? Well young people, get ready for one of the most beautiful experiences of your life.
I'll take you to a place without equal, to leave you speechless until Christmas of the following year. But I won't write anything here, I wrote a separate article for the Arco Magno . If you are a lover of adventure then you absolutely must find out how to reach the Arco Magno.
I also leave you, as I promised, the link on how to book boat excursions . On the site you will find different itineraries in different ways. I will not give you further info because the timetables and prices may be subject to changes.
Dino's Island Italy: conclusions
I have to be sincere and honest, I really enjoyed describing this experience to you. I love Calabria , maybe because I've been coming here since I was a baby thanks to my parents.
Even if it's been a few years that I am appreciating its wonders. Every year I always discover new, different, incredible things that make me understand one thing above all.
Italy is a wonderful country and, maybe I'll be biased, the South is something that I wouldn't change for anything in the world. Climate, morphology, food and the warmth of the people ... All this little and nothing since the south is also very cheap!
I hope that the article was useful and that it can be a starting point for your visit to the island. See you at the next article around the world!
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