Itineraries to the Pelagie Islands
1) Lampedusa
Lampedusa is the largest of the Pelagie archipelago in the Mediterranean Sea, as well as the southernmost Italian territory by far, has an elongated shape and geologically is a Horst and belongs to Africa. It is closer to the Tunisian coast than to the Sicilian coast, from which it is separated by 205 km. The highest point on the island is Albero Sole, at 133 m above sea level. Lampedusa is also the southernmost town in Italy. Starting from the small harbor and proceeding westward, one encounters the inlet in which Guitgia beach is located; beyond this, which closes the harbor inlet to the west, the next stretch of coastline is characterized by points and coves of morphological interest such as Cala Croce and Cala Madonna, which are particularly deep, Cala Greca and Cala Galera. After a higher stretch of coastline, surmounting Tabaccara Bay, we come in sight of Conigli Island, which is a few dozen meters from the coast where the beach of the same name is located and where Domenico Modugno once spent his vacations. Immediately after is the Cala Pulcino and the Vallone dell'Acqua. On the northern side of the island characterized by high and jagged coastline at Punta Parise we find a particularly large cave with a narrow entrance, which allows access only by swimming, and in whose interior is a small sandy beach. Continuing westward, a stretch of coastline characterized by the presence of the Pignolta, Sacramento and Faraglione rocks begins from here, followed by Punta Muro, Punta Cappellone, which drops sheer to the sea, Cala Ruperta, Punta Taccio Vecchio and Punta Alaimo, which mark a long, particularly wild coastline. Another point of interest is the lighthouse at Cape Grecale, from which, skirting a large bay known as the Dead Sea, and frequented by boats and divers attracted by the variety of fish fauna, one reaches Punta Parrino, which closes the gulf, and Punta Sottile where a number of coves on the southern side open up, such as Cala Francese, at the end of which is a beach near the airport. Conigli beach is now one of the few sites in the Mediterranean where sea turtles, Caretta caretta, lay their eggs. The island is a nature reserve and includes the beach, Rabbit Island, and Mediterranean scrubland.
| PLACE | Lampedusa | |
| DIFFICULTY | ||
| TOURISM | High |
2) Linosa
Linosa is located in the center of the Mediterranean Sea 160 km south of Sicily, has an almost circular shape with a coastal development of 11 km. Unlike Lampedusa and Lampione, which are part of the African continental plate and derive from a fracture in the continent itself, Linosa is not only not part of that tectonic plate but is also of volcanic origin and its edifice rises from a depth of one thousand five hundred meters: in fact, unlike Lampedusa and Lampione, Linosa's seabed sinks rapidly. The volcanic craters are still clearly evident: in the center of the island, low and wide, lies the main crater, the densely cultivated Fossa del Cappellano. Linosan fauna is very diverse, and there are some species that can only be found here. Linosa's Pozzolana beach is one of the last Italian nesting sites of the loggerhead turtle Caretta caretta, as well as a Site of Community Importance.
| PLACE | Linosa | |
| DIFFICULTY | ||
| TOURISM | Low |
3) Lampione
Lampione is an island in Italy belonging to the Pelagie Islands archipelago. The islet is part of the Pelagie Islands Marine Protected Area; many migratory birds, particularly seagulls, stop here regularly. Lampione today is uninhabited and the only sign of man is an automatic lighthouse, hence the island's name. The lighthouse can be reached by a path from a small artificial dock, suitable only for small boats.
| PLACE | Lampione | |
| DIFFICULTY | ||
| TOURISM | Low |
