The impressive Capo Vaticano promontory stands around 4-5 miles to the South-West of Tropea harbour, along a rugged coastline clad with luxuriant Mediterranean flora and fauna. The coast offers stunning views, small coves with sandy beds and crystalline waters, set between rocky outcrops, and cliffs that overhang the sea, with caves and small beaches that are only accessible via the sea. In ideal weather conditions (from March to November), the Aeolian Islands are visible in the distance, with the plume of smoke rising from Stromboli, at 30 miles from the cape, at around 290°. The sea in this area is the birthplace of myths and legends of ancient times and wonderful characters, that you will discover arriving here from tropea harbour. Its variegated colouring is attributed to Canfora, a beautiful woman who loved to wear sky blue and turquoise. After being kidnapped by Saracen pirates, she committed suicide by throwing herself into the waters off the cape, which turned the incredible colours of the girl’s clothing. Changing tack from North-East to South-West relative to Tropea harbour, where the strong currents from the Strait of Messina meet those of the Bay of Lamezia, we come to the Scoglio Mantineo at around 250 metres from the coast (38°37’11’’N/15°49’25’’E). The rock draws its name from the witch who was consulted by sailors and seafarers before they went to sea. Although we are around 200 metres from the promontory, the sea bed is no more than 12 metres deep. Opposite is the famous beach of Praia ‘l Focu, crowned by the amazing stacks of the cape promontory. It seems that the name of the beach derives from the fact that, due to the strong heat of the sun, the brushwood on the cliff actually catches fire. Lighthouse No. 2708 stands on the promontory, half way up the cliff at 120 m above sea level. It is comprised of a small cylindrical tower, alongside a low white construction, and is situated near the radio beacon aerial. With a geographical range of 26 miles and a luminous range of 32.6 miles, it was used for the first time in 1885 and modernised in 1946. The Capo Vaticano area is ideal for diving coming from Tropea harbour, for beginners and experts alike. Divers can explore the sea beds, which are home to one of the most numerous and varied fish populations in Italy. Classic dives can be had from the Galea, Mantineo and Vadaro rocks, and divers can also visit the wreck known as ‘u Vapuri, which lies on the sea bed at a depth of around thirty metres and around 300 m from the shore. Capo Vaticano and the waters off the cape, easily reachable from Tropea harbour, can be considered a real nature reserve in every sense of the word. The cape is home to a variety of unusual flora and fauna, which can be spotted if you look carefully. Thanks to its formation, with ravines, small beaches and cliffs surrounded by garrigue, the promontory has become a refuge for numerous species of sea birds which come here to nest. It is also a stopping point for migratory birds, who come here in the spring before continuing their journey. The sea offers a habitat suitable for marine flora and numerous fish species that you colud ammire arriving here from Tropea harbour. In fact, the clear waters are home to ray’s bream, saddled bream and white bream, while large mullet can be found on the sea bed. On land, the various beaches that line the cape also offer some significant and interesting natural features, hosting numerous plant species typical of Mediterranean cliffs. There are lots of different plant and grass species in the area, including prickly pear, tree spurge, prickly yellow broom, horned poppies and the rare graminea that forms the dunes, Ammophila littoralis. The sea daffodil is a beautiful flower which can be seen on the beaches of Grotticelle. The imposing rock opposite the Belvedere del Faro (lighthouse viewing point) on Capo Vaticano hosts a rich population of a rare Mediterranean dwarf palm, while the cliffs that line "Praja i focu" beach are colonised by the exotic "hottentot fig". Tropea harbour: http://151.1.151.229/