Santa Maria Di Ricadi – Bay, Beach and History

Spiaggia di Santa Maria di Ricadi lies in a bay south of the Capo Vaticano promontory. Clear water, seasonal boat trips and historical sites give your stay a variety of highlights.

Beach, Snorkeling and Getting There

The clear water at Spiaggia di Santa Maria di Ricadi is ideal for snorkeling. There are equipped parking areas near the access point; conditions and fees may vary by season. The nearest railway station is Ricadi station. If you are traveling by train, check transport options before your trip.

The nearby Formicoli area also has its own natural features: the seabed there consists mainly of granite rocks and is rich in fauna.

Boat Trips and Views

From May to October, a daily boat service runs from Santa Maria di Ricadi (Capo Vaticano) to Tropea and back. The service is seasonal, and schedules may change, so check departure times in advance. The boarding point is in Santa Maria, at the Giudice parking area near Mondo Blu Diving.

From the nearby Belvedere del Capo, you can see the Aeolian Islands, the Strait of Messina, the Sicilian coast and Mount Etna. The view thus stretches from the island arc, across the strait, to the volcano.

Church and Earlier Settlements

The bay of Santa Maria is a small urban settlement; its church is entrusted to the chapter of Tropea Cathedral. The Chiesa di Santa Maria, also known as Maria SS. di Loreto, became a rural church in the 17th century for the farmers and fishermen of the neighboring village. In the 18th century, it was expanded and continued under the dedication of Maria SS. di Loreto.

A Greek settlement stood on the northern promontory of the bay and was occupied from the 5th century until the first decades of the 3rd century BC. A large Roman amphora depot dating from the 2nd and 1st centuries BC was discovered in the bay in the 1980s. The two sites therefore belong to different periods of antiquity: the settlement dates back to the Greek period, while the depot comes from later centuries. A port is also thought to have existed in the bay, possibly identifiable as the Portus Herculis mentioned by Strabo.

Museums and Places of Remembrance

The nearby Museo archeologico e paleontologico in Santa Domenica displays amphorae of various types and kadoi from the archaeological depot in the bay of Santa Maria. Its archaeological exhibition also covers the Greek settlement of Torre Santa Maria. The finds and the history of the settlement thus offer two different ways to explore the bay’s past.

The nearby Museo del Mare in Capo Vaticano is housed in a former naval observation post that served as a daytime lighthouse until the mid-20th century. Check opening hours before your visit.

The nearby Belvedere dei Cannoni was a military site during the First and Second World Wars; the structure of the base of a gun emplacement remains. Torre Ruffa is the only surviving one of four coastal towers in the Capo Vaticano area.

The Santuario di Santa Maria Lauretana is designated a diocesan Marian sanctuary. Its Porta del mare is a bronze gate designed by Vincenzo Varone of the Accademia dell’Aquila and blessed in 2008. The sanctuary’s feast days are Easter Monday and August 15; specific arrangements may vary.

In the village of Fortino in Santa Maria, a statue commemorates Judge Bruno Pelaia. He died on July 26, 1970, while diving in waters off the coastal village of Ricadi.

Discover more destinations: Capistrano, Santa Domenica, Francavilla Angitola, Filandari, Joppolo, San Calogero, Pizzo, Vibo Valentia.

Back to the main travel overview: Vibo Valentia.