Santa Maria di Leuca boat excursion. One of the most popular destinations for those renting a yacht in Gallipoli or Porto Cesareo. Arriving by sea, there where the Salento ends and where the two seas meet, Ionian and Adriatic, is an unforgettable experience. Before moving on to the description of the experience, we remind you that for any help or insight related to chartering a yacht you can visit the section dedicated to the FAQ.
Because the name Leuca… Leuca comes from the name that the Greeks gave to this fantastic Land, Leukòs, meaning white. In fact, it is precisely from the sea that one can grasp why… one only has to turn one’s gaze to land to catch a glimpse of a white, bright, shimmering city. The Lecce stone embellishing the buildings, the sun shining tirelessly, the sea shining and the rest we leave to your imagination.
Leuca is about 30 miles from Gallipoli and about 45 miles from Porto Cesareo; by boat it can be reached in one and a half and two hours, respectively, with weather situations permitting. After enjoying the beauty of the Salento coast, here we arrive at the borders of the Finibus Terrae land, a definition handed down by the Latins to indicate a territory that sanctions the final end of the boot and, facing the Mediterranean, looks beyond the Italian borders as if to seek a first approach with neighboring peoples.
If we then want to refer to legends, it is said that the name of the place would derive from a beautiful mermaid, named precisely “Leucasia,” who bewitched sailors with sweet melodies.
The beautiful sea certainly attracts everyone. And what better place than a place that represents the meeting point of two seas: here, in fact, the Ionian and the Adriatic meet, marry, and merge, mixing their waters: between Punta Meliso and Punta Ristola, in fact, the imaginary line that divides the two parts of the Mediterranean begins.
The Japigio promontory governs everything from above: here it is easy for the eye to get lost, bewitched by the magnificent ancient villas, the view of the endless sea, and the beauty of the Sanctuary of the Virgin “de Finibus Terrae,” a fantastic legacy of past peoples.
Also falling from the promontory is the striking Monumental Waterfall, a work conceived and built to celebrate the end of work on the Apulian aqueduct, of which Santa Maria di Leuca constitutes the final end. Waterfall that from the high ground pours its waters directly into the sea, with the characteristic setting of the port of Leuca, a place of great importance and historical memory, having represented over the centuries the obligatory passage for peoples, sailors, invaders, traders.
It is said that even Aeneas landed in this harbor or that Peter the Apostle landed here from Palestine to begin his own work of evangelization and then head for Rome.
Not far from Capo Santa Maria di Leuca, along the coast that is part of the territorial area of Gagliano del Capo, there is a beautiful inlet that offers breathtaking views overlooking the sea, accessible however from the innermost (and lowest) area of the same. It is about the Ciolo,
A small “fjord” in the middle of Salento, which comes almost unexpectedly to gladden the eyes with its unusual panorama.
The name “Ciolo” comes from magpie or crow, types of birds that once hid in these areas. Joining the two highest banks of rocks is a large bridge (Ciolo Bridge) set up 40 meters above sea level. From the bridge and surrounding high rocks, some sportsmen or simple daredevils challenge nature by diving into the crystal clear sea with green hues.
In the shallow strip, accessible on foot via a long flight of steps, it is possible to spend a day along the low, smooth cliffs that reach meekly into the sea, in whose vicinity even children can bathe. Nearby you can see the beautiful “Cave of Ciolo,” accessible only by sea and made even more fascinating by the presence of a small lake inside.
Since 2006, to protect the preservation of the inlet, this area has become part of the “Costa Otranto – Santa Maria di Leuca e Bosco di Tricase” Park.
Charter a yacht in Gallipoli or Porto Cesareo and set out for an exclusive day pampered by the crew and surrounded by the comforts of our boats. For more information www.salentosunshine.it
If you are interested in organizing a boat excursion to Santa Maria di Leuca, please contact us!
