Dino Island in Italy: the idyllic retreat of a billionaire family

Would you like to taste the heavenly atmosphere of Capri, but without the crowd? Go to Dino Island, on the Cedar Coast in Calabria!

Calabria is a tourist destination still quite unknown. Yet, its 800 kilometers of coast offer travellers a choice. Emerging from its quiet and limpid waters, Dino Island is a true treasure of this region of the South of the Italy . It rises from all its height, its unusual form giving it unbelievable fortress air. Yet it is a true paradise on earth that presents itself here to nature lovers.

A rich biodiversity, waters of a bright blue and caves with striking sculptural beauty... That's what's waiting for you! In this article, find all the information you need to know to visit Dino Island in Italy.

In the footsteps of Dino Island in Italy

Dino Island is one of the two islands of the region of Calabria, in the extreme south of Italy, with Cirella. It is located in front of the commune of Praia a Mare, on the coast of Cedars.

It is bathed by the Tyrrhenian Sea – the sea which, according to Homer, was inhabited by the dreadful sirens. Mythology pervades places, which previously housed a temple dedicated to Venus, goddess of beauty. It may be that which gave its name to the island, unless it was the agitated waters that once made navigation difficult in its surroundings (dina meaning "storm" in Greek).

Dino Island has witnessed the many historical struggles and turns that have shaken the Tyrrhenian coast: pirate raids, Muslim expeditions of the late Middle Ages, Napoleonic war, etc. More recently, it is bought by the Agnelli , famous Turin family – owner of the Fiat Empire, which includes major construction projects on the island. Projects that will never come to terms, the island moving successively to the hand of several owners.

Today, Dino Island is open to tourism. If the only view of the island from the coast is worth the detour, a trail allows you to discover it from the inside and you can quite, the time of a day, travel its 50 hectares of land.

What is he hiding behind Dino Island?

Starting to discover Dino Island, you will discover the most beautiful landscapes of the Calabraise Coast. Take the path leading there and admire the sumptuous limestone cliffs that emerge from the sea to reach up to 100 meters high! All of this covered with rich vegetation: green oaks, myrtles, palm trees, primevalves... Offering a fantastic color cocktail between green, blue and ochre.

Dino Island is known for its steep reliefs, which contain numerous coves and caves, including:

• Grotta Azurra : the largest and certainly the most beautiful, it is characterized by the intense blue of the water that bathes it – it will remind you of the blue cave of Capri;
• Grotta delle Sardine : it houses many stalactites, but also, as its name suggests, sardines! ;
• Grotta delle Cascate "the cave of the falls", animated by the murmur of the cascades nearby;
• Grotta de Leone : which includes a rocky wall that resembles a lion;
• Grotta del Monaco.

Moreover, the trail on the island’s lands is very pleasant: it houses a rich fauna and flora, some of which are rare, such as the dwarf palm. You can be accompanied by a guide that will present all the specificities of its biodiversity. Unusual houses scatter the coast: they are trulli (trullo to singular), traditional white houses in the form of mushrooms. These are the remains of a tourist centre project, created in the 1990s, which is now in ruins.

Finally, visit Dino Island gives you the opportunity to admire a privileged view of the beautiful coast of Calabria and the turquoise and limpid water of the Tyrrhenian Sea.

To go

How?

To go to Praia a Mare

The best solution to go to Praia a Mare is to reach Naples first. There are several options available to you:

• rent a car taking advantage of the many points of interest offered by the journey (Pompei, Salerno...) – count two hours thirty and minimum 5 € per day, in addition to the price of gasoline;
• take the train from the Napoli Centrale station to Praja Ajeta Tortora – take about three hours and about 15 €;
• take the bus from Corso Arnaldo Lucci to Praia a Mare – take about three hours and about €25.

To go to Dino Island from Praia a Mare

To access Dino Island, nothing simpler! All you need to do is take a boat from Praia a Mare that runs on a small jet.

You can also visit the island the time of a trip. For the small sum of 5 €, a one-hour tour brings you to discover the main caves – especially the fairytales Grotta Azurra and Grotta de Leone – and allows you to swim in the heavenly water of the Tyrrhenian coast. A guide will complement the visit, unfortunately only in the Italian language.

You can also opt for a trip including a diving session in the beautiful caves of Dino Island! An unforgettable experience for only € 10 per person.

Finally, there are mini cruises that allow you to visit Dino Island. The most common one lasts three hours and includes a tour of the island as well as a passage to the Arco Magno, a spectacular rock formation that forms a large arch above a dream beach. A little jewel of Calabria.

If you prefer to be completely self-contained, you can rent a canoe, kayak or pedal boat in Praia a Mare and then go to the farmland by your own means.

When?

The climate on the western coast of Calabria is mild in winter and particularly pleasant in summer. However, if the territory enjoys a privileged Mediterranean climate throughout the year, Dino Island remains a place to visit ideally in summer conditions.

For this, the best months are July and August. But if you want to flee the tourist hustle, prefer the months of May / June or September / October.

To sleep

You can’t sleep on the island, however several options are available to you to stay nearby in Praia a Mare:

• hotels: Praia a Mare houses many hotels, which offer great amenities (piscine, sea view, etc.) – count a hundred euros at night;
• campsites, some of which are just opposite the island Dino – count between 20 and 40 € per night for two people;
• Airbnb – count at least 40 € per night.

To eat

To eat on the spot, plan your snack!

Otherwise, many restaurants in Praia a Mare allow you to taste the delicious Mediterranean cuisine of this region of southern Italy. There are also groceries and supermarkets.

To take in my backpack

Would you like to go to Dino Island? Here’s what we need to predict:

• a bottle of water;
• sun cream, especially in summer;
• a camera to immortalize the beauty of the places;
• a bathing suit to enjoy the wonderful water of the Tyrrhenian Sea;
• eventually, a snack.

But the visit to Dino Island makes the most beautiful part to the farniente. Relax, enjoy the sweetness of the sun and the freshness of the sea and above all, do not take your head!

What I can discover in the region

The coast of Cedars offers the tourists with a smooth landscape and an ideal setting to relax. Although Dino Island is the main attraction of the region, during your stay in Praia a Mare, you will not miss out on exploring the area.

The diocesan sanctuary Madonna Della Grotta is located in a cave on a mountainside. It is a true haven of peace that allows you to admire a splendid view of the coast.

Close by. Torre di Fiuzzi is a fortress overlooking the turquoise sea, offering visitors a typical Mediterranean landscape and a very beautiful view of Dino Island.

Finally, enjoy the sumptuous beaches near Praia a Mare. It is impossible to be disappointed, they are all very beautiful. If you want to enjoy a VIP setting, choose the Buddha Beach, which the day offers transat and cocktail and the evening turns into a real discotheque! But if the private beaches stop you, lose yourself on the coast of Cedars, it is full of small wonders... In any case, do not miss the Arco Magno (photo below) !