The Mattinata Coast: A Guide to the Baia delle Zagare Excursion

The Mattinata coast is among the highest and most jagged of the Gargano, and it truly reveals itself only from the sea. A boat trip takes you straight to the Baia delle Zagare, enclosed by two enormous limestone sea stacks just meters from the shore, and to the stretch of sea caves that opens up as you head toward Vieste. This guide covers 2026 prices, duration, what you’ll see, and practical tips for organizing your outing.

Before booking, identify your case:

• Short on time: The base tour to the Baia delle Zagare lasts a couple of hours and is the most budget-friendly option
• Want to see the sea caves too: Choose a longer trip along the Mattinata–Vieste stretch
• Want to drive yourself: Consider renting a RIB without a boating licence up to 40 HP within 6 nautical miles
• Going with family: The base tour with a swimming stop is the most convenient choice

How much does the Baia delle Zagare excursion from Mattinata cost?

The price depends on the length of the trip and what’s included. Here are the indicative 2026 price ranges.

Indicative 2026 prices, subject to operator, duration, season, and availability.

The base tour to the Baia delle Zagare is the most economical and quickest option, ideal for those who want to see the sea stacks and take a swim beneath the cliffs. The more complete trips, which follow the coast toward the sea caves along the Mattinata–Vieste stretch, cost more but offer a full picture of one of the Gargano’s most scenic sections. On The Boat Platform, you get direct contact with the excursion organizers in Mattinata with zero commissions added to the price.

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The Baia delle Zagare and its two sea stacks

The Baia delle Zagare is one of the Gargano’s most photographed stretches of coast, also known locally as Baia dei Mergoli, named after a seabird that nests on the surrounding cliffs. It is enclosed by two large limestone sea stacks, carved by wind and sea, rising just meters from the shore in front of shingle beaches separated by a rocky spur. Above the bay, sheer cliffs rise, covered in Aleppo pines and Mediterranean scrub, one of the iconic landscapes of the Gargano coast.

From the sea, approaching the sea stacks offers a perspective that’s harder to fully appreciate from land, where the bay is only reachable by a long trail or a private scenic elevator.

Why depart from Mattinata for the Baia delle Zagare?

Mattinata is the most direct base for reaching the Baia delle Zagare: the bay lies within its municipal boundaries, while Vieste, the main alternative departure point, is about 12 nautical miles away along the coast (roughly 30 km by road) to the north. For those who want to see the sea stacks without dedicating half a day to travel, departing from Mattinata or the small port of Mattinatella is the most efficient choice.

This doesn’t diminish the appeal of a longer trip: many boats leaving Mattinata continue northward, following the coast to the sea caves and, further on, toward Vieste. The difference lies in the departure point and the time spent at each stop: from Mattinata, you reach the sea stacks sooner, leaving more time for swimming and a possible detour to the caves.

The Gargano National Park from the sea

The entire stretch of coast between Mattinata and Vieste falls within the Gargano National Park (Parco Nazionale del Gargano), one of the Adriatic’s most important protected natural areas. The white cliffs overlooking the Baia delle Zagare are covered in dense Aleppo pine forests, which in places descend almost to the sea, and host colonies of seabirds nesting in the rock cavities.

Seen from the sea, the coast reveals a profile that’s only partially visible from land: sheer cliffs, narrow inlets, and Mediterranean scrub clinging to the limestone rock. For this reason, much of this stretch is only accessible by water or long scenic trails, making the boat excursion the most convenient way to see it all in a few hours.

The sea caves along the Mattinata–Vieste stretch

The shoreline between Mattinata and Vieste is one of the Adriatic’s richest in natural cavities, with over twelve miles of high, jagged coast. The longer trips from Mattinata and Mattinatella visit some of the area’s best-known caves, such as the Grotta Campana, shaped like an upside-down bell, the Grotta Sfondata, with a partially collapsed roof open to the sky, and the Grotta dei Contrabbandieri, linked to the stories of fishermen and smugglers who once used it as a shelter.

You enter the caves at reduced speed and only in calm seas: with rough conditions, entry is suspended for safety. The boat crew knows which cavities are accessible based on daily conditions and adjusts the route accordingly.

Each cave has its own shape and light: in some, shallow water reveals the seabed, while in others the ceiling is low and you can only enter in flat seas, gliding beneath the rock. This stretch of coast changes appearance with the time of day: in the morning, light streams straight into the caves facing the open sea, while in the afternoon the cliffs remain more shaded. For this reason, most cave trips depart early, when conditions are most favorable both for safety and for photography.

How to plan your day

The best departures are in the morning, when the Gargano’s sea is generally calmer and the light enhances the white of the cliffs. In season, boats leave from Mattinata’s harbor and the small port of Mattinatella almost every day, at regular intervals throughout the morning.

Before boarding, the crew outlines the day’s route and conditions. Bring: high-SPF sunscreen, a hat, water, and, if a swimming stop is planned, a mask and towel. Keep your phone in a waterproof pouch, as spray is common on board and the swell near the cliffs is more pronounced. In peak season, it’s wise to book a few days in advance, as morning departures fill up quickly.

In addition to morning trips, some Gargano operators also offer sunset excursions to the Baia delle Zagare, with warm light illuminating the white cliffs and sea stacks in a perspective different from the daytime view. It’s a more contemplative option, with fewer swimming stops and more time spent cruising along the coast. Ask the operator if they offer both time slots and choose based on what you’re looking for: swimming beneath the sea stacks in the midday hours, or the cliffs bathed in low-angle sunlight.

For those staying inland in the Gargano, between Monte Sant’Angelo and San Giovanni Rotondo, Mattinata is also the most convenient access point to the sea, with the harbor just a few minutes’ drive from the town center. This makes the boat excursion a natural stop for visitors exploring the Gargano promontory, combining inland and coastal experiences in just a few days.

Where to swim along the coast

The most common swimming stop is right in front of the two sea stacks of the Baia delle Zagare, where deep, clear water allows swimming almost up against the rock, on the various shingle beaches separated by the bay’s rocky spurs. Those choosing a longer trip northward will find other coves along the stretch toward Vieste, including the inlets near Vignanotica, also reachable from the Vieste side.

The rocky seabed of this Gargano stretch makes the water particularly suitable for snorkeling: with mask and fins, you can observe the submerged walls at the base of the sea stacks, where morning light creates color plays between the white rock and the turquoise sea. As throughout the protected coast, anchoring is only allowed on sandy seabeds, never on seagrass, and boats keep a safe distance from swimmers.

What to check before booking

Before booking, it’s worth clarifying a few details that affect your experience. Verify the actual duration of the trip and whether a swimming stop or snorkeling is included, as well as the maximum number of passengers on board. Ask whether the tour covers only the Baia delle Zagare or also the stretch of sea caves toward Vieste, as the price difference between the two options is significant.

Also check that the boat has the required safety equipment, from life jackets for every passenger to signaling devices, and that it carries third-party liability insurance. A good operator always communicates in advance their policy for rough seas: reputable trips are postponed or refunded when conditions prevent safe access to the sea stacks or caves.

It’s also worth asking about the type of boat and its maximum capacity: the most budget-friendly trips often use spacious boats carrying dozens of passengers, suitable for those seeking a quick, informal outing, while the more curated options use small fishing boats or dinghies with fewer seats, better suited to those wanting a more relaxed sailing experience and direct interaction with the crew. Neither option is objectively better—it depends on what you’re looking for from your day at the Baia delle Zagare.

Booking the Mattinata excursion with zero commissions

On international excursion marketplaces, commissions are added to the final price, typically between 20 and 30 percent. On The Boat Platform, contact with the Baia delle Zagare excursion organizers is direct and 0% commission, now and always. You can compare available trips from Mattinata and book directly with the operator, without hidden markups added to the price.