Oasi di Capo Passero

This is about as far south as Sicily goes. Oasi di Capo Passero sits at Portopalo di Capo Passero, on the Contrada Pantanello stretch off Viale El Alamein, looking out over the Ionian at the island's southernmost tip, where the Ionian and the Channel of Sicily effectively meet. The beach is properly sandy and, unusually for the area, shaded in part by palms planted along the back of the plot, so there is natural cover as well as umbrellas. The setup is deliberately pared back: neatly spaced umbrellas and deckchairs, showers, and free parking a few metres away, which on this coast is a real advantage in August. The beach bar carries the day, opening at seven in the morning for coffee and running through cold drinks, gelato and snacks to sunset aperitivo, closing at nine. There is no restaurant kitchen. Conditions here suit kitesurfing and lessons are available on site. Dogs are allowed and the beach has adapted access. Book online and payment is taken in full, though cancelling within two days of your start date converts the money to a voucher.