Our fishing tour in the Strait of Messina is a wonderful way to experience one of the most important economic activities of the island of Sicily: fishing.
The Strait of Messina, the sea between Capo Peloro in Sicily and the Italian mainland, is the scenic location where a lot of legends and epic poems, namely the Odyssey, are set. This is also the place where two seas – the Ionian and the Thyrrenian – meet and display their strong currents. This is the amazing background when one of the most ancient fishing techniques is still alive and carried out by local fishermen from one generation to the next. We will embark on one of the typical boats used for the swordfish hunt in the Strait of Messina, called “spadara”, which originates from the more ancient “luntro” and “feluca”.
You are going to enjoy a real fishing experience with your guide, sailing along the Strait never further than half a mile from the shore, and interacting with a crew of expert fishermen while they chase swordfish. You can choose the amount of time to spend on the boat at the check-out.
The Strait of Messina fishing tour also includes a tasting on the shore of the typical “granita” and a light lunch.
Reaching the mariner village of Ganzirri you will be able to admire the natural beauty of one of the two lagoons of Capo Peloro, declared Oriented Nature Reserve in 2001, as well as a SIC area (Site of Community Importance) by the European Union.
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Swordfish Sicily: the swordfish is one of the main ingredients of typical dishes of Sicily. In the Strait of Messina we can talk about a real hunt, as the fish is literally chased by the typical motorboat called “spadara”. A swordfish can reach a weight of more than 800 pounds.
Ganzirri lake: Ganzirri Lake is one of the two lagoons of the Cape Peloro area. The mariner village hold a strong fishing tradition concerning the growing of mussels and clams. The houses of fishermen stay between the lake and the sea. Different channels connect the lake to the sea and guarantee the water changing every 6 hours following the tide.
Itinerary
We will reach the fisherman village to have a short stop at Ganzirri lake and take photos of the beautiful views and fishermen in the lake doing the job, before reaching the beach to enjoy a well-deserved swim in the crystal blue waters of the Strait of Messina.
Fishing tour: embark on a spadara and try the experience of the swordfish hunt, interact with local fisherman while sailing in the stunning scenery of the Strait of Messina. The boat will sail inside its “posta”, a delimitated portion of sea where each boat has permission to hunt for the day, established by an official calendar.
Swim in the Strait: you can’t experience the Strait of Messina without swimming in its crystal and fresh waters. After the fishing trip, depending on your interest, you can stop on the beach to enjoy the sun and dive in the sea.
Itinerary
We will reach the fisherman village to have a short stop at Ganzirri lake and take photos of the beautiful views and fishermen in the lake doing the job, before reaching the beach to enjoy a well-deserved swim in the crystal blue waters of the Strait of Messina.
Ancient crafts: this fishing tour will make you learn about the most important traditional fishing technique in the Strait of Messina, practiced since the 16th century: the swordfish hunt, performed with ancient know-how and traditional tools. The spadara used to hunt swordfish is a special boat that has evolved over time to have a high mast in the center and a very long front walk. On top of the mast, some men stay to look after the fish at sea, giving indications to the rest of the crew. Another man on the edge of the front walk is ready with a harpoon to hit the fish when the boat gets close.
Nature: Capo Peloro, located in the extreme Northern point of Sicily, is one of the three capes of the island. Both the Strait of Messina and Ganzirri Lake are protected nature sites, known as the Oriented Nature Reserve of Capo Peloro and its lagoons, which have been established since 2001. The two lakes of Ganzirri and Faro are two preferred spots for many species of birds to stop along their migratory routes from Africa. The Strait of Messina is also of geological and natural relevance: its deep waters keep an abundance of nutrients coming from the depths of the sea to the surface, thanks to the currents.
Legends: The Strait of Messina is the setting of many ancient legends, namely the ones of Colapesce or Scylla and Charybdis. These characters took life from the Greek mythology and ancient stories about a man who can dive deep in the sea, holding his breath.
Itinerary
We will reach the fisherman village to have a short stop at Ganzirri lake and take photos of the beautiful views and fishermen in the lake doing the job, before reaching the beach to enjoy a well-deserved swim in the crystal blue waters of the Strait of Messina.
General information
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