Porto Badisco beach — Attraction in Otranto

Porto Badisco is a small cove that feels like a secret, even though it’s no longer unknown. The water is absolutely pristine, perfect for snorkeling, just bring your goggles and dive into a world of underwater beauty. But be warned: it’s freezing. Seriously. Probably due to an underwater spring flowing into the bay, the temperature here is noticeably lower than anywhere else along the coast. It's refreshing... or a shock to the system, depending on your mood. Either way, you won't forget your first dip. Now, about that chiringuito right in front of the cove, let’s just say, avoid it like the plague. Prices are way out of proportion, and the charm doesn't quite justify the cost. Better to pack your own food and enjoy the natural setting without the side of sticker shock. In short: beautiful spot, unforgettable water, questionable bar. Go for the swim, stay for the scenery and bring a towel and...

This ”beach” is amazing for snorkeling! I went here in the afternoon when the UV was low to snorkel and swim. We saw so many fish! It’s really easy to get there, I don’t really understand why people find it hard to get down to. There’s an asphalt road going to it. The beach is extremely small, so don’t go here for being on the beach. There are plenty of places to get into the water aside from the beach though, so you won’t get sandy feet. Once in the water there are quite a few rocks so if you have sensitive feet, you may want to use watershoes. Again, we saw so many fish it’s crazy, can’t...

I am utterly baffled by the disparity between what is portrayed in words and pictures about this location and the reality of what I found early one morning. To begin with, the so-called beach had crowd control barriers around it, making it look like a building site. Accessing the water then turned into a bit of a nightmare because it is extremely difficult to get beyond the rocky shallows into a depth where it is possible to swim. Once you start swimming out, it is, of course, beautiful.

I can only conclude that several lorry loads of sand will be brought in for the high season. Avoid in...