Visiting the Zingaro Nature Reserve: entry, gates and how boats fit in
What the reserve is
The Riserva Naturale Orientata dello Zingaro was established in 1981 as Sicily’s first nature reserve, after locals blocked a coast road. It protects seven kilometres of limestone coastline, a string of coves, Mediterranean macchia, dwarf palms and birdlife including Bonelli’s eagle. Crucially, no road runs through it — you see it on foot along the coastal path, or from the water.
Entering on foot: the two gates
Walkers enter through one of two gates and pay a small fee (about €5 for adults, less for children, free for under-fives):
- South gate — near Scopello, the busier entrance, closest to Cala Capreria and the visitor centre.
- North gate — near San Vito Lo Capo, closest to Cala dell’Uzzo and the prehistoric Grotta dell’Uzzo.
The full coastal trail between the two gates is about 7 km one way, with steep side paths down to each cove. There are small museums along the way but no bars, shops or sunbeds — bring water, food and shade.
Seeing it by boat instead (or as well)
A boat tour is the easy alternative: it runs the length of the coast, rounds the Scopello sea stacks, and anchors in the coves so you can swim and snorkel straight off the boat. Because you don’t land, the trail entry fee doesn’t apply — it’s included in nothing because you simply don’t pay it. It’s the better choice on a hot day, with kids, or if you want to see all the coves without the 14 km round-trip walk. Many people do both: hike one day, sail the next.
Boat or trail isn’t either/or. The walk gives you the macchia, the museums and the cliff-top views; the boat gives you the coves from the water and the sea stacks. If you have two days, do one of each — they show you completely different sides of the reserve.
What works
- Boat: see the whole coast and all the coves in a few hours
- Boat: swim straight off the deck, no long walk, no trail fee
- Boat: the only way to round the Scopello faraglioni
Worth knowing
- Trail: a 7 km one-way hike with little shade
- Trail: a separate ~€5 ticket and your own transport to the gate
- Trail: cove access means steep paths down and back up
Book a Zingaro boat tour
The simplest way to see the reserve is a guided boat tour — the skipper handles the route and the swim stops while you just bring a towel, with free cancellation on most tours.
Pick a boat tour of the reserve
Most bookedFrom San Vito Lo Capo: Zingaro Reserve & Scopello Snorkeling Tour
Top ratedCastellammare del Golfo: Catamaran Tour of the Zingaro Reserve & Scopello
Full dayFrom Castellammare del Golfo: Scopello, Zingaro Reserve & San Vito Lo Capo
Compare every option and price on the all-tours page, or see where each one swims on the swimming stops.
Frequently asked questions
How much is entry to the Zingaro Nature Reserve?
Walking the reserve costs about €5 for adults, with reductions for children and free entry for the youngest, paid at the north or south gate. A boat tour doesn’t land, so the trail fee doesn’t apply.
Do Zingaro boat tours go inside the reserve?
They cruise along the reserve’s protected coast and anchor in its coves to swim and snorkel, but they don’t land — the walking trails are entered on foot through the gates with a separate ticket.
Where are the entrances to the Zingaro reserve?
There are two: a south gate near Scopello (closest to Cala Capreria and the visitor centre) and a north gate near San Vito Lo Capo (closest to Cala dell’Uzzo). No road crosses the reserve between them.
Is it better to see the Zingaro reserve by boat or on foot?
By boat you see the whole coast and all the coves in a few hours and swim straight off the deck; on foot you get the macchia, the museums and cliff-top views but a long, shade-less walk. Many visitors do both on different days.