The beaches of Guardavalle Marina
A long, wide east-facing beach, backed by protected dunes, with a sea that deepens gently.
4.1 km
of municipal coastline
SCI
the dunes are a protected site
Excellent
bathing water rating (ARPACal)
23-27°C
sea temperature June to August
What the beach is like
The town of Guardavalle has 4.1 kilometres of coastline. The Marina's beach is broad and long, with pale, coarse sand mixed with gravel and small pebbles, especially near the shore. The seabed slopes gradually, which is why families love it.
Behind the shore run the coastal dunes that separate the beach from the promenade: they are protected as an EU Site of Community Importance and shelter Mediterranean scrub and prickly pears. Northwards the beach continues towards Santa Caterina dello Ionio, southwards towards the Punta Stilo lighthouse.
Free stretches and lidos
Most of the shore is free beach, with long quiet stretches even in high summer. There are also a few bathing establishments along the coast: recurring names include Lido Barbarella and the lidos of the promenade, plus the equipped beach of the Calalandrusa resort on the SS106.
On the promenade you will find bars, fish restaurants and pedalo rental; in summer, beach volleyball tournaments and the town's events programme join in.
Water quality
The bathing waters of the Catanzaro Ionian coast are classified excellent by the regional agency ARPACal, and Catanzaro is the top province in Calabria for the share of excellent waters. Guardavalle does not hold a Blue Flag: that award also scores land facilities, and this beach has deliberately stayed simple and natural.
The turtles' beach
Between the dunes and the badlands behind them, Guardavalle's shoreline is a nesting site of the Caretta caretta sea turtle: nests are monitored, and in some stretches the beach is cleaned by hand rather than by machine to protect them.
If you spot a fenced-off patch of sand in late summer, it is probably a nest waiting to hatch: watch from a distance and avoid lights at night.
When to swim
The sea passes 23 degrees as early as June, reaches 26 or 27 in July and August and stays above 20 into November: around 152 swimmable days a year. The best days to have the beach to yourself are in June and September.
The beach is right in front of Casa Morello: check available dates.
Sleep a few steps from the beach
Casa Morello is our seafront B&B: apartments of 80 or 160 square metres, made for families and groups.
The B&B