Playa Porto Mari
Playa Porto Mari is famous for two things: a rare double reef just offshore, and the friendly wild pigs that sometimes wander down to the sand.
About 40 minutes from Punda, Porto Mari is a managed beach with a small entrance fee, a dive centre, restaurant and loungers. Walk out on the pier and snorkel straight over the first reef to the deeper second reef — the marine life here is among the island's best for a shore dive. The sand is soft and the swimming gentle.
Good to know
- The double reef is reached straight off the dive pier.
- Buy the entrance ticket at the gate; it includes facilities.
- Visit midweek to have the reef mostly to yourself.
Questions & answers
Are there really pigs at Porto Mari?
Yes — a small group of wild pigs lives nearby and occasionally appears on the beach. Keep your distance and do not feed them.
Stay in the heart of it all
Majestic City Palace — a restored 1892 monument in Punda, steps from everything in this guide.