Riserva Naturale di Punta Aderci

Punta Aderci Nature Reserve protects a stretch of Adriatic coastline near Vasto, with cliffs, dunes, beaches and Mediterranean vegetation around a low sandstone headland. Established in 1998, it was Abruzzo's first protected natural area on the coast.

Why it matters

The reserve preserves a largely undeveloped part of the coast and a sequence of habitats uncommon along this stretch of the Adriatic. Dunes, coastal scrub and the rocky headland support plant and animal life while illustrating the natural character of Vasto's shoreline.

What to notice

The landscape changes from sandy shore and dune vegetation to Mediterranean maquis on the slopes behind. The Kentish plover is a characteristic bird of the reserve's beaches, while herons, cormorants and gulls use the coastal habitat. A restored trabocco, a traditional wooden fishing platform, recalls the fishing culture of the Costa dei Trabocchi; Punta Penna lighthouse marks the coast to the south.

Context and history

Regional Law No. 9 of 20 February 1998 established the reserve within the municipality of Vasto. It covers about 285 hectares between the port area and the mouth of the Sinello River. The protected area forms part of a broader coastal and inland network of natural sites, including the regional reserves of the Gole del Sagittario and Monte Genzana–Alto Gizio.