Parco Marino Regionale Costa degli Dei

The Parco Marino Regionale Costa degli Dei protects a stretch of Tyrrhenian seabed along Calabria's Vibo Valentia coast. Its habitats include Posidonia meadows, rocky shoals and marine life ranging from groupers to dolphins and loggerhead turtles.

Why it matters

Established by regional law in 2008, the marine park extends through the waters of Vibo Valentia, Pizzo, Briatico, Zambrone, Parghelia, Tropea and Ricadi. Three Special Areas of Conservation lie within its boundaries. Posidonia oceanica meadows provide habitat for marine life and help protect the coast from erosion.

What to notice

The seabed includes rocky shoals, arches, crevices and underwater caves. The park's documented marine life includes groupers, sea bream, octopus and moray eels, along with pelagic species such as tuna and amberjack. Dolphins, striped dolphins and loggerhead turtles are also recorded in these waters. Near Sant'Irene, a Roman fish enclosure and a shipwreck known locally as u' vapùri add archaeological traces to the marine landscape.

Context and history

The protected area follows a coast where geological formations, marine habitats and human history meet. The managing Ente Parchi Marini Calabria coordinates the regional marine parks. Local communities and the coast's natural features remain closely connected, from the Posidonia beds to archaeological remains beneath the water.