White Lagoon of Tindari on the Isle of Sicily

by Silva Wischeropp

This photographic natural oasis was taken on the island of Sicily during my Easter trip in April 2012 with the Nikon D90.

Tindari beach is famous for its crescent-shaped sandbank that stretches at the foot of a cliff and encloses small lagoon lakes. The beach, known as Marinello Olivieri, is located between Milazzo and Capo d'Orlando and extends for 2 km within the Marinello Lagoon Lakes Nature Reserve. This beautiful, unspoilt natural oasis is surrounded by the greenery of the Mediterranean scrub and washed by a bright sea that is crystal clear to the depths: on one side the sea is shallower and protected by the sandbank, while on the side facing the sea it is deeper.
To reach the beach, you can park in the designated area, but you also have to walk a path into the nature reserve, exposed to the sun. You can also walk from the nearest beach or get there by boat for about 5 euros.
The beach is not very crowded, even in summer, and is therefore the ideal place for those who seek tranquillity and want to enjoy the beauty of a still unspoilt and natural sea.

The legend of the Black Madonna of Tindari

According to a legend, the beach was miraculously created after a girl fell from the terrace of the sanctuary. The little girl is said to have been found unharmed on the beach. The girl's mother, impressed by the miracle, now believed again in the Madonna, before whom she had doubted because of the dark skin.