Description
Beach of Reale
This long beach consists of sand mixed with small and medium sized, light coloured and grey pebbles. It is popular above all among families with small children, and nature lovers, so the atmosphere is calm and relaxing.
Beach of Reale, whose name means “river” (from the Latin “rivus”), is 120 metres long and 22 metres wide, and although the sea bed is rocky, some sand beds on either side guarantee wonderful snorkeling excursions. Being on the south east side of the island, the water can be cloudy when the scirocco wind blows, but it is crystal clear when it is a mistral wind.
There is a small, but well equipped bathing establishment, and if you wish you can take advantage of the camping facilities on the beach if you want to have something to eat.
A visit to the small lake in Terranera is a must. A short, ten minute walk along the path that starts off at the left of the beach will take you first, across the shiny, grey pebbles beach where you can still see remains of the past mining work, and then on to the lake.
The lake came to be thanks to the sulphureous and sea water from the small, mineral basin where the miners extracted hematite, magnesite and pyrites.
The scenery is quite fascinating. A narrow, sand and pebbles beach separates the small lake from the sea, and the whole areas is surrounded by typical Mediterranean bush. The colours are almost magical: the emerald green lake, the blue sea and the red earth, a paradise on earth for lovers of minerals.
Large rocks shelter the bay so it is perfect for snorkeling.
Once out of Porto Azzurro take the road for Rio Marina, then turn right after about 2 kilometres and head for Capo d’Arco and Reale; the beach s about 750 metres further ahead. There is a large, free car park at the other end of the beach.
Bathing establishment, bar, restaurant and mini market inside the campsite at the beach.
