A small harbour tucked into Marina di Andrano's rocky coast, used by fishing and leisure craft. It is a characterful place to see, but it must be distinguished from nearby Spiaggia della Botte and from areas actually intended for bathing.
Older descriptions treated it almost like a family swimming pool. A more accurate view is that this is a working small harbour with boats, moorings and nautical activity. Swimming may be possible in permitted coastal areas, but the manoeuvring basin should not be confused with a beach.
Porticciolo della Botte is cut into the rocky coast and shelters small fishing and leisure craft. Its appeal comes from the direct relationship between rock and traditional maritime activity.
Nearby Spiaggia della Botte is a different bathing access; do not use the two names for the same place.
The harbour is still used for mooring and as a departure point for kayak activities. Boats entering, leaving and manoeuvring always need clear water space.
Choose a clearly designated bathing area and stay away from access and mooring routes.
Official bathing-water monitoring identifies an area called Ingresso del Porticciolo. This indicates a coastal bathing reference near the entrance, not automatic permission to swim throughout every mooring and manoeuvring area.
Check signs, buoys and current maritime instructions before entering the water.
The coast is mainly rocky and conditions differ between the inner area, entrance and open sea. The older claim that the water is generally shallow should not be applied to the whole harbour.
Check depth, footholds and your exit point before moving away.
The Botte area has more sheltered sections used by families, but the harbour itself contains boats. With young children choose a nearby bathing access clearly separated from nautical manoeuvres.
Consider Spiaggia della Botte and stay within arm's reach even in apparently shallow water.
Cold freshwater springs are a real feature of Marina di Andrano, but the clearest documentation refers to the area called Il Fiume at Marina della Torre. We did not find equally solid evidence of a spring emerging specifically inside Porticciolo della Botte.
Do not explain the harbour's water temperature with an unverified local spring.
The shape and structures of the harbour can reduce waves in some spots, but they do not remove the effects of storms, backwash or wind. In severe weather even access roads and the seafront may be temporarily closed.
If waves are pushing onto the rocks or the harbour mouth is rough, choose another access or postpone swimming.
The rocky Botte coastline can be rewarding with mask and snorkel in calm conditions. Do not turn a snorkel swim into a crossing of the harbour entrance.
Stay in permitted bathing water, close to shore and clearly visible, away from boat manoeuvres.
Older copy suggested parents could relax even with rough water. That message should be removed: depth, rock, waves and small-boat traffic all require continuous attention.
Never leave children unsupervised and do not float or swim in front of moving boats.
The harbour lies on the Botte stretch of Marina di Andrano and is reached from local roads and the seafront. The final area is rocky and maritime, with wet or uneven surfaces possible.
Use secure shoes or sandals on land and water shoes if entering from rock.
There is no specific public parking space we can guarantee next to the harbour. Summer traffic can be heavier and parking must follow current signs.
Arrive early and be prepared to park farther away and walk.
Seasonal businesses and bathing facilities operate in the area, but showers, toilets, bars, hire or assistance should not be attributed to the small harbour as permanent public facilities.
Check what is actually open that day and carry water and sun protection.
The Botte area has a rock-platform facility dedicated to sea access for people with disabilities, using specific aids and assistance. That does not make every part of Porticciolo della Botte barrier-free.
Contact the dedicated facility and check current-season operation, access and services.
The 2026 bulletin includes the station Ingresso del Porticciolo, code IT016075005001, separately from nearby La Botte. Seasonal sampling is the right reference for up-to-date water quality.
Use the latest official bulletin rather than generic claims such as 'always crystal clear'.
On 21 January 2026 vehicle and pedestrian traffic along Lungomare delle Agavi, including the Botte-Porto area, was temporarily prohibited during severe weather. It is a concrete reminder that coastal safety depends on conditions.
Check local notices during storms or alerts and never bypass temporary closures.
This is not a broad beach. In summer it can feel busy quickly when visitors, boats and kayaks are present together.
Early morning is usually best, and never occupy points needed for boat operations.
Visitors interested in traditional small harbours, coastal photography and scenery, cautious swimmers using nearby permitted bathing areas, and people joining organised kayak activities.
A small harbour built into rock, not a beach club disguised as a port.
Anyone seeking sand, lots of space, uniformly shallow water, no boats or somewhere young children can be left in the water without close supervision.
For swimming choose Spiaggia della Botte or another clearly designated bathing access.
Water shoes, water, sunscreen, a compact towel and mask. For paddling, use suitable equipment or an operator and respect marine-weather conditions.
Keep bags and gear away from mooring, boarding and sea-access routes.
The historical archive contains photographs specifically associated with Porticciolo della Botte.
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Add beach clubSpiaggia della Botte, Grotta Verde and Lungomare delle Agavi continue the route through sea accesses, caves and rocky coastline.
An emerald-green sea cave on the rocky coast of Marina di Andrano. The car park is close, but reaching the most striking inner section involves rock, water, confident swimming and suitable sea conditions.
One of Marina della Torre’s main bathing points in Marina di Andrano, named Il Fiume because a freshwater spring reaches the sea here.
The pedestrian coastal promenade linking La Botte with Grotta Verde along Marina di Andrano’s Adriatic rocky shoreline.
A small cave in the La Botte area of Marina di Andrano on Salento’s Adriatic coast, marked by a freshwater spring reaching the sea.
La Botte is not a sandy beach: it is a rocky Marina di Andrano sea-access area with small coves and water that becomes deeper fairly quickly. It is also important for accessibility through the Swim Liberi di Nuotare experience, whose current seasonal operation should be checked.
The restored base of a large circular coastal watchtower in Marina di Andrano, documented in use by 1569 and once linked visually with Torre del Sasso and Torre Capo Lupo.
Choose a service and view all available businesses and information on its dedicated page.
Return to Marina di Andrano or continue towards Tricase Porto and Marina di Marittima.
Practical answers about the harbour, swimming, children, boats, seabed, parking, accessibility and water quality.
