Alcantara Gorge
The river flows through a narrow canyon with columnar basalt walls up to 25 metres high: you walk in the water and go body rafting between the walls.
The story
The canyon formed when a lava flow from Etna reached the valley and cooled, cracking into columns; then the river cut through it. The name comes from the Arabic al-qantara, the bridge.
Why go
Because it is one of the strangest canyons in Italy, half an hour from Taormina.
Which wind
Good with Hot days, low water
Avoid with After rain
Practical information
- Activities
- River swimming, Canyoning
- Level
- Everyone (swimming); beginners with a guide (body rafting)
- Seabed
- Columnar basalt canyon, icy water
- Best time
- June–September
- Seasons
- Summer
- Getting there
- From the park entrance at Motta Camastra; body rafting and river trekking with guides.
Get directions ↗Marine reserve rules
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Weather and sea forecast
The forecast for the next 7 days at this spot: sky, temperatures, rain and wind.
Forecast by Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), from the models of national weather services. Your browser downloads it directly from Open-Meteo, and only when you ask. In the mountains and at sea the weather changes quickly: check the official forecast as well before you set off.
Getting there
- By train. The nearest station is Linguaglossa station, 5.2 km away. Alternatively: Cerro station, 6.1 km away. From the station you need a bus, a taxi or a car.
- By air. The nearest airport is Catania Fontanarossa Airport (CTA), about 46 km away.
- Parking. There are 3 signposted car parks within a kilometre; the nearest is 500 m away, paid.
Stations, ports, airports and car parks from OpenStreetMap (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL); distances as the crow flies. Timetables and connections change: check them before you travel.
Climate and sea month by month
The most pleasant months for weather are from April to June and from September to November, with average highs between 18 and 29 °C. In August it is hot: average highs exceed 30 °C. The wettest month is November (about 97 mm), the driest July.
| Month | Temperature | High / low | Rain mm |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | from 9 to 15 °C | 15° 9° | 52 |
| Feb | from 9 to 15 °C | 15° 9° | 48 |
| Mar | from 10 to 16 °C | 16° 10° | 52 |
| Apr | from 12 to 18 °C | 18° 12° | 24 |
| May | from 16 to 22 °C | 22° 16° | 28 |
| Jun | from 21 to 27 °C | 27° 21° | 16 |
| Jul | from 24 to 30 °C | 30° 24° | 9 |
| Aug | from 24 to 31 °C | 31° 24° | 23 |
| Sep | from 22 to 28 °C | 28° 22° | 49 |
| Oct | from 18 to 24 °C | 24° 18° | 78 |
| Nov | from 14 to 20 °C | 20° 14° | 97 |
| Dec | from 11 to 17 °C | 17° 11° | 45 |
Averages for 2015–2024, estimated for an altitude of 160 m. Air: NASA POWER (MERRA-2 reanalysis), corrected for the altitude of the place; rain: average monthly total. These are indicative values: the weather on any given day can be very different, so always check the forecast before you go.
In the guide
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Sea conditions can change within hours: before going in, check the marine forecast and the local harbour office (Capitaneria di porto) rules. Emergencies at sea: 1530.