Spiaggia di Cala Turchino (Turquoise Cove Beach) derives its evocative name from the distinctive turquoise color of its waters, which blend seamlessly with the morning sky creating a chromatic spectacle that inspired poet Gabriele D'Annunzio during his residence in nearby San Vito Chietino. The beach is located in Marina di San Vito, the seaside frazione of San Vito Chietino in Chieti province, Abruzzo region, along the celebrated Costa dei Trabocchi where traditional wooden fishing platforms create one of Italy's most iconic maritime landscapes. D'Annunzio immortalized the nearby Trabocco Turchino—the historic fishing platform directly offshore from this beach—in his 1894 novel 'Il Trionfo della Morte' (The Triumph of Death), describing it as 'an enormous spider' extending its wooden legs over the Adriatic waters. The trabocco itself, distinguished from many others along this coast by remaining a working historical structure rather than converting to a restaurant, has been owned by the Municipality of San Vito Chietino since 1981 and operates as a cultural heritage site offering guided tours on weekends, allowing visitors to walk the wooden planks suspended over the sea while learning about traditional Abruzzese fishing techniques. The beach falls within the Parco della Costa dei Trabocchi, established in 2009 to protect 42 kilometers of coastline featuring these unique structures, dramatic cliffs, and Mediterranean ecosystems, ensuring preservation of Abruzzo's distinctive coastal heritage for future generations.
Calata Turchino is a small, intimate beach measuring just 100 meters in length, composed of smooth white pebbles that shine brilliantly under the Adriatic sun. The beach features small wooden pontoons where sunbathers can spread towels and enjoy elevated positions above the waterline, providing dry areas even during higher tides. The seabed drops away relatively quickly just a few meters from shore, reaching depths suitable for diving and snorkeling where the rocky bottom teems with Mediterranean fish including wrasse, sea bream, damselfish, and occasionally octopus hiding in crevices. The exceptional water clarity, characteristic of pebble beaches where sand doesn't cloud the water, allows underwater visibility often exceeding 10 meters during calm conditions. The beach alternates between pebble sections and rocky outcrops, creating varied terrain for exploration and snorkeling. Access is convenient via the Via Verde dei Trabocchi, the cycling and pedestrian greenway following the former coastal railway line, with well-marked access points and a small parking area for those arriving by car. The beach welcomes dogs, making it popular with pet owners seeking seaside recreation with their four-legged companions. The complete absence of beach establishments (lidi) maintains the wild, natural character, requiring visitors to bring all necessary equipment including umbrellas, chairs, food, and water. Free access and the unspoiled environment attract those preferring authentic beach experiences over commercialized resort atmospheres. The Trabocco Turchino, visible extending over the water, provides a dramatic focal point for photography, particularly during golden hour when setting sun illuminates the weathered wooden structure against the darkening sea. Guided tours of the trabocco, available on weekends, offer opportunities to walk the platforms, observe traditional fishing equipment, and learn about the traboccanti (trabocco fishermen) who worked these structures for generations. The beach's southern location along San Vito Marina's coastline provides some shelter from prevailing winds, though winter storms can be dramatic with waves crashing against the trabocco's pilings.
Trabocco Valle Grotte, 2 kilometers north along the coast, serves traditional Abruzzese seafood degustazione menus featuring antipasti di mare (mixed seafood starters with octopus salad, marinated anchovies, and stuffed mussels), spaghetti alla chitarra with sea urchin, and grilled mixed fish including orata, spigola, and calamari. Trabocco Punta Fornace in Marina di San Vito offers fixed-price meals featuring crudo misto (mixed raw seafood with scampi, red prawns, and oysters), risotto ai frutti di mare, and brodetto abruzzese (Abruzzese fish stew with seven fish varieties). Trattoria di Mare La Piazzetta, located less than 100 meters from the beach, specializes in traditional Abruzzo maritime cuisine including linguine allo scoglio with fresh mussels and clams, fritto misto dell'Adriatico, and grigliata di pesce featuring the morning's catch. L'Angolino da Filippo in San Vito Chietino serves ravioli filled with sea bass in lobster sauce, baccalà all'abruzzese with tomatoes and potatoes, and scampi all'acqua pazza in tomato and white wine broth.
