Spiaggia di Màcari

Spiaggia di Màcari is a rugged curve of beach on the northwest coast of Sicily. Golden sand and pale pebbles meets turquoise that is so clear you can see the bottom. It sits tucked away in the Gulf of Macari with the pyramid of Monte Cofano rising high on the western end of the bay. Most of the area has been left alone in its natural state, quiet and open, a distinct contrast from the packed sand at nearby San Vito Lo Capo. The gulf faces west, so sunset is the perfect moment to be here. The sun sinks toward Monte Cofano, the sea turns pink, and the cliffs hold the last of the warm light. If you want to experiment with capturing the water itself, come at midday. This is when the sun stands high and the shallows glow their brightest. Getting low along the shoreline will let the clear turquoise fill your foreground. A longer lens is worth having in your kit to pull Monte Cofano up big behind the coast. Reaching the beach is a straightforward drive along the coast road past Castelluzzo, with paid parking lots near the sand. The beach is free to explore with a variety of locations to experiment with angles and compostions. Come on a clear afternoon and aim to stay for the beautiful sunset light. (Macari, Sicily, Italy)