Donnalucata Openwater 2026

During the 19th-century Risorgimento, the small port of Donnalucata became a vital, clandestine hub for political exiles seeking passage to Malta. This maritime necessity fundamentally altered the coastal landscape, leading to the construction of the road connecting Scicli to the sea in 1840 to facilitate these movements. Today, the same waters that once sheltered those fleeing for their ideals host the Donnalucata Openwater, a race that bridges the legacy of the Iblean coast with the modern challenge of endurance swimming. Swimmers often find themselves reflecting on this history while pushing through the 4km or one-mile routes, which start from the Sabir Beach Club and carve through the azure Mediterranean.

The water

The local sea is characterized by a specific, shifting chemistry. As you navigate the 4km loop, you will periodically encounter freshwater springs emerging directly from the sandy seabed. These currents, known locally as the 'fonti delle ore', create noticeable, ephemeral variations in water density and temperature that require a constant, rhythmic adjustment of your stroke. This phenomenon, which once fascinated ancient mariners, is best experienced in the early summer season when the water remains clear enough to observe the seabed shifts. For those who find the 4km distance an ideal test, the calendar offers the Natare Plus Ragusa Openwater later in September, providing a distinct perspective on the same coastline under different seasonal conditions.

What you'll see

While maintaining your sighting, look toward the coastline to spot the architectural markers of the region. To the west, the 16th-century Torre Scalambri in Punta Secca still stands as a sentinel, originally built as part of an extensive defensive network against pirate raids. Closer to the race route, you may notice the remains of the Liberty Garage, an early 20th-century warehouse built by a German firm for storing pitch from Modica and Scicli, later seized as war reparations. Swimming these waters is a constant dialogue between the marine environment, populated by swaying seagrass meadows, and the remnants of a history that defined the southern Sicilian shore.