Punta Penna Grossa is the main beach at the Torre Guaceto nature reserve. It has a backdrop of sandy dunes, wetlands and marshes inhabited by a range of wildlife including amphibians and birds. There is even a marine reserve for turtles.
An extremely popular family beach with locals and visitors. The further down the beach you walk towards the tower, the quieter it becomes.
Facilities
Public beach and private lido, public bar and toilets, lockers, phone charging, disabled access to the sea. Beach vendors sell umbrellas, beach accessories, coconut, wet almonds and water.
Torre Guaceto’s famous naturist beach is much further away. A 55-minute walk through the reserve takes you beyond the tower. Keep heading in the direction of Brindisi. You will know when you get there.
How to get there
Exit the E55 highway at the Serranova exit, around 20 minutes from Ostuni and Brindisi. The east car park was previously on the right hand side of the flyover bridge, at the end of the side road.
From there it was a 5-minute walk to the beach from the main car park.
Parking arrangements would change from mid-late July until early September when you are directed to the western car park, turning left as you come off the highway (the Meditur Resort). This has a €5 flat fee for parking, including the trolley bus that loops from the car park to the beach and back again (a 4-minute journey each way). You can wait from 10-20 minutes to get on depending on the queues.
In 2022 the east car park remained closed. The road on the right of the flyover bridge was blocked off during summer. Even when open be aware. Although some cars park at the bottom of the road as it turns towards the beach, you risk a fine for doing so.