Illuminated by sunlight, the peaceful cavern is bathed in a brilliant, almost eerie world of blue that enthrals with its surreal, iridescent quality. Accompanied with sounds of ancient Neopolitan song echoing along the stone walls, the experience is magical, inspiring, and for lack of a better term – breath-taking. Occasionally, a flicker of silver flashes by, drawing the attention and piquing interest – this is because of the tiny bubbles that encapsulate any object placed underwater, resulting in a different light refraction and causing objects placed underwater to exhibit a silver glow.

Getting into the Blue Grotto is an experience in itself, for entrance into this otherworldly attraction can only be achieved under certain conditions: when tides are low and the sea is calm. To pass through the narrow, 1-metre high entrance, visitors have to lie flat on the bottom of a small four-person rowboat, whilst the skipper expertly guides the boat into the grotto. The otherworldly Blue Grotto is said to once have been the personal swimming cove of Emperor Tiberius, and today, environmentalists aim to restore the grotto to its former glory during ancient Roman times, complete with replicas of the beautiful statues that once adorned the walls of the grotto.