This Sardinian marina was awarded as the most innovative in Italy

The Marina di Cala dei Sardi, in the Sardinian Gulf of Cugnana, between Portisco and Porto Rotondo, was awarded the special “Innovation” prize at the latest edition of the Blue Marina Awards. For the second year in a row, the Sardinian eco-marina has won this important award, which is a testament to its commitment to maintaining a top-notch facility that is always up to date with technological, accessibility and service innovations.

A state-of-the-art marina

The Marina di Cala dei Sardi is located in the municipality of Olbia, within the Gulf of Cugnana, and is a facility with few equals in the panorama of Italian landings. The marina is distinguished by its eco-friendly philosophy, with moorings on floating modules that respect the natural flow of sea currents and a land area designed as a large garden. In the onshore part of the marina, in addition to a bar, restaurant, and charging area for electric vehicles, there is no shortage of a sailing school (the responsibility of the Yacht Club) set in a green oasis of lawns, trees, and plants, irrigated with a system that partly uses brackish water. In addition to care for the environment, the marina is also very careful to ensure accessibility for people with disabilities. As of today, thanks to the prestigious recognition of the Blue Marina Awards in the category of marinas, Cala dei Sardi will be able to display the flag symbolizing quality and distinction for the next 12 months, confirming its role of excellence in recreational boating. It will also be able to use during these months the special “Innovation” award: a consultancy worth 3,000 euros to enhance services related to accessibility and inclusiveness, key issues for an increasingly sustainable and innovative tourism.

The system that cushions the floating docks of Cala dei Sardi

One of the features that make this marina a symbol of innovation and sustainability among Italian port facilities is the mooring management system. The structures are all floating, thus through non-fixed and non-invasive modules, and their connection to the mainland is through Seares’ Seadamp system. These mechatronic dampers, installed from 2022 at Cala dei Sardi, improve the safety and comfort of the moorings by damping up to 90 percent of the forces acting on the mooring lines, also offering 24/7 monitoring thanks to advanced sensors and, finally, allowing energy recovery from the waves. By 2025, all of the Marina’s mooring lines will be equipped with these state-of-the-art systems, making Cala dei Sardi a role model for green landings.

How the award works

The Blue Marina Awards – organized by Assonautica Italiana and ASSONAT – Confcommercio, with technical support from RINA – are an award similar to the Blue Flags given to seaside resorts, but for marinas. The award aims to enhance the value of Italian ports and harbors, no longer considering them simple places to keep one’s boat stationary, but true high quality accommodation facilities, and gateways to discover the surrounding territories.

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All the awardees at the Blue Marina Awards

The award, conceived by Walter Vassallo, highlights marinas that stand out for their commitment to sustainability, innovation, inclusiveness, and welcoming tourism , and this year honored 18 nautical tourism facilities, including 13 marinas and five landings.

Marinas and Marinas

• Marina Sveva Tourist Port
• Marina of Porto Azzurro
• Porto Cervo Marina Srl
• P.T.C. Porto Turistico di Capri Spa Unipersonale
• Andora Multiservice Company Ltd.
• Marina Uno Marina
• Tourist Port of Marina di Camerota
• Venice Certosa Marina
• Port Barricade
• Marina Genoa
• Port of Santa Teresa Gallura
• Capo d’Orlando Marina
• Bisceglie Landing Spa Marina Resort

Landings

• Cala Cravieu soc. coop.
• Marina Cala dei Sardi
• Baia Levante Nautical Center of Falanga Natalino
• Yachting Santa Margherita -Procida
• Port of Sperlonga.

Special Awards

• Sustainability: Marina di Bisceglie
• Innovation: Cove of the Sardinians