Tavolara Island
Did you know that Tavolara was an independent state? It was proclaimed between the 19th and 20th centuries by King Charles Albert of Italy, who honored the Bartoleoni family. It returned to Italy after 1934 after the death of the incumbent king. The Bartoleoni family still runs Da Tonino, one of two restaurants on the island.
Spalmatore is the island’s main beach. The bay in front is a perfect anchorage and sheltered from north to east winds. Accompanied by a hiking guide, it is possible to reach the summit of the island from where a breathtaking view can be admired. It is also possible to take a dive at the Secca del Papa.
Gulf of Oranges
The town lies on a tongue of land in the middle of the sea, overlooking the Gulf of Olbia, which ends at the base of Cape Figari, ideal for diving-especially at Mamuthone Rock and Cape Filasca-and trekking within a naturalistic oasis, a habitat for mouflon and rare birds, which includes the overlooking islet of Figarolo. The promontory is surmounted by wartime fortifications and a lighthouse, the ‘Navy Semaphore,’ famous for Guglielmo Marconi’s experiments (1932). In honor of the brilliant inventor, the Column of Light, a granite sculpture, was erected in the village. The area was inhabited in Nuragic times, as confirmed by the sacred well of Milis (VII-VI BC), then was a Roman port. Since the early 20th century it has been a freight yard and, since the 1960s, the second access from the sea to Gallura. The town, originally a fishing village, Municipality since 1979, populated by two thousand and 500 inhabitants, has had great tourist development, a stone’s throw from Costa Smeralda to the north and Tavolara marine area to the south. You’ll admire a village of colorful little houses, savor Golfaran cuisine with seafood specialties and typical Sardinian dishes. Sea hikes and overland trails lead to spectacular coves with sandy havens alternating with sheer cliffs overlooking crystal-clear turquoise waters. Over twenty beaches, some wild, some comfortable and equipped, such as the Cinque Beaches, small havens of fine white sand overlooking the town, one after the other. Nestled in the seabed off the third beach is MuMart, an underwater contemporary art museum that can also be visited by snorkeling. Completing the show is the Mizar submarine, from which you will admire an ‘open water’ aquarium. Golfo Aranci is home to the International Dolphin Research Center, which will delight you with acrobatics.
Sassari Cove
Toward Olbia you will find the Bianca beach, fine sand alternating with rocks, the beautiful Cala Sassari, the enchanting expanse of Nodu Pianu, separated by a small path from the wild beauty of Cala Banana, the corner of paradise of Baia Caddinas.
Moorish Cove
Surrounding Capo Figari are the fine golden sandy beaches of Cala Moresca, the protected reserve of Cala Greca, a pink pebble beach hidden by cliffs, and the delightful Cala del Sonno, where fishermen used to take refuge. Wonderful islet of Figarolo, where you can take a guided SUP tour.
Sabina Cove
Cala Sabina, Caribbean-looking beach, perfect for safe anchoring in southerly winds.
Porto Rotondo
The port, as the name suggests, has a round shape and is an expression of high-quality all-Italian design. Very picturesque is the walk you can take along the docks of the harbor, alongside the many restaurants and clubs that enliven the atmosphere both during the day and at night.
Portisco
IGY Portisco Marina is a modern and charming marina located in the Gulf of Cugnana, at the gateway to the Costa Smeralda, in one of the most beautiful places between Porto Cervo and Porto Rotondo. Perfectly embedded in the natural landscape, the marina is well protected.
Emerald Coast
Costa Smeralda, founded by Ishmaelite Prince Karim Aga Khan in 1962, owes its fame d some locations of inestimable naturalistic value, such as Cala di Volpe, an exclusive natural harbor ,Grande Pevero, Liscia di Vacca, shrouded by Mediterranean bush and characterized by turquoise waters, Liscia Ruja, with its small bays surrounded by juniper plants, Romazzino, with its transparent sea and white beaches. Characteristic is its architecture, made up of small, low, white buildings with sinuous contours that fit perfectly into the Mediterranean vegetation.
Razzoli, Budelli and Santa Maria
The islands of Razzoli, Budelli and Santa Maria are the northwesternmost islands of the Maddalena Archipelago and enclose, between their shores, one of the most picturesque coves in the entire Archipelago, that of Porto Madonna. First of all, it should be said that in the Maddalena Archipelago area, in order to protect a natural environment of rare beauty, a National Park has been established, the regulations of which should be absolutely known before sailing in its waters.Extreme caution should be exercised when approaching the coasts of the islands, which are dotted with shoals, islets, and rocks: careful consultation of nautical charts is essential. In addition, it is absolutely advisable to carefully monitor the weather forecast: in fact, the whole area of the Archipelago is very often lashed by very strong winds, which tend to accelerate further in the Straits of Bonifacio.
Scatter
Uninhabited due to its granitic and rugged nature, it has an almost circular shape with few inlets and numerous sandy bays. Spargi lies opposite the western coast of La Maddalena and is the third largest island in the archipelago’s national park with an area of more than four square kilometers. It is ‘accompanied’ by its ‘little sister’ Spargiotto, where rare bird species nest: tufted cormorant, Corsican gull and stormbird. Just to the west emerges the Spargiottello rock and its ‘shoal’ cut in two by a sand gully, a diving paradise. The seabed is all amazing: great underwater attractions are the Washington Shoal, off Zanotto Point, colored by red gorgonians, and the wreck of Spargi, a Roman honorary ship (35 meters long) from the 2nd century B.C., found in 1939 in the Corsara Shoal. Part of the cargo is on display at the Nino Lamboglia Museum in Magdalena.
La Maddalena
A road runs the length of its perimeter, 45 kilometers of breathtaking views: granite and porphyry delineate jagged stretches, lonely coves, quiet creeks, and white beaches and turquoise sea; inland, rolling hills stretch out. La Maddalena is the older sister of some 60 islands and islets that make up the largest archipelago in Gallura and all of Sardinia, protected by the national park established in 1994, an unspoiled wonder of the Mediterranean. The town of la Maddalena is a recommended stop to visit its small cons equipped with all services as well as bars and restaurants. Supplied from the ports of Cala Gavetta and Cala Mangiavolpe.
Port Rafael
In Porto Rafael, the dominant colors are the blue of the sea contrasted with the white of the houses in the village set in the extreme the tourist center is characterized by a small square, which faces directly onto Cala Inglese, also known as ‘the pool of Porto Rafael, and by white houses set in colorful gardens.
Palau
The pearl of Gallura overlooking the Maddalena Archipelago, Palau has the typical Sardinian charm of a town divided between emerald waters and wild lands. A popular tourist destination for relaxing on its golden beaches, this town also offers a wide variety of must-see experiences. If you like unique places, it would be a shame not to reach the famous Bear Rock or visit one of the mysterious tombs of the giants. If you are a lover of sports and nature, you will have no difficulty finding the activity that suits you between stand up paddle, trekking and mountain bike tours.
La Marmorata
Marmorata beach occupies a coastal stretch at the base of Capo Falcone in the territory of Santa Teresa Gallura. In fact, the long expanse of soft, white sand-with some pinkish hues near the shoreline-is bisected by a stretch of cliffs, so there are actually two beaches. The smaller beach to the north is known as Marmoratina or La Laurina. Beauty of the sea and panorama, however, are the same: you will admire waters with spectacular emerald green hues, from which some granite rocks emerge.
Porto Pollo
Halfway between Palau and Santa Teresa Gallura, lies Porto Pollo,characterized by dunes covered with lavender, lentisk and juniper and are a natural gym for water sports. The location is constantly buffeted by wind, sometimes strong, so it is a particularly popular destination for sailors and windsurfers and kite surfers. On either side of the bay, there will be, alternately, ideal surfing or flat sea conditions.
