At the Gulf of Orosei
map of the Gulf of Orosei
Cala di Luna
It is certainly the most famous bathing bay of Sardinia.
The location is truly unique. The water in the bay is gleaming in all shades of blue. The slim beach with fine sand is bordered by a little pond on the other side.
To the right and left of the beach, high cliffs with lush vegetation grow up, and in the hinterland, green mountains slopes round off the dream scenery.
There is a small restaurant behind the bay.
You will not find any rubbish bins here as bathers are asked to take their rubbish back with them.
Most visitors come here with excursion boats from Cala Gonone, Orosei or La Caletta. The beach is completely overcrowded in the high season.
Wind and water have washed out large caves into the rocks at the northern end of Cala di Luna.
Here you can spend a wonderful day in the shade – providing you arrive there early enough.
The bathing boats don’t come here before 10:00 a.m. and the bay then fills up pretty quickly.
To get here early, there is only a 2-hour hike, starting from the car park at Cala Fuili near Cala Gonone.
My recommendation: Start right at sunrise.
The path is very strenuous and uneven, with steep passages in some places. If the sun is really blazing, the tour is no longer fun.
There is hardly any shade – that’s why it’s best to wait until late afternoon for the return.
I cannot recommend this trail for families with small children.
Rockgate “Arco di Lopiru”
A hiking trail connects Cala di Luna with Cala Sisine.
This path is easier to walk than the trail Cala Fuili – Cala di Luna.
However, there is hardly any shade here either.
It takes about 3.5 hours to walk to Cala Sisine, which is particularly strenuous in summer.
If that is too far for you, you can also just walk to the rock gate “Arco di Lopiru”. This fantastic natural monument can be reached from Cala di Luna in one hour.
From here you have a magnificent view through the 20 m high gate to Cala Gonone.
The tour can also be combined with a day trip to Cala di Luna.
Cala Sisine
Cala Sisine is one of the larger beaches on the Gulf of Orosei.
In the hinterland, the cliff opens up towards the gorge Codula di Sisine and gives a view towards the mountains behind.
In summer, a cooperative runs a small restaurant here.
Most visitors come here on excursion boats.
But you can also reach this bay by land from Cala di Luna or from the Su Golgo plateau. Nevertheless, these hikes are quite long and strenuous, especially during the hot season.
For the return, you can take one of the boats to Cala Gonone or Santa Maria Navarrese.
These boats are especially during the high season completely booked out. This is why you should book your seats before beginning your hiking-tour.
From Su Golgo, you can also go on a mountainbike tour.
Cala Biriola
Cala Biriola, a little bay in front of a vertically rising rockwall, is reachable only by boat.
Compared to the other bays at the Gulf of Orosei, there aren’t that many visitors here.
It only gets crowded when one of the big excursion boats stops here for their guests to swim.
The beach consists of round-washed gravel and the crystal-clear water is teeming with fish.
Grotta del Fico (“Fig’s Grot”)
In the course of time, the water has formed numerous corridors and caves in the limestone rocks of the steep coast of the Gulf of Orosei. Many have not yet been fully explored and are difficult to access.
The Grotta del Bue Marino and the Grotta del Fico (photo) are two of the most famous grots, which are open to the public.
These are visited by excursion boats in good weather, but usually only one of the two caves is included in a day trip.
The Grotta del Fico was first discovered in 1957 by a Jesuit priest.
The entrance is about 10 m above the sea and used to be hidden behind a fig tree. This is where the name of the cave comes from (Cave of the Fig).
The cave was opened to visitors in 2003.
The ramified catwalks, which were set in the inner, help to spread the inrush of tourists.
The individual halls and chambers are impressively illuminated.
You are allowed to take photographs in the cave, but the use of flash is prohibited.
The path leads along a fossil river, past huge stalactites and stalagmites. (photo)
A visit is only possible as part of a guided tour.
The explanations are in Italian. However, you can borrow an audio guide for German, English or French at the entrance.
Cala Mariolu
This small bay is located in the southern part of the Gulf of Orosei and can only be reached by boat.
Huge boulders pile up everywhere. The beach consists of coarse grains of sand. Compared to Cala di Luna, it is usually a bit more quiet here.
The fish living here are used to the tourists and come close when snorkeling. Some even eat out of your hand.
Tip: If you are planning excursions by boat to the Gulf of Orosei, check the weather forecast beforehand.
When the wind blows from the east, warm, humid sea air often accumulates on the cliffs and forms dense, low-hanging clouds.
So you may find that large parts of the coast are shrouded in fog and you can enjoy neither the natural beauty nor the sun.
Cala Goloritzè
There are two natural monuments to marvel at: the rock gate “L’Arco” and the rock needle “Punta Caroddi”.
Cala Goloritzè is the southernmost bay on the Gulf of Orosei, which is approached by excursion boats.
Meanwhile, the inside of the bay is closed to motorboats.
Therefore, the excursion boats only make a short round here for taking photos and stop for a swim at the larger beaches.
Even the passage under the rock gate, which used to be so popular, is now forbidden.
Behind the small beach rises the 140 m high rock “L’Aguglia”, also known as “Punta Caroddi” (Carrot Rock).
The rocks next to it almost all have peculiar shapes that change depending on the angle of view.
On the large excursion boats, the guides will usually point out these formations to you.
This bay can also be reached on foot from the Su Golgo plateau.