Gulf of Orosei Cruise to Cala Goloritze from Cala Gonone Sardinia

Cala Gonone, gateway to the Gulf of Orosei

Cala Gonone is the seaside village of the town of Dorgali, tucked between the mountains and the sea on the central east coast of Sardinia. Until the twentieth century it was reached only by mule tracks; today a road tunnel through the mountain brings visitors down to its harbour, its pebble beaches and its seafront promenade. From the port, boats leave every morning in summer for the beaches of the Gulf of Orosei, which can only be reached by sea or by long hikes.

If you wonder how to get to Cala Gonone, the village is about an hour and a half by car from Olbia airport and about forty minutes from Nuoro. Parking near the port fills quickly in July and August, so arrive early. This Cala Gonone boat tour is one of the easiest ways to see the whole coastline in a single day.

The cliffs of the Gulf of Orosei

South of Cala Gonone the coast becomes one of the most dramatic in the Mediterranean. The limestone of the Supramonte drops straight into the sea in walls several hundred metres high, cut by deep canyons called codule that end at small beaches. Juniper and holm oak cling to the rock, and the water changes from deep blue to emerald and turquoise over the white sea floor.

This stretch is part of the area of the Gennargentu and Gulf of Orosei National Park, and there are no roads along the shore, which keeps it wild. From the boat you see sea caves, natural arches and sheltered bays that hikers take hours to reach. The recorded commentary tells the story of the coast, from the fishermen who once camped in the coves to the shepherds of the mountains above.

Cala Luna, the beach of the caves

Cala Luna is the first swim stop and one of the best-known beaches in Sardinia. Its crescent of fine sand and small pebbles sits at the mouth of the Codula di Luna canyon, closed behind by a small lagoon fringed with pink oleanders. At the southern end, six large caves open in the limestone cliff, giving natural shade on hot afternoons.

The water is clear and the sea floor shelves gently, which makes Cala Luna good for families. Many travellers ask whether a Cala Luna boat trip is worth it: the setting between the cliffs and the green valley is unique on the island, and arriving by sea is the only easy way to reach it, since the hiking trail from Cala Fuili takes around two hours each way.

Cala Sisine and Cala Mariolu

Further south the boat stops at Cala Sisine, a quieter beach of sand and pebbles at the end of the Codula di Sisine, a long canyon shaded by holm oaks. The cove is framed by high cliffs and feels remote, with clear water close to the shore and a few shady spots under the trees.

Cala Mariolu is the most photographed stop of the day. Its beach is made of small, smooth white and pink pebbles, and the sea in front of it shines in shades of turquoise that look almost unreal. Rocks scattered in the shallows are good for snorkelling, and goggles can be hired on board while stocks last. Cala Mariolu lies in the territory of Baunei and has no road access, so the boat is the simplest way to spend time on this beach.

Cala Goloritze from the sea

The southern end of the cruise is Cala Goloritze, the most famous cove of the gulf. A limestone pinnacle about 143 metres high rises above the beach, and a natural arch stands at the edge of the water. Since the 1990s the cove has been protected as a natural monument, so motorboats must stay offshore; that is why this cruise stops here for photos rather than for swimming.

Those who want to set foot on the beach reach it by a trail of about an hour down from the Golgo plateau above Baunei, with a limited number of daily visitors. From the boat you enjoy the best view of the pinnacle and the white beach, before the long return north to Cala Gonone in the late afternoon. The best time to visit Cala Goloritze by sea is from June to September, when the water is warmest.