Sardinia Beaches and Water Sports

(Sardinia, Italy)

There is much to see on Sardinia, with its beaches the main draw for most visitors. There are oodles of them in most parts of the island, especially along the stunning Costa Smeralda in the north-east. Those staying in or near Cagliari and Alghero also have good beach options, with many miles of magnificent beaches being located in southern Sardinia, particularly in the Costa Rei region to the south-east.

Boasting a coastline of more than 1,930 km / 1,200 miles, the sandy beaches of Sardinia truly do rank amongst the most idyllic in the world and the choice is almost endless. Fronting crystal clear water and often backed by dramatic cliffs, the beaches are often extremely natural in their appearance, enjoying secluded settings accompanied by old, gnarled pine trees and large granite rocks.


Water skiing, windsurfing and other water sports are widely available at beaches on the island of Sardinia, while scuba diving and snorkelling are also popular.

Of note, dive schools are based at the Costa Paradiso, Isola Rossa, La Maddalena and Stintino (north), Cala Gonone and Golfo di Orosei (east), Chia, Costa Rei and Villaputzu (south), and Alghero and Oristano (west), amongst other locations.

General Information

The northern section of Sardinia has the best beaches, including those along the verdant Costa Smeralda region in the north-east. This area is mostly one of dazzling, busy beaches and also has the most beautiful sands and aquamarine waters. For surfing, Porto Pollo, close to Palau, is usually a reliable option.

Santa Teresa, right up in the north, is quieter and has fine views over to Corsica, while the north-west also comes with good options, as does Alghero. Particularly notable on the north-western coast of Sardinia and close to Stintino is the Spiaggia della Pelosa, a charming beach with fine white sand, a large car park and its very own Spanish watchtower. Boat trips to the Asinara Parco Nazionale are usually available at the Spiaggia della Pelosa beach.

The eastern coastline of Sardinia remains quite undeveloped and stretches for approximately 40 km / 25 miles. Many of the beaches on this part of the island come with small caves, sheltered coves and pockets of coastal forests. The crescent-shaped Cala Luna Beach overlooks the Gulf of Orosei and is to be found approximately 7 km / 4 miles to the south of Cala Gonone, being reached by mule tracks.

On the south-western side of Sardinia, the sandy beaches often feature rugged cliffs and scenic lagoons, where native pink flamingos can usually be spotted in large groups. One of the most stunning beaches is the Spiaggia Sa Colonia, which lies a matter of minutes to the south-east of central Chia, located close to the Spanish Tower.

Those based on the west coast of Sardinia may like to consider checking out this coastline, where sand dunes and solitary beaches are to be expected. The Capo Pecora is one beach worth looking out for here and is a popular haunt of local surfers.

Residing in south-western Sardinia and close to Cagliari, the peninsula is lined with gorgeous beaches, such as Cala Pira, which is situated across from the Isola Serpentara and is a good place to spot frolicking dolphins. Poetto Beach is another popular spot close to Cagliari.