In a nutshell
- The Gulf of Orosei runs 30 kilometres along the eastern coast of Sardinia, inside the Parco Nazionale del Golfo di Orosei e del Gennargentu.[1][2]
- The practical arrival points for the eastern gulf are Olbia in the north east and Cagliari in the south; from either one you continue by car, bus or taxi.
- Boats leave from Arbatax, Cala Gonone, Orosei, La Caletta and Santa Maria Navarrese, with trips listed from 3 hours to 9 hours.[3][4]
- In August the water in the Gulf of Orosei averages 26.5 °C, with a minimum of 24.4 °C and a maximum of 29 °C over the last decade.[5]
- Access to Cala Goloritzé requires a mandatory reservation from April to October and is limited to a maximum of 250 people at the same time.[6]
- Top choice Catamaran with lunch from US$276 Rated4.91 from 268 reviews[7]Duration8 hours[7]Languages on boardLive tour guide: English, French, Italian, SpanishCancellationFree cancellation up to 24 hours[7] Check availability
- Baunei Coast day tour from US$86 Rated4.87 from 1,036 reviews[4]Duration9 hours[4]Languages on boardLive tour guide: English, ItalianCancellationFree cancellation up to 24 hours[4] See this tour
- RIB to Mariolu from US$69 Rated4.84 from 705 reviews[3]Duration3 hours[3]Languages on boardDriver: English, ItalianCancellationFree cancellation up to 24 hours[3] See this tour
Reservations are mandatory from April to October and allow access for a maximum of 250 people at the same time .
Our verdict on a Gulf of Orosei boat day
Getting there and around
- Buses link the airports and the main coast towns; services thin out away from the main roads
- Book boat trips and any cove permits online before you travel
- Keep some cash for harbour parking, small bars and beach kiosks
- Several boat trips are wheelchair accessible, including one from Cala Gonone[8]
On the water
- Shade is limited on deck. Bring a hat, sunglasses and sun cream
- In August the sea averages 26.5 °C, warm enough for long swims[5]
- Wear shoes that grip on wet rock and pack a mask for snorkelling stops
- Reserve your boat by date; many listings let you pay later and cancel free of charge
Where is the Gulf of Orosei?
The Gulf of Orosei lies on the eastern coast of Sardinia, the Italian island in the middle of the Mediterranean. On a map it reads as a long bite taken out of the island's east side, running from the flatter land around Orosei in the north towards Arbatax in the south. It stretches 30 kilometres along the coast, and behind it the foothills of the Supramonte massif rise into a plateau of white limestone and holm oak.[1] The gulf is protected within Gennargentu National Park, officially the Parco Nazionale del Golfo di Orosei e del Gennargentu, a protected area in Sardinia, Italy.[2]
The coves themselves are small and close together. Cala Luna, Cala Sisine, Cala Biriala, Cala Mariolu and Cala Goloritzè are the names that turn up on boat itineraries, and each is a pebble beach backed by cliffs rather than a long sandy resort strip. Cala Luna is in Sardinia on the central eastern coast and is reachable from Cala Gonone, a hamlet in the township of Dorgali in the province of Nuoro.[9] Cala Mariolu is known for its crystal-clear water, white pebbles, and dramatic limestone cliffs that plunge into the sea.[10] Roads stop well short of most of these bays. The last stretch is done by boat, or on foot along old shepherds' tracks.
Gulf of Orosei map: how to read the coast
It helps to think of the gulf in three parts. In the north, around Orosei and La Caletta, the land is lower and the beaches longer. In the middle, the cliffs begin in earnest around Cala Gonone and Dorgali, where several of the well known coves sit. In the south, the Baunei coast runs down through Santa Maria Navarrese to Arbatax, below the Golgo plateau. The whole run is short on paper but folded into one headland after another.
A map hides how slow the driving can be. The coast road twists through the mountains with few chances to overtake, and the harbour towns sit at the end of side roads rather than on a fast highway. If you want to see coves on different stretches of coast, pick a base for each and leave the car at the port.
For boat days, the thing to mark on the map is the harbour, not the beach. Arbatax, Cala Gonone, Orosei, La Caletta and Santa Maria Navarrese all have departures, and the crossing to the central coves is short from any of them. Mark your harbour first, then work out the drive or bus ride to reach it.
Limestone cliffs and pebble coves of the Baunei coast, seen from the water
How to get to the Gulf of Orosei
Sardinia has three main airports. For the eastern gulf, the practical arrival points are Olbia in the north east and Cagliari in the south. Olbia is the shorter run to Cala Gonone, Orosei, La Caletta and Dorgali. Cagliari suits travellers coming from the south, though the drive up to Arbatax and the Baunei coast is a long one. Alghero, on the west coast, works well if you are touring the island in a loop.
Ferries from the Italian mainland land at Olbia, Porto Torres and Cagliari, so arriving with your own car is realistic. Once you are on the island, main roads connect the gulf towns, and buses run between the airports and the coast. A hire car makes the coves, trailheads and small harbours much easier to reach, especially early in the morning when boats leave.
If you are coming by public transport, the simplest plan is to base yourself in a harbour town and use local buses for the last leg. Taxis are available in the larger towns, and boat operators give a clear meeting point at the port.
Olbia to the Gulf of Orosei by road
The drive down from Olbia to the gulf is simple in outline. Leave the airport area, take the main road south, and follow the signs for Nuoro or Dorgali. The route climbs into the mountains before dropping towards the sea at Orosei and Cala Gonone, and from there the coast road continues south towards Baunei, Santa Maria Navarrese and Arbatax.
Give the journey time and stop on the way. Do not book a morning boat trip for the same day you drive down. If your harbour is in the south, the inland road through the mountains is quicker than following every bend of the coast. Fuel and shops thin out away from the towns. Fill up and buy water before you leave the main road.
Villages along the way have bars and small shops, and the mountain views above the coast road are worth a stop. In summer the roads near the harbours get busy in the morning. Leaving early makes the drive easier.
from US$276
The Gulf Orosei Catamaran Boat Trip with Lunch leaves from Arbatax, with a live guide in English, French, Italian and Spanish.
Which harbour to leave from
Boat trips for the gulf leave from Arbatax, Cala Gonone, Orosei, La Caletta and Santa Maria Navarrese. Arbatax is the southern option and suits a stay in Ogliastra. The catamaran day with lunch departs there and takes 8 hours, with a live guide in English, French, Italian and Spanish.[7] From the same port, a RIB tour to Cala Mariolu and Cala Goloritzè takes 3 hours,[3] and the Baunei Coast day tour by boat takes 9 hours.[4]
Cala Gonone is the harbour in the middle of the coast, with departures for the central coves and a cruise to Cala Goloritzè that takes 7.5 hours.[11] Orosei and La Caletta serve the northern end of the gulf, and Santa Maria Navarrese sits under the cliffs of the Baunei coast. Choose the harbour nearest your base and the day stays simple.
Whichever harbour you pick, the reward is the same: cliffs, caves and water you can see straight through, with the Supramonte standing over the whole coast.
When to go, and what to pack
Summer is the obvious season for the gulf. In August the sea in the Gulf of Orosei averages 26.5 °C, with a minimum of 24.4 °C and a maximum of 29 °C over the last decade.[5] Long swims off the boat are part of a day out, and the water stays comfortable between stops. Spring and autumn visits bring cooler water, and the light on the limestone is lovely either way.
Two things are worth planning around. Access to Cala Goloritzé requires a mandatory reservation from April to October and is limited to a maximum of 250 people at the same time.[6] If you want to add the Grotta del Bue Marino, adult tickets cost €10 in the ordinary season and €12 in June, July, August and September.[12] Pack a hat, sun cream and water, plus shoes with grip for pebble beaches and wet rock.
Water shoes help on the pebble beaches, and a light windproof layer makes the return crossing comfortable when the afternoon breeze picks up over the open water.
Booking a boat day in the gulf
The comfortable option is the Gulf Orosei Catamaran Boat Trip with Lunch, which leaves from Arbatax. It is listed from US$276 and takes 8 hours, with a live guide in English, French, Italian and Spanish.[7] The listing is rated 4.91 from 268 reviews.[7]
Booking is flexible, with reserve now and pay later, and free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.[7] Other Arbatax departures are listed at lower from-prices. The RIB tour to Cala Mariolu and Cala Goloritzè starts from US$69, and the Baunei Coast day tour from US$86.[3][4]
Whichever trip you choose, book by date and read the departure point on your confirmation. Harbours in the gulf are spread along the coast, and the names look similar on a map.
Listed day lengths in the Gulf of Orosei
Listed durations for these boat days: the Arbatax catamaran[7], the Baunei Coast day tour[4], the Dorgali cruise[11] and the RIB to Cala Mariolu[3].
What a boat day from Arbatax and Cala Gonone costs
From-prices in US dollars taken from these tour listings: the catamaran day[7], the RIB tour[3], the Baunei Coast day tour[4] and the Dorgali cruise[11].
When to plan your Gulf of Orosei trip
Reach the Gulf of Orosei
Pick your airport
Olbia and Cagliari are the main airports for the gulf. Olbia suits the northern and central harbours, Cagliari the southern ones.
Choose your harbour
Trips leave from Arbatax, Cala Gonone, Orosei, La Caletta and Santa Maria Navarrese. Pick the harbour closest to your base to keep the day easy.
Match the trip to your day
Short RIB runs suit a half day on the water, while full day cruises reach more of the coast. Check the departure point and duration before you book.
Book before you travel
Reserve the boat and any cove permits ahead of time. Many listings offer free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.[7]
Arrive early at the port
Check in with time to spare, wear shoes that grip on wet rock, and bring water, sun cream and a light layer for the ride back.
Book the Arbatax catamaran day with lunch on board
from US$277Reserve now & pay later
