Gulf of Orosei Boat Tour from Cala Gonone: Coves, Caves and Lunch Stops

• Top choice Catamaran with lunch from US$276 Duration8 hours^[3]Rating4.91 from 268 reviews^[3]Departs fromArbataxGuide languagesEnglish, French, Italian, SpanishFree cancellationUp to 24 hours before^[3] Check availability
• Cala Gonone cruise from US$79 Duration7.5 hours^[6]Rating4.30 from 3,722 reviews^[6]Departs fromCala GononeGuide languagesAudio guide: Italian, English, German, FrenchFree cancellationUp to 24 hours before^[6] See this tour
• RIB to Cala Mariolu from US$69 Duration3 hours^[5]Rating4.84 from 705 reviews^[5]Departs fromArbataxGuide languagesDriver: English, ItalianFree cancellationUp to 24 hours before^[5] See this tour

Why the Gulf of Orosei deserves a full day

The Gulf of Orosei is the long arc of Sardinian coast where the Supramonte plateau drops into the sea. Pale limestone walls, hidden pebble coves and water that shifts from glassy green to deep blue sit one after another along the shore. The gulf stretches 30 kilometres along the eastern coast of Sardinia.^[1] It lies inside a protected area, the Parco Nazionale del Golfo di Orosei e del Gennargentu, a protected area in Sardinia, Italy.^[7]

Very little of this coast has a road behind it. The cliffs fall away in sheer faces, so many bays can only be reached by boat or on foot, and the beaches stay small. Sea caves open at the waterline, including the Grotta del Bue Marino, and the shallow shelves between the coves are made for swimming. A day on the water lets you see the whole run in one go, with time to anchor, swim and eat.

The gulf is also a protected and thinly populated landscape. Above the cliffs the plateau is grazed and quiet, with shepherds' tracks and old paths running down towards the sea, while the shoreline below belongs to the national park. Wild upland on one side and clear, sheltered water on the other is the appeal, and it is hard to find that combination in a single day anywhere else on the island.

Where the boats leave from

Cala Gonone is one of the main boarding points on the gulf and the easiest to reach from Dorgali and the interior. Cala Luna is reachable from Cala Gonone, a hamlet in the township of Dorgali in the province of Nuoro.^[8] The harbour sits at the end of the seafront, with parking, cafes and ticket kiosks close by, and boats leave through the morning.

The other ports spread along the coast. Arbatax, in the south, is a tourist neighbourhood of Tortolì, and the Rocce Rosse, the red rocks, rise from the sea in a bay east of the port.^[9] Santa Maria Navarrese, Orosei and La Caletta all have their own departures, and each port puts you closer to a different stretch of coastline. Picking a port is mostly about travel time from your base; the boats follow the same shore.

Limestone cliffs and shallow turquoise water along the Baunei coast

The catamaran trip from Arbatax with lunch

The tour booked from this site is the catamaran boat trip with lunch from Arbatax. It is listed from US$276 and runs 8 hours, with a live tour guide in English, French, Italian and Spanish.^[3] Starting times are shown when you check availability, so you can plan the rest of your day around it.^[3]

Travellers rate it 4.91 from 268 reviews, with Guide 5, Transportation 4.9 and Value for money 4.8.^[3] Booking is flexible: reserve now and pay later, and free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.^[3]

On a catamaran the day feels unhurried. There is deck space to lie out, shade when the sun gets high, and a swim platform at the back for getting in and out of the water. Lunch is served on board, so you are not tied to a beach restaurant timetable, and the twin hull keeps the ride steady when the afternoon breeze picks up.

RIBs, dinghies and smaller boats

Small, fast boats are the other way to see the gulf, and they reach coves the bigger vessels cannot enter. The RIB tour from Arbatax to Cala Mariolu and Cala Goloritzè starts from US$69, runs 3 hours and is rated 4.84 from 705 reviews.^[5] From Cala Gonone, the dinghy cruise with swim stops starts from US$109 and is limited to 12 participants.^[10]

If you would rather set your own course, you can hire a dinghy and drive yourself. No licence is needed to hire a dinghy for exploring the Gulf of Orosei, though the driver must be at least 18 years old.^[11] A 6-metre dinghy rental in Cala Gonone is listed from US$270 and runs 8.5 hours.^[12]

Speed matters in the middle of the day, when the sea breeze builds. Smaller boats get you back to harbour faster and can tuck into narrow inlets, and they usually carry fewer people, which makes boarding quicker and swimming stops quieter. Bring a dry bag, because spray is part of the fun.

The coves and caves you will see

Cala Mariolu is the classic gulf stop for swimming, and it is famous for its crystal-clear water, white pebbles and dramatic limestone cliffs that plunge into the sea.^[13] Cala Goloritzé, at the southern end, is the one with the rules: access requires a mandatory reservation from April to October and is limited to a maximum of 250 people at the same time.^[2]

Cala Sisine, Cala Biriala and the Pools of Venus fill out the rest of a typical route, and several itineraries call at the Grotta del Bue Marino, a sea cave that is separate from any boat trip. Adult tickets for the Grotta del Bue Marino cost €10 in the ordinary season and €12 in June, July, August and September.^[14]

Boats vary in which coves they visit and how long they stay, so it is worth reading the stop list before you book. Some trips run a loop of beaches with an hour or more ashore, while others slow down for photos and keep the swimming to a couple of well-chosen bays. If one cove matters more than the rest, choose the itinerary that names it.

When to go and what the water is like

Summer in the gulf is warm on land and warm in the sea. The average sea water temperature in the Gulf of Orosei in August is 26.5 °C, with a minimum of 24.4 °C and a maximum of 29 °C over the last decade.^[4] That is comfortable water for a long swim, and it matters when a trip builds in several stops.

The warmest and busiest stretch of summer fills the famous coves, so book early and expect company on the water. Outside that peak the sea stays clear and the boats are quieter. Whenever you go, mornings tend to be still and afternoons breezier, so a departure before midday usually means smoother swimming.

Sea conditions are usually gentle here because the coast faces east and the worst of the swell stays offshore, but wind can still build a chop in the afternoon. Crews watch the forecast and adjust routes when it does. If you are prone to seasickness, a catamaran or a larger cruise boat and a seat towards the middle will help.

Planning your day: tickets, timing and packing

The catamaran from Arbatax lets you reserve now and pay later, with free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.^[3] Check the same details on any other trip before you book, and look at the stop list so you know which coves are on your route.

Pack for a day on open water: swimwear worn under your clothes, a towel, high-factor sun cream, a hat and sunglasses. Water shoes are useful on the pebble beaches, a light layer helps on the ride home, and a dry bag keeps phones and cameras safe. Cash in small notes is handy for a coffee at the harbour before you board.

Check the meeting point the day before, arrive with time to find parking, and take the operator's phone number with you. Boarding usually starts a little before departure and boats leave on time. Take only what you need on the water and leave the rest in your car or at your hotel.

Plan your day on the water

1. Pick your port

   Cala Gonone, Arbatax, Orosei, La Caletta and Santa Maria Navarrese all have departures, so choose the one closest to where you are staying.

2. Choose your boat

   A catamaran or sailing boat is slower and calmer, while a RIB covers more coast in less time. Both stop for swimming.

3. Book and check in

   The catamaran trip allows free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance, and you can reserve now and pay later.^[3]

4. Pack for the water

   Swimwear, a towel, sun protection and a light jacket for the ride home. Water shoes help on pebble beaches.

5. Watch for the coves

   Cala Luna, Cala Mariolu, Cala Sisine and Cala Goloritzé are the classic stops, each with its own character.

Worth knowing