In a nutshell
- The Gulf of Orosei runs 30 kilometres along eastern Sardinia and sits inside Gennargentu National Park.[1][2]
- The catamaran trip from Arbatax lasts 8 hours with a live guide, and prices start from US$276.[3]
- Cala Goloritzé needs a reservation from April to October, and only 250 people can be there at the same time.[4]
- In August 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]
- La Maddalena Archipelago National Park is Sardinia's first national park and Italy's only one within a single municipality.[6]
| Gulf of Orosei | La Maddalena | Choosing | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Where it is | Eastern Sardinia, 30 km of coast[1] | Northern Sardinia, off Palau | Orosei for east-coast stays |
| Protected area | Gennargentu National Park[2] | Sardinia's first national park[6] | Both are protected areas |
| Famous coves | Cala Mariolu, Cala Goloritzé, Cala Luna | Small granite coves and inlets | Pebbles in the Gulf, sand in the north |
| Access in season | Reservation needed April to October[4] | Landing rules vary between islands | Plan ahead on both coasts |
| August water | Average 26.5 °C[5] | Open water and granite shore | Swim early in the day |
The protected area is the first National Park of Sardinia and the one and only Park in Italy whose territory lies in one Municipality only.
Our verdict: Gulf of Orosei or La Maddalena?
Things to check
- Check the Cala Goloritzé reservation window for your travel dates
- Reserve the Arbatax catamaran early for summer weekends
- Compare from prices across Arbatax and Cala Gonone departures
- Small-group boats book out first in high season
On the day
- Sun cream, a hat and plenty of water for a full day on deck
- A light windproof layer for the return leg
- Shoes that grip wet rock for pebble beaches and swim entries
- Reach the harbour with time to spare before departure
Which Sardinian coast suits your trip?
Sardinia is a large island and its coastlines do not look alike. The Gulf of Orosei, on the east, is a long run of limestone cliffs, hidden pebble coves and sea caves cut into the rock. La Maddalena, in the north, is a scatter of granite islands with shallow channels, wind-shaped boulders and clear, open water. Travellers often weigh one against the other when they plan a boat day, and the better answer depends on where you are sleeping, how much time you have and what you want from the sea.
If your base is on the east coast, near Arbatax, Cala Gonone or Orosei, the Gulf is the natural choice, with boats leaving from harbours close by. If you are staying in the far north, La Maddalena is on your doorstep. Trying to do both in one holiday means a long drive across the island, so a sensible plan is to give one coast a proper day on the water and save the other for a return visit. Both reward an early start, before the afternoon wind arrives.
This guide sets out what each area is like, how the boat trips work, what the rules are and what you can expect to pay, so you can pick the coast that fits the holiday you have booked.
Gulf of Orosei vs La Maddalena at a glance
The Gulf of Orosei stretches 30 kilometres along the eastern coast of Sardinia[1] and is protected within the Parco Nazionale del Golfo di Orosei e del Gennargentu[2]. Its name rests on coves such as Cala Mariolu, known for crystal-clear water, white pebbles and dramatic limestone cliffs that plunge into the sea[7], and on the boat trips that link those coves from Arbatax and the smaller harbours along the coast.
La Maddalena Archipelago National Park is the first national park in Sardinia and the only national park in Italy whose territory lies within a single municipality[6]. The feel is different from the east coast: granite islands, shallow turquoise channels, sandy inlets and long views across open water. On the Gulf of Orosei you look up at cliffs and into caves; on La Maddalena you look out across islands and channels.
Limestone cliffs and turquoise water along the Gulf of Orosei.
The Gulf of Orosei, cove by cove
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[8]. North along the same shore, Cala Mariolu is known for its crystal-clear water, white pebbles and dramatic limestone cliffs that plunge into the sea[7]. Sea caves, natural arches and pale rock walls fill the gaps between the beaches, and much of this coast can really only be seen from the water.
At the southern end, the Rocce Rosse of Arbatax are named after the porphyry cliffs that rise from the sea in Red Rocks Bay east of the port, a tourist neighbourhood of Tortolì, with white rocks and tall red granite boulders giving the place its character[9]. Many boat days set off from Arbatax harbour, which sits within easy walking distance of the town centre and the seafront hotels, and the red rocks make a good spot for a swim or a photograph before you sail.
La Maddalena and the northern archipelago
The archipelago lies off Sardinia's northern coast, near the Strait of Bonifacio, with Corsica visible across the water on clear days. Granite shapes the landscape here rather than limestone: rounded boulders, low scrub, sandy inlets and channels that change colour with the light. The islands have a quiet, low-key feel, and the sea between them is shallow and bright.
Days here are usually spent on the water, moving between islands in a small boat or a sailing yacht, and the shallow channels and steady breeze suit sailing well. Swimming stops are part of most itineraries, and the beaches range from wide sandy bays to small coves tucked behind granite shoulders. Bring a windproof layer, even on a warm day.
For anyone based in the north, the archipelago is the obvious boat day out, and it pairs well with the beaches around Palau and Santa Teresa Gallura. From an east-coast base, treat it as a separate trip rather than a day out.
from US$276
The catamaran trip from Arbatax runs 8 hours with a live guide and free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance.[3]
Boat trips from Arbatax and Cala Gonone
From Arbatax, the catamaran boat trip with lunch is a comfortable way to spend a full day in the gulf. It lasts 8 hours and has a live guide in English, French, Italian and Spanish, and prices start from US$276[3]. You can reserve now and pay later, and cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund[3].
There are smaller and quicker options too. A RIB tour from Arbatax to Cala Mariolu and Cala Goloritzè takes 3 hours and starts from US$69[10]. A full-day boat tour of the Baunei Coast from Arbatax runs for 9 hours and starts from US$86[11]. From Cala Gonone, a cruise to Cala Goloritzè with an audio guide lasts 7.5 hours and starts from US$79[12]. Most trips follow the same rhythm: long swim stops, a slow cruise past the cliffs and a return in the late afternoon.
Permits, tickets and water temperatures
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[4]. If you hope to land there, sort that out before you travel, especially in midsummer, and check whether your boat stops at the beach or simply cruises past it. At the Grotta del Bue Marino, adult tickets cost €10 in the ordinary season and €12 in June, July, August and September[13].
In August the average sea water temperature in the Gulf of Orosei is 26.5 °C, with a minimum of 24.4 °C and a maximum of 29 °C over the last decade[5]. If you would rather explore under your own steam, no licence is needed to hire a dinghy, though the driver must be at least 18 years old[14]. Walkers can trace the Selvaggio Blu, a trekking route that starts in Pedra Longa and ends in Cala Luna[15].
Tickets and reservations aside, the practical rule for both coasts is the same: the earlier you book, the more choice you have over boat type, departure time and whether the day includes lunch.
How to plan and what to book
Think about where you are sleeping before you think about which coast is prettier. The Gulf of Orosei is a straightforward day out from Arbatax, Cala Gonone and Orosei, with boats that leave in the morning and bring you back to the same harbour. La Maddalena works best if you are already in the north, where you can string several islands together in a single day on the water.
For the Gulf of Orosei, the catamaran trip with lunch from Arbatax is the easiest way to combine a long day on the water with swimming and a guide, and it starts from US$276[3]. Book early for the busiest weeks, check whether your boat lands at Cala Goloritzé or simply passes it, and keep water and a windproof layer in your bag. If you have time for both coasts, do the Gulf of Orosei on your east-coast days and keep La Maddalena for the northern part of your trip.
August sea water in the Gulf of Orosei
All three values are August sea water temperatures for the Gulf of Orosei, recorded over the last decade.[5]
From prices for boat trips in the Gulf of Orosei
These are GetYourGuide from prices in US dollars for the listings[3][10][11][16].
When to go on the water
How to plan your boat days
Choose your base
Decide whether you are based on the east coast or in the north. The Gulf of Orosei is an easy day from Arbatax, Cala Gonone and Orosei.
Match the boat to the day
A catamaran with lunch suits a relaxed full day. A RIB or dinghy suits travellers who want speed, swim stops and more coves in less time.
Book the Gulf trip
The Arbatax catamaran trip runs 8 hours and costs from US$276, with free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance.[3]
Sort out Goloritzé
If you want to land at Cala Goloritzé, remember the reservation from April to October and the 250 people limit at any one time.[4]
Pack for sun and wind
Deck time is long even on a short trip. Bring water, a hat, high-factor sun cream and a light windproof layer for the ride home.
See the Gulf of Orosei from the water on a catamaran day
from US$277Reserve now & pay later
