Cagliari: Full-Day Mini Cruise at Gulf of Orosei

Departing from Cagliari, drive for 3.5-hours in a minivan with free wifi service through the amazing Sardinian countryside towards the northeast of the island.

Experience the beauty of the Orosei Gulf on a full-day hop-on hop-off mini cruise. Enjoy time on amazing paradise beaches an add a memorable day at sea to your Sardinia holiday! Rocks are overlooking the sea, bays, and coves with transparent water so that you may snorkel by merely walking in it: the Orosei Gulf is a natural paradise where the Corsica gull, the queen hawk and the shag nest.

Some guests will board in this little village.

Our cruise will sail on this amazing part of the coastal line, enjoy the view and relax!

The seabed is of surreal transparency, awash with turquoise waters flowing from underwater karst springs, with marble rocks shaped over time emerging from the sea, including a natural arch and the famous pyramidal peak of Monte Caroddi. Its height of 143 meters is crowned by a site that cannot be missed on your visit to the Island, considered as its symbol. All around are imposing cliffs that reach a height of 500 meters, covered with Mediterranean scrub that perfumes the air. Behind is a forest of holm oaks and strawberry trees. The unspoiled and wild Cala Goloritzé, a testimonial of Baunei, is one of the coastal stretches of the Gulf of Orosei in which sea and mountain unite in perfect harmony. This national monument has been protected since 1995, is the most photographed beach in Ogliastra, permanently ranked by TripAdvisor users amongst the top ten most beautiful beaches in Italy. The spectacular beach, composed of endless white pebbles, was formed in 1962, following a landslide detaching from the sandstone wall. Two hundred meters north of the main beach is the quaint ‘Spiaggia delle Sorgenti’ (‘Springs Beach’), the name of which derives from the waters gushing from the springs to flow between the rocks. The bay is bordered to the south by a rocky wall in which the erosive action of the sea has carved out a stone arch that plunges into the sea. The enchanting scenery is watched over by its ‘guardian’, the grandiose spire, known as 'Aguglia a Tramontana', a limestone spur coveted by climbers hailing from all over the world, due to presenting a range of 'climbing routes', the most famous being the Sinfonia dei Mulini a Vento (Symphony of Windmills). Thanks to the resonance of the summit being conquered by the two famous mountaineers in 1981, the beach immediately became a destination for free climbing enthusiasts, as well as being a habitat where the Eleonora's falcon nests.

“Still little known, obscured by the fame of the nearby Cala Mariolu, it bears the same characteristics: crystal-clear water in shades of green and blue, a cliff polished by time and a lido of white pebbles.” The reason why in 2017, Cala dei Gabbiani was chosen by the experts of Skyscanner, a famous holiday web portal, as the second most beautiful beach in Italy. The classification values less-known creeks, ‘hidden pearls’, just like this corner of paradise in the southern part of the Orosei Gulf, within the Baunei territory.

Dive into this sea that looks like it has been painted. It is also known as ispùligi de nie (snow fleas) because it consists of small round, pink, and white pebbles, mixed with sand. Cala Mariolu, in the territory of Baunei, gets its name from the Mediterranean monk seal that is said to have ‘stolen’ the fish from the nets of the fishermen from Ponza and was therefore called the mariolo (thief). Its landscape is striking, with its endless shades of blue, emerald green, and sky-blue, as well as its pebbles that resemble snowflakes. The cliff surrounding it reaches a height of 500 meters. It looks out onto the sea both to the north and to the south, making Cala Mariolu accessible from the land only via a challenging trekking trail (for experts) through dense Mediterranean scrub. In the past, Punta Is Puligi acted as a place in which coal could be loaded by the furisteris, the coal merchants who populated the Baunei area. The seabed with its shallow waters is worth exploring with a mask, for those who have less familiarity, or with diving equipment for those who want to explore its depths: it is the habitat of various species. You can even catch a glimpse of dolphins offshore from time to time. Out of the water, you will see the peregrine falcon and Eleonora's falcon, the European shag, and the golden eagle. A large rock, sa perda 'e su saltatori, acts as a pier.

During the first exploration (1957), the cave revealed its wild appearance and various naturalistic treasures. The writer Marcello Serra renamed it 'Cave of the Castle' due to its majestic front overlooking the sea. Open to the public since 2003 and renamed 'del Fico', it has an entrance situated at the height of seven meters up on the cliff, which you can reach from the boat by climbing up a walkway. From the entrance, you can see the nearby stretch of the gulf, a fantastic seascape. You will be able to visit it with expert guides who will accompany you through the main tunnel that leads to a large pool communicating with the sea. In the depths of the reservoir, the first speleologists to explore it witnessed an unforgettable sight: in that body of water, they noticed the darting bodies of the Mediterranean monk seals. Here, the first studies were conducted on the animals that perhaps left the eastern coast, but it is not uncommon to see traces of their passage. The visit to the various spaces and tunnels, embellished by limestone formations, known to date, lasts 45 minutes. Still, for speleology experts and enthusiasts, it is also possible to visit part of the cave that is not equipped with walkways. From the hinterland to the coast, the entire Supramonte di Baunei area conceals an underground world marked by the patient work of the water. This stop is optional, and the ticket is not included

Approximately 200 meters wide, it looks out onto the cliffs of Serra Ovra that stand over 500 meters high and overlook the sea. It is bordered, almost enshrouded, by rocky crags, while the gorge is covered by the greenery of centuries-old carob trees and holm oaks. Quite ironically, although it is one of the most beautiful seaside localities of all, it has a unique mountainous appearance. The waters are a shimmering turquoise color due to the play of sunlight reflected upon it. The seabed consists of light grains of limestone sand and rounded stones, the ideal setting if you want to take your mask and do some snorkeling. To the south, there is a spectacular cove, fifty meters high, and a trampoline for the bravest and most expert divers.

The wonders of the Gulf of Orosei, as well as the symbol of the eastern coast of Sardinia, Cala Luna is located halfway between the territories of Baunei and Dorgali and is characterized by the mouth of the Codula di Luna torrent. Sheer rock faces protect and frame the cove, dotted with shady, spacious natural caves that offer shelter from the sun in the hottest months. The golden beach in the center of the cove is washed by the clear blue sea. It is particularly popular with recreational underwater fishing enthusiasts or people who want to take a dip in its waters. It is equipped with a bar, a place for dining/refreshments, and has shallow waters that make it easy for children to play in the sea. Because of its unusual beauty and wild charm, it was chosen as the setting for the film entitled 'Swept Away' by Lina Wertmuller, with Mariangela Melato and Giancarlo Giannini, an Italian cinema cult movie. It was also the setting for the remake of the film, starring the superstar, Madonna. All around the bay, are the mountains of the Gulf of Gennargentu NationalPark, with their inaccessible peaks, the land whitened by pure white stones scattered all over the territory and vast green valleys offering picturesque trekking trails. Holm oak, strawberry tree, and oak woods create a picture-postcard landscape throughout the year, especially when spring and autumn bring with them a kaleidoscope of colors.

Here once reigned “sea oxen”, as the locals used to call monk seals due to their tapered shape and tame behavior like that of an ox. These magnificent mammals, now (maybe) extinct, gave their name to a marvel of nature: the Sea Oxen Grottoes (Grotte del Bue Marino), since the 50’s one of the main attractions of the Gulf of Orosei, in particular in Cala Gonone, in the Dorgali territory. Today they are a favorite destination among nature lovers, and the ideal union between sea and mountain: they are part of the karstic system Codula di Luna, Italy’s most significant, seventy kilometers of tunnels in the bowels of Gennargentu. Its majestic entrance, formed by two arches over the sea, is located three kilometers away from splendid Cala Luna. The marine caves are 15 kilometers long in total and divided into two main branches. The northern branch, fossilized due to the interrupted karstic activity, is not accessible to the public. However, you can visit the southern branch thanks to illuminated causeways, for about 900 meters. Speleologists are allowed to explore an additional four kilometers (of the overall 5 of this branch). Seawater penetrates the vast hall, and countless little ponds of sweet water from subterraneous rivers abound, separated from sandy beaches filled with concrete formations. The “tourist” itinerary among stalactites and stalagmites offers an extraordinary color spectacle, thanks to the light beams that penetrate it. You cannot help but gasp in awe at the long shadows projected on the waters of a hidden saltwater lake, with more than one square kilometer of the surface. The cave is also famous for esoteric rock paintings, dated back to the Neolithic, illustrating a circle of people around what is supposedly a representation of the sun. The walk finishes in the seal beach – these sea mammals once came here to mate and have their cubs. The visit is led by expert guides and lasts about one hour. This stop is optional, and the ticket is not included

Your guide will give your stories, history, and tales about the area and make your time as personalized as possible. Take in the picturesque scenery on your ride back to your Cagliari after such a relaxing day on the beaches!