Gulf of Orosei: 4 Prettiest Beaches in Sardinia

After a full day in Nuoro — where I successfully completed my side quest for pants — the highlight of my Sardinian adventure was waiting for me: a boat trip along the Gulf of Orosei. And let me tell you — the moment we set out to sea, I instantly understood why people call this stretch of coastline one of the most beautiful in all of Italy. And honestly? Probably the prettiest beaches in Sardinia.

Crystal-clear, turquoise water you can see straight through, contrasted with pale sandy shores and dramatic limestone cliffs. We spent this day discovering four beaches that you can only reach by boat… or, if you’re a maniac, maybe with a parachute. Hiking? Well, good luck. You’d have to climb through thick forest and rocky cliffs — and even then, some of them remain completely unreachable. That’s exactly why they’ve stayed so untouched and magical.

Besides swimming, we also went for proper snorkeling with little fishies (so yeah, don’t forget your goggles), stretched out on soft sand, took some catalog-style photos, and had a few quiet moments just staring at the scenery, trying to believe it was all actually real.

And how do you even get on a trip like this?

Well, all you have to do is head over to the parking lot by Marina di Orosei beach, where you’ll find a row of wooden booths – the kind that look like little Christmas market stalls. That’s where everything happens.

We checked out the options right there and ended up going with a company called Oltremare Orosei, which you can easily find online. The link to the specific boat tour is HERE, and the location of the ticket booth at the beach parking lot in Orosei HERE.

Small boat, big adventure – and a captain who knows what he’s doing, the most beautiful beaches in all of Sardinia.

Our boat was designed for about 12 people, but there were only eight of us on board — and honestly, that was perfect. More space for our legs, our stuff, and most importantly, that unbeatable sense of freedom.

We had a skilled captain taking care of everything, steering the boat effortlessly while we just sat back and soaked in the views — the kind you can only get from the sea. Mountains in the background, dramatic rock formations, secret caves, and that unreal color of the water… I’m not even exaggerating, it looked like something straight off a postcard.

Personally, I think having a captain is the best choice, especially if you don’t know the area well. Sure, you can rent a small boat for 4–5 people (usually around €250, that time it was like this) and do it on your own, but honestly? If you don’t know where to go, where it’s safe to anchor, or what’s worth seeing — let the expert handle it. He’ll guide you, tell you interesting things about the places you visit, and you can just enjoy the ride.

What’s coming up next?

On this boat trip, you’ll discover beaches that are nearly impossible to reach from land. I mean… forget about driving there — that’s not happening. The only real way to get to them is from the sea, either by boat or, if you’re a serious adventurer, maybe on foot — through forests, rocky cliffs, loose stones and scratchy bushes.

But honestly? Most of the time, even that won’t help. Some of these beaches are so remote, you’d basically have to jump off a cliff just to get down to them.

And that’s exactly what makes them so special — their isolation adds a kind of magic. It’s not the kind of place you’ll find in your typical beach resort. This is raw, untouched beauty — the kind you earn.

So now let me show you how it all went down. We boarded the boat at a small harbor located right next to a restaurant and café you’ll find on Google Maps as Ristorante Il Moletto Bistrot & Beach Bar. Just so you don’t waste time searching, here’s the direct link to the spot – you’ll find it HERE.

When you buy your ticket for the boat trip — which you’ll sort out at one of those wooden booths in the parking lot near Marina di Orosei beach — they’ll give you a receipt. You can find the spot HERE. On that receipt, you’ll see the name of your captain. Then it’s up to you to find him among all the boats at the harbor.

We kept it simple — we just started asking around, looking for someone who looked like they knew what they were doing. And eventually, we found our guy.

The boat set off around 9:30 AM, and we got back sometime between 5 and 6 PM, depending on how the day went. So yeah, definitely come prepared for a full-day trip. Water (lots of it!) is essential, especially if you’re going in summer during high season. Bring some food, like fruit or snacks that won’t melt in the heat, and don’t forget sunscreen — you’ll be on the water and under the sun all day long.

We first headed to the furthest point from the harbor, and all the other stops came on the way back. So about 28 kilometers straight out, which took around 40 minutes by boat. Honestly, it goes by super fast — especially if your captain is like ours and throws in some sharp turns and fun stunts along the way.

First stop: Spiaggia delle Sorgenti di Goloritzè

Our first stop was near a beach where we anchored about 40 meters from the shore, since approaching any closer was forbidden. Here, you’ve got the perfect chance to jump straight from the boat, swim in crystal-clear water, and make your way over to the beach.

This spot is called Spiaggia delle Sorgenti di Goloritzè, and it’s absolutely stunning. All around you, you’ll see towering rock formations that look like giant natural chimneys — carved by time, wind, and water. It really feels like something out of a dream.

Whether you’re floating above the vibrant seabed or diving in to explore, the transparency of the water and the scenery around you are pure magic.

The Rock Formation That’ll Take Your Breath Away

The standout feature of this spot is Punta Caroddi, also known as Aguglia di Goloritzé — a narrow, needle-like limestone spire that juts out dramatically from the cliff above the beach.

Standing at 143 meters tall, it looks like a giant stone chimney or a natural needle piercing the sky, and it’s one of the most photographed landmarks in the entire Gulf of Orosei.

It’s especially popular among climbers from all over Europe who come here just to take on this vertical beauty. But even if climbing’s not your thing, simply standing there and staring at it is enough — it has this almost magical presence that makes it one of Sardinia’s most iconic natural formations.

Stop number 2: Cala Mariolu – jumping from rock as from pier

We spent about half an hour at our first stop near Spiaggia delle Sorgenti di Goloritzè. Then the captain turned the boat around and started heading back toward Orosei — but luckily, there were still some stunning stops ahead.

Our first longer break was at Cala Mariolu, where we had around an hour to an hour and a half to chill. The captain always let us know exactly what time to be back at the boat, so it was totally relaxed — no stress at all.

Getting to this beach was pretty unique. The boat dropped us off next to a huge boulder, which pretty much works like a natural dock in this area. You just climb over it, and voilà — you’re on land. That big rock is also where the captain told us he’d pick us up again, so it became our little meeting point.

Oh, and that boulder? It has a bonus feature. If you’re brave and love jumping into the water, this is the perfect spot to launch yourself into the turquoise sea. And trust me — it looks awesome in pictures.
But not nearly as epic as it does in real life.

Why is Cala Mariolu so popular?

This beach is considered one of the most beautiful in the entire Gulf of Orosei. Besides the classic crystal-clear water — the kind that still only reaches your knees even 10 meters from shore — the beach is covered in a mix of fine white pebbles and soft sand. The water here is calm and refreshingly cool, and the whole place has this peaceful vibe — like you’ve just stepped out of reality and into a dream.

Third Stop: Biriala Beach – Sharp Rocks, Adventurous Climbing & a Turquoise Arch

After a longer break at Cala Mariolu, we got back on board and continued toward the next beach — Biriala. This stop was shorter, but completely different in vibe. The beach is small, tucked away beneath a hillside and surrounded by jagged cliffs. The sand here feels more like fine gravel, almost as if it broke off from the cliffs over centuries and was polished smooth by the sea. It has this raw but peaceful atmosphere — wild, yet beautifully balanced.

If you’re into movement and a bit of adventure, Biriala is the perfect playground. You can easily climb around the rocks — though without shoes it’s definitely trickier (and pokes at your feet a bit), but still totally doable. There’s one standout rock that you can climb all the way up, and what makes it extra cool is that it forms a sort of natural arch — you can swim under it or walk right across it.

Just a heads up: watch out for the sharp edges. These rocks don’t mess around. But trust me — the view and the experience are 100% worth every scratch.

Bonus thing: Grotta del Fico

On the way from Biriala, you also have the option to visit the famous cave – Grotta del Fico. The entrance fee is around €10, and you can either book it in advance as part of a package or pay separately. The cave is known for its limestone formations and historical significance — it used to serve as a shelter for monks and local shepherds, and later, researchers even discovered traces of Mediterranean monk seals (Monachus monachus) inside.

We didn’t end up visiting, though — no one in our boat group had a ticket, so we just kept going and headed straight for our final and most iconic stop — Cala Luna.

On the way there, we made a few quick detours into narrow crevices and tiny coves, where the boat just barely fit through. It felt like entering hidden caves or secret lagoons. A few minutes of silence, soft shadows, and the sound of water gently splashing around — a small bonus adventure before the grand finale.

Cala Luna – A Beach with Caves, Waves, and a Movie-Worthy Ending

Our final stop turned out to be the absolute highlight of the entire trip — the iconic Cala Luna. This beach is famous for its unique combination of soft sand and natural caves carved directly into the cliffs. These caves were formed over thousands of years through erosion — as wind and water slowly hollowed out the soft limestone, creating these cool, shaded “rooms” right on the beach.

Thanks to these dramatic features, Cala Luna has earned its title as one of the most photogenic beaches in all of Sardinia. But the caves aren’t just for show — they’re also super practical. If you’re trying to escape the sun, just walk into the shade and voilà — a natural fridge to cool off in.

Of course, we didn’t stay on the main part of the beach. We wandered a bit further down, off the beaten path, and found several of these cave openings that gave the area an entirely different vibe — like being inside a natural cathedral, carved by the elements.

The seabed at Cala Luna was one of the most beautiful I’ve seen so far — clear, bright, and sparkling clean. And to top it off, this was where we found the biggest waves of the whole day. Nothing crazy, just a gentle roll that made it feel like you were floating in a hammock made of sea. Relaxing, peaceful, and slightly hypnotic.

We stayed at Cala Luna for maybe two full hours, but time flew by like nothing. Eventually, our captain came back to pick us up, and the boat brought us back to where it all began — right next to Il Moletto restaurant.

The trip was over, but we left with that kind of perfect tiredness you only get after a day truly well spent. Sun-kissed and salty, like little sausages roasting in the sun — but in the best possible way.

And honestly? These were by far the most beautiful beaches I’ve ever experienced.

Let me know in the comments — or better yet, DM me on Instagram — which Sardinian beaches stole your heart. Was it the ones you can only reach by sea, like in this post HERE, or maybe that hidden private beach HERE.

What next?

In the next chapter, I’ll take you on a journey through the history, traditions, and culture of Sardinia and Italy. It’ll be a different pace, a different kind of experience — but just as fascinating.So if you don’t want to miss what’s coming next, make sure to follow me on Instagram and subscribe to the newsletter— you won’t want to miss a thing.

Cross your boundaries – that’s where the treasure you’re seeking is hidden.

Flying Easterner