Facing the Tyrrhenian Sea on Sardinia’s rugged east coast, it’s easy to see why Cala Mariolu has been named one the most beautiful beaches in Italy.
Set in an isolated little cove towards the southern end of the Gulf of Orosei – or Golfo di Orosei to the locals – Cala Mariolu is an idyllic beach, just 60m long and hemmed in by soaring limestone cliffs, with golden sand and white pebbly foreshore. The sparkling Mediterranean stretches out beyond, and the sea varies in hue from the palest of sky blues to the deepest emerald green.
It is easily accessible to those on a Sardinia superyacht charter vacation; simply drop anchor, take a tender in and while away the day in this idyllic sandy strip.
The sea is both shallow and clear here, making Cala Mariolu one of the best places to visit for snorkeling, and, a little further out, scuba diving, with a number of sea caves nearby and a rich variety of marine life to discover.
Other than a long and arduous hike from inland, the only way of reaching Cala Mariolu is by sea. So if you are visiting the island on a luxury yacht charter, step ashore and you could find yourself in sole possession of this peaceful and secluded stretch of sand.
Far removed from the busy cosmopolitan glamour of the Costa Smeralda and Porto Cervo, this wilder and more isolated region of the island sees far fewer visitors and is much less developed. It is a land of dense forests, mountains and small hilltop villages.
The nearest village, Baunei, is around 14km inland, and there are hiking trails leading from the sea into the Supramonte mountain range, for those interested in spending some time exploring the rural heartland of Sardinia.
Just along the coast, the Grotta del Fico caves are well worth a visit while you’re in the area. The entrance can be reached by private tender, with a transfer service to the jetty.
Discovered in 1957 and only opened to the public in 2003, the 800 m-long cave system follows a winding route along raised walkways through 800,000 years of geological history, lined with remarkable stalactites and stalagmites along the way, and leading to spectacular views over the Gulf of Orosei from the cliffs.
If you would like to experience Cala Mariolu for yourself and want to incorporate a trip into your charter itinerary, please speak with your preferred yacht charter broker.
Alternatively, you can start planning your next luxury vacation by viewing and comparing the entire fleet of superyachts available for Sardinia yacht charters.
