The most beautiful bays in Sardinia – and which one suits which wind

Turquoise water, granite, white sand: north-east Sardinia with the La Maddalena archipelago, the Costa Smeralda and Tavolara has some of the best-known bays in the Mediterranean. Which one is the most beautiful on your day depends mainly on the wind. Here are bays from our anchorage finder, which way they open and the rules of the protected areas with links to the authorities. Bays marked «Hotspot – suggestion» have not been checked by our office yet; whether and where to anchor is always the skipper's decision.

In the north-east the maestrale often blows from the north-west: bays opening to the east or south, with land behind them, are then calm. With wind from the south or east, the other side of the islands is the better choice.

The islands belong to the La Maddalena Archipelago National Park: entering by boat requires the park's permit, and the park regulates navigation, speed and anchoring, especially over posidonia.

• Cala Coticcio (Caprera) – Hotspot – suggestion. Opens to the south-east; Caprera shelters it from north-east round to west.
• Porto Palma (Caprera) – Hotspot – suggestion. Deep inlet open to the south.
• Cala Stagnali (Caprera) – Hotspot – suggestion. Shallow, open to the west and north.
• Cala Corsara (Spargi) – Hotspot – suggestion. Open from east to south.
• Cala Santa Maria – Hotspot – suggestion. The park's ordinance sets a no-anchoring zone here, shown on its map.

Spiaggia Rosa on Budelli is protected: navigation, anchoring and landing are banned in the marked zone.

• Cala di Volpe – Hotspot – suggestion. Wide bay open from north-east to south-east, the classic shelter in a maestrale.
• Liscia Ruja – Hotspot – suggestion. Long beach open to the east.
• Cala Granu (Porto Cervo) – Hotspot – suggestion. Small, open from north to east.

Tavolara lies in the Tavolara – Punta Coda Cavallo marine protected area, with different rules by zone.

• Spalmatore (Tavolara) – Hotspot – suggestion. Open from south-east to south-west.
• Cala Brandinchi – Hotspot – suggestion. Shallow, open to the east towards Tavolara; the zone is on the decree's map.

The bays are reached from the harbours of the Costa Smeralda, Cannigione, Palau, La Maddalena or Golfo Aranci. Boats and free dates in Sardinia.

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