Beaches
in Dorgali and Cala Gonone

Located in the northern part of the Gulf of Orosei, Cala Osalla is one of the most beloved beaches in the Dorgali area—perfect for those seeking relaxation, nature, and services in an authentic setting. The long and wide shoreline is made of fine golden sand and faces a sea with ever-changing hues, featuring shallow, gently sloping waters that are ideal for safe swimming and play, especially for children.

Behind the beach lies the Cedrino lagoon, a natural habitat for many animal species. To the north, the bay is framed by dark rocks and green hills that shelter the beach from the wind and enhance its charm. Osalla is also one of the natural outlets of the Cedrino River, contributing to the area’s distinctive alluvial landscape.

The beach is dog-friendly and is especially popular with families and visitors of all ages.

Available services

• Spacious parking lots close to the beach

• Boardwalk access for people with disabilities

• Lifeguard service

• Bars and refreshment points open throughout the season

• Rental of sunbeds, umbrellas, pedal boats and kayaks

Cala Osalla is the perfect choice for an accessible, relaxing beach day immersed in the natural landscape of the Gulf of Orosei—with all the comforts at your fingertips. On days with north winds, it remains sheltered and is a great spot to enjoy water sports like wing SUP.

Cala Cartoe is one of the hidden gems of the Dorgali coastline, nestled between the cliffs and gentle slopes of the Supramonte mountains as they meet the sea. It’s the first beach you’ll reach when heading north from Cala Gonone, easily accessible by car via a scenic road surrounded by lush greenery. It can also be reached on foot from Cala Gonone via a trekking path that winds along the slopes of Mount Ghirveri (closed shoes and proper hiking attire recommended).

With its fine white sand and gently sloping shallow waters, it is especially suitable for families with children, while also popular among those who enjoy snorkeling and underwater activities. The crystal-clear water, sheltered from currents, makes swimming safe and offers excellent opportunities to observe marine life just a few meters from the shore.

Behind the beach flows the Rio Littu, a seasonal stream that tends to dry up partially in summer, revealing wide sandy stretches and creating a charming natural setting.

Cala Cartoe is one of those rare places where the landscape still preserves a perfect balance between human presence and unspoiled nature: a genuine corner of Sardinia—comfortable yet never overcrowded, ideal for a relaxing day.

Available services

• Spacious parking, with designated spots

• Boardwalk access for people with disabilities

• Lifeguard service during the summer season

• Bar and a small food kiosk

• Pedal boat and kayak rental

With its wild yet welcoming atmosphere, Cala Cartoe is one of the most beloved beaches on the Gulf of Orosei—perfect for those who seek beauty, peace, and essential services without giving up the feeling of being surrounded by nature. As with Osalla, on north wind days, the beach is sheltered and suitable for sailing activities.

The small cove of S’Abba Durche is located just outside the town center of Cala Gonone. It is a medium-sized pebble beach of volcanic origin, where dark basaltic rock contrasts sharply with the white limestone that characterizes much of the coastline.

Beyond its unique geological features, S’Abba Durche is known for having one of the richest seabeds in the area, making it especially popular with divers and snorkeling enthusiasts.

Available services

• Very close to the town center and tourist harbor

• Bars and restaurants nearby

• Starting point for exploring the northern cliffs of Cala Gonone

Thanks to its convenient location and abundant marine life, S’Abba Durche is the ideal choice for those who want to explore the sea without venturing far from Cala Gonone.

Spiaggia Centrale is the iconic beach of Cala Gonone: a wide bay within walking distance from anywhere in town, perfect for those looking for a convenient beach day without giving up scenic beauty.

The shoreline features coarse light-colored sand mixed with pebbles, framed by rocky cliffs and overlooking clear, turquoise waters. The gently sloping seabed makes it ideal for families with children, while its underwater variety attracts snorkelers and divers.

The setting is enriched by the Mediterranean scrub sloping toward the sea and the presence of historic Villa Ticca, a charming architectural landmark facing the beach.

Available services

• Direct access from multiple points along the seafront promenade

• Walkway for people with disabilities

• Free and paid parking nearby

• Bars, restaurants, and refreshment spots just steps away

Spiaggia Centrale is the perfect starting point to explore Cala Gonone, or simply to enjoy a relaxing break by the sea with all comforts within reach. A place to savor slowly — between swims, strolls, and a seaside aperitif.

Palmasera Beach is the longest stretch of shoreline in Cala Gonone, featuring a wide expanse of light-colored sand mixed with red gravel and pebbles, located just south of the Central Beach. Its size and variety of services make it one of the most popular spots for both locals and visitors staying in nearby resorts. The beach is easily accessible from multiple points along the seafront and stands out for its vibrant, youthful vibe during the high season.

Palmasera – North Section

The northern part of Palmasera was created through a beach nourishment project to accommodate growing tourist numbers. The seabed here drops off quickly, making it ideal for swimmers and those who enjoy diving into deep, clear waters.

This is a dog-friendly beach, great for families with children, snorkeling enthusiasts, and anyone looking for a spacious beach area that remains close to town, ice cream shops, and bars.

Available services:

• Free and paid parking
• Kayak rental
• Bars and snack points
• Access from multiple entrances

Palmasera – South Section

The southern stretch, more traditional and historic, features a gradually sloping seabed and scattered small rock formations that add a picturesque charm to the landscape. The beach, made up of red gravel mixed with sand, has a unique visual appeal, highlighted by the natural greenery surrounding the bay.

This area is popular among groups of young people, but remains perfect for families thanks to its shallow waters and proximity to all major amenities.

Available services:

• Free and paid parking
• Rental of kayaks, inflatables, and water toys
• Bars and refreshment stands

Palmasera is the beach of variety and social energy — whether you’re looking to relax in peace, enjoy water sports, or simply watch the sunset with a drink in hand, everything you need is just steps away.

More secluded than Cala Gonone’s main beaches, Sos Dorroles is a hidden gem along the Dorgali coastline — perfect for those looking for an easy-to-reach beach with a quieter atmosphere compared to Palmasera.

The beach features a mix of sand and pebbles and overlooks crystal-clear, gently sloping waters that are also safe for children. The scenery is enhanced by a striking orange rocky cliff that frames the beach and by the surrounding green Mediterranean vegetation, creating a stunning contrast of colors.

Despite being close to the town center, Sos Dorroles is often less crowded, making it ideal for those seeking peace and quiet or for enthusiasts of snorkeling and spearfishing in marine-rich waters.

Available services

• Small parking area nearby
• No on-beach services available

Recommended for families, peace-seekers, and sea lovers, Sos Dorroles is a compact, quiet, and authentic beach — a perfect place to disconnect and enjoy a pristine corner of the Mediterranean.

S’Abba Meica is one of the few dog-friendly beaches along the Cala Gonone coastline, making it a special destination for those traveling with their pets. Located just beyond Sos Dorroles, it’s easily accessible on foot and offers a natural and unspoiled setting.

The beach features smooth pebbles and limestone rocks, and the seabed drops off quickly, offering deep, clear waters just a few meters from shore. The beach takes its name from the nearby S’Abba Meica spring, a brackish and sulfuric resurgence that local tradition credits with healing properties for the skin and liver.

This beach is perfect for snorkeling and diving enthusiasts, as well as anyone seeking a peaceful spot away from the crowds — a place to enjoy the sea with your four-legged companion.

Available services

• Dogs allowed year-round
• Reachable on foot from Sos Dorroles or from the road to Cala Fuili

S’Abba Meica is a wild and genuine beach, perfect for those looking for a quiet escape where you can enjoy the sea with no barriers — and no leashes.

Ziu Martine beach is a quiet, tucked-away cove located along the scenic Viale Bue Marino, just before the path to Cala Fuili. Although secluded, it’s easily accessible and perfect for those looking for peace, clean water, and a launching point to discover the southern coastline of the Gulf of Orosei.

The beach features a mix of fine sand, white pebbles, and volcanic rocks, while the seabed drops off quickly, making it ideal for swimming, snorkeling, and diving. Thanks to the water’s clarity and the presence of marine caves nearby, it’s a favorite spot for those who enjoy exploring underwater by swimming or freediving.

Ziu Martine is also a great starting point for SUP or kayak excursions heading south: just a short paddle away you’ll reach lesser-known coves like Ziu Santoru or the famous Cala Luna. With easy access from the road and parking available along the roadside, it’s also convenient for transporting sports gear.

Available services

• Free roadside parking
• Snack bar near the descent to the beach
• No direct services on the beach, but easy access and convenient logistics

Ziu Martine is the perfect beach for sea lovers and explorers, offering a peaceful and accessible base nestled in nature’s embrace.

Cala Fuili is one of the most iconic and recognizable beaches in the Dorgali area—not just for its natural beauty, but also for its location: it is the last beach accessible by car when heading south from Cala Gonone along the scenic Viale Bue Marino, right where the road ends.

From the small panoramic viewpoint above, you’re treated to a breathtaking vista of the bay, where the deep green of the Mediterranean vegetation blends with the white limestone cliffs and turquoise waters. It’s a beloved spot for photographers and visitors in search of dramatic scenery.

A stone and juniper staircase leads down to the cove: a small beach of light gravel mixed with sand and pebbles, dotted with rocky outcrops that break up the shoreline and create a rich underwater environment—perfect for snorkeling and exploratory swims. Marine caves lie within swimming distance both north and south of the cove, offering wild and evocative spaces to explore.

Cala Fuili also marks a geographical and visual transition: it’s the first beach with the typical features of the southern coastline, where extraordinary water clarity and bright limestone cliffs define the landscape.

More than just the sea

Behind the beach lies the Codula di Fuili, a dry riverbed canyon popular with climbers and hikers. From here, several trails lead into the inland wilderness, including the famous coastal hike to Cala Luna, which starts right at this spot.

Available services

• Access on foot via a staircase (about 100 steps)
• No direct services on the beach (bring water and shade)

Cala Fuili is ideal for those seeking an authentic experience: no services, but full of emotion—vertical cliffs, clear waters, and the deep silence of unspoiled nature.

Ziu Santoru is one of the most fascinating and untouched beaches along the Dorgali coastline—so much so that many consider it the most beautiful beach in the Gulf of Orosei. Framed by high limestone cliffs and lush vegetation, it opens up like a hidden paradise where sea, rock, and silence coexist in perfect harmony.

The cove is named after a shepherd who once lived nearby, and it is only accessible by foot or by sea. From Cala Fuili, it takes just over an hour on foot along the trail to Cala Luna. By sea, it can be reached only without a motor, thanks to a shallow seabed that allows you to walk in from the water.

The beach consists of ultra-fine white sand, but it is a cyclical beach: the presence and shape of the shoreline change year by year depending on sea conditions. The shallow seabed extends for tens of meters, making it ideal even for less experienced swimmers or those seeking a peaceful soak in safety.

Adding to its uniqueness is the presence of numerous sea and land caves, including one that opens directly onto the beach. This cavern stretches hundreds of meters and was inhabited as far back as the Nuragic period. For safety reasons, independent exploration of unlit caves is strongly discouraged unless accompanied by a professional guide and proper equipment.

Features

• Ultra-fine white sand (cyclical, varies by season)
• Gently sloping seabed
• Natural caves and ancient archaeological traces

How to get there

• Trekking from Cala Fuili (about 1 hour, detour from the trail to Cala Luna)
• By sea via paddle or swimming (motorized access prohibited)

Ziu Santoru is a destination for true nature lovers—those drawn to calm seas, ancient landscapes, and a sense of timeless beauty. It’s a beach to experience gently, with full respect for its wild and sacred atmosphere.

Oddoana is one of the best-kept secrets of the Gulf of Orosei: an exclusive little cove, tucked between Ziu Santoru and Cala Luna, that appears and disappears with the seasons, making every visit a one-of-a-kind experience. It is a cyclical beach, where the ultra-fine white sand may completely vanish or reappear depending on recent sea conditions.

The narrow and intimate shoreline, just about ten meters long, stretches gently inland and is surrounded by white limestone cliffs that change hue throughout the day. Thick Mediterranean vegetation encloses the beach from behind, enhancing its secluded and wild character. Due to the small bathing area, Oddoana truly feels like your own private oasis: arriving early in the morning means having it all to yourself.

The shallow, gently sloping seabed is perfect for swimming in calm, transparent waters. Just above the beach, the hinterland hides natural caves that add to the area’s wild and untouched atmosphere.

How to get there

• On foot: via an unmarked detour from the trail to Cala Luna (a GPS device or local guide is strongly recommended).

• By sea: accessible only by paddle or swimming, when no bathers are present, and strictly without motorized vessels, as there is no official landing corridor.

Features

• Ultra-fine white sand (seasonally variable)

• Shallow, sandy seabed

• Thick vegetation and white cliffs

• Silence, nature, and limited space (maximum 20–25 people)

Oddoana is perfect for those who love secluded, intimate places where time seems to stand still. But be warned: this is not a beach for everyone. It requires respect, discretion, and a deep awareness of the environment. If you’re one of the lucky few to reach it, you’ll experience one of Cala Gonone’s most authentic and unforgettable moments.

Cala Luna is undoubtedly the most iconic beach of the Gulf of Orosei and one of Sardinia’s most stunning natural landmarks. Framed between the promontory of Su Masongiu and the mouth of the deep Codula di Ilune canyon, it offers a rare balance of sea, mountains, lush vegetation, and natural caves. This unique setting has served as the backdrop for several films, including Swept Away and Mr. Robinson.

The beach features a mix of sand, gravel, and pebbles, shaped year after year by the combined forces of the Ilune stream (a seasonal river) and winter storms. Depending on the season, the shoreline’s shape and size may vary, making each visit truly unique.

The seabed slopes gently, especially in the southern part, while it becomes slightly deeper toward the north. The beach is famous for its five sea caves along the northern section, which are easily accessible on foot and offer natural shade. They are also popular with climbers due to the dramatic limestone cliffs just behind them.

Behind the beach stretches the Codula di Ilune, a wild and majestic canyon that offers one of the most breathtaking landscapes in the Supramonte coastal region—perfect for hiking through cliffs, woods, and karstic formations.

How to get there

• On foot:

  • From Cala Fuili: about 2 hours along a panoramic trail

  • From Buchiarta: about 1 hour of hiking

• By sea:

  • By shuttle boats and dinghies from Cala Gonone’s port

  • By kayak or SUP for the more adventurous

Available services

• Bar and snack bar nestled in the greenery

• Rental of umbrellas, sunbeds, kayaks, and pedal boats

Cala Luna is much more than a beach: it’s an experience to savor slowly—among the turquoise reflections of the sea, the cool shade of the caves, and the silent majesty of the surrounding canyon. A place where adventure, relaxation, and beauty come together in one of the Mediterranean’s most iconic landscapes.