Strictly Sardinia – Episode Summary

Episode: Protected Beaches In Sardinia
Host: Claudia Tavani
Date: April 3, 2025

Main Theme & Overview

In this episode of Strictly Sardinia, Claudia Tavani, a native Sardinian and travel expert, provides a detailed guide to Sardinia’s protected beaches. She explains how and why these beaches are safeguarded, the specific rules and booking systems in place, and offers insider tips for planning your visit. Claudia’s local perspective highlights the balance between conservation and tourism, ensuring that listeners understand both the appeal and the responsibilities that come with experiencing these extraordinary coastal spots.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Why Protected Beaches?

• Sardinia enforces restrictions at its most famous beaches to balance tourism and environmental conservation.
• Limits include daily visitor caps, booking requirements, and strict rules on behavior and use of amenities.
• Protected beaches are not always secluded; many are popular and can appear crowded due to their small size.
  "We protect these beaches by limiting the number of visitors, implementing strict regulations, and ensuring that you and future generations get to enjoy these beaches." (01:20)

2. Highlights of Major Protected Beaches

A. South Sardinia

Tuerredda Beach (03:06)

• Location: West of Cagliari, in Teulada
• Access: Capped at 1100 visitors/day (800 on the free beach, 300 at beach clubs). June–September.
• Booking: Free beach is first-come, first-served; clubs by reservation (link in podcast description).
• Fees: €1 entrance + paid parking
• Features: Smoking restricted; plastic-free; clear, calm waters; best avoided on windy (Mistral) days

Punta Molentis (06:10)

• Location: Between Villasimius and Costa Rei
• Access: 600 visitors/day; €1 fee; kids free
• Parking: Only 200 cars; must be booked
• Facilities: Beach club, kiosk, toilets; boat tours available but host prefers staying on the beach

Porto Sa Ruxi (08:33)

• Small, part of Capo Carbonara protected area
• Limit: 450 people/day, June–October, €1 fee
• Parking and booking required; minimal facilities (kiosk hidden in vegetation)
• Bring your own supplies for ease

B. Baunei & East Sardinia

Cala Goloritzé (10:37)

• National Monument since 1993; only 250 visitors/day (June–October)
• Access: 8km roundtrip hike—1h 15min down, steep hike up
• Booking: Required via Heart of Sardinia app, at least 72 hours ahead, €7 fee
• No amenities—bring all necessities, especially water
• Boats not allowed to dock; must stay 300m from shore

Other Baunei Beaches (15:36)

• Cala Mariolu (700 visitors/day; small kiosk, expensive goods)
• Cala Biriola and Cala dei Gabbiani (300 visitors/day each)
• Access: Primarily boat tours from Cala Gonone or Santa Maria Navarrese; strenuous hikes possible but not recommended

Cala Luna (17:55)

• Largest Baunei beach (800m); golden sand, perfect for snorkeling
• Access: 12km hike from Cala Fuili (3 hours) or by boat from Cala Gonone; optional combination of hike and boat

C. Orosei & Northeast Sardinia

Oasi Bidderosa (22:13)

• Near Orosei; 3 remarkable beaches, a forest, pond
• Limit: 100 cars, 30 motorbikes, 1,000 people/day (spread over several beaches)
• Booking: Via official website; fee for parking/conservation
• Amenities only at beach #3 (kiosk, toilets); bring supplies otherwise

Cala Brandinchi & Lu Impostu (25:20)

• Near San Teodoro; share parking and booking systems
• Cala Brandinchi: ~1500 visitors/day; Lu Impostu: 1350 visitors/day
• Booking: Required via San Teodoro Spiaggia; high fees
• Accessible amenities: beach clubs, kiosks, facilities for disabled visitors
• “Little Tahiti” (Brandinchi); can still feel crowded

D. North Sardinia

Rena Bianca Beach (29:38)

• In Santa Teresa di Gallura; main town beach, easily walkable
• Limit: 1050 people/day (June–September)
• Booking: Online at least 72 hours ahead; family-friendly rules (children/elderly not counted among quotas)
• Amenities: Beach clubs, kiosks

Le Piscine (Carniggione/Arzachena area) (32:07)

• Tiny: Only 80 visitors/day (20 reserved for residents) in July-August
• Booking: 72 hours ahead; €6 (full day), €3 (half day), under 12s free
• No services—bring all supplies

La Pelosa (34:15)

• Most famous; 1,500 visitors/day allowed (specific quotas for advanced and short-term bookings, and for hotel guests)
• Fee: €3.50/person
• Rules: Only straw or microfiber towels, foot rinsing mandatory, no dogs, strict anti-smoking policies
• Strictly enforced ("the beach police")
• Several beach clubs and kiosks

E. Maddalena Archipelago

Cala Coticcio (Caprera) (39:32)

• Host’s "favorite cove"; 60 visitors/day, strictly via guided hike
• No towels or umbrellas; only microfiber towels allowed
• Must arrange with a guide via Maddalena National Park website

Cala Brigantina (Caprera) (41:58)

• Less known, just as beautiful; guided hike required, easier than Coticcio
• No umbrellas/towels, only guided visits
• Starts from Poggio Rasu Superiore Fort; includes a short tour before hike

Spiaggia Rosa (Budelli) (44:15)

• Iconic pink beach; highly protected, landing forbidden to general public
• Visits only via guided tours, and only from a distance (on platforms or by boat)
• Pink sand comes from microorganisms, not coral; strictly patrolled

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On the reality of “protected” beaches:
  “These beaches aren’t necessarily secluded. Very few of the protected beaches in Sardinia have no crowds whatsoever… some get crowded because they’re really tiny.” (01:41)

• Booking advice:
  “For the free beach, access is on a first-come, first-served basis, meaning that you need to go to the beach as early as possible to be guaranteed a spot.” (03:49)

• On hiking to Cala Goloritzé:
  “I've done it many, many times… on the way back up, it’s almost entirely uphill and it is quite steep. If you consider that most of the time you’ll be hiking this trail in the peak of the summer months, it’s probably quite harsh, quite difficult and hot.” (11:10)

• General rule:
  “Bring whatever you need for the day.” (Multiple instances, including 09:30, 21:20, 28:32)

• On La Pelosa requirements:
  “You cannot lay a regular towel. You will need a straw mat or one of these microfiber towels. You need to rinse your feet once you leave the beach… there's literally the beach police that goes around.” (35:08)

• On Spiaggia Rosa's uniqueness:
  “The pink sand is produced by microorganisms that live among the posidonia plants… so it’s not common corals, it’s really unique.” (45:38)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 01:20 – Purpose and philosophy of beach protection
• 03:06 – Tuerredda Beach access and fees
• 06:10 – Punta Molentis process and amenities
• 08:33 – Porto Sa Ruxi access, facilities
• 10:37 – Cala Goloritzé (hiking and restrictions)
• 15:36 – Baunei coast beaches: Mariolu, Biriola, Gabbiani
• 17:55 – Cala Luna hike and movie fame
• 22:13 – Oasi Bidderosa visitor management
• 25:20 – Cala Brandinchi & Lu Impostu booking and crowd feel
• 29:38 – Rena Bianca Beach, Santa Teresa di Gallura
• 32:07 – Le Piscine (Carniggione), smallest quotas
• 34:15 – La Pelosa, rules and strict enforcement
• 39:32 – Cala Coticcio guided hike logistics
• 41:58 – Cala Brigantina, overlooked beauty
• 44:15 – Spiaggia Rosa (Budelli): pink sand, total protection

Local Tips & General Advice

• Always book as early as possible via official sites or specified apps.
• Prepare for minimal or no facilities at several protected beaches—bring food, water, and shade.
• Respect all regulations (towel rules, no smoking, environmental requirements) to help preserve these unique ecosystems.
• Consult Claudia’s blog for linked resources and up-to-date booking contacts.

Tone & Style

Claudia’s delivery is warm, personal, and rich in practical local insight. She mixes affectionate descriptions of her home island with brisk, actionable advice. Her tone is encouraging but realistic—she stresses the need to plan ahead and set expectations for comfort and convenience.

For Next Episode

• Claudia teases a forthcoming episode on Sardinia’s truly secluded beaches, perfect for those seeking solitude away from the protected (and sometimes busy) spots.

Summary prepared for listeners who want a comprehensive guide to accessing Sardinia’s protected beaches, with all essential logistical and practical details provided by a local expert.