Diving in Sardinia

Sardinia’s underwater world is just as diverse and varied as its island scenery. Every year diving fans are lured to Sardinia by its striking coastlines, translucent water, abundant sunshine, sunken Roman galleys, rugged rocks and rare shells.

Almost a hundred ship wrecks lie deep under the waters of Villasimius. Not far away is the marine reservation of Capo Carbonara, which stretches from Capo Boi to the island of Serpentara. Despite being a popular diving destination, especially in the summer months, Sardinia’s underwater world remains biologically sound. Divers and snorklers are wonderstruck by the gigantic cowries and multitude of fish, turtles and dolphins to be found here.

Old ships’ vestiges lay scattered on the ocean floor of the Capo Spartivento, off the untouched Baia Chia in Sardinia’s South West. A little bit further out you can marvel at the swarming fish on two shallow reefs. Not much further away is Cala Cipolla, seven granite rock reefs habituated by colourful coral polyps and molluscs at a depth of 25 metres.

In the North-West of the island around Capo Caccia, an underwater labyrinth of caves and tunnels with bizarre stalactites and colourful corals, awaits your exploration.

Diving expeditions to the Archipels of La Maddalena National Park are organised from Capriccioli on the Costa Smeralda. This nature protected area is rampant with reefs and with a seaweed covered sandy sea bed at only 10 metres in depth, is perfect for beginners and snorklers.

There are countless other dive sites around Sardinia and many coastal resorts have competent dive centres where you can do a course, rent equipment and take guided tours.

Sailing in Sardinia

Although Sardinia’s coastline is an extraordinary sailing destination with hundreds of secluded coves, picture-book beaches and dramatic rock formations, it remains surprisingly anonymous. Sardinia’s particular pull for sailors is its coastline’s diversity; from the dunes of the Costa Verde to the deep emerald coves and dramatic cliffs of Cala Gonone, no stretch is the same as the next.

The fact that the wind conditions around Porto Pollo in northern Sardinia are the most constant means that most sailors are to be found on the Costa Smeralda. There are two winds here which ensure the perfect conditions for dynamic sailing; the Sahara wind Chirocco and the Maestrale, which blows down from the North. The Maestrale mostly blows along the west coast, a very powerful W to NW wind; while a S to SE wind prevails on the east coast.  If you take on any sailing foray in Sardinia’s waters you should either be a very competent sailor yourself or take an experienced skipper with you. It is also very important to familiarize yourself with the area’s nautical literature and navigational requirements.

Sardinia’s marinas are an excellent infrastructure circling the island with a 30 sea mile gap between each establishment. For more detailed information, you can pick up a copy of “Beaches and Harbours”, which outlines a comprehensive list of the island’s 86 marinas. This guide also contains nautical maps and is available free of charge from ESIT.