A Cala Goloritzé boat tour is a wonderful, easy and comfortable way of discovering not only Cala Goloritzé, but the rest of the incredible Gulf of Orosei.
Cala Goloritzé is the symbol of the Gulf of Orosei, an uncontaminated, wild corner of Sardinia. It definitely is one of the most beautiful beaches in Sardinia and is a UNESCO Natural Monument since 1995. This tiny cove originated from a landslide in 1962 and is famous for its unique features, such as the 143-meters rocky pinnacle (Aguglia) where you can challenge yourself to some free climbing, or the stone arch visitors love to climb (and to dive from).
Diving from the arch of Goloritzé is actually forbidden! There is no lifeguard on duty, so if you decide to do it despite the local regulations, it will be at your own risk.
I have already written an in-depth post about Cala Goloritzé (you can read it here), explaining how to get there and what you can expect once you get to the beach. Here, I will provide a short overview of how to get to Cala Goloritzé and then a more in depth guide to the various Cala Goloritzé boat tour options.
How To Get To Cala Goloritzé
If you want to spend a full day in Cala Goloritzé, you only have one option: hiking all the way there. It will take you about 1.5 hours to get there on an easy to follow 3.5 km (2.2 miles) (one way) trail that is mostly downhill on the way there, and viceversa a steady uphill on the way back.
Only 250 people per day are allowed to visit Cala Goloritzé, and as of summer 2020 you need to book your day at the beach in advance.
Reservations can be made via the app Heart of Sardinia. You can book from 72 hours in advance. Tickets are €6 per person and include access to the parking lot.
The other option of seeing Cala Goloritzé is on a boat tour. The main thing to consider is, however, that as this is a highly protected beach motor boats can’t actually dock at the beach: you will be able to see the beach from a distance of roughly 200 meters from the shore; you will have the chance to swim to the arch (and to the beach, if you want); and to visit other beaches in the Gulf of Orosei.
Make sure to read my post A Short Guide Of The Golfo Di Orosei.
Boat tours usually depart from the main touristic harbors in the Gulf of Orosei (Cala Gonone, Santa Maria Navarrese, Arbatax).
The Best Cala Goloritzé Boat Tour
If you want to visit Cala Goloritzé (and the rest of the Gulf of Orosei) by boat, you can pick one of the following options.
Mini cruise
| STARTING POINT | SANTA MARIA NAVARRESE; CALA GONONE; ARBATAX |
| PRICE | FROM €40 |
| DURATION | 7+ HOURS |
| INCLUDED | GUIDED TOUR |
| EXCLUDED | GROTTE DEL BUE MARINO TICKETS, LUNCH, UMBRELLAS AND TOWELS |
This is the cheapest option, as long as you buy it locally. Several operators in both Cala Gonone and Santa Maria Navarrese offer hop-on hop-off tours along the Gulf of Orosei: the price varies depending on the itinerary.
If your starting point is Cala Gonone, make sure to double check the tour is actually going all the way to Cala Goloritzé: this is the farther beach from Cala Gonone, and not all tours departing from Cala Gonone go all the way there.
The boats used for the mini-cruises have different dimensions and can carry up to 300 passengers. This kind of tour is ideal for families or for travelers on a budget. You will have the time to take photos, but chances are you won’t have the opportunity to swim there.
Tours departing from Cala Gonone may include a stop at the Sea Oxen Grotto (Grotte del Bue Marino). Those departing from Santa Maria Navarrese will either have the option of seeing Cala Luna and the Venus Pools; or Cala Sisine.
Check out my post The Best Boat Tours From Cala Gonone.
Cala Goloritzé boat tour by zodiac
| STARTING POINT | CALA GONONE; SANTA MARIA NAVARRESE |
| PRICE | $80 USD FOR A SMALL GROUP TOUR; $1145 USD FOR A PRIVATE TOUR; $290 USD FOR THE ZODIAC RENTAL |
| DURATION | 8+ HOURS |
| INCLUDED | SKIPPER, UMBRELLA UPON RESERVATION, SNORKELING GEAR |
| EXCLUDED | GROTTE DEL BUE MARINO TICKET, LUNCH |
This option is ideal if you want to explore the Gulf with more freedom and at your own pace. You can opt for a guided tour in a small group with other passengers; a private guided tour for you and your friends; and you can even rent your own zodiac – if you don’t have a license but are confident enough to drive it, you can get a 40 horsepower 4-stroke engine, powerful enough for a group of 5 or 6 passengers.
Either way, you will have to dock 300 meters offshore and swim there, or, if you have a smaller rubber dinghy with oars, you approach the beach that way.
Cala Goloritzé sailing tour
| STARTING POINT | ARBATAX |
| PRICE | FROM $290 USD |
| DURATION | ALL DAY |
| INCLUDED | SKIPPER, DRINKS, LUNCH |
| EXCLUDED | GROTTE DEL BUE MARINO TICKET, SNORKELING GEAR, SUP RENTAL |
This is one of the most expensive options, but also a comfortable one. The sails can carry a maximum of twelve passengers, are equipped with a fridge and air conditioning, and have a shaded area. The skippers are all great guides and will lead you through all the best spots in the Gulf of Orosei. As usual, you will either have to swim or row your way to Cala Goloritzé.
Cala Goloritzé Boat Tour Itinerary
All the boat tours have their specific itinerary and will visit the coves in a different order. Make sure to double check the itinerary before you book your tour and – should you be departing from Cala Gonone – make sure to verify that the tour actually goes to Cala Goloritzé. The following are some of the places you can expect to visit:
Cala Mariolu – One of the highlights of all tours; this is a place where in the past it was common to spot the monk seal. It’s a stunning cove with turquoise water and white sand actually made of tiny white pebbles. It’s one of the most famous beaches in the area and is well worth the fame. Find out more about it here.
Cala Luna – The longest beach in the area, with its 800 meters of shoreline, Cala Luna is a paradise for snorkeling lovers. Behind the beach, you can find a pine grove and a small pond where to find some shade and take great pictures during the warmest hours of the day. The beach is so different from the others because it’s the result of millennia of erosion. There are some caves on the beach too. Read more about it here. Please note that tours departing from Santa Maria Navarrese have the option of stopping here or at Cala Sisine.
Grotte del Bue Marino – (Sea Oxen Grotto in English) The mating place for the monk seal in the past, they are a complex and beautiful cave system that can be visited – with a guided tour – upon payment of a ticket that costs between €8 and €11 depending on the season.
Piscine di Venere – Meaning “Pools of Venus,” the name couldn’t be more fitting. Make sure your boat tour includes a stop at these natural pools, where the water is so clear, it looks like you’re floating in the air. It’s almost unnatural!
Tips And Rules To Follow During Your Cala Goloritzé Boat Tour
APPLY SUNBLOCK – Especially if you visit during the peak summer months, the sun is merciless. You don’t want to spend part of your holiday with a sunburn.
PACK SMARTLY- Especially if on a zodiac, pack an extra sweater as it may get chilly in the evening, and an extra towel. Make sure to wear comfortable clothes to easily get on and off the boat.
DON’T TAKE SAND – Taking sand, shells, pebbles from Sardinian beaches is forbidden and may result in a fine. Read more about it here.
BRING FOOD AND WATER – Unless you have lunch and drinks included in your boat tour, the only place where you will find a (hidden) kiosk is Cala Luna. Pack a light lunch, snacks and enough water for the day.
Further Readings
To better plan your trip to Cala Goloritzé and the nearby beaches, you may want to read these posts:
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