A slice of paradise in the south-western part of Sardinia, Porto Pino is a marvelous long bay where the sand dunes meet the emerald waters of the Mediterranean Sea. A favorite of locals and truly appreciated by tourists, this is a rather popular beach but a few things are worth knowing before actually visiting.
Since I have been many times, I thought I’d share everything I know about this incredible place. Keep on reading if you want to know more about Porto Pino. I’ll also give you some good advice on how to make the most out of your visit, how to reach the beach and where to stay.
Make sure to read my post The Best Beaches In Sardinia and The Best Beaches In South Sardinia.
What You Must Know About Porto Pino, Sardinia
Quick overview
Located in the Sant’Anna Arresi Municipality, Porto Pino is one of the most visited beaches in Sardinia.
The bay is 6 km (3.7 miles) long, of which 4 km (2.5 miles) are covered by sand, that’s why it is “divided” in three beaches, each one with something different to offer.
The first beach of Porto Pino (Prima Spiaggia) is 600 meters (656 yards) long, with grey sand and rocks. It is also the most crowded of the three, as it has a bathhouse where visitors can rent umbrellas and sun beds.
The second beach (Seconda Spiaggia) is 2 km (1.2 miles) long, features very fine white sand and is located between the basins of Maestrale and is Brebeis, and a pine grove. The atmosphere and the natural environment are perfect to lie down and relax. If you wish to explore the surroundings of the beach, you’ll find plenty to see. Behind the pine grove there is a canal used as a dock for small fishing boats, while the lagoons are home to flamingos and kingfishers.
The third beach (Terza Spiaggia), also known as is Arenas Biancas or The Dunes is the most spectacular. The 30 meters (98.4 feet) tall dunes of white thin sand, meet with the clear waters, creating a truly unique landscape. Be aware though, that it is strictly forbidden to climb on the dunes (and this is actually anywhere in the Porto Pino area), so please keep this in mind as you can be subjected to a fine.
Is Arenas beach is part of a NATO shooting range, so it is only accessible when the drills stop, usually during the months of July and August.
Make sure to read my post A Useful Guide To Is Arenas Biancas.
In general, Porto Pino beaches are great for families, as kids can have fun with the sand and play safely on the shore, where the water is shallow for at least 10 meters (about 11 yards).
If you are into sports and snorkeling, Porto Pino is a great place for both, especially for wind and kite surfing.
Being so sandy and completely unsheltered from the wind, Porto Pino is not a good place to spend the day on windy days. You’d literally be covered in sand in no time, and it can be quite unbearable.
Rules of behavior in Porto Pino
As specified above, climbing or walking on the dunes is forbidden – you really can’t go, not even for a short moment to take the perfect Instagram photo; not even if you think nobody is watching. There are rangers patrolling the beach that are ready to fine trespassers. Just don’t be that person!
There are some other rules that you have to respect during your stay at Porto Pino:
DON’T TAKE SAND – as in any other beach in Sardinia, taking sand, rocks or seashells is forbidden. Read why in this post.
KEEP THE BEACH CLEAN – Before leaving the beach, be sure to take the trash with you. You can throw it in the trash cans located close to the parking lots. Can’t find one? Bring it home with you and dispose of it appropriately.
RESPECT THE FAUNA AND MARINE LIFE – Please refrain from taking starfishes, crabs and other marine life out of the water. They will die almost instantly, and imagine if everyone did that!
PETS – Porto Pino has a small pet friendly beach, perfect if you want to bring your four legged friends. For more dog friendly beaches in Sardinia, read this post.
How to get to Porto Pino
The easiest and fastest way to get to Porto Pino is by car. It is an 80 km (about 50 miles) trip from Cagliari, so you can go there for a day: the best route to follow is SS130 to Siliqua, where you can turn onto SS293 all the way to Giba, from where you’ll find directions to the beach
Other nearby beaches
If you are planning to stay a while near Porto Pino, you may want to discover other beaches.
PORTU PINEDDU – This is the closest beach to Porto Pino, it is also known as Sa Bua. It is a half-moon shaped beach with white sand.
PORTU DE SU TRIGU – At 2 km (1.2 miles) from Porto Pino, this is a great place If you like diving and snorkeling.
Where to stay to easily access Porto Pino
Hotels and resorts in the Porto Pino area are pretty expensive, so If you are looking for an affordable accommodation, I recommend to stay at a B&B’s at Sant’Anna Arresi. You can also simply visit for the day from Cagliari, in which case you will have plenty of excellent accommodation options.
Find accommodation options in Sant’Anna Arresi here.
Make sure to also read my post Where To Stay In Cagliari.
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