Sardinia Baunei Coast: Boat Tour to Cala Mariolu & Goloritzè

Summary

Swim turquoise coves see Goloritzè arch Sardinia boat tour

You’ll ride a small boat along Sardinia’s Baunei coast with a local skipper, stopping at famous spots like Cala Mariolu for swimming and relaxing on powdery beaches. Drift past the limestone arch at Goloritzè, explore secret caves only reachable by sea, and soak up sun with plenty of free time at each cove. It’s salty air, laughter, and those unreal blue waters — hard to forget.

What’s the experience like?

“If you want the real colors of Baunei, you have to see them from the water,” our skipper Marco said as he steered us out of the little port. He had that sun-worn look and a way of pointing out cliffs like they were old friends — I liked him right away. The dinghy bounced over the waves, salt spray catching in my hair. I’d heard about these beaches — Cala Mariolu, Cala Goloritzè — but seeing them up close is something else. The water actually glows blue-green under the hull, and I remember thinking it looked fake for a second.

First stop was Cala Mariolu. We all kind of tumbled off the boat, laughing because the pebbles are smooth but somehow still stick to your feet. There’s this smell — not sunscreen or seaweed, just clean salt air and maybe wild herbs from somewhere inland? Marco handed out advice on where to swim (“over there’s best for fish”) and let us wander for an hour and a half. I tried floating on my back with my eyes closed; you can hear nothing but gentle splashes and sometimes a gull yelling at nobody.

We stopped at Cala Goloritzè next — no landing here, just drifting by so everyone could snap photos of that crazy limestone arch. It’s smaller than I expected but somehow more dramatic because it feels so isolated. Marco told us about how climbers come here for the spire; someone joked about trying it after lunch and we all laughed (not happening). At Piscine di Venere, the water was so clear I could count every stone on the bottom. There were hidden caves too — we peeked inside while Marco explained which ones are safe to enter (honestly, some looked like they belonged in pirate stories).

I didn’t expect to feel so relaxed by midday. Maybe it’s being cut off from roads or phones or just watching sunlight shift across those white cliffs. The last beach stop was Cala Sisine — sandier here, with families picnicking under umbrellas and kids daring each other into cold water. By then I’d lost track of time completely. Sardinia does that to you.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Coastal tour of Baunei beaches

• Stop at Cala Goloritze for photos
• Optional swim at Cala Goloritze
• Visit Cala Mariolu beach
• Stop at Spiaggia delle Sorgenti
• Stop at Cala dei Gabbiani
• Stop at Piscine di Venere
• Stop at Cala Sisine beach
• Stop at Cala Biriala beach
• End at Cala Luna beach with facilities

Top questions

How long do we stop at each beach?

You’ll have about 1 hour 30 minutes at each main beach stop.

Is there lunch included on this Baunei coast boat tour?

No lunch is included; bring your own snacks or buy something at Cala Luna where there’s a bar/restaurant.

Are all beaches accessible by land?

No, several coves and caves are only accessible by sea during this tour.

Is pickup included in this day trip?

No hotel pickup is included; you meet at the port for check-in before departure.

Do I need to pay extra fees on arrival?

Yes, there’s an ecological contribution fee (€3 per person) paid in cash at check-in.

Can infants join this Baunei boat tour?

Infants can join but must sit on an adult's lap during the trip.

Is this tour suitable for pregnant travelers?

No, it’s not recommended for pregnant travelers or those with spinal/cardiovascular issues.

What’s included

Your day includes fuel for the boat ride along Sardinia’s Baunei coast with stops at multiple coves and beaches like Cala Mariolu and Cala Sisine (about 1h30min each), plus photo opportunities near Goloritzè arch and access to hidden caves only reachable by sea—all led by a local skipper after easy check-in at the port.