From the Poetto to the Capo Carbonara coves: the most beautiful public beaches of southeastern Sardinia, with the right tip for every wind and today's sea state.
Southeastern Sardinia lines up the coast of the regional capital and the postcard beaches of
Villasimius. It starts at the Poetto, the great urban beach of Cagliari, and runs down the coast
to the Capo Carbonara headland, inside the marine protected area: white and pink sands, turquoise
waters and coves set into the granite.
Below are the most beautiful public beaches, each with today's sea conditions: tap a row to
open the full card with waves, wind and water temperature.
The great beach of Cagliari and Quartu Sant'Elena: a shore of pale,
fine sand several kilometres long, at the foot of the Sella del Diavolo. Convenient and well
served, it is at its best in a mistral, which leaves it clear with little surf; with a scirocco
from the southeast the sea rises and becomes windsurf and kitesurf territory.
The coast in between: Mari Pintau and Solanas
Between Cagliari and Villasimius the coast road runs among granite headlands and small bays,
with a few stops worth the detour.
The name means painted sea: the water changes colour from turquoise
near the shore to deeper blue further out. The beach is made mostly of smooth granite pebbles,
with stretches of pale sand towards the water and Mediterranean scrub behind it.
A bay of pale sand tucked between the hills, along the road to
Villasimius. Sandy seabed and clear water, with some services in the village: a handy stop
before reaching Capo Carbonara.
Villasimius: Simius, Porto Giunco and the Capo Carbonara coves
Around Villasimius the best of the southeast is concentrated: beaches inside the Capo Carbonara
marine protected area, with very white sand, emerald waters and coves sheltered on different
sides.
The town beach of Villasimius, a long semicircular bay just southeast
of the town, closed to the north by the Porto Luna headland. Crystal-clear sea from green to
blue and a gently sloping seabed, in a sheltered position.
Nicknamed the beach of two seas: a tongue of sand squeezed between the
sea and the Notteri pond, dominated by the tower. Pale sand with pink tones, a very shallow,
sandy seabed, ideal for children.
A tucked-away cove near Capo Carbonara, actually made of two small
beaches of fine, very white sand. The sea shifts from blue to emerald green, among granite
cliffs and Mediterranean scrub that shelter it.
It takes its name from the white quartz grains polished by the sea,
like grains of rice. Clear water and a shallow, sandy seabed, bordered by granite rocks and
scrub: close to the port of Villasimius.
A tongue of soft, very white sand joining the mainland to a granite
headland, washed by the sea on two sides. The setting, among rocks and scrub, is one of the
most photographed in the area.
Access to Punta Molentis is regulated in summer: the beach has a daily limit (a
maximum of 600 people) and an entry ticket, with parking booked through the municipality of
Villasimius's dedicated portal (Pass Villasimius). It is best to check before you set off,
because rules and fees are set each year by ordinance.
When the sea is calm between Cagliari and Villasimius
The prevailing wind in Sardinia is the mistral, from the northwest. This stretch of coast mostly
faces south and southeast, so at the Poetto and on many beaches the mistral comes from the land
and leaves the sea calm and clear; it is the winds from the southeast (the scirocco) and from the
east that raise the waves. The Villasimius coast is jagged, with coves facing different
directions: when one side catches the wind, you can often find a sheltered one on the other side
of a headland. The practical rule: in a scirocco, look for the coves sheltered to the southwest
and switch away from the beaches exposed to the east. MareCalmo takes into account each beach's
exposure to wind and waves, so you can see at a glance where the sea is calmest today.
Practical tips
Check Punta Molentis. In summer there is capped access, a ticket and a
parking booking: check this year's rules and fees before you set off.
Go early. In the morning the sea is usually calmer, before the breeze picks
up, and parking is easier to find.
Respect dunes and seabeds. Many beaches are inside the Capo Carbonara marine
protected area: stay on the paths, leave no litter and follow the area's rules.
Check flags and ordinances. The Harbour Master's notices always come before
the forecast.
What is the sea like right now?See the calmest beaches in real time, coast by coast.
In summer the beach is regulated: there is a daily limit on people (a maximum of 600) and an
entry ticket, with parking booked through the municipality of Villasimius's dedicated portal
(Pass Villasimius). Rules, fees and dates are set each year by ordinance, so it is best to check
before you set off.
Which is the most beautiful beach in Villasimius?
Porto Giunco and Simius are among the most famous, but the best beach depends on the day and the
wind. The coast is full of coves facing different directions: with the right wind one is perfect,
with the wind against it you are better off switching sides. Check the sea conditions before you
set off.
When is the sea calmest?
Usually early in the morning and, in a mistral, at the Poetto and on the beaches facing south.
The calm sea today page shows you in real time
where to find it now.
