From La Pelosa and Asinara to the coral riviera: the most beautiful public beaches of the northwest coast, with the right shelter for every wind and today's sea state.
The northwest coast of Sardinia brings together two emblematic destinations: Stintino, at the
tip of the Nurra, facing Asinara, and Alghero, the Catalan town with its coral riviera. In
between, white and golden sands, pine woods and cliffs, with a sea that ranges from the clear
turquoise of La Pelosa to the more open, windy waters towards Capo Caccia.
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.
Stintino: La Pelosa and Le Saline
The tip of the Nurra looks towards Asinara, and Isola Piana acts as a screen: that is why some
of the calmest, shallowest waters in all of Sardinia are found here.
Very fine white sand and very shallow turquoise water, as clear as a
swimming pool. Isola Piana and Asinara act as a natural barrier, so it stays sheltered and calm
even when the mistral blows hard. It is one of the most photographed beaches on the island.
A wide sandy shore with a pine wood behind it, a little south of
Stintino. It is more open and breezy than La Pelosa, so a good alternative when you are looking
for space.
Access to La Pelosa is capped from 15 May to 15 October: a maximum of 1,500
people per day, mandatory online booking (a dedicated website and app) and a ticket of 3.50
euros (free under 12). A mat under your towel is compulsory, and smoking and taking away sand
are forbidden. It is best to book in advance, because the daily places sell out.
Alghero and the bay of Porto Conte
The bay of Porto Conte is a large sheltered inlet, ideal precisely when the mistral blows, the
most frequent wind in these parts. The beaches that face it often stay calm while the open coast
picks up.
A long arc of sand inside the bay of Porto Conte, well sheltered from
the mistral and the west wind. Shallow seabed and quiet water: one of the safest choices with
wind from the west and northwest.
Soft white sand and turquoise water, among the most loved in Alghero.
Its position shelters it from the mistral, which is why it holds up well even on windy days.
Spiaggia del Lazzarettosea with a few waves · water 28 °C
A long stretch of white sand with dunes and a pine wood, a stone's
throw from the centre of Alghero. Shallow waters and wide open spaces make it handy for
families and for those who want the town's services nearby.
Towards Capo Caccia: Porto Ferro and the coves
North of Alghero, towards Capo Caccia and the Nurra, the coast becomes wilder and more open:
red cliffs, isolated coves and stretches more exposed to wind and waves.
A long shore of amber sand set between red cliffs and coastal towers.
It is more exposed than the Porto Conte coves and takes the waves well, which is why it is
loved by surfers on days with a rougher sea.
Two smaller coves at the foot of Capo Caccia, among rocks and
Mediterranean scrub. They are small and scenic, stopping points on the most spectacular side
of the coast.
Many of these coves have few facilities on site and in summer the car parks are paid and fill up
early: it is best to arrive in the morning, bring water and shade, and leave the beach clean.
When the sea is calm between Stintino and Alghero
The prevailing wind in Sardinia is the mistral, from the northwest, and this coast faces it
fairly directly. There are, however, two safe refuges precisely in a mistral: La Pelosa,
protected by Isola Piana and Asinara, and the bay of Porto Conte (Mugoni, Le Bombarde, the
Lazzaretto), which stays sheltered from the west and northwest. The more open beaches like Porto
Ferro, on the other hand, pick up in a mistral. The practical rule: when the wind blows from the
northwest, head for La Pelosa or inside Porto Conte; with winds from the south and southeast the
situation changes and it is best to choose other sides. 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
Book La Pelosa. From 15 May to 15 October a booking and a ticket are
required, with limited daily places: better to act in advance.
Go early. In the morning the sea is usually calmer, before the breeze picks
up, and parking is easier to find.
Respect dunes and pine woods. These are fragile habitats: stay on the paths
and leave no litter. At La Pelosa a mat is compulsory and sand must not be taken away.
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.
From 15 May to 15 October access is capped, with a maximum of 1,500 people per day: you book
online through a dedicated website and app and pay a ticket of 3.50 euros (free under 12). A mat
under your towel is compulsory, and smoking and taking away sand are forbidden. It is best to
book in advance because the places sell out.
Which beaches stay calm in a mistral?
La Pelosa, protected by Isola Piana and Asinara, and the beaches inside the bay of Porto Conte
such as Mugoni, Le Bombarde and the Lazzaretto. They are sheltered precisely from the mistral,
the most frequent wind here. The open beaches like Porto Ferro, on the other hand, pick up in
that wind.
When is the sea calmest?
Usually early in the morning and, in a mistral, at La Pelosa or inside Porto Conte. The
calm sea today page shows you in real time
where to find it now.
