Discover Isola Rossa: Coast, Diving and Water Sports

Pink granite and protected habitats

The granite island offshore, with its intense pink coloring, gives Isola Rossa its name. At the same time, the SIC “Isola Rossa – Costa Paradiso” is a protected area recognized by the European Union for the conservation of priority habitats and species under the Habitats Directive 92/43/EEC. The combination of its distinctive rock color and European protection status makes the area particularly interesting for travelers who want to experience the coast and nature together in a mindful way.

Beaches and coastal trails

At Li Feruli Beach, you will find a sandy, shallow seabed close to the shore. The beach is usually exposed to the wind and is therefore particularly appealing to windsurfers and kitesurfers. A different coastal landscape awaits you at La Marinedda Bay, which is surrounded by granite rocks and Mediterranean maquis. Its waters invite you to snorkel and explore the seabed; the surrounding landscape also offers one of the most characteristic views in Gallura. The bay is also located a short distance from the town of Isola Rossa.

Between Li Feruli, with its sandy, shallow seabed, and La Marinedda Bay, surrounded by granite rocks and maquis, you will encounter different coastal landscapes.

For a manageable excursion, the “Isola Rossa – Torre Aragonese – Punta Li Canneddi” route follows the rocky coast around Isola Rossa. This easy, one-hour panoramic walk combines physical activity with views of the coastal formations. The one-hour duration clearly limits the walk in terms of time.

Diving and water sports

Diving around Isola Rossa includes dive sites for all certification levels, including Parete del Coniglio and Secca di Porto Leccio. Canyon del Vikingo and Rocca Ruja are suitable for advanced divers. For experienced divers with the required qualifications, the diving area also offers cave and cavern dive sites such as Camelot and Tana di Gavino. The diver’s experience is relevant when making a choice, as these sites involve different requirements.

At Spiaggia Longa, you can rent canoes, pedal boats, inflatable boats and jet skis, as well as go water skiing. Marina Isola Rossa is a suitable starting point for boaters who want to reach Asinara National Park or the La Maddalena Archipelago National Park. Whether the focus is on a coastal walk, dive site or boat trip can be tailored to your personal pace of travel and interests.

Getting there and finding your way around

Isola Rossa can be reached by car in about an hour from the main arrival points of Olbia, Alghero and Porto Torres. For trip planning, the town therefore provides a clear starting point for coastal experiences, underwater sites and possible trips to Asinara National Park or the La Maddalena Archipelago National Park. The approximate driving time from Olbia, Alghero and Porto Torres to Isola Rossa forms a separate arrival section alongside the one-hour route along the coast.

Discover more places

For further orientation, you can also find Limpiddu, Capriccioli, Porto Paglia, Agrustos, La Maddalena, Pittulongu, Porto Pollo and Spiaggia Bianca.

To the main travel overview: Olbia-Tempio.