What to see
The bay is dominated by a dramatic limestone pinnacle rising 143 meters above the shore. This towering spire is renowned in the sport climbing community; in the late 1970s, climbers Manolo and Alessandro Gogna opened its most famous route, the "Sinfonia dei Mulini a vento". On the right side of the bay, a prominent natural arch extends directly into the water. Among the rocks on the beach itself, there is another unusual feature: a hidden freshwater spring that flows out from the subsoil directly into the sea.
Visiting
Access to the cove is strictly managed by an Italian trust to preserve the environment from mass tourism. Only 300 visitors are permitted each day, compared to the 800 people who typically try to visit daily during peak season. To access the walking path, registration online at least one day in advance is mandatory. A daily entrance fee of €7 per person (2024 rate) generates up to €1,800 a day, which directly funds the protection and cleaning of the beach. Visitors reach the shore on foot from the Golgo plateau via a trail involving a 470-meter vertical drop and a hike of about an hour and a half. The cove also serves as a designated stop on the challenging Selvaggio Blu trekking route. Since the summer of 2007, motorboats have been completely banned within 200 meters of the shoreline to prevent pollution; landing on the beach is prohibited, though boat rentals from the nearby ports of Arbatax and Santa Maria Navarrese can approach the boundary line.
Our editors' tip
Take the time to examine the crevices along the base of the cliffs to find the freshwater spring—a rare geological detail that creates a sharp temperature contrast where it meets the sea.