Cala Puntetta

Cala Puntetta is located in the northwestern part of Sardinia in the province of Sassari along the Coral Riviera of Alghero. The anchorage can only be reached by sea and is protected to the east by a high cliff covered with Mediterranean vegetation. Cala Puntetta is sheltered by the promontory of Capo Caccia on whose 186-meter-high peak there is a lighthouse visible 34 miles away from all over Italy.

From the top of the promontory one can admire the entire Gulf of Alghero and the island of Foradada, a limestone cliff pierced from side to side by a rock carved out by the sea. You can cross the cave from the west side ofForadada Island, and it is a regular destination for many ferries that take tourists around Neptune’s Caves.

Cala Puntetta is protected from mistral winds byPiana Island, which is a few miles from the anchorage and is part of a nature reserve; there is a small private port at Piana Island that can offer mooring, water, and electricity to boats up to 20 meters in length. The port is located to the southeast, is protected from all winds in the fourth quadrant, and is equipped with a 20-ton crane.

The seabed of Puntetta Bay is quite deep and mostly rocky, the small beach consists of light-colored polished pebbles, sand, and rocks. There are no services or parking in the area, partly because reaching the beach by land is very difficult if not impossible, and the entire coast is part of theCapo Caccia Isola Piana Marine Protected Area, which is subject to numerous restrictions.

The seabed is full of caves that can be visited as long as one follows a set of rules to protect the area of great natural interest. Whether by scuba diving or snorkeling, enthusiasts are there at all hours; there are many people who come here on purpose to admire the caves on land, the semi-submerged ones and the submerged ones.

In front of Piana Island, in the sea depths of the two coves of Puntetta cove and in the one immediately north of Barca cove, there are posidonia oceanica meadows and limestone rocks with cracks and cavities. The seabed, in addition to having numerous flat rocks also has large stretches of sand, ideal for anchoring.

The best area for diving is the north side of the cove, and in the southwest part there are three visitable caves that are very popular with boats. The area is also crowded with boaters who come here specifically to swim inside the caves, and you can also stay overnight in anchorages if it is not too windy, thanks to the protection of Piana Island.