Photo: Carlos Alberto do Amaral via Google
The verdict
- Best forSwimmers and walkers happy to earn the beach with a boat ride, a long hike or a rough drive, in exchange for clear water, few people and no club soundtrack.
- Top pickCala Goloritze in the Gulf of Orosei for the most striking secluded swim on the island, reached on foot or by boat with no road in.
- One thing to knowThe wildest coves have no shade, no bar and no easy exit, so bring water, food and sun cover, and check the boat timetable before you commit to a beach you cannot walk out of.
Published 9 February 2026. Last reviewed 18 May 2026
Sardinia keeps its most beautiful beaches behind some effort, and that is exactly what keeps them quiet. The Gulf of Orosei on the east coast holds a string of coves with no road access at all, reached only by boat from Cala Gonone or Santa Maria Navarrese or by a serious hike down a ravine, and the reward is water so clear it looks lit from below. The west coast hides a different kind of seclusion, long dune backed beaches like Piscinas and Is Arutas where the wind and the distance from any town thin the crowd to almost nothing.
We have ranked these on how removed they really feel, how clean the water stays and whether the effort matches the payoff, not on how easy they are to reach. The leaders are the Orosei coves, where the lack of a road is the whole point, with the remote west coast beaches close behind for travellers who would rather drive than take a boat. We are honest about the trade, because seclusion here means no facilities, so the same isolation that makes these beaches special also means you carry everything in and out yourself.
Secluded beaches in Sardinia
Scored on how removed they feel, water clarity and whether the effort is worth it. The hard access called out.
Cala Goloritze
A protected monument beach at the south end of the Gulf of Orosei, reached by a steep ninety minute hike or a boat with no landing, beneath a soaring limestone pinnacle. No facilities and a daily cap keep it pristine, so it is the most secluded showpiece swim on the island.
Cala Mariolu
A boat access cove of small white and pink pebbles dropping into deep, glass clear water, hemmed by cliffs with no road for miles. Bring everything you need, because beyond a seasonal kiosk there is only the swim and the silence.
Cala Luna
A crescent of sand and sea caves at the mouth of a gorge, reached by boat or a long coastal walk, far from any town. Wilder and roomier than the smaller Orosei coves, with caves for shade and a properly removed feel.
Piscinas
A vast beach of golden sand backed by some of Europe's tallest coastal dunes, at the end of a long unpaved road through old mining country. The remoteness and the desert like dunes make it feel like the edge of the island.
Is Arutas
A west coast beach of tiny quartz grains like rice, wild and wind brushed on the Sinis peninsula with no resort behind it. Exposed and natural, it stays quiet outside peak weekends and rewards anyone chasing an open, undeveloped shore.
Punta Molentis
A small sheltered cove on a spit near Villasimius with clear shallow water and a wild headland setting, reached by a rough track and capped in summer. Tiny and scenic, it feels tucked away despite sitting on the popular southeast coast.
Who it suits, who should skip
If the effort is part of the appeal, Sardinia's secluded beaches are some of the finest in the Mediterranean, and the boat day along the Gulf of Orosei is worth building a trip around. Take a morning boat from Cala Gonone, hop between Cala Mariolu, Cala Luna and the smaller coves, and you swim in water most resorts cannot match with barely a building in sight. For walkers, the hike down to Cala Goloritze is a classic, demanding but unforgettable, and best started early before the heat and the day boats arrive.
Who should skip what? Families with very young children, anyone with limited mobility and those who want a sunbed, a bar and shade should stay on the serviced beaches, because these coves offer none of that and the access can be genuinely tough. The hike to Goloritze is steep and rocky, the west coast beaches sit at the end of long rough roads, and the Orosei coves leave you reliant on a boat timetable. Pack water, food, shade and sturdy shoes, and treat these as adventures rather than easy beach days.
Where to base a beach day
Seclusion and beach clubs do not mix, so the wildest coves here have no service at all, and that is the point. If you want a booked sunbed and a kitchen for part of the trip, pair a secluded boat day with a serviced base like Liscia Ruja or La Cinta where lidos can reserve a shaded bed and lunch. Tell us your dates and the beach you have in mind and we will pass the enquiry on so the club can confirm space and any minimum spend.
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Before you go
Which is the most secluded beach in Sardinia?
Cala Goloritze in the Gulf of Orosei is the most strikingly secluded, reached only by a steep hike or a boat that cannot land, with a daily cap and no facilities. The neighbouring boat access coves of Cala Mariolu and Cala Luna are almost as removed, with no road in for miles.
How do you reach the Gulf of Orosei coves?
Most are reached by boat from Cala Gonone or Santa Maria Navarrese, with seasonal shuttles and day trips that stop at several coves. A few, like Cala Goloritze and Cala Luna, can also be hiked, but the trails are long and rocky, so check the boat timetable and start any walk early.
Are there facilities at Sardinia's secluded beaches?
Mostly no. The Orosei coves and the west coast dune beaches have little or nothing beyond a seasonal kiosk at best, so there is no guaranteed shade, water or food. Carry everything you need in and take your rubbish out, and treat these beaches as self sufficient days.
Do any secluded beaches charge or cap numbers?
Yes. Cala Goloritze is a protected site with a daily visitor cap and an access fee, and Punta Molentis near Villasimius limits parking in summer. Booking and arriving early matter at the capped beaches, so check the current rules before you set out, as they can change by season.
When is the best time for a secluded beach day in Sardinia?
June and September give warm water with fewer day boats and walkers than the July and August peak, so the coves feel quieter. Early morning is best at any time, before the day trips arrive, and calm settled weather is essential for the boat access beaches. Conditions are typical and never guaranteed.