Cala Coticcio beach in Caprera, also called “Tahiti” for its atmosphere and exotic colors, is certainly one of the most beautiful beaches in Sardinia.
DIANA BANCALE
Founder and author, travel blogger since 2014.
Here I will tell you how to get there (by sea or by land), how is the path to reach it by land and how to book access. In fact, since this is a protected area, daily admissions are limited and it is necessary to book in advance.
Furthermore, you can only walk the path accompanied by a a certified tour guide.
Cala Coticcio Beach, one of the most beautiful beaches in Sardinia
A natural pool enclosed by pink granite rocks with an intense blue water that when you see it in the photo you think is the result of filters and Photoshop. But no, it’s all true.
The cove is surrounded by pink rocks and Mediterranean scrub; the small beach has fine white sand, while behind it there is other vegetation. The contrast between the blue of the water, the green of nature and the pink of the rocks makes this picture of unparalleled beauty.
The name Tahiti, with which this beach is also known, is not absolutely accidental because it refers to the beauty of Polynesian beaches. Which alas are still missing from my list of places visited 😊
On the beach you can relax in the sun, swim in the crystal clear waters as if you were in a swimming pool (being a sheltered cove, the water is a board) and snorkel. The seabed is in fact particularly rich in fish that can already be seen very well with the naked eye thanks to the transparency of the sea, with the mask even better because you can go deeper.
Where is Cala Coticcio Beach?
Cala Coticcio is located on the island of Caprera, therefore in the archipelago of La Maddalena, in the north of Sardinia.
To get to Caprera if you are staying on the island of La Maddalena, just across the Moneta bridge, which connects the two islands in just a few minutes by car (or even by bike).
How to get to Cala Coticcio
Getting to Cala Coticcio by sea
You can reach Cala Coticcio by boat by participating in one of the excursions that depart from Palau or from the port of the island of La Maddalena.
Tours generally include a tour of the archipelago of La Maddalena with a stop in Caprera in the beautiful Cala Coticcio.
You can therefore swim in the beautiful waters of the beach, but arriving by sea you will not be able to go down to the beach because access is limited.
Here is one of the best tour to get to reach Cala Coticcio by sea:
From Palau: La Maddalena Islands Full-Day Trip by Boat
Getting to Cala Coticcio by land
The path to Cala Coticcio starts from the Forte Arbuticci memorial in Caprera. You can reach it comfortably by car or if you like to work hard even by bicycle, as I did. However, I warn you that there are some quite tough climbs in which I, for example, had to carry the bike by hand.
But I didn’t have a choice because the bus doesn’t go there.
Once you reach the beginning of the path, you will find a small banquet where there are those who access the path that will take you to the beach. There, moreover, you will find your guide who will accompany you on the path.
How to access Cala Coticcio 2023
To access Cala Coticcio by land, you have to do two steps:
Reservations for Cala Coticcio – how to do it
-Book the tour to Cala Coticcio with a certified tour guide
Cala Coticcio can only be accessed by land if accompanied by a guide. You can choose your guide from this list. Contact her and agree on the day and time (there are various time slots for each day).
My guide (Valentina Gilioli, very good) offered me the tour to Cala Coticcio from 2pm to 7pm and the price was 25 euros, which I paid directly on the spot on the day of the tour.
We were a group of 12 and it took us about 2 hours between ascent and descent. The time to stay on the beach, therefore, was 3 hours, which is more than enough since it is still a small beach and there are no particular attractions to explore.
-Pay the 3 euro entrance Cala Coticcio ticket.
Once you have ensured the availability of the guide and agreed on the day (access is limited to 60 people per day) you will have to go to this website and pay the 3 euro entrance fee online. Bring the receipt with you as it will be required at the beginning of the route to Cala Coticcio.
In total, the cost for the tour in Cala Coticcio was 28 euros for me.
The path to Cala Coticcio
Our guide before the descent explained to us that the path is classified as “challenging”.
The first part is a path made of stones, then there is a flat part between the trees that is quite easy and some steep points between the rocks where you need to pay particular attention and help yourself with your hands or sliding your butt.
I found the ascent easier than the descent as it is less at risk of slips and above all less under the sun, compared to the descent at 2 in the afternoon.
The duration is about 1 hour for the descent and 1 hour for the ascent, then it clearly also depends on the group you are with.
Beyond the wonderful beach, the path to reach it is also particularly suggestive. In fact, you cross these large granite rocks shaped by the wind with bizarre shapes.
The view while walking is of the blue sea of the archipelago and if you are lucky you can meet, as happened to me, various animals, including wild goats.
On the way, you will also come across one of the old military fortifications, of which the Maddalena archipelago is full.
Tips for visiting Cala Coticcio
The path to reach Cala Coticcio Beach is a real trekking route. So bring enough water with you (I would say at least 2 liters also because there is obviously no bar on the beach), a snack and a sun hat. Closed shoes are mandatory (you will realize by yourself that going slippers would be a big risk).
Also, if you want to lay in the sun you will have to bring a mat with you because beach towels are not allowed on the sand as they could retain sand (which is forbidden to take away from the beach).
Then I recommend that you bring a mask for snorkeling because as I said, the waters are full of fish of all sizes (I also saw a moray among the rocks!)
Where to stay in La Maddalena Island
In the historic center of La Maddalena, Casa Ilva offers family rooms with kitchenettes and the possibility of boat trips. Casa Ilva accommodations are equipped with a living area, kitchenette, closet, flat-screen TV, and private bathroom.
750 meters from Cala Francese beach and 1 km from Carla Carlotto beach, Villa La Forgia offers air-conditioned accommodations with free WiFi and a seasonal outdoor pool. The villa features 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, dining area, fully equipped kitchen, and a terrace with pool view.
Located just 200 meters from the Punta Tegge beach, the Hotel Villa Del Parco boasts rooms and suites in a rustic style. The Villa Del Parco organizes boat trips to Corsica and around La Maddalena, and provides a shuttle service to the beach and to Olbia Airport or Port.
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