Marina di Portisco, the gateway to the Emerald Coast

The summer route leads to Marina di Portisco,  which welcomes guests in Covid-free mode to guarantee a sustainable holiday in freedom.

Thanks to its strategic position at the entrance of the enchanting Gulf of Cugnana, the natural gateway to the Emerald Coast in north-western Sardinia, Marina di Portisco is the ideal starting point for sailing and exploring the Maddalena archipelago as far as Corsica in the north and along the south-west coast of Sardinia as far as Tavolara. Gallura is a unique area, a corner of paradise between land and sea, offering emotions and opportunities for an unforgettable holiday.

Naturally sheltered and further protected by a three-leg breakwater and an elbow breakwater, Marina di Portisco has 589 berths for sailing and motor-powered boats of up to 90 meters in length in deep water with a high draught. At Marina di Portisco, environmental sustainability is good practice. In fact, for the past 25 years, the facility has been awarded the Blue Flag, which is assigned every year on the basis of strict parameters dictated by FEE (Foundation for Environmental Education). This is a real record and an acknowledgement that certifies the concrete commitment, professionalism and sensitivity of the staff to the issues and sustainable management of the facility, as demonstrated by the services and various initiatives undertaken over the years.

The entire port area is plastic-free, and annual water requirements are met using a Tobago Solaris Aquae reverse osmosis watermaker, which produces over 50,000 m3 of water/year. Numerous electric vehicle recharging stations are regularly installed, together with a new generation lighting system that allows significant energy savings. Waste collection, which is also available for boats moored in the harbour, is managed with an efficient recycling system and is part of the chain of sustainability elements that contribute to the reduction of CO2 production.

In addition to the vaccination of all staff, all anti-Covid measures have been adopted at Marina di Portisco in accordance with the regulatory framework to combat and contain the spread of the virus in environments open or not open to the public. The detailed protocol of safety measures to be taken by employees, boaters and visitors to the port in any capacity is available at www.marinadiportisco.it

Marina di Portisco is home to a large fleet of sailing and motor yachts dedicated to chartering, another unmissable opportunity for those who choose the charter formula to sail freely north or south. Olbia airport is only 16 km away and connects Marina di Portisco with all the main Italian and European cities.

www.marinadiportisco.it

Beaches

North-western Sardinia is full of corners of paradise, large beaches and small coves that allow you to spend hours and hours in absolute tranquillity at any time of the year. Even in the most crowded of summers, in fact, it is possible to find an exclusive space by sea or by land. Some of these beaches are in the surroundings of Marina di Portisco.

Celvia, for example, is a beach characterized by a distinctive coarse-grained sand mixed with multicoloured shells that contrast with the turquoise waters. Its shallow waters are ideal for snorkelling enthusiasts. The suggestive beach of Piccolo Pevero is characterised by fine white sand and emerald green water, with the Li Nibani islands on the horizon and the beach of the Grande Pevero, a crescent-shaped strip of white sand that contrasts with the crystal clear waters.

The Prince’s Beach, one of the most beautiful beaches in Sardinia, owes its name to Prince Aga Khan’s alleged preference for this little corner of paradise. A large arch of sand, divided in two by a small group of granite rocks, the fine sand and the colours of the sea ranging from emerald green to turquoise, characterize it in an unforgettable way.
Liscia Ruja Beach, one of the largest and also one of the most beautiful beaches on the Emerald Coast, is located between Portisco and Cala di Volpe. Its name comes from the reddish colour of the shoreline, due to the erosion of the granite rocks along the coast. Long and very wide, Liscia Ruja is composed of a pleasant alternation of adjoining coves. Finally, Portisco Beach, located a few hundred metres from the marina, is bordered by a rocky tongue with a white sandy shoreline characterised by small outcropping rocks and a shallow sea bed that makes the beach suitable for children.

Sailing northwards, a handful of miles separates Marina di Portsico from the Maddalena Archipelago, which consists of 7 major islands (La Maddalena, Caprera, Budelli, Santo Stefano, Santa Maria, Spargi and Razzoli) and several islets, all bathed by a wonderful, transparent sea. Declared a National Park in 1994, the archipelago is certainly one of the most beautiful and unspoilt areas of Sardinia.
The Maddalena Archipelago National Park covers over 20,000 hectares of land and sea, encompasses 180 km of coastline and includes over 60 islands, large and small, mostly granite, shaped over time by wind and currents.
The park is part of the European network of areas of environmental excellence and is extremely well protected: boating, fishing and diving are permitted but must be authorized. It is an evocative and fascinating landscape in terms of morphology and flora. There are almost a thousand plant species, about 50 endemic and others extremely rare. The fauna is very particular. The Rosa di Budelli beach is very famous and protected, and takes its colour from the sediments of a small organism that adheres to shells, algae, corals and shells. Characteristic is the Pinna nobilis, the largest bivalve mollusc in the Mediterranean. The bottlenose dolphin is the most common cetacean, and groups of up to 30 may be spotted.Another common encounter in the park is with the loggerhead turtle. Among the birds, the Corsican seagull and the tufted plover dominate.
The Maddalena Archipelago Park is the ideal destination for boat trips and diving in a sea that ranges from emerald to turquoise, from azure to deep blue. A unique feature of the landscape is its inlets and coves, which create a myriad of natural harbours, allowing you to find a safe haven in any sea or wind conditions.

Among the larger islands, Caprera is famous for having hosted Garibaldi during his exile: his house is now a museum open to the public. The archipelago’s only inhabited centre is La Maddalena, founded in 1770 and long a base for the Italian Navy. Since 1967, Caprera has also been home to the sailing school of the same name, based on the values and traditions of Italian seafaring.