BEST BEACHES NEAR COSTA REI

📍 Heart of Costa Rei

• Stretches 8km along Sardinia's southeast coast with fine golden sand and shallow turquoise waters
• Family-friendly with gentle slopes into the sea (perfect for children)
• Offers:
  • Beach clubs with sunbed rentals 🏖️
  • Water sports (paddleboarding, kayaking) 🚣
  • Beachfront restaurants serving fresh seafood 🍝
• Unique feature: Dunes with juniper bushes along the shoreline
• Best for: Swimming, sunset walks, and accessibility (parking nearby)

How to reach the beach

• From your rental the best way to reach the beach is by foot. No parking stress – leave the car at home!

📍 15-minute drive south from Costa Rei

A hidden gem for adventurers, this series of wild, rocky coves offers some of Sardinia’s most dramatic coastal scenery.

• Secluded Vibes – No crowds, no amenities – just raw nature
• Snorkeling Paradise – Crystal-clear waters with octopus and starfish
• Cliff Jumping – 3-5m platforms into deep turquoise pools

✔ Access: Rough trail from Costa Rei (10-min hike) or by boat
✔ Facilities: None – bring water, shade, and reef shoes
✔ Best Time: May-June or September (avoid August heat)

• Low-Tide Magic: Exposed tidal pools teem with marine life
• Photography: Sunset lights up the rust-colored cliffs
• Safety First: Watch for sudden waves on windy days

Local Secret: The largest cove has a natural stone arch – swim through it at high tide!

📍 5 min drive south of Costa Rei center

This iconic flat-topped sea stack (often mistaken for the mushroom-shaped rock near Villasimius) anchors the southern end of Costa Rei's coastline.

Key Features:

• Dramatic Profile: A oval sandstone plateau rising from turquoise waters
• Secret Beach Access: At low tide, a narrow sand path connects to the rock
• Best For:
  • Cliff jumping (3-5m platforms) - Not recommended if not expert 
  • Snorkeling around its base
  • Sunset photography with Costa Rei's dunes as backdrop

How to Reach:

• By Land: 10-min walk north from Spiaggia di Piscina Rei (park at https://maps.app.goo.gl/2ower99PkVR2h4L39)
• By Sea: Kayak from Costa Rei main beach (15min paddle)

Pro Tip: get to the Scoglio very early in the morning between 6:30am and 9:00am to experience the beauty of the place in a more exclusive way. Unfortunately, at 9:00am the personnel of the Hotel IGV Club SantaGiusta start playing loud music ruining the experience.

Local Insight:The rock gets its name ("Peppino's Rock") from a legendary local fisherman who used it as his secret fishing spot.

📍 7-minute drive south  of Costa Rei center

A serene escape from the main beach crowds, Monte Turno offers the same golden sand and turquoise waters as Costa Rei with a more tranquil atmosphere. 

Key Features:

• Soft golden dunes dotted with juniper bushes
• Gentle shallow waters (perfect for children)
• Natural shade from native Mediterranean shrubs
• Free parking along SP71 road (limited spaces)

Why Locals Love It:

• Fewer tourists than Costa Rei main beach
• Stunning sunset views over Capo Ferrato
• Direct access to coastal hiking trails

Good to Know:

• No beach clubs/services (bring your own supplies)
• Stronger afternoon breezes (ideal for kitesurfing in shoulder seasons)
• Sea urchins common near rocks (reef shoes recommended)

📍9-minute drive south from Costa Rei center

Famous for its powder-soft white sand and mesmerizing emerald waters, this crescent-shaped bay is one of Sardinia's most photogenic beaches.

Why Visit?
✔ Family-Friendly – Gentle shallow waters with lifeguards in summer
✔ Full Amenities – Beach clubs, kayak rentals, and seafood restaurants
✔ Nature Escape – Backed by aromatic juniper dunes

Don't Miss:

• Ristorante Sinzias for spaghetti with sea urchins
• Sunbed-free zones for undisturbed relaxation
• Full-moon swims when the sand glows silver

Pro Tips:

• Arrive by 9:30 AM in August to secure parking
• Walk 10 mins south to discover hidden Cala Serpentara
• Sunset transforms the bay into a pink-hued paradise

📍 10-minute drive south from Costa Rei

A postcard-perfect cove where turquoise waters meet pink-tinged granite rocks, creating Sardinia's most colorful swimming spot.

What Makes It Special:

• Natural Infinity Pool – Sheltered bay with glass-clear, still waters
• Snorkeler's Paradise – Rocky outcrops teeming with octopuses and rainbow fish
• Photogenic Contrast – White sand against dramatic dark boulders

Key Features:✔ Intimate size (only 150m long) ✔ Free parking (limited spaces – arrive by 9AM in summer) ✔ Natural shade from surrounding rocks

Local Secrets:

• Best light for photos: 11AM-1PM when sunlight pierces the water
• Hidden tidal pools in northern rocks at low tide
• Join locals for moonlit dips in August

Note: No services – bring water/snacks. The adjacent military zone is off-limits."Nature's own aquarium" – where every swim feels magical.

📍 *20-minute drive north from Costa Rei (near Villasimius)*

Sardinia’s best-kept secret – a crescent of flour-soft white sand embraced by granite cliffs and waters so clear they defy belief.

• Caribbean Vibe: Shallow turquoise lagoon perfect for wading
• Protected Cove: Sheltered from winds, with water like liquid glass
• Wild Beauty: No buildings – just pink rocks and juniper-scented dunes

✔ Access:

• 4x4 shuttle from parking lot (€5 round-trip)
• 1km scenic walk through Mediterranean scrub (free)
  ✔ Facilities: One rustic beach bar (cash only)
  ✔ Parking: Arrive by 8:30 AM in summer (300-spot lot fills fast)

• Go Early: 7:00-9:00 AM for dolphin-spotting chances
• Snorkel Right: Follow the eastern rocks for rainbow wrasse and moray eels
• Secret Spot: Around the northern cliff – a hidden tidal pool at low tide (How to Reach It: 1) From main beach, walk north along rocks (5 mins); 2) Pass the 3rd large boulder (has a hole through it); 3) Pool appears when tide recedes below 0.5m

Note: Part of a protected area – no umbrellas allowed (bring a sunshade tent).

Local Legend: Named after "is molentis" (Sardinian for donkeys), which once transported goods here. The donkeys’ shade-loving nature explains the juniper trees planted along paths.

📍 30min drive west from Costa Rei (near Villasimius)

A protected marine paradise where Caribbean-blue waters meet sugar-white sand, framed by pink-tinged granite rocks.

• Flamingo Sightings: Spot them in the nearby Notteri Lagoon (best at sunrise)
• Snorkeling Heaven: Vibrant sea life in crystal-clear shallows
• Double Bay: Two connected beaches with different vibes:
  • Main Beach: Organized with loungers (€25/day)
  • Wild Side: Untouched dunes perfect for solitude

✔ Parking: €5/day (300m walk to beach)
✔ Facilities: One beach bar (cash only) + showers
✔ Best Time: June or September (avoid August crowds)

• Go Early: Parking fills by 9:30AM in summer
• Hidden Gem: Walk 10min south to Spiaggia del Riso (more secluded)
• Photography: Sunset lights up the lagoon’s pink hues

Note: Part of Capo Carbonara Marine Reserve – no shell collecting or fishing allowed.

Local Legend: The flamingos return yearly because the lagoon’s brine shrimp turn their feathers pink – a natural spectacle!

📍 35min drive west from Costa Rei (near Villasimius)

A picturesque crescent of golden sand tucked between granite boulders, where emerald waters shimmer under the Sardinian sun.

✔ Family-Friendly – Gentle, shallow seabed perfect for kids
✔ Yacht Spotting – Watch luxury boats anchor offshore
✔ Natural Beauty – Framed by aromatic juniper bushes and pink rock formations

• Parking: Free along roadside (5-min walk to beach)
• Facilities: One rustic beach bar (seasonal) + showers
• Best For: Swimming, snorkeling near the rocks, sunset aperitivos

• Morning Magic: Arrive by 9AM for glassy waters and empty shores
• Secret Snorkel Spot: Explore the submerged cave (40m left of main beach)
• Combine With: Visit nearby Cala Giunco (just 5min drive away)

Note: Strong afternoon winds in July/August – bring a windbreaker.

Local Insight: Named after a 16th-century watchtower that still stands guard above the bay. The tower’s shadow points to hidden rock pools at low tide!