Cala Luna

Cala Luna — 'Moon Cove' — is one of the signature beaches of the Gulf of Orosei, on the wild eastern coast of Sardinia in Italy, between Cala Gonone and Cala Sisine in the Nuoro province. It is a broad crescent of white-gold sand mixed with smooth pebbles, around 600 metres long, backed by a sheer amphitheatre of pale limestone cliffs and a fringe of pink-flowering oleander where a seasonal stream and small lagoon meet the sea. A famous row of deep natural caves opens at the southern end of the beach, large enough to walk into and to shelter in from the midday sun. The water is brilliantly clear, shading from cerulean in the shallows to deep blue offshore, with rocky edges that are excellent for snorkelling. The cove is fairly open and faces east, so while it is usually calm it can pick up swell and an afternoon breeze; there is no real surf and the broad, gently shelving sand suits swimming and lounging. Cala Luna is wild and almost undeveloped: a single small seasonal bar or kiosk operates by the beach in summer, but there are no sunbed rows, shops or permanent facilities, so visitors should bring water and supplies. Most people arrive on the regular small boats and shared dinghies from the port of Cala Gonone, a crossing of around 20–30 minutes, with services also from Santa Maria Navarrese; the alternative is a demanding coastal walk of several hours from Cala Fuili near Cala Gonone or through the Supramonte. In high summer boat arrivals make it busy by midday, but mornings and the shoulder months are quieter. The mix of caves, towering cliffs, oleander and luminous water makes Cala Luna one of the Mediterranean's most celebrated wild beaches.