The north coast of the promontory of Capo Figari is high, rocky and very jagged, until you come to the wide and sandy Golfo di Marinella. After passing Punta della Volpe you reach Golfo di Cugnana where the famous resort of Porto Rotondo rises up. Here begins the Costa Smeralda (Emerald Coast), rich in mediterranean undergrowth and in pleasant beaches of any shape and colour. It is coloured so brightly by its sandy and rocky shoal and its water is so clear that is impossibile to estimate the effective depth. Visiting only some of the

most pleasant places such as Cala Razza di Giunco, Cala di Pietra Ruia, Cala Liscia Ruia, Capriccioli,Romazzino, Golfo Pevero and Cala Granu your eyes will be delighted by the thousand colours of the sea which undoubtly is one of the most beautiful in the world.

The short coastal strip between Olbia and Golfo Aranci offer an endless number of beaches. The first beaches to notice are the sandy shores of Pittulongu and the beach of Bados. Driving alobg some not-asphalted roads for some kilometers you can reach the beautiful beach of Cala Banana. Then the coast leads to the beach of Terrata and

Cala Sassari which are sheltered from the Scirocco wind by the promontory of Capo Figari and the islet of Figarolo. Beside the beach of Cala Caddinas, once you reach Golfo Aranci, we suggest a visit to the Terza Spiaggia (Third Beach), and after crossing the village, to the picturesque Cala Moresca (Moorish Bay) whose name recalls the Moorish pirate raids.

La Maddalena is the largest island among the La Maddalena isles. It has an area of 19,6 sq. km. and a coastal expansion of 43 km. The island stands in the middle of the other isles, so that they can be seen from the top of its highest hill, that is Colle di Guardia Vecchia, 146 m. high. Following its panoramic drive you can see a great number of interesting places but we will only mention the name of the most attractive beaches. Driving westwards you will reach Cala Nido d' Aquila and Cala Francese. Going northwards you will get to Cala Maiore, the beach of Trinità with its white dunes, and Golfo dello Strangolato with its warm sand of the Monti di Rena. Going eastwards you will reach Marginetto, Cala Lunga, and Giardinelli where the sea assumes the most beautiful colours in the whole island.

The different colours of the sea water in the Bay of Porto Istana (Istana Harbour) are famous in the whole world. Along the seashore the water is crystal-white then it grows green, light blue and as it goes deeper it gradually grows dark blue. Near Porto Istana rises the big promontory of Monte Maladromì, rich in beaches on its south-eastern side, from where you can see the near island of Tavolara.

The outermost point of the promontory is called Capo Ceraso. While reciding westwards its landscape grows rich in junipers,mastic trees and myrtles. Here the coast is more varied and along the shore a number of big round rocks rise up, as confirmed by the name of this place: Li Cuncheddi. The coast leads then to the wide bay of the Salines.

The island of Budelli has a thriving vegetation, an area of 1,6 sq. km. and a coastal expansion of 9 km. Its highest hill is called Monte Budello -87 m. high- which provides a beautiful view, above all on Passo Chicca di Morto which is a large sandy shoal extending between the two close island of Razzoli and Santa Maria. There are just a few beaches such as Cala di Trana, Cala Cisternone and

Cala Piatto, but the rare beauty of Spiaggia Rosa (Pink Beach) make the island worth visiting as much as the other islands. As can be easily deduced the beach is pink thanks to a reddish mush of shells carried onto the shore by the sea currents.