Sardinia might be famed for its sun-drenched beaches, but ask around and locals will nudge you towards wilder corners. These are the sort of places where turquoise rivers tumble through gorges and tiny coves beckon with glass-clear water. The island has hundreds of secret spots, freshwater springs, and underwater caves - a proper playground for keen wild swimmers.
You may be craving the high drama of Gorropu’s canyon pools or quietly searching for the best place to start a wild swimming holiday. Whatever your preference, Sardinia is home to some of Italy's best wild swimming spots.
Which part of Sardinia has the best beaches for swimming?
Head to the east coast, where the Gulf of Orosei serves up a series of extraordinary coves, a couple of which are mentioned below. These swimming havens are renowned for their calm, blue water and sheltered settings. La Cinta, for example, is one of Italy's best family-friendly beaches.
The north around La Maddalena also draws open-water swimmers with its clear, shallow bays and soft sand. The east and northeast are also known to have the clearest water in Sardinia, where mineral-rich waters and low development protect that famous clarity.
Where can you swim with dolphins in Sardinia?
The waters around Golfo Aranci, just north of Olbia, are known for regular dolphin sightings. Several local groups offer respectful snorkelling and swimming experiences in the wild (no captive animals involved). It’s a pinch-yourself moment if you’re lucky enough to share the water with them, though patience and good timing help.
Best wild swimming spots in Sardinia
Is Caddaias, Flumendosa
The Flumendosa carves its way through Sardinia’s rugged interior, gathering streams and tumbling past forests before opening up into a broad lake near Villanova Tulo. While the stretch around the lake is scenic and good for a wander or a picnic, seasoned wild swimmers and locals tend to head a little upstream to Is Caddaias. This emerald-green natural pool is tucked just out of sight from the main road.
The water stays refreshingly cool even in high summer, and the spot feels thoroughly wild, with dragonflies skimming the surface and barely another soul about.
Piscina Naturale di Punta Caragoli
Tucked on the coast west of Cagliari on the islet of Sant'Antioco, Punta Caragoli is one of those places you won’t find unless you’re tipped off by a local (or a very energetic dog walker). The main draw: a peaceful, protected rock pool carved by years of waves, sheltered from the wind, and famed for its “mirror” water. In the early morning, the whole spot glows gold.
There’s a rough footpath down from the cliff—trainers over flip-flops for the descent. Don’t expect a sandwich kiosk, but do expect to share the water with curious fish, and maybe a friendly group who seem to know every nook.
Gorropu Gorge
The Gorropu canyon is Sardinia’s own answer to a lost world—towering limestone cliffs, secretive wild pools, and a silence so deep you’ll hear your breath bouncing around the canyon. Getting there takes some commitment, as you have to head west from Dorgali down dirt tracks, then walk.
Take a plunge in the chilly pools that collect between boulders. The colour of the water on a bright day is unreal, shifting from deep sapphire to almost glacier blue. Bring sturdy shoes for the hike and a waterproof bag.
Sorgente Su Gologone
Located in the foothills of Mount Uddè, this natural karst spring is famed for water so intensely blue it almost glows. While the rising spring itself is a protected spot (no swimming right at the source), there’s plenty of fresh, cool water in the river sections downstream. These pools make for a bracing dip even in midsummer, much loved by Sardinians escaping the coastal heat.
It’s an easy stop on the way to the Barbagia region—just follow signs from Oliena and stroll the short track from the car park. Urban legend has it that the water’s so pure, old locals fill their bottles to take home.
Rio Pitrisconi Pools
High on the slopes near San Teodoro, the Pitrisconi river tumbles through granite to form a string of clear, boulder-lined pools and natural slides. The water is straight from the mountains: cold enough to take your breath and clean enough to drink. Adventurous swimmers come for cliff-jumping (choose with care—local teens make it look easy), while those after peace find upstream pools with just the sound of running water for company.
To get there, drive inland from San Teodoro and follow signs to “Stazzi Pitrisconi”—the last stretch is rough but passable in any car. Park and walk 20 minutes up a marked trail, keeping an ear out for bells from hillside sheep.
Cala Mariolu
Remote and favoured by divers, Cala Mariolu’s pebbled shore is awash with pastel-coloured stones. The sea here flips between milky blue and almost fluorescent turquoise. Most folks say this cove has some of the clearest water in Sardinia—spotting schools of fish is all but guaranteed. Swimmers often remark how buoyant the water feels here, thanks to the combination of minerals and wave action.
Getting there isn’t straightforward—either a hike starting from Baunei, zigzagging down rocky goat trails, or by boat from Santa Maria Navarrese. The trek is tough going, but you’ll often have the place much to yourself outside high season.
Cala Goloritzé
Cala Goloritzé is a showstopper, with its iconic limestone arch and neon blue water making it one of Italy's best hidden beaches. The bay is UNESCO-listed and sits at the end of a wild trail from the Golgo plateau. Expect about an hour’s hike each way, rewarded with some of Sardinia’s clearest sea and pebbles that look like they’ve drifted in from another planet.
Swimming here is a dream for open water fans. The cove shelves quickly, there’s barely a wave, and the snorkelling is top-drawer. No boats are allowed to anchor too close, so the water stays free of crowds.
Cala Luna
A legend among Mediterranean swimmers, Cala Luna sits at the mouth of a river gorge, dotted with big natural sea caves—the perfect bit of shade after a long swim. The beach shelves steeply, so even those who prefer a deep-water plunge over paddling will be in their element. Snorkelers rate it for its rock formations and odd traces of old shipwrecks.
Arrive on foot via the scenic trail from Cala Fuili or by boat from Cala Gonone—a good call if you’re carrying a cool bag or kit. Local tip: early morning, you’ll share the whole place with just a few fellow swimmers and the odd mountain goat.
Laghetti di Sa Spendula
Hidden in the hills near Villacidro, Sa Spendula is a set of tumbling waterfalls that gather into fresh, leafy pools. It is one of Sardinia’s most cherished inland wild swimming spots. The water’s brisk (even in July) but wonderfully clean, and there’s a real sense of retreat here, surrounded by oleanders and the sound of the falls.
It’s a short walk from Villacidro, following the path up from the car park. Afterwards, follow the locals and grab a coffee in the square—a proper taste of small-town Sardinia after your swim.
Is Arutas
On the Sinis peninsula, Is Arutas is a rarity. The beach is made of quartz grains that sparkle pink and white in the sun, giving it the nickname 'grains of rice' beach. The sea here is famed for its clarity and gentle slope—on calm days it’s like swimming in liquid crystal, with barely a ripple. Open water swimmers love the stretch along the peninsula, feeling like a world away from the tourist-packed resorts down south.
Access is easy—good roads from Oristano, a big car park, and a beach bar for post-swim snacks. Bring a sun umbrella—there’s no natural shade, and the bright sand reflects the light like a mirror.