Cala Gonone, Sardinia

A Place Worth
Coming Back To

The Gulf of Orosei is one of the last wild coastlines in the Mediterranean. Here is how to make the most of it.

Remote, wild, and extraordinarily beautiful.

Cala Gonone sits at the foot of the Supramonte limestone plateau, opening onto the Gulf of Orosei. The forty kilometres of coastline to the south have no roads or buildings — only white pebble coves reachable by boat or on foot through the mountains.

It is not a resort. It is a base — for people who want to be close to something genuinely wild.

Aerial view of cave beach in the Gulf of Orosei
Brilliant blue sea along the Sardinian coastline
Dramatic limestone cliffs of the Gulf of Orosei

How to Reach Cala Gonone

Car rental is not needed; book a shuttle transfer directly through us and enjoy the scenery — the Supramonte landscape and the scenic road through Barbagia is part of the trip. You will not need a car once you are in Cala Gonone.

Contact us for a shuttle transfer →

approx. 2 hours

Olbia Airport

Closest for summer connections; direct flights from North Europe and USA.

approx. 2.5 hours

Cagliari Airport

Best option from Rome and Southern Italy. Larger airport, more year-round flights.

approx. 3 hours

Alghero Airport

Good for low-cost European flights. Longer drive through the interior, but in a rewarding natural scenery.

Ferry Routes to Sardinia

Take the overnight ferry — ideal if you want to bring your own equipment or a car.

From Italy

🇮🇹

Genova

Olbia · Porto Torres

🇮🇹

Livorno

Olbia

🇮🇹

Civitavecchia

Olbia · Cagliari · Arbatax

🇮🇹

Palermo

Cagliari

From France & Spain

🇪🇸

Barcelona

Porto Torres

🇫🇷

Toulon

Porto Torres

🇫🇷

Toulon

Olbiavia Golfo Aranci

🇫🇷

Nice

Porto Torres

🇫🇷

Nice

Olbiavia Golfo Aranci

Compare schedules and book your crossing at traghettilines.it

We Take Care

Most visiting divers stay in Cala Gonone within walking distance of the base. We work directly with the hotels we recommend, and use our local knowledge to find apartments that fit groups and longer stays.

Recommended Hotels

Base One has long-standing relationships with the best structures in Cala Gonone. We can help you book.

  • Bue Marino Hotel
  • Hotel Nuovo Gabbiano
  • Piccolo Hotel

Apartments — Local Knowledge

For bigger groups or family stays, apartments work best. Tell us your dates and group size and we will use our local network to find the right place for you.

  • Groups & families
  • Long stays
  • Walk to base

Need help choosing?

Tell us when you'll be here and we'll send you the viable options.

Get in Touch

Things to Do

Beyond the diving, Cala Gonone and the surrounding region offer some of the best outdoor experiences in Italy.

Cala Gonone works well for mixed groups. Technical and cave divers can train or dive with Base One, certified recreational divers can join selected small-group dives, and non-divers can enjoy DPV snorkeling, kayaking, hiking and climbing.

DPV Snorkel Experience

This is snorkelling with a boost: you'll use easy-to-handle scooters to explore coastline and shallow-water scenery with a supervisor—at a pace that's fun, controlled, and beginner-friendly.

Cala LunaGrottacce

Gorropu Canyon

One of the deepest canyons in Europe. The hike into Gorropu passes through Supramonte scrubland before descending into a narrow limestone gorge with walls up to 400m high.

TrekkingGorropuSupramonte

Paddle the Coastline

Explore the Cala Gonone coastline by SUP. Paddle through clear-water shallows, quiet coves, limestone cliffs, and sea caves at a relaxed pace. Early morning is best.

KayakSea CavesCoastline

Supramonte Hiking

Discover Cala Luna on a guided hike through the wild limestone landscapes of the Supramonte. Walk ancient shepherd tracks, visit Todeitto’s hidden cave and a traditional shepherd hut, then reach Cala Luna for a swim before returning to Cala Gonone on foot or by boat.

HikingWildernessPlateau

Rock Climbing

Cala Gonone is one of the Mediterranean’s premier sport-climbing destinations. Hundreds of bolted limestone routes overlook the sea, from gentle beginner crags to overhanging test-pieces, all minutes from the village.

ClimbingLimestoneSea Views

Sea Kayaking

Explore the Gulf of Orosei’s hidden coves, arches, and sea caves by kayak. Guided coastal paddles reach beaches unreachable by road, with swimming and snorkelling stops in turquoise water along the way.

KayakSea CavesCoastline

Tiscali Nuragic Village

A Bronze Age settlement hidden inside a collapsed cave. The walk through the valley of Lanaittu is as rewarding as the site itself — a genuinely hidden piece of ancient Sardinia.

HistoryNuragicCulture

Orgosolo Murals

The hilltop town of Orgosolo, 40 minutes inland, is covered in hundreds of politically charged murals painted directly onto building facades — a living museum of Sardinian identity.

ArtCultureOrgosolo

Want to add an activity?

Availability changes with the season — tell us when you’re coming, and we’ll help you choose the best experiences running during your stay.

Plan your Stay

Frequently Asked Questions

The season runs roughly April through November. Late spring and early autumn offer warm water, calm seas, and fewer crowds — ideal for diving and the outdoors.

More Than Just a Dive Trip

  • Access to some of Europe’s longest and most varied underwater cave systems
  • Protected coastline with some of the clearest water in the Mediterranean Sea
  • Warm, turquoise, calm seas with minimal currents
  • An authentic coastal town that retains a strong local character and has not been overrun by mass tourism
  • Year-round diving with most courses running April through November

Plan your Stay

Tell us what you want to do. We'll help you plan the right combination of diving, training, and time in the water.