Cala Mariolu - The Thief's Beach - Gulf of Orosei

Cala Mariolu Beach is located in the heart of the Gulf of Orosei, in the Punta Ispuligi area, within the municipality of Baunei (Ogliastra). Considered one of the most famous gems of the Mediterranean, the bay is overlooked by an imposing limestone cliff that rises up to 500 meters and is covered with Mediterranean scrub. The beach consists of distinctive round, smooth pebbles—white and pinkish in color—and is divided into two sections by a spectacular landslide of large limestone boulders. The sea boasts extraordinarily clear waters with iridescent shades of blue, turquoise, and emerald; The seabed drops off sharply just a few steps from the shoreline (remaining slightly shallower only near the central rocks) and is teeming with fish, making the cove a true paradise for snorkelers and scuba divers. ℹ️ Services: Since this is a natural bay nestled beneath the cliff, amenities are kept to a minimum to preserve the environment: during the summer season, there is a snack bar/kiosk that also offers beach umbrella and snorkeling equipment rentals, as well as a small base for scuba diving excursions. 🚗 How to get there: • By sea (primary and recommended): The beach is not accessible by car but can be easily reached by boat, either by renting an inflatable boat or by taking advantage of the motorboats and daily mini-cruises departing from the marinas in Santa Maria Navarrese (Baunei), Arbatax, Cala Gonone, and Marina di Orosei. • By land (for experienced hikers only): You can reach the cove via a challenging hiking trail in the Supramonte di Baunei, starting from the Golgo Plateau (in the village of Piredda); The trail has a significant elevation gain (about 500 meters) and is intended for experienced and well-equipped hikers, preferably accompanied by nature guides. 💡 Fun fact: • The origin of the name and the monk seal: The curious place name “Mariolu” (“thief” in the Ponza dialect) stems from the tales of lobster fishermen native to the island of Ponza, who would hide their catch inside a cave in the bay to keep it cool: but upon their return, they would find their nets emptied by the monk seal that lived in the gulf, nicknamed “u mariolu.” • "Is Puligi de Nie" (Snow Fleas): The original name of the cove in the Baunese Sardinian dialect is “Ispuligi de Nie,” meaning “snow fleas”—a poetic image that perfectly describes the tiny white and pink pebbles that make up the beach (which are now strictly protected, with a complete ban on removal). • The nearby Grotta del Fico: Just a few minutes’ boat ride south of Cala Mariolu, nestled in the limestone cliff about 10 meters above sea level, lies the spectacular Grotta del Fico, which can be explored via internal walkways during boat tours in the Gulf of Orosei.