Cala Santa Maria Beach - Santa Maria Island - La Maddalena Archipelago

Cala Santa Maria is a beautiful beach located along the southern coast of the island of the same name, which is part of the La Maddalena archipelago. A beautiful stretch of beach with soft, pure white, and very fine sand that is reflected in the clear, transparent, and still pristine waters, which—thanks to the shallow, sandy seabed that gently slopes out to sea—form a splendid natural pool. At 200 meters long, it is the largest in the entire archipelago. Nestled in an enchanting bay framed by pink-colored rocks, it is adorned with lush Mediterranean vegetation that fills the air with its fragrances. Behind the bay lies a tiny brackish lake—the Palude—which is home to numerous species of waterfowl, such as woodcocks, moorhens, mallards, and others Services: bar and restaurant How to get there: It can only be reached by sea via boats that provide this service along the La Maddalena archipelago Fun Facts:

Not far from Cala Santa Maria lie the ruins of the Benedictine monastery built by the monks—the archipelago’s first settlers—in the 13th century; today, these ruins are incorporated into the home of the shepherd who lives and works on this island. Following a beautiful scenic trail, you’ll reach the Punta Filetto lighthouse, where you can enjoy a breathtaking view of some of the archipelago’s islets.

The island of Santa Maria is part of the La Maddalena archipelago. It is located northeast of the island of Budelli and is separated from the island of Razzoli (to the east) by a narrow stretch of water called "Passo degli Asinelli," which is about 50 cm deep. Photo 5

The island of Santa Maria also differs from the other islands in the archipelago in that it is flat. Its coastline is very indented, and it is the only island where homes are concentrated near Cala Santa Maria and along the coast facing La Maddalena.