Beaches
Locals favourite - Crastu Bianchu (near Is Arutas). Small grain-like sand. Clean, crystal clear water. Initialpaddling area but children need supervising. Water is colder here.
Directions from Cabras: Follow signs to San Salvatore then take the SP59 to Is Arutas. Approximately 4.5km after turning left onto SP59 take a left turn signposted Campeggio Is Arutas. Drive along dirt track parallel with Campeggio perimeter fence. As fence is finishing road takes a sharp left turn. Follow turn and you will soon see brown heritage sign for beach ‘Crastu Bianchu’. Parking is free but there are no amenities.
Is Arutas. Fantastic beach with very clean, crystal clear water. Is Arutas (the rocks) is a beautiful location, a must-see. There is paid parking in the car park, level walkways to the beach and a well run cafe serving food and drinks. Also cold water showers near the car park. This beach can get busy high season, so go early to get a good spot or head slightly off the main beach and walk round the rocks for a swim.
Torregrande. OK for children with coarse sand. Water pleasant, mostly calm but watch small children. Wide large beach. Lots of amenities and parking by meter but can become busy at peak times. Evening entertainment is also on offer at Torregrande (peak seaon) and well worth watching.
Putzu Idu. Excellent for children, especially toddlers as the water is very calm. Powdery sand is perfect for sandcastles. Water gentle and shallow ideal for paddling. The beach is narrow but quite long and is very popular. Some paid parking (look for blue lines or signs). Some free parking but be careful as fines can be very expensive, some amenities. Diving centre located here.
Mari Ermi. Beautiful white and pink quartz sand beach with crystal-clear water. This is a fabulously location and incredibly relaxing. Dried seaweed does seem to gather here in abundance. Beware: the beach is protected by law so do not take souvenirs of quartz home with you!!
Directions: 6km out of Cabras on SP6 heading to San Salvatore. Take a right sign posted Putzu Idu for 5km on SP7. Take left signposted with brown sign to Mari Ermi & Porto Sueddo. Follow this tarmac road (just fits two cars) for 5km. Stop at kiosk to pay for parking approx. 3 euros for four hours. Park by ‘Il Quartz Bianche’ café and walk onto the beach. There are some facilities here.
S'Archittu. Bay dominated by a naturally formed arch in the rock. Ideal for swimming, snorkelling, canoeing. Locals use the arch to jump into the sea. The beach is narrow but sandy. Sea is very calm and can have sea urchins but these are easy to see (and very tasty). Beautiful location with facilities nearby including bars serving food and drink and souvenirs, local art and crafts. Parking is free, there are steps to the beach so not suitable for people with mobility problems. Fine for children.
.