Exploring Capo Testa ended up being one of my favorite ever vacation days.  I am so happy I chose to explore this area!  After a great day in Santa Teresa di Gallura, Sardinia, we wanted to explore the region just east called Capo Testa.  It’s an island next to STdG that was filled in via an access way to connect to mainland Sardinia.  I knew there were a few beaches in the area but not much more, so off we went exploring!

We drove a total of 8 minutes from our hotel in STdG before we spotted gorgeous beaches to the right and left of us.  Just as we were driving onto Capo Testa, the south-facing left side of the road caught our eye with a huge, flat, white sand beach in a large bay with clear turquoise-blue water, beckoning us in.  We easily parallel parked the car and headed down to the beach access.  Less than 10 minutes into the day and we were off on our first adventure!

Spiaggia Ponente

The beautiful beach that caught our eye is called Spiaggia Ponente and is filled with gorgeous crystal clear water and plush white sand.  It isn’t your typical Mediterranean beach… it feels more like the Caribbean!

We were happy to lay out on the sandy beach for a few hours.  I read a book while Dave brought out his drone to explore more by air.  When we got too hot, we walked right into the crystal waters to cool off.  It was a perfect beach!  One time right as I was walking back up to the sand, thinking it would be nice to play the paddleboard game in the water, a man walked right by selling them.  It was perfect timing and just a little serendipitous, which seemed to be the theme of the trip so far.  We were two happy beach bums playing paddle ball in the water for the rest of the morning!

When we were ready for lunch and to find another beach, we walked to the beach access and found a nice lunch shack with seating amongst the trees and foliage.  We both had caprese sandwiches and a local beer for under 20€, not bad!

Cala Spinosa

We hopped back into the car after lunch to keep driving towards the Vallee della Luna, because according to my Google Maps research it looked like a cool spot.  Only thing was… the road just ended a little bit further up the road!  The perfect thing, though?  In Sardinia, one does not fret… because the chances that you are around the most jaw dropping, gorgeous nature is 100%.  As luck would have it, that’s exactly what happened to us!

Cue Cala Spinosa:

Uhhhm I think we should check out this beach, no?!  Can you see my giddiness slash awe right about now?

All we had to do was walk on down to the beach!  Seems easy, right?

The walk isn’t bad, but it is a steep, rocky descent!  Be aware if you have people with bad mobility, but I assure you it is absolutely worth it.  Choose your footing wisely.  This is just the beginning of the adventure!

Keep in mind this beach is pure nature, so don’t expect food or drink vendors.  Everything you bring down, you bring back up!  Once you get down, you will be rewarded with the best beach-turned-playground you’ve ever experienced.

As soon as you lay down your beach gear, you may be overcome with happiness at your lucky discovery and romp through the waters with joy…

You can see the French island Corsica in the distance before you, and the beach is FULL of fun rocks above sea to climb, and below sea to slip over ; ) or snorkel and find all the fishes swimming amongst the nooks and crannies below.  This was the best snorkeling I’ve experienced in Europe!

As much as I love being wined and dined in places like Ibiza and Mykonos, I never knew that this is absolutely my favorite vacation.  It is a pure natural playground at your fingertips.

I kept thinking this is how summers should be.  One day once we have kids who are old enough to walk, jump, swim, and climb, we will be spending our summer holidays right here at Cala Spinosa, Sardinia.

We pretty much went from swimming, to climbing on the rocks, to snorkeling, to drying off on the towel, and repeating.  I was literally a kid again!

Once we were snorkeled out, we took breaks by playing more paddle board together.  Have you ever had those pinch-me moments on vacation, when you feel pure happiness where you are, and realize you need to reach for your camera to capture this moment and cherish it forever?

…yeah.  This vacation was full of those.

This was my absolute favorite beach day I’ve ever had, in my entire life.  Cala Spinosa is the beach my dreams are made of.

Finally as the sun started creeping behind the surrounding cliffs, we packed up our beach gear and headed back up the cliff.  We felt like after such an exhilarating day of pure summer fun, we deserved a nice drink!  Thankfully just at the top of the beach access is a gorgeous panoramic lounge overlooking Cala Spinosa in all it’s glory.

Cue two happy, sun drenched kids finding the Sea Lounge at Cala Spinosa:

Time to relax and enjoy a nice drink with even better company!

Ciao ciao!

xx