Cannigione

The jagged coastline in Gallura is rich in small coves called Rias. A Ria is a valley carved by a river and subsequently occupied by the sea. One of these Ria is the Gulf of Arzachena, where it developed a fishing village at the end of '800 and early'900. The bay allowed a safe shelter against adverse sea conditions and was perfect for trade between Sardinia and the islands of La Maddalena. Today this village, called Cannigione, is developing in both urban and demographic level thanks to the tourism promoted mainly from the nearby Costa Smeralda whereas the fishing has become a secondary sector.

Cannigione is situated on the north eastern coast of Sardinia at around 10 km from Arzachena, on the western side of the Gulf. The extraordinary beauty typical of the entire coast of Gallura made of granite rocks shaped by wind, beaches of fine white sand and crystal clear waters along with tourist facilities, a well-equipped marina, a walking path along the promenade filled with many local facilities make this area a major travel destination in Sardinia during the summer season.

Near the tourist port of Cannigione, surrounded by green vegetation, there is a beach with a clear bottom sand and crystal clear water. Going to Palau you arrive at the beach of La Conia, a beautiful bay with clear and transparent waters characterized by the presence of Mediterranean scrub bushes and pine trees all the way to the shore.

Further ahead you find the beach of Tanca Manna, with a bottom of large granite sand and turquoise waters followed by Barca Bruciata, an incomparable natural swimming pool, Isuledda, Ulticeddu and Iaciola, accessible via short trails on the right of the road, until you reach the Gulf of Saline, just below the hills of Capo d'Orso on the border with the town of Palau.

The southern part of the Gulf is occupied by the ponds of Saloni, ideal habitat for nesting of the marsh harrier, red heron and Sultan chicken, hosts sometimes black stork and ospreys which find refugee among the reeds, the tamarisks, the willows and the typical marsh plants. The fish fauna consists of several mullet, as well as tench, eels and turtles.