Minor Treasures of the Archipelago: Cala Serena, Cala Granara and Cala di Roto

Hello, friend of the archipelagos. I'll tell you a secret. Everyone talks about Cala Coticcio, the Pink Beach, Cala Corsara. And they are right: they are absolute wonders. But the La Maddalena archipelago is much more than just three postcards. There are smaller, less famous, less crowded coves, and perhaps precisely for this reason even more authentic. Today I take you on a discovery of three hidden treasures: Cala Serena at Caprera, Cala Granara in Spargi and Roto Cove in Budelli. With GD Nautical and our skipper Gabriele, starting with Palau, these little gems will become your favourites. And I'll tell you straight away: sometimes, the less famous places are the ones that stay in your heart the most.

Cala Serena (Caprera): your corner of peace

We set off from Caprera. After admiring (and perhaps taking a dip in) Cala Coticcio, Gabriele will suggest a stop at Cala Serena. And believe me, the name doesn't lie: it really is serene. It is a smaller, more sheltered and more intimate cove than the famous “Tahiti of the Mediterranean”. The sand is clear, the seabed gently sloping, and granite rocks protect it from the wind. It is the ideal place if you are travelling with children, if you simply want to float in water without a current, or if you need a moment of absolute relaxation after the excitement of the more famous coves.

Gabriel's advice: Cala Serena is perfect for the early afternoon, when the sun is high and the water becomes warm and transparent. Take advantage of this to do some light snorkelling along the edges: the fish are curious and not shy.

What makes Cala Serena special

• Very calm water thanks to the horseshoe shape

• Sandy seabed sloping down, ideal for children and non-swimmers

• Fewer boats than in Cala Coticcio, even in high season

• Possibility of reaching the beach by swimming in a few minutes

• Intimate, almost “private cove” view”

How to get there from Cala Coticcio

Yes, you read that right. They are on the same island, a short distance from each other. Gabriele will raise the anchor and in a quarter of an hour he will have already brought you to this quiet little paradise.

Cala Granara (Spargi): the beach of the few

Now let's move on to Spargi. Everyone runs to Cala Corsara, and rightly so: it is one of the most beautiful beaches in the Mediterranean. But right next door, just a few minutes away by boat, there is Cala Granara. And do you know what the difference is? Whereas at Cala Corsara you will always find a few other boats (it is famous, and always will be), at Cala Granara you can still enjoy that sense of discovery, of “I am the first to get here”. The sand is clear, almost white, and the water has that turquoise hue that makes you want to dive in instantly. But the real magic is underwater.

Gabriel's advice: Bring mask and fins. The seabed at Cala Granara is among the richest in the archipelago. You will see posidonia, sparids, and if you are lucky even the odd glimpse of a moray eel. Gabriele knows exactly where to anchor for the best snorkelling access.

Comparison of Cala Corsara and Cala Granara

What not to miss in Cala Granara

• Swimming along the west coast, where small natural pools form

• The stacks not far from the cove, full of lobsters and amberjacks (to watch, not to fish)

• The silence. Yes, the silence. It is one of the few coves where you can still only hear the sea.

Cala di Roto (Budelli): the perfect swim after the Pink Beach

And we arrive in Budelli. The Spiaggia Rosa (Pink Beach) is the star, we know. But after admiring it with the respect it deserves, you'll want to take a real bath, to touch the sand, to dive in without a care in the world. The answer is Roto Cove. It is located on the eastern side of Budelli, and is a beautiful, accessible beach with clear sand and a sea that has nothing to envy from the most famous coves. And here is the news that will please you: here you can go ashore. Yes, you can put your feet in the sand, spread your towel, take a bath.

Gabriel's advice: After stopping in front of the Pink Beach, you ask Gabriele to take you to Cala di Roto around 4pm. The late afternoon light is magical, the water is still warm, and many boats have already left. It will be almost all for you.

Quick info on Cala di Roto

What to do in Cala di Roto

• A relaxing bath after the excitement of the Pink Beach

• A swim northwards, where small, often deserted coves open up

• Taking souvenir photos with wild Budelli in the background

• Simply lie on the bow of the yacht and enjoy the view

Summary table: the three treasures compared

Here is a table to help you work out which cove is right for you, depending on what you are looking for.

Un itinerario che include tutti e tre i tesori

Ecco come Gabriele potrebbe organizzare una giornata che include queste calette minori, senza rinunciare alle icone. Partenza da Palau alle 9:00.

La filosofia di Gabriele: “Non devi scegliere tra icone e tesori nascosti. Puoi avere entrambi. Basta sapere dove andare e quando. Io conosco la musica dell’arcipelago. Ogni cala ha il suo ritmo, la sua ora, il suo momento perfetto.”

Perché questi “tesori minori” sono spesso meglio delle icone

Te lo dico con onestà. Le icone come Cala Coticcio e Cala Corsara sono meravigliose. E vanno viste. Ma i tesori minori hanno qualcosa che le grandi spiagge spesso perdono: l’intimità. A Cala Serena puoi sentirti come se fosse la tua cala privata. A Cala Granara puoi nuotare tra i pesci senza dover schivare altre pinne. A Cala di Roto puoi stendere l’asciugamano e sentire la sabbia sotto i piedi senza la folla. Il vero lusso, oggi, non è vedere il posto più famoso. È vedere un posto bellissimo… e avere tutto lo spazio per te.

Vantaggi delle calette minori

• Meno barche, più silenzio

• Fondali spesso più integri e ricchi di vita

• Maggiore libertà di orari (non devi competere con decine di altri yacht)

• Fotografie senza estranei nello sfondo

• Senso di scoperta autentica

Domande frequenti sui tesori minori

Si può arrivare a queste calette con un gommone? Sì, ma con uno skipper esperto come Gabriele l’ancoraggio è più sicuro e rispettoso dell’ambiente.

Qual è la meno frequentata di tutte? Cala Granara, senza dubbio. Molti turisti si fermano a Cala Corsara e non vanno oltre.

Si può fare pic-nic a terra? Sì, ma ricordati di portare via tutto. Zero rifiuti. L’arcipelago è un parco protetto.

I bambini possono godersele? Assolutamente sì. Cala Serena e Cala di Roto hanno fondali bassi e sabbiosi, perfetti per i più piccoli.

Conclusione: i piccoli tesori sono quelli che rimangono nel cuore

Cala Coticcio la ricorderai per le foto. La Spiaggia Rosa per il colore. Ma Cala Serena, Cala Granara e Cala di Roto? Le ricorderai per il silenzio, per l’acqua che sembrava solo tua, per quel momento in cui hai pensato “qui potrei restare per sempre”. Con GD Nautical e Gabriele, starting with Palau, non vedrai solo le cartoline. Vedrai l’arcipelago vero, quello che pochi turisti conoscono. E te lo porterai dentro.