Stintino · Gulf of Asinara
Snorkelling, diving and windsurfing
The waters of the Gulf of Asinara, between UNESCO seabeds and the Mistral wind
✽ From the harbour and beaches of Stintino
The Gulf of Asinara is one of the finest stretches of sea in the Mediterranean for water-sport lovers. Below the surface opens a world of Posidonia oceanica meadows — a UNESCO heritage ecosystem — populated by sea breams, octopuses, moray eels, groupers and, in summer, the Caretta caretta turtles that come up to nest. Above the surface, the steady Mistral has made this bay one of the most renowned windsurf, kitesurf and sailing spots in Italy. Our villa is a few minutes from the main starting points: Stintino harbour for diving and boats, Le Saline for safe snorkelling with children, Ezzi Mannu for the wind.
Snorkelling and diving
The best spots for self-guided snorkelling are Le Saline (sand and shallow rock, perfect for beginners), La Pelosa just off the Tower (sand banks and seagrass) and the side rocks of La Stalla by Piana island, reachable by boat. Visibility is almost always over 15 metres. For diving, the local benchmark is Asinara Scuba Diving, based at Stintino harbour: it runs daily trips into the Asinara National Park, where seabeds — protected since 1997 — host dusky groupers, amberjacks, gorgonians and wrecks such as the Cathy and Second World War remains. PADI courses for beginners (Open Water in 4 days), trips for Advanced divers down to 30 metres, and night dives in summer.
Windsurfing, kitesurfing and sailing
The Mistral blows from the north-west in May–September almost every afternoon with intensity between 12 and 25 knots — the perfect condition for light-sail sports. Ezzi Mannu is the wind-sports beach par excellence: long shore, shallow bottom, clean wind with no obstacles. Le Saline is more suitable for beginners, with flat water and weak currents. The local reference is the Stintino Centro Velico (Windsurfing Center): it rents boards, sails, kitesurf, paddle boards and offers individual and group lessons, including courses for children from 8. For sailing, daily catamaran trips leave from the harbour, and you can hire dinghies with or without a skipper. May to July is the best season: steady wind, formed but not heavy sea.
Operators and booking
Asinara Scuba Diving — Open Water course ~ €380, single dive with equipment ~ €65, snorkelling tour in the park ~ €45. Booking online at asinarascubadiving.com or by WhatsApp; in high season, write a week ahead. Centro Velico Stintino — windsurf rental from €25 an hour, kitesurf from €35, individual lesson from €50/hr, weekly packages at a discount. Site: windsurfingcenter.it/centro-velico. Both operators speak Italian, English and French; German on request. From the villa: we provide basic masks, fins and snorkels for those who want to explore Pelosa or Le Saline on their own. For more technical gear (wetsuit, weights) head to the centres.