Fertilia · Coral Riviera
Lazzaretto beach
A crescent of white sand on the Coral Riviera
✽ 11 km — 15 min by car
Lazzaretto beach takes its name from the ancient quarantine building that once stood in the area, used between the 18th and 19th centuries to isolate crews arriving from the sea. Today it's a small crescent-shaped bay with fine white sand and transparent water, considered one of the most beautiful on the coast between Alghero and Fertilia. Many prefer it to Le Bombarde for its more intimate size and quieter atmosphere.
The bay and its landscape
The beach is about 400 metres long, set between two rocky white-limestone promontories. The water is shallow and transparent for the first few metres, with a sandy bottom that becomes rocky towards the ends — excellent for snorkelling along the side walls, where you often spot sea breams, salemas and octopuses. Behind, low Mediterranean scrub and a small bar-kiosk; no pine forest like at Le Bombarde, but the compactness of the bay creates a different kind of intimacy.
When to go and tips
Paid parking a few metres from the beach (€3–5 per day), often full in August from 9:30 onwards: better to arrive by 9:00 or after 17:00. Basic services: a bar with sandwiches and drinks, limited parasol rental. Bring mask and snorkel — the left rocky wall is a small reserve of life. In strong Mistral conditions the beach is more sheltered than Le Bombarde, but the water quickly becomes cloudy: on those days better opt for La Stalla.