The beaches of Capo Ferrato
by luxury on 20 January 2020
The northern end of the wide sandy sickle of Costa Rei is bordered by Capo Ferrato.
Leaving behind the festive holiday atmosphere of the residential area of Monte Nai, here you can find the real Sardinia, wild, that typified by the harshness and simplicity of nature.
The promontory of Capo Ferrato fits into the sea between two stretches of thin coastline, straight and sandy among the largest on the island. The granites wedge into the sea at Porto Pirastu, where the coast rises and becomes high, rocky and rugged, characterized by some coves of great beauty and surrounded by clear rounded granite rocks by the incessant action of the sea. The cape is the eastern extremity of a rocky outcrop, isolated between the plain of Castiadas and the sea, consisting of granite reliefs of Monte Liuru (420 m) and Capo Ferrato (77 m) and the volcanic one of Monte Ferru (m 299).
The latter is isolated and the profile stands out clearly at the center of the granite landscape for the ashy-brown color and its perfect cone shape.
On steep slopes, once covered with forests, but now bare, dry and littered with large blocks, it is possible to observe several geological formations due to erosion.
On the top there is a Spanish tower of the sixteenth century, with a base diameter of 5 meters and 8 meters high; reachable via a steep path that climbs the west slopes. From the top of the tower, which is perhaps the most scenic of this coast of Sardinia, the eye can sweep a large part of the south-eastern coast.
The granite promontory continues for over two kilometers and it displays a very irregular profile, along which there are several small but picturesque inlets. The front of the granite is particularly steep and is crossed by deep ravines closed by high vertical walls where the rocks are often finely chiseled by erosion that has created numerous tafoni.
In the front sector there is the construction of the lighthouse, which with its white color is visible at a great distance. Nearby, between the light granite, there are the volcanic hills of Perda Niedda and Bruncu Sa Figu that for short distances reach the coast.
The whole territory of the cape is crossed by beautiful paths, one of which goes as far as the lighthouse. For those who, instead, go in search of some small cove to escape the crowds of Costa Rei, there are a good three options: Porto Pirastu, Cala Sa Figu and Portu De S’Illixi.
Sardinia coasts, with long beaches have a lot of small coves as Cala Sa Figu e Porto S’Illixi , which are set between the two beaches of Capo Ferrato and Ferraxi. Characterized by fine white and grey sand, and bluffs covered with lush mediterranean maquis, the coves boast waters with bring together all kind of different shades of light blue. Given their shallow waters and the sandy seabed, they are usually a spot for families with children; furthermore, they are secluded and charming and especially Portu S’Illixi which is protected from the winds, attracts a lot of yachtsmen.
In the beach of Porto Pirastu , pebbly areas alternate with sandy ones, something that makes this beach simply unique. It has mixed coarse-grained grey sand and crystal clear waters which abound in fish.
It is backed by a small pinewood, where it is possible to realx in the fresh open-air. The beach attracts divers and underwater fishing enthusiasts. Porto Pirastu, as the entire stretch of coast of the promontory of Capo Ferrato is punctuated with small inlets and coves surrounded by granite rocks and Mediterranean maquis.
