Cala di Santa Maria

Cala di Santa Maria sits on the island of Santa Maria, just off La Maddalena, and delivers over 200 metres of white sand backed by the pink granite that makes this corner of Sardinia so distinctive. The water is shallow and turquoise—classic, almost unreal—and clear enough to snorkel straight off the beach without any gear beyond a mask. You can reach it by regular shuttle from La Maddalena or Palau, though that means you'll have company; the beach is protected, so it stays clean and well-managed despite the crowds.