Tavolara and the beaches

Tavolara Island with its beaches is an island in the Tyrrhenian Sea, located off the coast of Olbia, in the northeastern part of Sardinia, Italy.

It is an important landmark that is clearly visible from the surrounding seaside villages, including Golfo Aranci, Porto Istana, San Teodoro, and the promontories of Capo Coda Cavallo. The island is about 5 kilometers (3 miles) long and 1 kilometer (0.6 miles) wide, with steep limestone and granite cliffs.

Punta Cannone

The iconic Punta Cannone, its highest point, is 564 meters (1,854 feet) above sea level. From the summit, you can admire views of all of Gallura, Monte Limbara, Monte Nieddu, Montalbo, as well as Caprera, the Bocche di Bonifacio, and Corsica. Few places compare to the uniqueness of this spot.

Bertoleoni Family

The Romans called this island Insula Hermaea, and in the Middle Ages, it was used for military defense purposes. Towards the end of the 1000s, a group of pirates settled on the island. However, by the late 18th century, Genoese settlers arrived, and thanks to the fishermen from Ponza in search of lobsters and marine life, the local population grew to about 60 people but was soon abandoned around 1760. By the end of the 18th century, the Bertoleoni family arrived on this beautiful, completely uninhabited island. It is believed that these people worked hard, settled there, and made a living by raising wild goats.

Royal Cemetery of Tavolara

Giuseppe Bertoleoni, the head of the family, was visited by the King of Sardinia and was named King of Tavolara. Thus, by the end of the 19th century, the island of Tavolara was officially recognized as a kingdom. Even in recent times, a collection of royal portraits of this family, along with many other famous photos of the royal family, can be found in the Buckingham Palace museum in London. Tavolara was thus recognized as one of the smallest kingdoms in the world. Today, about 20 people live on the island, along with the descendants of the Bertoleoni family. In reality, they are no longer the landowners but are regarded as guardians who are committed to protecting and preserving this great island.

Tavolara Island has the Spalmatore di Terra beach, one of the best beaches on the island, where you can glimpse the breathtaking beauty of this wonderful golden sandy beach. The most distinctive feature of this beach is a sandbar that separates the northern and southern seas. You can also explore the royal cemetery, and with a walk, visit the naturalistic path with occasional explanatory signs about the island’s flora and fauna.

To visit the beaches of Tavolara, you can book a dinghy rental. Alternatively, we organize dinghy excursions from Capo Coda Cavallo, allowing you to visit the Molara Pools and the Sassi Piatti.