Marine Protected AreaDunes and lagoons
Chia
Dunes, flamingo lagoons and rocky points on the southern sea
At a glance: Easy difficulty, access from shore. Recommended season: May – October. Seabed: sand, submerged dunes and rocks.
What you will see
- The beaches of Su Giudeu and Sa Colonia
- Islets you can swim to in calm seas
- Flamingos in the lagoons behind the dunes
- The Spanish tower on the headland
Chance of an encounter*
The guide
Chia is the gentle face of the south: high dunes covered in juniper, lagoons behind them where flamingos stop over, and a series of beaches separated by low rocky points, watched over by the Spanish tower.
For snorkelling the good spots are not the beaches but the islets and points between them: at Su Giudeu you can swim out to the small islet in calm seas, and around its rocks sea breams, salema and octopuses gather in a few metres of water.
Chia’s drawback is the wind: kitesurfers love this coast precisely because it blows often, and the mistral clouds the water. Check the forecast — on a calm day visibility is excellent, on a windy one you will see very little.
Frequently asked questions
Where do you snorkel in Chia?
Not on the beaches but around the islets and rocky points between them: at Su Giudeu you can swim to the islet in calm seas.
Is Chia family-friendly?
Yes: you enter from the shore, the seabeds are sandy and the depth around the rocks stays within a few metres.
Is the wind a problem?
Yes: the mistral clouds the water quickly. Check the forecast and pick a calm day for the best visibility.
Learn more
Blog Useful reads for this area
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* The encounter percentages are indicative estimates, worked out by combining each species’ typical habitat with the characteristics of the spot. They are not survey data: whether the fish are actually there depends on the season, the weather, the time of day, sea conditions and, not least, a bit of luck. Always respect marine life and the rules of protected areas.