Marine Protected AreaNational Park
La Pelosa and Asinara
Shallow, clear water below the Aragonese tower, facing Asinara
At a glance: Easy difficulty, access from shore and by boat. Recommended season: May – October. Seabed: white sand and seagrass.
What you will see
- Water inches deep for tens of metres
- The Aragonese tower on an islet nearby
- Boat trips to Asinara National Park
- Ideal for children and first attempts
Chance of an encounter*
The guide
La Pelosa is perhaps the most photographed beach in Italy, for a precise reason: a bottom of brilliant white sand that stays shallow for tens of metres, creating a Caribbean-coloured lagoon in front of the Aragonese tower and Isola Piana.
That minimal depth is exactly what makes it a perfect place to start: you float over the sand with a mask and watch red mullet, gobies and small sea breams without ever losing sight of the bottom. The rocky edges towards the tower are the liveliest.
Trips to Asinara National Park leave from Stintino, where guided snorkelling is a different matter altogether: waters protected by decades of prison-island isolation and wildlife unused to being disturbed. One practical detail: La Pelosa has paid, capped entry from June to October, with booking required.
This spot lies within a Marine Protected Area: zoning restricts swimming and boating in some stretches. Rely on authorised operators and check the managing body’s current rules.
Frequently asked questions
Do you need to book for La Pelosa?
Yes: from June to October entry is capped and paid, with mandatory booking via the Stintino municipality’s official portal.
Is La Pelosa suitable for children?
Yes, it is among the island’s most child-friendly beaches: the water stays shallow for tens of metres and you watch fish without ever losing sight of the bottom.
How do you visit Asinara?
On boat trips leaving from Stintino: the National Park is explored with authorised operators, often with guided snorkelling.
Learn more
Blog Useful reads for this area
Keep exploring
Other spots
Marine Protected Area
Marine Protected AreaCapo Carbonara
* 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.