Cala Lunga is a nature site on the western coast of the Sant’Antioco peninsula, on the border between the municipality of the same name and Calasetta, in the province of Sud Sardegna.
The name derives from the long inlet of fluvial origin, carved out of the Rio di Cala Lunga between volcanic rocks known as welded tuff.
From a geomorphological point of view, this kind of inlet, is known as “ria”, from the Spanish term meaning fluvial valleys.
At the end of the bay is a beach about 100 metres wide and 80 metres deep, surrounded on the sides by tall cliffs and a dune system.
The shoreline has large-grain sand combined with shells and fragments of coral, with ochre yellow, grey and pink colours.
The seabeds are mainly rocky, shallow and slope gradually out to sea. Thanks to its shape, the cove is more or less fully protected against all the dominating winds in the area.
Growing lushly around the cove and its reefs we find shrub and garigue with juniper, mastic tree, rosemary and prickly pears.
The beach offers parking, a kiosk-eating area and bathing facilities.
