{"id":12394,"date":"2026-06-01T13:14:07","date_gmt":"2026-06-01T11:14:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nauticalserviceolbia.it\/?p=12394"},"modified":"2026-06-01T13:28:47","modified_gmt":"2026-06-01T11:28:47","slug":"ecosistema-marino-golfo-aranci-il-paradiso-nascosto-tra-capo-figari-e-tavolara","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nauticalserviceolbia.it\/en\/blog\/ecosistema-marino-golfo-aranci-il-paradiso-nascosto-tra-capo-figari-e-tavolara\/","title":{"rendered":"Golfo Aranci Marine Ecosystem: The Hidden Paradise between Capo Figari and Tavolara"},"content":{"rendered":"

It\u2019s not just about dolphins: discover a magical underwater world.<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0When we talk about\u00a0<\/span>dolphin sighting Golfo Aranci<\/span><\/strong>, \u2026 we are actually talking about one of the richest and best-preserved marine ecosystems in the Mediterranean. In this article, we\u2019ll take you on a journey of discovery through the waters that bathe\u00a0<\/span>Cape Figari<\/span><\/strong>, the island of\u00a0<\/span>Tavolara<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0and the\u00a0<\/span>Costa Smeralda<\/span><\/strong>, explaining why this stretch of sea is a veritable sanctuary of biodiversity. If you love nature, the\u00a0<\/span>snorkelling<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0and you want to understand\u00a0<\/span>What to see in Olbia and the surrounding area<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0Beyond the beaches, read on.<\/span><\/p>\n

1. The Pelagos Marine Protected Area: a protected area of global significance<\/span><\/h2>\n

L\u2019<\/span>Golfo Aranci marine ecosystem<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0falls within the scope of\u00a0<\/span>Pelagos Cetacean Sanctuary<\/span><\/strong>, a marine protected area established in 1999 by Italy, France and the Principality of Monaco. Covering 87,500 km\u00b2, Pelagos is the largest marine mammal conservation area in the Mediterranean and one of the largest in Europe. This means that human activities \u2013 from fishing to shipping \u2013 are regulated to minimise their impact on wildlife. For those who choose\u00a0<\/span>Nautical Service<\/span><\/strong>, sailing in these waters means doing so in full compliance with the regulations, with skippers who have been specifically trained in best practices for sightings.<\/span><\/p>\n

But what makes this area so special from a biological point of view? The convergence of currents, the varying depth (which ranges from a few metres near the shore to over 2,000 metres in the channel between Sardinia and Corsica) and the abundance of plankton create a\u00a0<\/span>reservoir effect<\/span><\/strong>: nutrients rise from the depths, feeding rich food chains and attracting predators of all sizes. It is no coincidence that not only dolphins, but also fin whales, striped dolphins, Risso\u2019s dolphins and even sperm whales (rarer, but sighted) live here permanently.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Scientific fact:<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0The Pelagos Sanctuary is home to around\u00a0<\/span>8 different species of cetaceans<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0out of 11 in the Mediterranean. No other area in the basin has such a high concentration.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

2. The Posidonia meadow: the Mediterranean\u2019s blue lung<\/span><\/h2>\n

Beneath the gulf\u2019s seemingly uniform surface lies a\u00a0<\/span>Posidonia oceanica seagrass meadow<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0(Posidonia oceanica) \u2013 among the largest and best-preserved in north-eastern Sardinia. Posidonia is not a seaweed, but a higher plant (angiosperm) that produces flowers and fruit, lives for up to 100,000 years and forms meadows comparable to rainforests in terms of ecological importance. One hectare of Posidonia produces up to\u00a0<\/span>20 litres of oxygen a day<\/span><\/strong>, sequesters carbon dioxide, stabilises the seabed and serves as a natural nursery for hundreds of fish species.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Posidonia seaweed that washes up on beaches (known as \u201cbanquettes\u201d) is not rubbish: it is a natural defence against coastal erosion. In the\u2019<\/span>Golfo Aranci marine ecosystem<\/span><\/strong>, Posidonia seagrass beds are found at depths of between 5 and 30 metres, mainly off\u00a0<\/span>Pittulongu<\/span><\/strong>,\u00a0<\/span>Cape Figari<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0and around\u00a0<\/span>Tavolara<\/span><\/strong>. During the snorkelling stops at\u00a0<\/span>Nautical Service<\/span><\/strong>, you can swim above these seagrass beds and observe the marine life they are home to: seahorses, starfish, edible sea urchins (be careful not to step on them!), white seabream, grey mullet and striped seabream.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Practical tip:<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0Do not touch or pull up the Posidonia. It is protected by law (Habitat Directive 92\/43\/EEC) and damaging it is an offence. Swim on the surface or with fins without touching the seabed.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

3. Capo Figari: a headland that feeds the sea<\/span><\/h2>\n

Cape Figari<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0it\u2019s not just a place from which to enjoy a\u00a0<\/span>breathtaking panorama<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0at\u00a0<\/span>Olbia<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0e\u00a0<\/span>Tavolara<\/span><\/strong>. This headland of granite and limestone, which juts out into the sea for over 2 km, plays a crucial role in the\u2019<\/span>Golfo Aranci marine ecosystem<\/span><\/strong>. Its waters are rich in\u00a0<\/span>underwater freshwater springs<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0(a phenomenon known as \u201cupwelling\u201d) that rise from the depths, causing local changes in salinity and temperature. These changes attract plankton and small fish, which in turn attract predators such as dolphins, tuna and garfish.<\/span><\/p>\n

Furthermore, the seabed around Capo Figari is characterised by\u00a0<\/span>vertical cliffs overlooking the sea<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0(ideal for reef checks) and from\u00a0<\/span>partially flooded caves<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0which can only be explored by experienced divers. The most famous are the Grotta del Papa and the Grotta dei Colombi. During the excursion with\u00a0<\/span>Nautical Service<\/span><\/strong>, the skipper will take you past these caves, telling you the legend of the smugglers who used them to hide goods and cigarettes. If you\u2019re lucky, you might see\u00a0<\/span>cormorants<\/span><\/strong>,\u00a0<\/span>major events<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0(rare seabirds) and\u00a0<\/span>peregrine falcons<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0which nest on the walls.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Curiosity:<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0The name \u201cFigari\u201d derives from the Latin \u201cficus\u201d (fig). The headland was once covered in prickly pears and wild figs, which have now been replaced by Mediterranean scrub (mastic, arbutus, myrtle and rockrose).<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

4. Tavolara: a mountain that plunges into the blue<\/span><\/h2>\n

The island of\u00a0<\/span>Tavolara<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0is the visual symbol of\u00a0<\/span>Olbia and surroundings<\/span><\/strong>. Standing 565 metres tall and with its square shape (which does indeed resemble a table), it is a\u00a0<\/span>monolith of dolomitic limestone<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0which rises out of the sea like a wall. But what you can\u2019t see is that\u00a0<\/span>Tavolara continues underwater<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0to a depth of over 80 metres, creating a system of underwater walls, canyons and natural arches that are a paradise for divers and snorkellers. The area around the island is\u00a0<\/span>Marine Protected Area<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0since 1997, and fishing has been banned or strictly regulated.<\/span><\/p>\n

This protection has enabled the fish population to recover remarkably. Swimming in the waters around Tavolara (for example in the Piscina di Venere, a natural lagoon on the west coast), you may come across\u00a0<\/span>grouper<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0(including specimens over a metre long),\u00a0<\/span>barracuda<\/span><\/strong>,\u00a0<\/span>disappear<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0of every species,\u00a0<\/span>moray eels<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0e\u00a0<\/span>lobsters<\/span><\/strong>. The Posidonia meadows here reach their full growth, with leaves up to a metre long. During the snorkelling stops at\u00a0<\/span>Nautical Service<\/span><\/strong>, people often stop right in front of the beach at\u00a0<\/span>Cala di Trana<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0or to\u00a0<\/span>Coater Tip<\/span><\/strong>, two spots with shallow waters teeming with life.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Important rule:<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0In the Tavolara Nature Reserve, anchoring is only permitted at authorised points. Boats\u00a0<\/span>Nautical Service<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0use mooring lines on land or eco-friendly buoys, so as not to damage the Posidonia.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

5. Marine species you might spot (as well as dolphins)<\/span><\/h2>\n

L\u2019<\/span>Golfo Aranci marine ecosystem<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0It\u2019s a veritable blue jungle. Here are some of the species you might encounter during the excursion with\u00a0<\/span>Nautical Service<\/span><\/strong>, in addition to the main protagonists (bottlenose dolphins and common dolphins):<\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\n
<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Species<\/span><\/th>\nWhere to see it<\/span><\/th>\nBest period<\/span><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Loggerhead sea turtle<\/span><\/strong><\/td>\nSurface, as it breathes<\/span><\/td>\nMay-September<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Common fin whale<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0(the second-largest cetacean in the world)<\/span><\/td>\nDeep waters between Tavolara and Corsica<\/span><\/td>\nApril-June<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Striped dolphin<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0(the smallest and fastest dolphin)<\/span><\/td>\nHerds of 20\u201350 individuals<\/span><\/td>\nJune-September<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Bluefin tuna<\/span><\/strong><\/td>\nPassage areas between Capo Figari and Tavolara<\/span><\/td>\nMay\u2013July<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Sunfish<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0(Mola mola)<\/span><\/td>\nOn the surface, it drifts with the currents<\/span><\/td>\nJuly-August<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Sardinian red prawn<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0(Aristolteus antennatus)<\/span><\/td>\nDepths of over 400 m \u2013 visible only to professional divers<\/span><\/td>\nAll year round (regulated fishing)<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Red coral<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0(Corallium rubrum)<\/span><\/td>\nThe vertical walls of Capo Figari (visible when snorkelling at depth)<\/span><\/td>\nAll year round<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n
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Note:<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0Humpback whales are rare and can only be spotted on early morning trips (departing at 7:00 am) from April to mid-June. Ask at\u00a0<\/span>Nautical Service<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0if they organise special outings.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

6. Why this ecosystem is ideal for snorkelling<\/span><\/h2>\n

If you love snorkelling, the\u2019<\/span>Golfo Aranci marine ecosystem<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0will offer you some of the best experiences of your life. Here\u2019s why:<\/span><\/p>\n

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  • \n

    Crystal-clear waters:<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0Visibility often exceeds 20\u201325 metres from May to October, thanks to the lack of rivers carrying sediment and the Posidonia seagrass that stabilises the seabed.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  • \n

    Variable backdrops:<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0In just a few hundred metres, you pass from Posidonia meadows (depth 5\u201310 m) to granite rocks (10\u201320 m) and sheer drop-offs (over 30 m). Perfect for all levels.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  • \n

    Calm waters:<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0The snorkelling stops at\u00a0<\/span>Nautical Service<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0They are always held in sheltered coves (Cala Moresca, Cala del Sonno, Piscina di Venere) where there are no currents or waves.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  • \n

    Confident wildlife:<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0In protected areas such as the Tavolara Nature Reserve, the fish aren\u2019t afraid of divers. Groupers approach curiously, and schools of white seabream follow you.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  • \n

    Fresh spring water:<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0Some spots (such as the spring at Capo Figari) produce strange thermocline effects \u2013 layers of water at different temperatures that create visual \u201cmirages\u201d.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    Nautical Service<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0We provide masks, snorkels and fins on request (free of charge). The snorkels are either disposable or sanitised. If you have your own equipment, please bring it along: it\u2019s always better.<\/span><\/p>\n

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    Safety advice:<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0Never touch sea urchins (they are prickly and can cause infections), do not tread on Posidonia (it harbours small, sharp organisms) and keep a distance of at least 5 metres from sea turtles.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

    7. How Nautical Service respects and showcases this heritage<\/span><\/h2>\n

    Nautical Service<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0It\u2019s not just about taking you to see the dolphins. Every trip is a\u2019<\/span>educational experience<\/span><\/strong>. On board you will find information materials (maps, species fact sheets, seabed charts) and, on request, a\u00a0<\/span>marine biologist<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0which tells the story of the\u2019<\/span>Golfo Aranci marine ecosystem<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0in Italian and English. He will explain why Posidonia is important, how dolphins communicate with one another, what the threats to the Mediterranean are (plastic, illegal fishing, global warming) and what we as tourists can do to reduce our impact.<\/span><\/p>\n

    The company also adopts certified sustainable practices:<\/span><\/p>\n

      \n
    • \n

      No single-use plastic<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0on board: water served from reusable steel bottles.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

    • \n

      Energy-efficient motors<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0and Euro 6-compliant, with regular servicing to reduce emissions.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

    • \n

      Snorkelling stops only at eco-buoys<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0(never again on the Posidonia).<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

    • \n

      Recycling<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0on board and on the ground.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

    • \n

      Compulsory training<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0for skippers on the Pelagos licence (renewed annually).<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      By choosing\u00a0<\/span>Nautical Service<\/span><\/strong>, you\u2019re not just going on a day trip:\u00a0<\/span>support responsible tourism<\/span><\/strong> and help preserve this little corner of paradise.<\/span><\/p>\n

      Key points to remember<\/span><\/h2>\n
        \n
      • \n

        L\u2019<\/span>Golfo Aranci marine ecosystem<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0is part of\u00a0<\/span>Pelagos Sanctuary<\/span><\/strong>, the largest protected area for cetaceans in the Mediterranean.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

      • \n

        Le\u00a0<\/span>Posidonia meadows<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0play a key role: they produce oxygen, sequester CO\u2082, and serve as a breeding ground for fish.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

      • \n

        Cape Figari<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0It features freshwater springs that attract plankton and dolphins.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

      • \n

        Tavolara<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0It is a submerged mountain with sheer walls, caves and a rich variety of marine life (grouper, barracuda, lobsters).<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

      • \n

        As well as dolphins, you may spot loggerhead turtles, fin whales, tuna and sunfish.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

      • \n

        Snorkelling is excellent from May to October, with visibility of up to 25 metres and calm waters.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

      • \n

        Nautical Service<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0environmentally friendly: no plastic, mooring on buoys, trained skippers, marine biologist available on request.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

      • \n

        Do not touch Posidonia, sea urchins or coral. Observe from a distance and do not leave any rubbish in the sea.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

        Would you like to experience this extraordinary ecosystem for yourself?<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0Book your excursion with\u00a0<\/span>Nautical Service<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0and find out why the\u2019<\/span>dolphin sighting Golfo Aranci<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0It\u2019s just the start of a journey into Sardinia\u2019s most unspoilt nature. \ud83d\udc2c\ud83c\udf0a<\/span><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

        Non solo delfini: scopri un mondo sottomarino da favola.\u00a0Quando parliamo di\u00a0avvistamento delfini Golfo Aranci, parliamo in realt\u00e0 di un intero ecosistema marino tra i pi\u00f9 ricchi e meglio conservati del Mediterraneo. In questo articolo ti porteremo alla scoperta delle acque che bagnano\u00a0Capo Figari, l’isola di\u00a0Tavolara\u00a0e la\u00a0Costa Smeralda, spiegandoti perch\u00e9 questo triangolo di mare \u00e8 un […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":12477,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-12394","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-senza-categoria"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nauticalserviceolbia.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12394","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nauticalserviceolbia.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nauticalserviceolbia.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nauticalserviceolbia.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nauticalserviceolbia.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=12394"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.nauticalserviceolbia.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12394\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":12478,"href":"https:\/\/www.nauticalserviceolbia.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12394\/revisions\/12478"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nauticalserviceolbia.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/12477"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nauticalserviceolbia.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=12394"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nauticalserviceolbia.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=12394"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nauticalserviceolbia.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=12394"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}