Overview
The name means 'painted sea', and the colour delivers: turquoise gradients over white pebbles and light gravel. The shore is stony — water shoes help — but snorkelling just offshore is exceptional.
Mari Pintau
Good choice
Moderate wind, calm sea and some cloud. Sustained gusts in the early afternoon. Better in the morning.
AURA Score
7.2
7.2Mattina
7.7
Good choice
Pomeriggio
6.8
Acceptable conditions
Hourly cloud cover trend
75%light08
21%10
67%light12
100%light14
100%dense16
80%light18
52%light20
Hourly wind trend
windgustsPosidonia risk
PossibleAURA estimate · Recent conditions
Possible localised build-up, especially near the waterline or in more sheltered corners of the beach.
Live reports
Seaweed, jellyfish or crowded beach? Let the community know.
Next days
About the beach
Quartu Sant'Elena · Sud
The name means 'painted sea', and the colour delivers: turquoise gradients over white pebbles and light gravel. The shore is stony — water shoes help — but snorkelling just offshore is exceptional.
Beach features
- Sand: pebbles — Pebble beach: water shoes recommended.
- Seabed: drops off quickly
- Exposure: South — sun all day long
- Services: Beach club, Sunbed and umbrella rentalDisponibilità stagionale: verifica prima di partire.
- Info: Shallow sandy seabed, Reached by foot or boat
Beach characteristics, including child suitability, accessibility and services, are indicative and may change. Always verify locally.
Want to list your business? Get in touch
Direction and intensity
Tap to see nearby parking, beach clubs and bars.
Did you notice something wrong about this beach?
Verified on 15 Jul 2026 · Sources: OpenStreetMap, SardegnaTurismo, Segnalazione community (15 luglio 2026)
Why go
A go-to choice for anyone visiting southern Sardinia: a recognised natural setting, distinctive sea colours and the classic Sardinian beach-day experience, best enjoyed when the daily conditions cooperate.
Wind & sea exposure
Relatively sheltered from the Maestrale, so the bay often stays swimmable when other coasts are rough. Conditions still depend strongly on wind and sea state.
Family suitability
Whether the beach feels family-friendly varies by day — check wind, sea state and access before travelling with children.
Parking & access
Parking can vary by season — plan to arrive early in July and August and check for any local restrictions before leaving.
Best time to visit
The best days are usually those with calm seas and no sustained Maestrale. Early morning and late afternoon are the most comfortable windows in summer, while June and September often hit the sweet spot of temperature, crowds and conditions.
How AURA helps you choose the right day
AURA compares the wind, sea and weather forecast for every Sardinian beach and summarises whether the day looks favourable, acceptable or best avoided. Check the live version of this page before leaving to see today's AURA score and pick the best window.