Most visitors meet Golfo Aranci from the deck of a ferry, then head straight for Olbia or the Costa Smeralda without a second glance at the town itself. That is a mistake. A few minutes' walk from where the boat docks sits one of the easiest, prettiest and most family-friendly beaches in the north-east: the Terza Spiaggia, or "Third Beach".
Why "the Third Beach"?
Golfo Aranci does not bother with poetic names for its town beaches. Five of them line up one after another along a stretch of coast just over a kilometre long, and they are simply numbered: Prima, Seconda, Terza, Quarta and Quinta Spiaggia. They share the same landscape and much the same character, but the Terza, the one in the middle, is the best known, and many locals will tell you it is the most beautiful of the five.
What it's like
The Terza Spiaggia is a small, sheltered bay of fine, soft white sand, somewhere between 200 and 300 metres long depending on the season and the winter storms. The water follows the classic Gallura palette, shifting from pale green near the shore to turquoise and then deeper blue further out.
A gentle, shallow seabed
The real headline here is the seabed. It is sandy and shelves very gently, staying shallow for a long way out, so you can wade dozens of metres before the water reaches your chest. That makes it a favourite with families with small children, and a relaxed spot for a long, calm swim once you do reach deeper water. On clear days, you can look out across the gulf towards the unmistakable profile of Tavolara island.
About the seagrass on the sand
As on much of the Sardinian coast, you may find some Posidonia, or Neptune grass, washed up on the shore after windy days. It is a sign of a healthy sea rather than a dirty one; the underwater meadows are protected and help keep the water so clear.
Facilities
This is not a wild, hidden cove, and that is exactly its appeal. Because it sits inside the town, everything is close at hand.
Beach clubs and free beach: equipped stretches with sunbeds and umbrellas for hire alternate with free sections, so you can choose how to spend your day.
Food and drink: bars and restaurants sit right on the sand, including a beach club with a seafront restaurant that stays busy from lunch through sunset aperitivo.
Water sports: pedal boats, kayaks and SUP boards are available to rent; the bay is usually calm, which suits short paddles along the coast. When the wind picks up, windsurfers appear too.
Practicalities: showers, toilets and easy access for people with reduced mobility. The town's pharmacy, shops and restaurants are a short walk away.
Getting there
From the centre of Golfo Aranci, follow Viale Colombo to the end and you are there. Coming from Olbia, around 20 km away, take the coast road through Pittulongu and follow the signs for Golfo Aranci, allowing roughly 25 to 30 minutes. There is parking close to the beach, and the ferry port and railway station are both nearby, so it is easy to reach even without a car. If you are planning a longer stay in the area, it is worth browsing places to stay through our Rental12 ecosystem before you arrive.
Tips for your visit
Arrive early in July and August. It is one of the busiest beaches in the area during high season, and parking fills up fast.
Go in June or September if you can. The water is still warm, the sand is quieter, and the light is at its best.
Keep an eye on the little ones. The shallow water is reassuring, but lifeguard cover is not guaranteed at all times.
Stay for sunset. Grab an aperitivo on the beach and watch the colours change over the gulf.
Beyond the beach
The Terza Spiaggia makes a good base for exploring further along the coast. Just around the headland, Cala Moresca offers some of the best snorkelling in northern Sardinia, over rocks and seagrass beneath Capo Figari. The Capo Figari nature area has walking trails with sweeping views of the sea and islands, and Golfo Aranci's harbour is the starting point for boat trips and dolphin-watching excursions and glass-bottom boat tours of the marine reserve.
The verdict
If you are after a remote, untouched cove, Sardinia has plenty of those. But if you want white sand, clear shallow water, a good lunch and everything within walking distance, the Terza Spiaggia is hard to beat. Next time you step off the ferry, do not rush away; walk down to the Third Beach and give Golfo Aranci the day it deserves.
