Beaches · Caprera
Cala Coticcio: how to visit the ‘Tahiti’ of Caprera
The most photographed cove in the archipelago is also one of the most protected. You can still get there, but not on a whim.
Where it is
Cala Coticcio is on the east coast of Caprera, the island joined to La Maddalena by the Passo della Moneta causeway. From Palau: the ferry to La Maddalena (15–20 minutes), the drive across the island and over the bridge, then the guided walk: about 3.2 km in all with 160 m of climbing, roughly an hour and a half on foot (figures from a guided-hike listing).
The rules
The park adopted these rules in 2022 and still applies them:
- Guided only, with an environmental guide on the park’s list, in groups of up to 15 people.
- 60 people a day per cove, in four slots from the meeting point:
- €3 park contribution per person, free for children up to 12, paid via pagoPA for a specific cove, date and slot. Not refundable.
- On the beach: no umbrellas, no towels spread on the sand, no smoking, no animals.
- Cala Brigantina, next door, follows the same rules.
How to book
Pick a guide from the park’s list of authorised guides (updated September 2026 on lamaddalenapark.it) and agree the date, slot and price. The guide then applies for your slot through the park’s online system, between 7 and 30 days before the visit; slots are given in order of request. The guide’s fee is agreed privately; one 2026 report puts it at about €25 per person.
If you would rather book everything in one go, guided hikes on GetYourGuide include the park ticket, the guide and an aperitif, from about €60. You still need your own way to Caprera.
Seeing it from the sea
The park’s 2026 list of authorised boat itineraries includes a mooring buoy off Cala Coticcio, and some trips from Palau stop there, including large boats that add Caprera to the loop and RIBs when conditions allow. Boats stay outside the buoyed zone off the sand. It is the easiest way to see the water without a guided slot.
If you can’t get a slot
Cala Corsara on Spargi and the shallow channel of Porto della Madonna, between Budelli, Razzoli and Santa Maria, have the same granite and the same colour of water, and both are standard stops on the classic boat trip from Palau.
Questions people ask
Can I go to Cala Coticcio on my own?
No. The path and the beach can only be visited with an environmental guide authorised by the national park, in groups of up to 15 people.
How many people are allowed each day?
60 per day, in four time slots: 08:00–13:00, 09:00–14:00, 13:30–18:30 and 14:00–19:00 (times from the meeting point).
How much does it cost?
The park contribution is €3 per person, free for children up to 12, paid online through pagoPA and not refundable. The guide’s fee is agreed with the guide; one 2026 report puts it at about €25 per person. Packaged visits on GetYourGuide cost about €60 with the park ticket and an aperitif.
How do I book?
Contact one of the guides on the park’s list. The guide requests your slot through the park’s system between 7 and 30 days before the visit, on a first-come basis, so book early in July and August.
Can I see Cala Coticcio from a boat?
Yes. Authorised passenger boats have a mooring buoy off Cala Coticcio, and several trips from Palau include it. Boats stay outside the buoyed area off the beach.
What can’t I bring?
Umbrellas are not allowed, towels may not be spread on the sand, and smoking and dogs are banned. Bring water, sun protection, closed shoes for the path and a bag for your rubbish.