Emerald Coast
Located on the north-east of the island, the Emerald Coast offers the best diving in Sardinia. Resembling the white sands and blue seas of the Caribbean, the coastline has 40 dive sites just waiting to be explored including wrecks and plentiful sea life.
The north-eastern shores of Sardinia are known as the Emerald Coast. Blessed with secluded coves and beaches, a beautiful coastline, a pleasant climate and an azure blue sea, this exceptional region bears hallmarks of the Caribbean. It is also the ideal base to explore the best diving in Sardinia.
Diving in Sardinia
Just off the north-eastern coast of Sardinia is the La Maddalena archipelago. This collection of 60 island jewels offers wonderful scuba diving amongst huge granite boulders featuring drop-offs, overhangs and swim-throughs. To the north towards Corsica, the Lavezzo marine reserve provides more exceptional diving.
The area is rich in marine life, with opportunities to encounter moray eel, stonefish, barracuda, grouper, octopus, lobster and nudibranch.
Wreck lovers will enjoy the wreck of the Angelika, a 102-metre cargo ship resting in 28 metres of water, while the remnants of a World War II bomber is another highlight to enjoy.
In total, there are 40 dive sites to explore suitable for beginner and experienced divers alike. All dive sites are within 10 and 50-minutes boat journey. Water temperatures are between 19 and 25°C in summer and autumn, dropping to 15°C in early spring.
Emerald Coast
View Resorts Send Enquiry Speak to an expert. Call 01353 659999
Highlights
- Dive the La Maddalena archipelago
- Explore some of the richest marine life in the Mediterranean
- Take in secluded coves and stunning coastal views
Emerald Coast Resorts & Hotels
Hotel Piccada
A traditional Sardinian hotel just a short walk from Palau port & marina. Featuring 60 traditional rooms, the 3-star hotel…
8 days from £1,395
La Vecchia Fonte Hotel
A 4-star contemporary hotel situated close to Palau's new marina in the north-east of Sardinia, La Vecchia Fonte is stylishly…
8 days from £1,495
Gallery
Emerald Coast
Photo: Image by Apuzzo Vincenzo
Photo: Image by Apuzzo Vincenzo
Photo: Image by Apuzzo Vincenzo
Photo: Image by Apuzzo Vincenzo
Emerald Coast Information
Palau
A charming small town and harbour, Palau Sardinia is the location of our partner dive centre. The town is characterised by narrow, well cared for streets adorned with plants and flowers, delightful restaurants, and friendly locals. Surrounding the town, picturesque olive groves provide a distinctly Mediterranean backdrop.
Three beaches are within walking distance, while the area’s most famous landmark is the Capo D’Orso; a huge rock that has acted as a reference point for seafarers since antiquity.
Dive Centre
Located in the centre of the small town of Palau on the north coast, Nautilus Diving are Sardinia’s only PADI 5-star Gold Palm dive centre and also an accredited BSAC dive resort.
Daily boat diving is offered to the 40 or so dive sites of this region from the dive centres two boats, a custom-built dive boat with dive platform and a smaller Zodiac. Departing at 8am each day, two morning dives are offered, with an option for a third dive in the afternoon.
For those looking to learn to dive or further their education, a full range of diving courses are available from Open Water courses to PADI Tec diver training.
The Nautilus diving team pride themselves on truly five-star service, catering for divers every need and ensuring you enjoy a truly relaxing diving holiday.
Nitrox is available for certified divers, and the dive centre is well set up for eager underwater photographers. Both 12 and 15 litre tanks are available, along with a full range of well-maintained Aqua Lung and Seacsub diving equipment for hire.
Dive Packs
We offer a 6 dive package from £275 and a 10 dive package from £365 which is available to pre-book for certified divers. Please discuss your requirements with the Regaldive team, who will prepare a quotation suited to your needs.
PADI courses can also be pre-booked for those learning to dive or furthering their education.
Extras in Resort
- Afternoon boat dives
- Nitrox
- Dive equipment rental: Full equipment is available to hire, and individual items are also available
Resort Info
Getting Around
Palau is a 45 minute transfer from Olbia, which will be arranged for you with your holiday. The town itself can be explored on foot, with three beaches within walking distance of the dive centre and accommodation. To explore the wider region, car rental is recommended. Boat trips to explore the beaches and islands of the archipelago are also recommended for non-diving days.
Climate & Water Temperature
Sardinia is blessed with a wonderful climate and is known for its ‘six-month summer’. Land temperatures between May and October – the best months for diving – range from 23 to 30°C, often with over 10 hours of sunshine a day. Water temperatures in this period range from 19 to 25°C but can be slightly cooler below 12-15 metres.
Water Visibility
This region is blessed with consistently favourable visibility, often reaching 30 metres and sometimes as much as 40 metres. Spring months, while having cooler temperatures, often bring the best visibility.
Time
GMT +1 hour
Currency
€ - Euros. Banks are normally open until early afternoon from Monday to Friday, and until midday on Saturday. Summer and winter opening hours may differ. Credit cards widely accepted. ATMs are widely available.
Planning your Holiday
Flight Information
Direct flights are available from both London Gatwick and Manchester to Olbia in northern Sardinia.
Flight duration: UK to Sardinia: 2 - 2½ hours
Departure tax: N/A
Visas
Entry requirements vary from country to country, and it’s important to check the latest visa information well before you travel. Some destinations may allow visa-free entry for a limited period, while others require an eVisa or a visa obtained in advance. To ensure you have the correct documentation for your trip, we recommend checking the official advice from the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) or contacting the relevant country’s embassy or consulate. Other nationalities should check with their own consulate/embassy.
Passports
Before you travel, make sure your passport is valid for the full duration of your trip and meets the entry requirements of your destination. Many countries require at least six months’ validity beyond your planned return date, while others may have different rules. For the most reliable and up-to-date information, visit the UK Government’s passport guidance or the official travel advice pages for your destination. Other nationalities should check with their own consulate/embassy.
If you’re planning to travel to or via an EU country (with certain exceptions) your UK passport must meet two key requirements, it must be less than 10 years old on the day you enter the country and it must be valid for at least three months after your planned departure date.
Vaccinations & Health Advice
Health and vaccination requirements differ depending on where you're travelling. Some destinations may require proof of specific vaccinations or recommend certain precautions to protect your wellbeing.
We’re not qualified to provide you with specific advice on vaccinations and strongly recommend that you contact your healthcare professional before you travel to discuss the inoculations you may need to consider.
For trusted guidance on health and vaccination advice, refer to the NHS Travel Vaccination Advice, Masta Travel Health or Travel Health Pro websites.
Location Map
Enquire about Emerald Coast
Speak to an expert. Call 01353 659999 Send Enquiry