Grotte del Bue Marino

Situated in the territory of the municipality of Dorgali, the Grotte del Bue Marino are coastal cavities that extend for 15 kilometres, divided into two branches. They got their name from the monk seal, a mammal that once frequented these waters and found an ideal breeding habitat here. The internal route for visitors is 900 metres long and stretches along the southern branch, the only branch currently open to the public. It is characterised by a large tunnel through which seawater penetrates, forming a kilometre-wide lake which is considered to be one of the largest in the world. The tunnel is also rich in stalactites and stalagmites of different colours. The visit of the cave ends at the Seal Beach, where the animals used to breed and where fresh water from underground rivers meets salt water. the rock engravings dating back to the Ozieri culture are of great interest, representing a circle of men dancing around a presumed representation of the Sun. The caves can be reached from the sea, by boats departing from the ports of Arbatax, Cala Gonone, La Caletta, Orosei and Santa Maria Navarrese.