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The tourist centre ArchiMete is a perfect departure point for hiking trails along the several naturalistic paths of the Regional Nature Park of Porto Conte. This activity is held with certified tourist guides leading groups of excursionists to the discovery of naturalistic, landscape, and cultural heritages present in this area. Click on the nearby icons to choose how to live your experience!
Service on demand. Send an e-mail to archimete@archimete.it
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This is another path of great naturalistic interest, tucked away into the maquis which overlook the blue sea of Capo Caccia. The tourist centre ArchiMete is a perfect departure point because, from here, and by bike or by car, it is possible to reach the junction of Cala Dragunara-Belvedere Foradada. Following the latter direction, you arrive at the viewpoint clearings, which look towards the western side of Capo Caccia. From here, the path classified as “advanced excursion” starts; a quite difficult route, which runs along a path facing the sea and the sheer drop which dominates Cala Inferno. This stretch of coast also presents two stunning snorkeling routes to discover the heritage of the Marine Protected Area of Capo Caccia-Isola Piana.
A path of great naturalistic and historical interest, since it is nestled among the Mediterranean maquis, in front of the blue sea of Capo Caccia, allowing one to admire historical artifacts, like the Torre del Bollo (the Bollo Tower), dating back to the Seventeenth century; belonging to a long chain of coastal lookout towers against pirates, plunderers and enemies. The tourist centre ArchiMete is a perfect departure point, because from here, and by foot, by bike or by car, it is possible to reach the small pier of Cala Dragunara. From there, you start going up in a South-East direction towards Capo Caccia, passing along paths which are tucked away among the maquis, including Cistus, junipers, wild rosemary, mastic trees and flourishing euphorbias. With just a turn of your head, you will be enchanted by the blue-green waters of Cala Dragunara and Porto Conte, including the little cape of Punta Giglio. There are so many beautiful things to see that the 400-500 metres length of the path pass quickly. In a few minutes time, you will reach a little hill, overlooked by the Torre del Bollo (the Bollo Tower), a fortified building of the Seventeenth century which was used, up until a few centuries ago, as a privileged outlook place. From here, a downhill path starts, taking you to the sea in just a few minutes, and close to Cala Dragunara. But the surprises aren’t finished yet: one of the most beautiful snorkeling routes of the Marine Protected Area of Capo Caccia-Isola Piana winds its way through this stretch of coast.
This is the side of the cape at the end of the western side of Porto Conte. The excursion, which lasts around 3 hours, marks a sort of ring, allowing you to admire the natural wonders of this part of the Regional Natural Park of Porto Conte, along with the breathtaking landscapes which contrast sharply with the dark blue of the Sardinian sea. During the walk, you will come across the ruins of platforms, used for the cannons of the antiaircraft artillery, along with bunkers and barracks used during the Second World War. The area is also suitable for biking and riding excursions, and it is located right on top of another important place for excursions; this time underwater: the Grotta dei Cervi (the Cave of Deer).
It is the most classic tour, but also the one that makes you enjoy one the most suggestive and natural landscapes of the area. The excursion lasts around 4 and a half hours, and winds its way through the heart of the Capo, with a drop of around 400 metres. The tourist centre ArchiMete is a perfect departure point; after just a few hundred metres walk among the flourishing maquis, you will reach the nice village of Tramariglio and, from here, the Tower of the Tramariglio port, and Cala Calcina. Then, moving towards the western side of the cape, it is possible to enjoy the suggestive landscape of Cala Inferno, which rises up from the sea and overlooks the Isola Foradada (Foradada Island). The rocks of granite are also nice convenient rest areas, where it is possible to refresh oneself, and get ready to continue towards the Capo, to eventually reach the Scala del Cabirol (Stair of the Roedeer), the departure point for visiting the Grotta di Nettuno (the Cave of Neptune). Once back on the main road, you will continue on a path along the cliff which goes up to the Torre del Pegna (the Tower of Pegna), located at 271 metres; then, from here, you will return to the enchanting Tramariglio bay for a refreshing bath or a moment of relaxation surrounded by nature.
Not too far from the Grotta della Madonnina (the Cave of the Madonna), on a seabed of 43 metres, a wide underwater cliff begins; completely covered by large red and yellow fans, which are moved by the current. They are the gorgons, colonial organisms consisting of octopuses which are, in some aspects, very similar to corals. The dive, even if difficult, is particularly scenic, because the plateau presents several cracks and burrows ,which provide shelter to moray eels, rockfishes, breams, groupers and octopuses. But looking deeper into the ravines, it is also possible to spot clawed lobsters and spin lobsters.
Departure: the dive point is 5 minutes away from the ArchiMete tourist centre by rubber boat.
Route: it is a classic dive, recommended only to expert divers.
Depth: maximum 34 metres.
To see: wide stretches of gorgons, swaying in the light underwater current of Capo Caccia. In the ravines, which begin among the surrounding rocks, octopuses, moray heels, but also spin lobsters and clawed lobsters find shelter. With just a turn of your head towards the blue of the open sea, it is possible to admire the passage of pelagic fishes, like barracudas, amberjacks, sea breams and breams.
Length of the exploration: 50 minutes without decompression.
Price includes: scuba tank and ballast, transfer by rubber boat, diving and naturalistic guide inside the cave, washing and storage of the equipment.
Further information: the tourist centre ArchiMete offers the possibility to buy cheap diving packages, which allow one to experience the wonders of the Protected Marine Area of Capo Caccia-Isola Piana. The offer can be combined with trekking and snorkeling routes, in addition to naturalistic activities proposed by ArchiMete. See also the section “Discover our offers” in the homepage of the website.
It is one of the most classic dives for those who visit the Riviera del Corallo (Coral Riviera). An easy excursion, which is also rich in many points of interest. The cave is located in the last ramification of Capo Caccia, and extends towards the eastern side. At 15 metres depth, begins the spectacular Grotta della Madonnina (Cave of the Madonna), taking its name from a small aedicule with the image of the Blessed Virgin, which is located right outside the water, and anchored onto a nearby cliff. Once you have visited the underwater cave, the dive continues along fallen rocks; big rocks turn into natural balconies from which it is possible to admire, undisturbed, the passage of big pelagic fishes, like amberjacks, sea breams, barracudas and, sometimes, even dolphins.
Departure: the cave is 5 minutes away from the ArchiMete tourist centre by rubber boat.
Route: the cave is on one level and the exploration is easy and enjoyable.
Depth: maximum 21 metres, the cave entrance is located at 12 metres depth.
To see: the walls of the underwater cave are covered by colorful sponges and sea daisies, and it is easy to come across congers, spin lobsters, weasels and even some shy octopuses, which safely hide inside their unmistakable nests made up by small piles of rocks. Photographers and underwater video operators really appreciate the cave, because of the lighting conditions and the varieties of rooms it offers.
Length of the exploration: 1 hour
Price includes: scuba tank and ballast, transfer by rubber boat, diving and naturalistic guide inside the cave, washing and storage of the equipment.
Further information: the tourist centre ArchiMete offers the possibility to buy cheap diving packages, which allow one to experience the wonders of the Protected Marine Area of Capo Caccia-Isola Piana. The offer can be combined with trekking and snorkeling routes, in addition to naturalistic activities proposed by ArchiMete. See also the section “Discover our offers” on the homepage of the website.
It is one of the most spectacular dives, because it takes place in the heart of the Isola Foradada (Island of Foradada), just after Capo Caccia. It is a sort of surface tunnel, very similar to a small Norwegian fjord, which crosses the Island from side to side. The entrance is a wide and scenic cave, which is divided into two other rooms and corridors.
Departure: the cave is 15 minutes away from the ArchiMete tourist centre by rubber boat.
Route: the cave is on one level and the exploration is easy and enjoyable.
Depth: maximum 20 metres, the cave entrance is located at 8 metres depth.
To see: the cave is one of the spots most appreciated by photographers and underwater video operators. In addition to the natural context, which offers wide cavities, along the walls of the tunnel, there are also crevices which provide shelter to spin lobsters, moray heels, clawed lobsters and cicadas. It is not unusual to spot also croakers, nudibranches and, just outside the cave, some curious groupers.
Length of the exploration: 1 hour
Price includes: scuba tank and ballast, transfer by rubber boat, diving and naturalistic guide inside the cave, washing and storage of the equipment.
Further information: the tourist centre ArchiMete offers the possibility to buy cheap diving packages, which allow one to experience the wonders of the Protected Marine Area of Capo Caccia-Isola Piana. The offer can be combined with trekking and snorkeling routes, in addition to naturalistic activities proposed by ArchiMete. See also the section “Discover our offers” on the homepage of the website.
If you want to assist an underwater show seated in the boxes of a natural theatre, this is the right dive for you. The diving point is in front of the Isola di Foradada (Foradada Island), along the cliff of Capo Caccia. At a depth of just 8-9 metres, a series of wide natural arches begins, and it is possible to pass along them both lengthwise and across; inside and outside. The play of light created by the rays of sunlight are extraordinary, and as wonderful as the explosion of life and colors which appear right in front of the diver’s eyes. Just outside the arches, starts the immense blue of Capo Caccia, and the return along the cliffs turns into a unique wonder of underwater flora and fauna.
Departure: the cave is 10 minutes away from the ArchiMete tourist centre by rubber boat.
Route: the cave is on one level and the exploration is easy and enjoyable.
Depth: maximum 20 metres, the cave entrance is located at 8 metres depth.
To see: it is a little paradise for photographers and underwater video operators, because arches are the perfect shelter for Mediterranean spin lobsters, congers and moray eels, while the walls are covered with sponges and sea daisies. Even if well-camouflaged, it is easy to spot wonderful nudibranches and shy sea horses. Looking out from the arches and towards the open sea, it is possible to admire the passage of pelagic fishes, like barracudas, amberjacks, sea breams and breams.
Length of the exploration: 1 hour
Price includes: scuba tank and ballast, transfer by rubber boat, diving and naturalistic guide inside the cave, washing and storage of the equipment.
Further information: the tourist centre ArchiMete offers the possibility to buy cheap diving packages, which allow one to experience the wonders of the Protected Marine Area of Capo Caccia-Isola Piana. The offer can be combined with trekking and snorkeling routes, in addition to naturalistic activities proposed by ArchiMete. See also the section “Discover our offers” on the homepage of the website.
One of the most scenic caves in the Mediterranean sea, it is located in the Karst complex of Punta Giglio. Discovered in recent times, and to be more precise, in the Summer of 1994, it is located at a depth of only 7 metres depth, and inside, the transparency of the water and the play of reflections makes one think of a Mexican cenote. The dive takes place along a labyrinth of snow-white chalky rocks, which resemble the sheets ghosts are usually represented by. Lit up by flashlights, the extreme white of the rocks amplifies the transparent effect and the brightness of the cave; producing reflections which recall the fast and unsettling fluttering of ghosts. The route winds its wings through wide openings, narrow passages and several outcrops, one of which comes out in a real lake framed by falls of very white limestone. It is considered one of the most important underwater caves of the Mediterranean area, both from a geologic-naturalistic standpoint and for the Dolomite-like characteristics present in a marine environment.
Departure: the cave is 8 minutes away from the ArchiMete tourist centre by rubber boat.
Route: the cave is on two levels, and the exploration is quite difficult and for experienced divers only.
Depth: maximum 10-12 metres, the cave’s entrance is at 7 metres depth.
To see: After having entered a room of around 4 metres, the route continues in an underground passage which is a couple of metres long, and less than one metre wide. The flashlight is fundamental here, because you then reach the huge main room, where reflections of the calcite rocks illuminated by the flashlights makes the atmosphere almost spectral and very suggestive. From here, starts a first tunnel, about twenty metres long, which then exits out into an air lake. The cave vault is decorated with stalactites and reddish veins. From here, you enter another tunnel which is, however, slightly shorter than the previous one, taking you to the main room. It is a sort of narrow passage of snow-white rock which, when lit up by the flashlights, is a source of great emotion.
Length of the exploration: 1 hour
Price includes: scuba tank and ballast, transfer by rubber boat, diving and naturalistic guide inside the cave, washing and storage of the equipments.
Further information: the tourist centre ArchiMete offers the possibility to buy cheap diving packages, which allow one to experience the wonders of the Protected Marine Area of Capo Caccia-Isola Piana. The offer can be combined with trekking and snorkeling routes, in addition to naturalistic activities proposed by ArchiMete. See also the section “Discover our offers” on the homepage of the website.