The beach of quartz grains
On the western coast of the Sinis peninsula, in the municipality of Cabras, Is Arutas is one of the most unusual and famous beaches in Sardinia. It is not made of sand, but of small, smooth, rounded grains of quartz, the size of rice or lentils, in shades of white, pink and green, which glitter in the sun and feel like soft pearls under your feet. They were formed by the erosion of the granite rocks of the island of Mal di Ventre, just offshore, and carried here by the sea over thousands of years.
The beach faces a sea of extraordinary transparency, with colours ranging from turquoise to emerald, and is part of the Penisola del Sinis Marine Protected Area, which also includes the islands of Mal di Ventre, a small island with granite rocks, and the islet of Catalano. The same quartz grains form other beaches along the coast, such as Maimoni, Mari Ermi and Cala Saline, less crowded. Because the quartz is a natural heritage under threat, taking it away is strictly forbidden and punished with heavy fines: for years tourists filled bottles and bags as souvenirs, and the beach risked disappearing. Behind the coast lie dunes, Mediterranean scrub and lagoons frequented by flamingos.
Tip: bring shoes, the quartz can be hot in summer; boats leave from Putzu Idu for the island of Mal di Ventre, with a crystal-clear sea.
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