Starting from Cala Gonone and going along the coast of the Gulf of Orosei which extends from Punta Nera to Capo Monte Santo, you will come across two incredible natural phenomena: the Bue Marino and the Fico grottos.
The Grotta del Bue Marino is the first cave we find south of Cala Gonone. It divides into a southern and a northern branch. The southern branch is reachable only by sea, on one of the numerous excursion boats that travel along the Gulf of Orosei every day. The northern branch is reachable only on foot, taking about 50 minutes to walk from Cala Fuili among the mastic and juniper scrub. The northern branch leads to metal stairs that go up a rocky wall and end in the sea in front of the entrance to the grotto.The Grotta del Bue Marino is about 5 km long and is so called because it was once frequented by the “bue marino” – the monk seal.
A path of stalactites and stalagmites awaits you, offering an extraordinary chromatic spectacle thanks to the light that penetrates inside, and to the clear waters of a large salt lake with a surface area of over a kilometre. The grotto is also fundamental from an archaeological point of view: indeed, rock engravings dating back to the culture of Ozieri were found on a wall close to the entrance. The engravings represent a dance around a particular carving considered by scholars to be an depiction of the sun.
Further south however, between Cala Mariolu and Cala Biriola, stands the Grotta del Fico with its imposing entrance 10 meters above sea level. Exploration of the cave began in 1957 and continues to this day as only some 1800 meters of the grotto have been explored so far. The visit lasts about 50 minutes and expert guides will lead you among submarine siphons and underground waterways. Tickets cost €8 for adults and €4 for children between the ages of 6 and 12.
