Bringing your dog along? The Gulf of Orosei is a wonderful place to explore on four legs — but Sardinia's beaches follow seasonal rules, so it helps to know exactly where and when your companion is welcome. This guide covers Orosei's official dog beaches, the beautiful Bidderosa oasis, and the evening hours when the whole coast opens up.
During the summer bathing season (roughly June–September), regional rules keep dogs off ordinary beaches during the day. Two things make life easy, though:
Wherever you go, the basics required by the Orosei ordinance are simple: keep a leash to hand, carry a bag or scoop and clean up after your dog, and make sure your dog wears a collar with an ID tag and is registered in the pet registry (anagrafe canina).
One of Orosei's two official "animal friendly" beaches, set up by the town ordinance. There is a reserved stretch of sand for dogs and their owners, and your dog is allowed to swim in the sea directly in front of it. An emerald, sheltered bay backed by a pine grove — a lovely, easy day out with your companion.
📍 Cala Liberotto Google MapsThe second official dog beach sits along the Marina di Orosei, in the Osala area — a long, open stretch of golden sand that is easy to reach from town, with plenty of parking. As with Cala Liberotto, there is a reserved dog area and dogs may swim in the sea in front of it. Handy for a quick beach fix without a long drive.
📍 Marina di Orosei (Osala) Google MapsGood news for a scenic day out: dogs are welcome on all five coves of the Bidderosa nature oasis, on a leash, and they can swim in the water. Because it is a protected, restricted-access park, you need to book your entry online and numbers are capped each day from May to the end of October — so plan ahead. The reward is one of the cleanest, most beautiful beach settings on the coast, wrapped in pine and juniper woods.
🔗 Oasi Biderosa — booking & info oasibiderosa.itBeyond the two official beaches, dogs are also commonly seen on a few other stretches around Orosei, such as parts of Cala Osalla and Sa Canna. Designated dog areas can move or change from one season to the next, so look for the "animal friendly / cani ammessi" signs on site, and when in doubt use one of the two official beaches above or the 8pm–8am window.
📍 Cala Osalla Google MapsIf you fancy a little drive north (about 30–40 minutes, in the Siniscola area), La Caletta has its own official dog beach. It sits on the south side of the beach, near the mouth of the river beyond the lifeguard tower — a roughly 80–100 m stretch of fine white sand backed by dunes, with a clean sandy seabed where dogs can swim. It is open to registered dogs from 15 May to 15 October, from sunrise to sunset. Nearby, towards Santa Lucia, there is parking under a large pinewood for shade. A second dog spot, Catheddu beach, lies a little further on between La Caletta and Sa Petra Ruja.
📍 Dog beach — La Caletta (Siniscola) Google MapsA few tips for a happy beach day with your dog in the Sardinian summer: bring plenty of fresh water and a travel bowl, seek out shade (the pine-backed beaches are ideal), and avoid the hottest midday hours — the sand can burn paws. Always carry waste bags and a scoop, keep the leash with you, and check that your dog's ID tag and microchip registration are up to date.
Rules and designated areas are set by the Comune di Orosei (Ordinanza Sindacale n. 61/2018) and the Regione Sardegna bathing ordinance, and can be updated each year — it's always worth a quick check before you go.