Stintino is a small fishing village on Sardinia’s northwest tip, 2.5 miles south of the Fornelli Passage. Founded in the 19th century by fishermen relocated from the island of Asinara when it was converted to a prison colony, it remains an authentic working village — not a resort. The marina staff were welcoming, helped with everything including car rental and fuel, and the town’s main street has good restaurants and the best gelateria on the north coast. The real draw for sailors is the Fornelli Passage, La Pelosa beach, and the Asinara Marine Reserve just offshore.
⚓ Quick Facts for Sailors
| Marina coordinates | 40°56’17.5″N / 8°13’56.9″E |
| Berths (Marina di Stintino) | 320 (50 transit berths) |
| Max Length | 85 m |
| Depth (transit pier) | 4–10 m |
| Water & Electricity | ✓ |
| Fuel | ✓ fuel station on quay |
| Showers & Toilets | ✓ |
| Repairs | ✓ engine, electrical, hull (fiberglass & wood), sailmaker |
| Crane | 30–45 ton cranes available |
| Car/bike rental | ✓ available from marina |
| Town | 20-minute walk from Marina di Stintino |
Approach & Navigation
Fornelli Passage — the shortcut
The Fornelli Passage cuts between Isola Piana and Isola Asinara — saving approximately 20 nm compared to going around Asinara. It is the primary reason sailors stop at Stintino. The passage is navigable for vessels drawing up to 4 metres, but it requires precise navigation.
⚠ Fornelli Passage — critical notes:
- Minimum depth: 3–4 metres — only if you follow the exact route indicated by the transit markers (dromers)
- A few metres off course = 2–3m depths. Do not stray from the transits
- Two sets of transits: first alignment 301° / 121°; second alignment 251° / 071°
- Prohibited overnight — transit only in daylight
- Do not attempt in rough seas from the west — treacherous conditions
- Lower sails and use engine through the passage. Zoom in on chartplotter. Have Navionics backup
La Pelosa Passage (alternative)
A second passage between Isola Pelosa and the Sardinian mainland. Minimum depth 3.5m, narrower and less well-marked than Fornelli. Suitable only for small vessels in calm conditions. More difficult than Fornelli — use Fornelli unless you have specific local knowledge.
Standard Approach (from east or west)
From the east: the large breakwater is visible from a distance. From the west: after the Fornelli Passage. The harbour has Porto Mannu (north, most berths), Marina di Stintino (NE), and Porto Minore (south).
️ La Pelosa Beach
La Pelosa is consistently rated one of the finest beaches in Europe — white sand, turquoise water, and the 16th-century Torre della Pelosa watch tower offshore. It is 2 km from the centre of Stintino and accessible by dinghy or on foot.
Important — La Pelosa access restrictions: A daily limit of 1,500 visitors applies in summer. Entry fee: €3.50. Mats required (not beach towels) to protect the sand. Arrive early or off-peak. In July–August it fills completely by mid-morning — plan an early departure from the marina.
Asinara Island — National Park
Asinara lies 3 miles north of Stintino — a former prison island (1885–1997) that has reverted to wilderness. It is now a National Park with wild white donkeys, griffon vultures, and some of the clearest water in Sardinia. Berthing on the island is prohibited for pleasure craft, but authorised mooring buoys are available at certain locations (paid). Anchoring is regulated by the reserve — check current rules before entering park waters.
Organised boat tours to Asinara depart from Stintino daily in season. These are the recommended way to visit — guides explain the park regulations and landing permits are included. A water taxi also runs between the Fornelli pier and Stintino harbour.
️ Stintino Town
A 20-minute walk from the marina. The main street (Via Lepanto) runs between Porto Nuovo and Porto Vecchio — the original two fishing harbours that defined the village layout. Good restaurants, pizzerias, a supermarket and butcher, and a gelateria worth visiting. The Museo della Tonnara (Tuna Museum) covers the history of the bluefin tuna fishing industry that was central to the island of Asinara and later Stintino.
Stagno di Pilo — Flamingo Lagoon
A saltwater lagoon 3 km south of Stintino where pink flamingos feed and breed undisturbed. Visible from the road and from the water. Boat tours from Stintino include a pass by the lagoon.
️ Where to Eat
Stintino has a strong local food culture centred on fresh seafood, lobster (aragosta), and pasta. The main street has several good options. Ask for the local speciality: spaghetti all’aragosta (lobster pasta).
Sailor’s tip: Rent a car from the marina and spend a morning at La Pelosa (arrive before 9:00 to guarantee access), then drive south to Alghero (1 hour) for an afternoon in the old town. Back at Stintino for dinner. This covers the area’s highlights without rushing.
✅ Safety Checklist
- Fornelli Passage — daylight only, follow transits precisely, engine only, chartplotter zoomed in
- La Pelosa — daily visitor limit, arrive early in summer
- Asinara Park — anchoring regulated, check current rules before entering park waters
- Fuel available at marina before Fornelli Passage or coastal passage south
Nearby Destinations
| Destination | Distance | Notes |
| Porto Torres | 12 nm SE | Commercial port. Ferry to mainland. Full provisioning. |
| Porto Conte | 25 nm S | Sheltered natural bay. Neptune’s Cave. Alghero nearby. |
| Best anchorages around Stintino | 0–5 nm | Full SeaTV guide to local anchorages. |
| Castelsardo | 35 nm E | Medieval hilltop town. Gulf of Asinara. |
