Boat International - July 2018

Asinara

BEST FOR ABUNDANT BIODIVERSIT Y:

Location:Aoncelostworldjusto northernSardinia

A

sinara is cloaked in virgin Mediterranean flora, and the surrounding seabed is so

kaleidoscopic it’s like an aquarium. The entire scene – located of the north-western

tip of Sardinia – is a UNESCO-protected national park. Until 1997 it was the preserve

of Italy’s most dangerous criminals, which included members of the left-wing terrorist group

Brigate Rosse (Red Brigades), fig ures from the anonima sarda (Sardinian bandits) and Sicilian

mafia boss Totò Riina.

The island now has a threadbare population and its

most famous inhabitants are its little albino donkeys.

AsinaraNationalParkdirectorPietroPaoloCongiatu

says the biggest attraction is “the great biodiversity in

thelandandsea”.Windandwaves

have carved the coastline into an

Italian Cornwall, with rounded rocks,

sea kale and flowering gorse. Grab

apaddleboardandspotperegrine

falcons and striped dolphins.

Congiatu recommends an island

tour.“Youcanridetothecrumbling

prison on an electric bugg y, and see the

turtlecentre,wildhorsesandhorned

mouflonsheep,”headds.Topreserve

nature, visitors may swim from just

threeoftheisland’scountlessbeaches.

But that’s three more than during

thetwocenturieswheninmateskept

Asinara of-limits to visitors.

Voyage

The buildings of the ex-

penal colony lie behind

the village of Cala d’Oliva.

Right: the Punta Scorno

lighthouse

Asinara’s famous wild

donkeys are nearly all

white, with a few grey

relations for company

Best by boat:Theislandisstillastrictlypolicednational

park,soprivateyachtsmustmoorinMarinadiStintinoonthe

northern tip of Sardinia. Guests can then take a park shuttle

boat in to Fornelli from where electric bikes can be hired for

an island tour. Snorkellers, paddleboarders and kayakers are

allwelcomedwithintheprotectedmarinearea.