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.