Is Arutas Beach stretches for several kilometers, featuring crystal-clear waters that range in color from emerald green to deep blue. It’s famously known as the “rice grain beach” because it’s made up of tiny grains of quartz, which shimmer in shades of pink, green, and pure white.
Is Arutas - along with nearby beaches like Mari Ermi and Punta Maimoni -stands out from most other Sardinian coastlines because it’s formed from porphyritic granite rather than the more common limestone. Over time, the slow erosion of this rock under weather conditions and specific cooling processes created seabeds rich with colorful quartz grains. This corner of Sardinia is truly one of a kind: largely unspoiled and sparsely developed. It offers basic services but is not a destination for mass tourism, which only adds to its charm.
The seabed becomes deep right from the shoreline, making it an ideal spot for surfers - even in winter. It’s easily reachable by car from the main tourist areas of Sardinia, and the drive itself passes by other remarkable sites, first and foremost the ancient ruins of Tharros.
This stunning stretch of coastline is located in the province of Oristano, specifically within the Sinis Protected Area, a peninsula in central-western Sardinia near the town of Cabras. The immediate depth of the waters and the prevailing mistral wind along the western shore make this beach a favorite for windsurfers and kite surfers, even in the colder months—just like much of the Gulf of Oristano.
The name Is Arutas means “the caves,” likely a reference to nearby Roman-era sandstone quarries. The entire coastline is framed by soft sandstone rocks, creating a desert-like impression. Adding to the stunning landscape is the nearby island of Mal di Ventre, a uniquely shaped natural oasis where sea turtles nest and ancient shipwrecks lie hidden beneath the waves—including one dating back to the 1st century AD.
It’s a dazzling and truly unique setting: hundreds of meters of fine, round quartz grains in a spectrum of colors—pure white, soft pink, and every shade of green. The glittering shoreline blends into a crystal-clear sea that shifts in color from emerald to turquoise to bright blue.
Is Arutas is also known for a negative record: its sand is the most stolen in all of Italy. Airport security staff at Elmas Airport have confiscated 250 kg (about 550 pounds) of quartz from travelers' luggage. The good news, however, is that the seized sand is returned to where it was taken from.
