Aerial view of La Cinta lagoon and Cala Brandinchi, San Teodoro, Sardinia — white sand and turquoise water

San Teodoro Route:La Cinta → Cala Brandinchi by Kayak

Destinations 7 min read

If it's your first time in a kayak — or you're bringing children — the San Teodoro lagoon is the best place to start in north-eastern Sardinia. Flat, protected water, seabeds no deeper than 1.5 metres and no motorboat traffic inside the lagoon zone.

Easy ~5 km round trip 2.5–3 hours Families & beginners

Starting point: La Cinta Nord car park, San Teodoro. Ideal for: first-time kayakers, families with children from age 6+.

Route Step by Step

1
Departure: La Cinta Nord Car Park

We deliver your kayak directly here. Park at the end of the road near the second beach access.

2
Inside the Lagoon (0–1.5 km) — 20 min

Launch on the lagoon side (east). Warm, flat water with a white sandy bottom. Perfect for finding your paddle rhythm and building confidence.

3
Sea Opening (1.5–2.5 km) — 25 min

At the northern end of La Cinta the lagoon opens to the sea. Paddle close to the shore — stay within 200 metres. The water colour turns cobalt blue.

4
Arrival at Cala Brandinchi (2.5 km) — 30–40 min total

Land on the beach, snorkel, eat something. The return journey following the same route takes another 30 minutes.

Cala Brandinchi — the Most Beautiful Arrival in Sardinia

Cala Brandinchi is a small, perfectly arced cove with near-white sand and water that transitions from emerald green to blue within metres. In high season it's reachable by land too, but the small beach fills up fast.

Arriving by kayak is completely different: you choose when you arrive, pull your kayak ashore and the beach is yours — at least for an hour before the first walkers show up. The kayak rental with beach delivery at San Teodoro includes the paddle, life jacket and waterproof bag — everything is already waiting for you at La Cinta beach.

"I'd seen Cala Brandinchi dozens of times from the road. I never imagined that arriving by kayak at 09:30, with the beach still empty and the water perfectly flat, could feel like an entirely different place."

Variant for Those with Less Time: Lagoon Loop

If you'd rather not paddle into open water, you can do a complete loop inside the La Cinta lagoon: about 4 km, 1.5–2 hours, always flat and safe. The perfect option if you're bringing small children or want to snorkel in calm, shallow water.

The lagoon is also home to pink flamingos during parts of the year — in spring and autumn it's common to encounter them while paddling.

Wildlife and Nature Along the Route

The La Cinta lagoon is one of the most nature-rich environments in north-eastern Sardinia. Paddling here is not just sport — it's direct contact with a natural world that very few people get to experience up close.

Pink Flamingos

From September to May it's common to spot flamingos in the shallower parts of the lagoon. Approaching by kayak lets you get much closer than on foot — the low profile doesn't frighten them. Bring binoculars if you have a suitable pocket for them.

Posidonia Seagrass

The shallow lagoon floor is carpeted in Posidonia oceanica, the seagrass that oxygenates the Mediterranean. With flat water you can clearly see the bottom at 1–2 metres. Look for octopus, cuttlefish and small fish hiding among the leaves.

Mullet and Shoals

Mullet often leap from the water, especially early in the morning. They sometimes appear right in front of the kayak bow — always a brief moment of surprise that ends in laughter.

Please respect the wildlife: keep at least 50 metres from flamingos when they're stationary. Observing them silently from a kayak is a privilege — it works far better if you don't shout.

Practical Information

  • Kayak delivery point: La Cinta Nord car park, San Teodoro (OT)
  • Best period: May–June and September — cooler, less crowded, calm water
  • Ideal departure time: 09:00 to reach Cala Brandinchi while it's still empty
  • Equipment: for this route you need only the life jacket (included), water and sunscreen — no specialist gear
  • With children: suitable from age 6 on a tandem kayak; the lagoon is safe even for beginners
  • Weather to avoid: east wind (Scirocco) — creates wave action even inside the lagoon

Experience the San Teodoro lagoon by kayak

We deliver your kayak to La Cinta beach. Life jacket, paddle and dry bag included. Perfect for beginners and families. Prices from €40.

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