From the Italian Shortboard Championship to the new Wave Party: the 22nd edition of the Marinedda Bay Open brings together competition, fun and the joy of sharing the waves.

Italy’s longest-running surf contest returns to Isola Rossa. In 2026, the famous bay of La Marinedda, on the Costa Rossa in North Sardinia, will once again host the Marinedda Bay Open – Italian Shortboard Championship 2026, the Italian championship organised by the Italian Surfing, Waterskiing and Wakeboarding Federation, which will award the men’s and women’s titles in the Olympic shortboard discipline.

The weather window is set from 15 September to 15 November: as always in surfing, the sea will decide the best day to start the competition. The wait is part of the show and will accompany the 22nd edition of the Marinedda Bay Open. For a few days, it will almost feel like being in Northern California, but with the scent of myrtle and helichrysum in the air.

The story of the Marinedda Bay Open shows how this beach has become, over the years, a landmark for surfing in Sardinia and in Italy. Italian and international athletes have challenged each other on its waves, including Eric Rebiere, now one of the leading names in big wave surfing in Nazaré, and Leonardo Fioravanti, who returned to competition at La Marinedda in 2015 after the serious back injury he suffered in Hawaii.

Since then, surfing has come a long way: it entered the Olympic programme in Tokyo, returned in Paris and now looks ahead to Los Angeles 2028 and Brisbane 2032. Along this journey, the bay of La Marinedda continues to hold a special place on the national scene, combining sport, sea and one of the most striking natural settings in North Sardinia.

Before the competition begins, there will be plenty of room for fun. The big new feature for summer 2026 is the Wave Party, a new format organised by the Marinedda Bay sports association and designed to bring surfers of different ages and levels into the water.

The waiting period will be open from 15 August to 15 September. Juniors and adults, beginners and more experienced surfers will be able to share the waves using shortboards, longboards and softboards, with heats organised according to sea conditions. During the Wave Party, it will also be possible to join a free surf lesson, with limited places and advance booking required.

The Costa Rossa, the stretch of coastline in north-west Gallura known for its red granite cliffs, beaches and wide natural landscapes, offers the ideal setting for enjoying the sea beyond the competition days. In Isola Rossa, the Hotel Marinedda Thalasso & SPA, which is once again supporting the initiative this year, and the Hotel Relax Torreruja Thalasso & SPA will remain open until 11 October 2026, offering the chance to experience the island at a slower pace, among the sea, small villages, wellness and outdoor activities. And during the Marinedda Bay Open, the bay becomes a spectacle even for those who simply choose to watch the competition from the beach.

With pale sandy beaches, red rocks, fishing villages and ancient memories, this stretch of coastline tells the story of where Gallura meets the sea of the Gulf of Asinara.

There is a part of Northern Sardinia that still retains its wildest and most authentic charm. This is the Costa Rossa, the stretch of coastline overlooking the Gulf of Asinara, between Santa Teresa Gallura and Castelsardo, where the green of the Mediterranean scrub meets the red of the granite and the blue of the sea.
We are in the municipality of Trinità d’Agultu e Vignola: a landscape of long beaches and more secluded coves, red-rock cliffs and sunsets over the sea. This is Sardinia with a strong character, capable of offering a rare feeling: that of standing before nature that is still free and unspoilt.

It is called the Costa Rossa precisely because of the colour of its rocks, shaped over the centuries by the mistral wind and sea salt. The granite takes on unusual forms, sometimes soft, sometimes monumental, while all around grow juniper, myrtle, mastic trees, strawberry trees and Mediterranean plants that fill the air with their fragrance.

Where the land gives way to the sea, the landscape opens into a succession of beaches and bays in vivid colours. La Marinedda, directly in front of Hotel Marinedda Thalasso & SPA, is one of the best-known beaches in the area: a wide, bright beach, also loved by those in search of sea, wind and open horizons. A little further away are iconic beaches such as Li Cossi and Tinnari, nestled between reddish rocks and transparent waters. These places seem designed for those who love walking, exploring and discovering Sardinia slowly, without rushing.

At the heart of this area lies Isola Rossa, a small fishing village that has retained its simple, intimate character. Its name comes from the red-granite islet just off the coast, a discreet yet distinctive presence that draws the eye towards the sea.
The marina, the seafront overlooking Spiaggia Nuova and Spiaggia Longa are places to enjoy at an easy pace, whether on a stroll, over an aperitif with a sea view or with an ice cream after a day at the beach. Nearby, the Aragonese tower recalls the village’s ancient past and offers one of the most evocative viewpoints along the coast.

In recent years, this stretch of coastline has also attracted the attention of the film industry. Several locations in Northern Sardinia were chosen for Disney’s live-action The Little Mermaid, including the beaches of Aglientu, the town of Castelsardo and Capo Testa in Santa Teresa Gallura, helping to showcase the striking visual power of these landscapes to an even wider audience. Star Wars: Starfighter, another Disney production expected in cinemas in 2027, has also brought film cameras back to the Costa Rossa. It is hardly surprising: with its dramatic cliffs and light that changes throughout the day, this stretch of coastline is cinematic by nature.

Set within this landscape is Hotel Marinedda Thalasso & SPA in Isola Rossa, the only five-star hotel along the stretch of coastline between Alghero and Santa Teresa Gallura. It is an ideal place from which to experience the Costa Rossa naturally: the sea just a few steps away, a Thalasso & SPA centre dedicated to wellbeing, villages and coves to discover during the day, and the silence of nature on your return. Named among Condé Nast Traveller’s Best Spas in Europe 2025, Hotel Marinedda brings together comfort, hospitality and a strong sense of place in a rare balance: a five-star holiday immersed in a Sardinia that still preserves its wildest side.

This corner of Sardinia, with its authentic character and untamed charm, has become the ideal destination for those seeking a holiday that combines relaxation, nature and fun for all ages.
Hotel Marinedda in Isola Rossa is a place where families have discovered a new way of experiencing Sardinia. Thanks to its wellbeing and leisure facilities, but also its unique location in North West Sardinia, where nature retains an authentic and wild allure. This is where the Costa Rossa begins, one of the island’s most evocative stretches of coastline, enchanting both adults and children with landscapes suspended between the green of the Mediterranean scrub and the blue of the sea.

The Costa Rossa is the name given to this stretch of coastline nestled within the Gulf of Asinara, between Santa Teresa Gallura and Castelsardo. A landscape that captivates with the intense fragrances of the Mediterranean scrub and the red granite rocks sculpted by the wind. Where the land gives way to the sea, the coastline reveals a succession of sandy coves and beaches: right in front of the hotel lies the Blue Flag 2025 beach of La Marinedda, where crystal-clear waters meet the wild nature of the Costa Rossa, for days of relaxation, sport and genuine emotions.

A stay at Hotel Marinedda in Isola Rossa is not just about sea and relaxation: for children it becomes an adventure filled with sport and outdoor fun. Tennis lessons, five-a-side football, mini basketball and archery are just some of the activities designed for younger guests, while parents can choose between summer sports, relaxing on the beach or training in the Technogym fitness centre.

For Delphina, family-friendly is synonymous with wellbeing. The Miniclub and Junior Club offer children days full of sport and recreational activities, with a free service available 12 hours a day, every day of the week. While the little ones play safely, parents can unwind with peace of mind or enjoy treatments at the L’Elicriso Thalasso Centre. A holiday where boredom is simply not an option.

Family holidays at Hotel Marinedda find their perfect space in rooms designed with both adults and children in mind. The Senior Suite Family combines a Suite and a communicating Classic room, accommodating up to four adults and two children in spacious and comfortable Mediterranean-style surroundings.
The same philosophy of hospitality defines the Family Suite, consisting of two interconnecting Classic rooms, ideal for up to four guests. Here privacy and relaxation blend in a serene atmosphere, enhanced by a veranda overlooking the garden or the endless blue of the sea. A place where everyone can enjoy their holiday at their own pace.

A short distance from the hotel lies Isola Rossa, a picturesque fishing village that has managed to preserve its identity intact. Strolling along the harbour, among wooden boats and the 16th-century Aragonese tower, means stepping into history and savouring the slow rhythm of life by the sea. The seafront promenade invites visitors to discover small shops, piano bars in the evenings and traditional restaurants, while the two main beaches and the many red granite coves, framed by emerald-green waters, offer authentic experiences to those seeking nature and relaxation.

Discover Costa Rossa and all the charm of western Gallura. Take advantage of the Early Booking offer and book by 31 January.
Imagine a bay surrounded by red granite and panoramic terraces, where you can enjoy the shades of the Northern Sardinian sea from the moment you wake up. Continue your day in one of the pools at the L’Elicriso thalasso centre or savour the Mediterranean flavours in an elegant restaurant under a starry sky. You still have a few days left to take advantage of the Early Booking offer. Secure 15% off your next holiday at Hotel Marinedda.

Hotel Marinedda embodies Mediterranean style: warm and welcoming, inspired by the natural beauty and unique landscape of Costa Rossa, renowned for the distinctive colour of its rocks. This expansive stretch of coastline still amazes with its wild charm, featuring beaches and coves of extraordinary beauty. Right in front of the hotel, you’ll find La Marinedda beach, named by Bell’Italia as one of the ten “paradises of sand and water in Sardinia worth diving into at least once in a lifetime.” Immersed in this paradise, it will be even easier to embrace life’s pleasures, admire breathtaking sunsets, and sip an excellent Vermentino. And if you’re travelling with children, the hotel offers green spaces and a wide range of services, including a dedicated restaurant, a small pool, a play area, sports activities, and a free Miniclub service active 12 hours a day, every day.

Why not complete your holiday by booking a wellness treatment in advance at the L’Elicriso Thalasso & SPA centre? If reserved along with your stay, you’ll receive an additional 10% discount (which can be combined with other special offers). Hotel Marinedda is one of the 20 best SPA destinations in the world, as recognised by Condé Nast Traveler, winner of the prestigious Reader’s Choice Award 2024. This highly sought-after accolade, marked by its iconic red seal, represents a symbol of excellence in hospitality. A particularly significant recognition, awarded by readers of the magazine after a meticulous annual selection of the most appreciated hotels and resorts worldwide.

The beating heart of the hotel is the “L’Elicriso” Thalasso & SPA Centre, offering spacious areas for relaxation, pools with heated seawater at varying temperatures, a stunning Jacuzzi, a cardio-fitness gym, a Turkish bath, saunas, and 15 treatment cabins designed to ensure physical and mental well-being. Surrounded by gardens, with the colours and scents typical of Costa Rossa, the centre adheres to international protocols for thalassotherapy, continuously sourcing seawater for the pools and treatments.

To bring the nature of Northern Sardinia to your skin, the Marinedda SPA offers the Sardinia Signature treatment line, which uses BIO products enriched with plants and essences from the Sardinian flora, such as myrtle, sea salt, helichrysum, and mastic. Discover the wide range of treatments and immerse yourself in the pure essence of marine wellness through our thalasso programmes.

For the second consecutive year, Condé Nast Traveler readers have awarded this wellness retreat and its thalassotherapy centre, one of the largest in Northern Sardinia.
We are proud to announce another triumph for Hotel Marinedda, which, following last year’s success, has once again been recognised as one of the top 20 SPA destinations in the world by Condé Nast Traveler, receiving the prestigious Reader’s Choice Award 2024. This highly coveted accolade in the hospitality industry, marked by its distinctive red seal, has become a symbol of excellence. A particularly significant recognition, awarded by the magazine’s readers after a meticulous annual selection of the most appreciated hotels and resorts internationally.

“The wellness centre, L’Elicriso, is an airy 2500-square-metre oasis specialising in thalassotherapy: from the Greek word thalassa, meaning ‘sea’, this ancient practice uses seawater for its therapeutic properties. Mentioned as early as 480 BC in the works of Euripides and Hippocrates, this treatment method was popular in antiquity and remains equally effective today in washing away the stress of modern life,” Condé Nast Traveler explains to its readers.

The beating heart of the hotel is the “L’Elicriso” Thalasso & SPA Centre, offering spacious areas for relaxation, pools with heated seawater at various temperatures, a stunning Jacuzzi, a cardio-fitness gym, Turkish baths, saunas, and 15 treatment cabins ensuring physical and mental well-being. Surrounded by gardens, with the colours and scents typical of Costa Rossa, the centre adheres to international thalassotherapy protocols, continuously sourcing seawater for its pools and treatments.

Wellness at Hotel Marinedda also means walking along one of the most stunning panoramas of the Gulf of Asinara, on a stretch of coastline known as Costa Rossa for the characteristic colour of its rocks, or spending a relaxing day on La Marinedda beach.

The elegant and welcoming rooms are inspired by nature, decorated with warm colours and local craftsmanship, while the restaurants celebrate the authentic flavours of the island. For families, the hotel offers green spaces for children, including a dedicated restaurant, a small pool, a play area, and sports activities, complemented by a free Miniclub service operating 12 hours a day, every day.

And to bring the nature of Northern Sardinia to your skin, the Marinedda SPA offers the Sardinia Signature treatment line, which uses BIO products enriched with plants and essences from Sardinian flora such as myrtle, sea salt, helichrysum, and mastic. Discover the wide range of treatments and immerse yourself in the pure essence of marine wellness through our thalasso programmes.