The Natural Marine Reserve of the Sinis Penisola - The Island of Mal di Ventre

Surface area: 30,357 hectares
Foundation: 1997


The area is easily reached from Oristano and Cabras. This protected marine area is a territory of sea and coast which stretches eastwards from the "Su Tingiosu" rocky headland, as far as "Su Siccu" in the Gulf of Oristano, and westwards from the 'Isola di Mal di Ventre' to the 'Scoglio del Catalano' rock.

Behind this coastal area lie vast expanses of marshland, which will soon be included in the Montiferru Sinis Park.

The marine areas present a very varied seabed, which abounds in fascinating flora and fauna. The underwater landscape is characterised by impressive coral formations, basaltic rock masses, large granite boulders, grottoes and gorges. The sandy seabed offers a rich variety of marine flora, while the uncontaminated water is home to numerous species of fish-life: molluscs, crustaceans, mullet fish, octopus, rock fish, groupers, squill fish and lobster. The deeper water provides the perfect environment for coral, madrepores and spunges, but also for dolphins, sea turtles, finners, sperm whales, blue sharks, as well as smaller sharks.

The protected area is one of the most important marshlands in the Mediterranean, with an incredible variety of fauna. The lagoons are, in fact, the perfect habitat for numerous species of bird, such as the red heron, the cattle egret, stilt birds, the black-footed tern and the rare sea partridge, as well as birds of prey, such as falcon and the marsh-harrier. The Cabras lagoon also boasts a rare species of duck, in danger of extinction (fistione turco). However, the main protagonist of the Sinis district is, without doubt, the pink flamingo. This beautiful bird spends the entire winter in these parts, feeding on the small crustaceans which live in the lagoons. Numerous cormorants also spend the winter months here, while the cliffs along the coast are the perfect winter habitat for colonies of peregrine falcon, herring-gull and the blue rock thrush.

The beautiful island 'Isola di Mal di Ventre', which lies about 3.5 miles from the coast, is still a wild and uncontaminated natural haven. The vegetation is typical of the Mediterranean area, made up prevalently of lentisk, tamarisk and reed-mace trees.
This undisturbed territory is also the perfect refuge for many species of birds, including birds on their migratory flight, such as turtledoves, as well as numerous marine birds and varieties of gulls.