Venus’ Pools – Baunei
Clear, fresh and sweet waters
Venus’ Pools
“Being born from the sea, she was worshipped as the protector of sailors. As soon as she rose from the waters, the Horae clothed her and adorned her with roses, myrtle and jewels, then accompanied her to Kythera and placed her on a shell, where a sanctuary was promptly erected for her.…”
Among sea, myrtle and jewels, it would not seem so surprising that a natural sanctuary dedicated to Aphrodite could be found here, on the coast of Baunei, as well as in Kythera! No name could be more appropriate, for the “Piscine di Venere”,(Venus’ Pools).
Venture out to where the sea seems to have been created especially for… divinities.
Where to find it?
Situated in ‘Su unglone de Bilariccoro’, at the base of ‘Su Piggiu ‘e Interiscalas’, the locality’s toponym, only recently replaced by the more evocative ‘Piscine di Venere’ , they are about an hour’s boat ride from the port of Santa Maria Navarrese, and a short distance from the entrance to the Grotta del Fico (Fig Cave) and Cala Biriala.
How to reach it?
The small cove of Piscine di Venere can be reached by boat, renting a dinghy from one of the many companies offering this service at the port of Santa Maria Navarrese, or booking a trip with a skipper (usually a dive here is a must!).
As we all know, there are no road signs or indications on the sea to indicate that you have arrived at your destination. So how will you realise that you are in front of the Pools of Venus? You will be immediately attracted to this corner of paradise because… boats seem to fly here!
Choosing adjectives is hard work, but someone has to do it!
Limpid, crystalline, pure, translucent… This and many other marvellous ways we can describe the water of this particularly beautiful stretch of sea, which is probably the most striking on the Baunei coastline.
Its colours range from deep turquoise to aquamarine and its particular clarity is due to the presence of underwater freshwater springs that flow not far from the shore, as well as to the seabed rich in limestone rocks.
You will have the sensation of swimming in a pool, but in the open sea!
Depending on the currents, this sometimes creates a small beach of white pebbles (characteristic of this stretch of coastline) and the typical colours of the Mediterranean maquis.
Being located in an inlet well protected from the winds, the Piscine di Venere is a quiet and sheltered place to spend a few hours of complete relaxation!