The Bay of Porto Conte is considered the most classic among the natural ports of the Mediterranean Sea.  It measures 6 km. long and 2,5 km. wide.  The coastal part is formed of small inlets and caves, partially submerged by sea water, precipices and the long Mugoni beach.  The bay's seabed forms a natural oasis for the fish population, including precious species like the Posidonia Oceanica.
The Gulf of Porto Conte (which Romans certainly exploited as an excellent, natural port) was called by geographer Tolomeo Portus Nympharum or the Port of Nymphs because of the extraordinary transparency of the sea-water and its differing colours from green to blue.
There is a small port at Porto Conte situated to the south-east of the gulf from which the areas of Capo Caccia and Punta Giglio are quickly reachable.  They are considered the most important locations in the Mediterranean because of their big concentration of various, submerged caves, rich in flora and fauna.
Grotta di Nereo is considered the biggest submerged cave in the Mediterranean Sea and is the most frequented.  You need at least three immersions to thoroughly visit it.  There are also the spectacular Grotte di Punta Salinetto and Dei Portici close to Grotta dei Cerianthus where enormous, shy groupers live and finally, Grotta Belvedere.  All of them are situated on the marvellous Foradada Island, famous for its enormous passers-by cave.  Other spectacular caves are: Grotte del Tunnel or del Sifone in the area of Sommergibile with an overhanging rock of 35 meters that creates a wonderful canyon with the wall of Capo Caccia, the nearby Grotta del Cabirol and Grotte di Nettuno.
There are many creeks between Capo Caccia and Punta Giglio where you will always find sheltered places that guarantee calm nights.  Choose to anchor up-wind.   Keep in mind that it is very useful integrating the weather forecast with direct, on-location observations.  For example, if Capo Cacia and Monte Timidone (towards the north) are covered by clouds, it means that winds from north-west are coming and probably will continue for 3 - 5 days, followed later by a strong south-west wind.
The Bay of Porto Conte is surrounded by limestone formations from the Mesozoic Era.  The mild climate, underbrush inhabited by wild fauna and especially the limestone caves with their fresh-water springs, favoured antique, human settlements.  The territory is still enriched with proof of Quaternary fauna (Cervidi, Prolagus).
As for the southern coast, the first mooring possibility is at Calla del Bollo, to the north of a first tower (called del Bur�) and hemmed in by three towers along the gulf of Porto Conte.
There are other places to moor a boat in Cala Tramariglio but the seabed is rather shallow.  There is a hotel at its entrance and a tower on the summit is very visible.  Mooring is recommended about 100 meters east of the pier where its seabed is no higher than 2 meters.  To the north-east, the water is only 2 meters deep even 250 meters from land, the seabed is muddy and the water is not very transparent.  That's why it's better not to approach land.
To the east of Punta Giglio, the hilly coast sinks into the sea and becomes more accessible up to Capo Gallera.
The archaeological area of Saint Imbenia is situated on the most inner part of the gulf of Porto Conte.  There is a nuraghic village and some burials from the Phoenician tradition and remains of Roman settlements with a Necropolis and a big rustic villa equipped with baths.  The Nuraghe are constructed with one tower on an irregular, circular plan around which the village's huts are spread.  Some of them were equipped with a well and a vast socialising area.  There is a big hut with a stone basin in the centre and a round sandstone bench with low back that might have served in the baking process.  Many bronze and ceramic objects from Phoenician and Greek importation have been found on the site proving a long history of frequentation.