About 300 metres long and 10 metres wide, it is well sheltered on all sides, especially the western side. The crescent-shaped beach is made up of small sand grains and very small stone pebbles. The seabed is shallow and sandy, with the colour of the water changing from light blue to dark blue as one moves further away from the shore.

Given its favourable position, sheltered from the winds, it was an important port in Punic and Roman times. Today, scuba divers can admire the submerged remains of the ancient piers and the sandstone blocks that formed the quays.

The beach is part of a coastal system characterised by granite cliffs surrounded by dense Mediterranean scrub, especially juniper and maritime pine. A fish farm at the end of the inlet replaces what used to be a natural fishpond. Birdwatchers can enjoy spotting pink flamingos, cormorants and seagulls here.

The tower of Capo Malfatano, a coastal tower built in the second half of the 16^th century against pirate raids, is about 1 km away, along a dirt path.  From this point, the towers of Piscinnì, Porto Scudo, Budello and Cala Piombo are also visible.