Crystal-clear coves start at 10:00. This 7-hour sailing trip around Sardinia’s protected waters lets the captain fine-tune your day, with a small group (up to 12) and traditional boats designed to glide close to shore. I love that the route shifts with the winds and conditions, but you’re also relying on good weather to run the full plan.

I also like the “swim and eat” rhythm: you get snorkeling equipment and a proper on-board lunch (charcuterie and cheese platters plus a fresh seafood first course), so the day feels complete rather than just a fast boat tour.

Key highlights to know before you go

• Up to 12 people means more room, easier boarding, and a more relaxed pace.
• Traditional sailing boats with reduced draft help you experience the coast up close.
• Wind-aware routing puts you where the water is calmer, instead of forcing every stop.
• Tavolara and Molara marine scenery includes lime kilns, sea pools, and classic Sardinian coves.
• Snorkeling gear included so you can jump in without extra stops.
• Lunch is built in (and a bell moment is part of the fun, if Michele is your skipper).

Why Tavolara and Molara feels special in the first hour

Sardinia can be spectacular from land. It’s next level from the water—especially in this protected area where the coastline is dramatic and the color changes fast. This tour is structured for that: you’re not just hopping between distant dots on a map.

The big advantage is the small-group setup. With a maximum of 12, the boat stays comfortable and you’re not constantly negotiating for space when you’re moving around or gearing up for a swim. The other key factor is the boat style. The traditional sailing vessels have a reduced draft, which helps them pass under the coast so you can really appreciate the cliffs and coves as you go.

Finally, the day is planned to match the sea. The captain chooses from a list of possible stops based on daily weather conditions, and that’s not just a convenience—it changes the whole feel of the trip. Calm water makes swimming better. Wind can turn some coves into must-see shelters.

Price and value: what $115.64 really covers

At $115.64 per person for about 7 hours, this isn’t a barebones excursion. What you’re paying for is a full day on the water with several “included” pieces that add up:

• Snorkeling equipment (so you can actually use the marine reserve)
• Lunch on board with charcuterie and cheese platters plus a fresh seafood first course
• Bottled water
• Skipper
• Fuel
• Parking fees

Sun cream and towels are not included, so plan to pack those. But compared with a day trip where you’d otherwise pay separately for a boat, guide, and lunch, this is a pretty straightforward value proposition.

Also, note the tour is designed to run with a maximum of 12 participants. That matters because small-group experiences cost more to operate, and you can feel it in comfort.

Where you meet and how to start smoothly (Porto San Paolo)

The tour starts at the Port of Porto San Paolo, address: Via S. Paolo, 27, 07026 Loiri Porto San Paolo SS, Italy. The start time is 10:00 am, and the activity ends back at the meeting point.

A couple of practical tips can save you time:

• Have your mobile ticket ready.
• If you’re driving, parking fees are included, which reduces one layer of hassle.
• The start is near public transportation.

And here’s a small local-style detail that helps: if you’re trying to orient yourself quickly, one helpful approach is to park by the square and walk up to the docks. That gets you lined up before the boat starts loading.

How the captain builds your day around wind and choice

One of the smartest parts of this experience is that it isn’t a rigid “ten stops in the same order no matter what” plan. You’ll decide together with the skipper when to go ashore and how long to stay, and the captain selects the day’s best locations from the available options.

That means the “itinerary” is more like a menu. On calmer days you may get more of the longer-feeling stops. On windier days, you’ll often end up where conditions are friendlier—so the water time stays enjoyable.

It also explains why you’ll hear wind names attached to certain beaches. For example:

• Mistral often makes some beaches better than others.
• Sirocco changes which inlets are easiest to enjoy.
• Strong west winds can shift the best choices again.

If you like a tour that prioritizes conditions over checkboxes, this approach fits perfectly.

The stop-by-stop plan: what each place is like

Tavolara Island (about 1 hour)

Tavolara is one of the anchors of the day. You’ll stop here, and you can go ashore. The timing depends on the day and what you decide together.

What I’d target during this stop is the shoreline route on the south-eastern side. You’ll pass by old lime kilns—a reminder of how work connected to the sea in the past. The cliffs look imposing from the water, and the boat’s approach gives you that “watching the coast slide past” feeling rather than just quick views from a viewpoint.

One practical note: ashore time is flexible. If you want photos and a short walk, say so early.

Isola di Molara (about 1 hour)

Molara is known for natural pools, and you’ll visit areas that typically focus on two points: Cala del Pastore and the natural pools.

Because it’s a private island, the feel is different from public beach hopping. You’re in a more controlled, marine-focused setting, and that tends to make swimming and snorkeling better—less of the crowded-chaos vibe.

Porto Istana beach (about 40 minutes)

Porto Istana is especially interesting when the mistral wind is up, since it’s one of the captain’s favorite options under those conditions. Even though it’s reachable by car, it still plays well on a boat day—because you arrive from the sea with time to enjoy the water directly.

If you want a “settle in and swim” stretch, this stop often supports that.

Spiaggia del Dottore (about 30 minutes)

This is one of the more famous beaches in Sardinia, but it’s difficult to reach by land—which is exactly why you’ll probably love seeing it from the boat.

You reach it after about a 10-minute boat ride, and this is where the water color really does the work: shades move from transparent near the shore to deeper blue further along the cove. You’ll have time to swim, and the cove setting makes it great for snorkeling.

If you’re the type who wants the best water color per minute, this is a strong stop.

Spiaggie di Capo Ceraso (about 30 minutes)

Capo Ceraso is fascinating—and also a bit serious—because the area has numerous outcropping rocks. This is where the captain’s expertise matters. You’ll be led safely into inlets, and the reduced draft helps the boat navigate close to the rocky edges.

If you’re planning to swim, keep an eye on how you’re stepping and where you’re entering. Rocky edges can be trickier than sandy beaches.

Spiaggia di Punta Don Diego (about 40 minutes)

This small inlet sits in front of the Don Diego hotel. On days with strong mistral wind, it’s chosen because it offers better shelter. The visuals here are about the contrast: red rocks and crystal-green water close together.

This stop is a good bet if you want to swim while staying close to the coastline and still feeling like you’re inside a natural pocket.

Porto Taverna beach (walk along the shoreline)

Porto Taverna is easily accessible by land, and here you’ll generally walk along the beach. The water-to-land rhythm shifts slightly: less “park and swim nonstop,” more “take in the coastline at beach level.”

If you like photos, stretch breaks, or you’re balancing swimming with a chance to move your legs, this stop works.

Spiaggia della Tartaruga (about 40 minutes)

Turtle Beach is popular for a reason, but the real hook is its setting: it sits like a diamond in a field of flat stones.

How you reach it matters. You’ll usually stop nearby and let you get there either by swimming or from the flat rocks. The key caution is in the footing—the rocks are slippery. So go slow, watch your step, and avoid rushing when you’re moving between boat and shore.

Le Farfalle – Cala Suaraccia (about 40 minutes)

Cala Suaraccia has that “Sardinia of the past” feeling because the vegetation comes right up to the beach. You won’t just see it—you get the chance to go down for a swim from the boat area nearby, with the shore close enough to make the water time feel easy.

If your ideal beach day has both scenery and a short swim break, this stop tends to deliver.

Spiaggia Capo Coda Cavallo (about 40 minutes)

Capo Coda Cavallo is often chosen because it’s one of the most sheltered inlets when the sirocco wind is blowing. That’s a big deal. Wind can turn even beautiful spots into tiring ones, so “sheltered” here is a practical benefit, not just a description.

You’ll also get a more even experience underwater, with a homogeneous sandy seabed, which is nice for relaxed swimming and easier snorkeling.

Cala Brandinchi (about 30 minutes)

Cala Brandinchi is the wind-day option when strong west winds keep other tourist boats away. This is one of those stops that shows what you’re buying: someone who knows the sea can keep your day on track.

It’s described as sheltered, with spectacular colors when conditions are challenging elsewhere. If you booked specifically hoping for that “best day possible” feeling—even when the weather isn’t perfect—this stop is part of the answer.

Lunch on board: simple, filling, and timed well

Lunch is included, and it’s not just a snack. You’ll get charcuterie and cheese platters plus a fresh seafood first course. Bottled water is on hand too.

One small detail I really like about this kind of tour is that meals aren’t rushed in the same way as land-based tours. The pace stays water-focused, and the food fits naturally into the flow of stops.

And yes—there’s a bell moment. If your skipper is Michele, pay attention: there’s a bell used during the day, and it becomes a fun cue that the food and drinks are being served. It’s a tiny tradition, but it adds energy without turning the day into a performance.

Snorkeling gear included: how to use it without overthinking

You’ll have snorkeling equipment included, which means you can pack light. The bigger question is how you’ll actually use it.

Here’s what works best on this kind of sailing day:

• Jump in when you see the water color you want. This itinerary is built around coves where visibility tends to be a strong point.
• Don’t force every swim. Some stops are better for floating and watching, others for quick snorkeling bursts.
• Keep your entry safe, especially at stops with flat stones or rocky inlets.

The itinerary includes beaches where swimming is part of the experience (like the coves near Tavolara, Molara natural pools, and places where you reach shore by swimming or from rocks). Having gear ready keeps those moments easy.

Comfort and the small-group advantage (especially on a sail)

With up to 12 people, the boat doesn’t feel like a moving bus. You can move around without feeling crowded, and the small scale makes it easier for the skipper to guide you if conditions change.

The reduced draft also contributes to comfort in an indirect way. When a boat can get closer to the coast, it can shorten travel time between scenic points and give you more time in the water or on deck.

You’ll still want basic common sense: listen to the skipper’s instructions, keep track of where your entry/exit points are, and take your time near rocks.

Who should book this Tavolara and Molara sailing tour?

This is a great match if you:

• Want Sardinia by water in a protected marine setting
• Prefer a small-group day over a big crowd
• Like snorkeling but don’t want to rent gear separately
• Appreciate a captain who adapts to the wind instead of sticking to a rigid plan

It’s also described as recommended for pregnant women and suitable for most travelers. If you want a day on the water without overcomplicating logistics, it fits that goal.

Should you book this tour?

Yes—if you want a classic Sardinian sailing day that mixes scenery, swimming, and lunch with a maximum of 12 people. The wind-aware routing is the real differentiator. It’s what helps you keep the best water time even when conditions shift.

I’d pass or consider a different option if you’re set on a very specific schedule that never changes. This tour does adjust based on weather, and the captain’s goal is comfort and seaworthy access, not checking off every named stop no matter what.

If your priority is a relaxed, sea-first day from Porto San Paolo—Tavolara’s cliffs and lime kilns, Molara’s natural pools, and coves that reward swimming—this one is a strong pick.

FAQ

What time does the tour start?

The tour starts at 10:00 am, and it ends back at the same meeting point.

How long is the sailing tour?

It runs for about 7 hours (approximately).

Where do I meet the boat?

You meet at the Port of Porto San Paolo, Via S. Paolo, 27, 07026 Loiri Porto San Paolo SS, Italy.

How many people are on the tour?

The tour has a maximum of 12 travelers.

What’s included in the price?

Included are bottled water, snorkeling equipment, lunch (charcuterie and cheese platters plus a fresh seafood first course), the skipper, fuel, and parking fees.

What should I bring?

Sun cream and towels are not included, so bring those along. You’ll also want swimwear since many stops involve swimming.

Do the stops require paid admission?

The listed stop admissions are marked as free, and the tour includes the stops as part of the experience.

What happens if the weather is bad?

This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund. Confirmation is also received at booking.