Cagliari: Devil’s Saddle Boat Tour with Spritz and Chips

Clear water, cliffs, and a cold spritz await. This three-hour boat tour gives you a lively view of Cagliari from the Gulf of Angels, with stops for swimming, snorkeling, photos, and a look at the dramatic Devil’s Saddle. I especially like the generous time in the water and the friendly, flexible approach of Captain Matteo. I also like that the price includes snorkeling gear, food, drinks, music, and even sunscreen.

The main consideration is comfort. This is a speedboat and dinghy-style outing, not a polished yacht cruise, and the sea can be choppy when the weather turns. The boat is practical rather than fancy, and the snorkeling equipment may not suit everyone. Still, at $65 per person, it offers a strong mix of sightseeing, swimming, and relaxed local hospitality.

Key points at a glance

• Three swimming areas and several photo stops: The route includes Cala Mosca, Cala Fighera, the Devil’s Saddle, Grotta dei Colombi, and Poetto.
• Captain Matteo sets the tone: He handles the boat, shares local facts, speaks good English, and adjusts the outing when conditions call for a change.
• Snorkeling equipment is included: Masks are available, though some people found the supply of suitable snorkels limited.
• Spritz, chips, and music are part of the experience: This feels more like a sociable morning on the water than a formal sightseeing cruise.
• A useful 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. schedule: You get a full coastal outing without losing the whole day in Cagliari.
• The meeting point is simple but easy to miss: Look for the gray gate with billboards at Blue Rent Boat, Noleggio Gommoni.

Why this coastal trip is worth your morning

Cagliari is best understood from the water. From shore, the Devil’s Saddle can look like a distant wall of pale rock. From a boat, you see how the cliffs fold around small coves, caves, and swimming spots that are difficult or impossible to reach on foot.

I like the balance here. You are not stuck on a boat for three hours while someone points at the coast from a distance. The route includes real time to get into the sea, float near the rocks, and use a mask to look for fish. At the same time, the guide adds context about the Gulf of Angels, marine life, local history, and conservation.

The atmosphere is informal. Music plays, chips come out, and a spritz turns the ride into an Italian aperitivo on the water. This is a good fit if you want your sightseeing with a little holiday spirit rather than a lecture.

The activity has a very strong 4.9 rating from 1,193 reviews, and the praise is remarkably consistent around Captain Matteo. People especially appreciate his warmth, clear English, attention to safety, and willingness to solve problems when weather or sea conditions are less than perfect.

Meeting Captain Matteo at Blue Rent Boat

The starting point is Blue Rent Boat, also marked Noleggio Gommoni. Look for a gray gate with billboards. The driver is available if you need help, and Captain Matteo has been easy for many people to reach through WhatsApp.

That small point matters. Boat departure areas can feel confusing, especially around a marina where several companies share the same stretch of waterfront. Give yourself enough time to find the gate rather than arriving at 10 a.m. and hoping the correct boat will somehow reveal itself.

The tour begins at 10:00 and returns around 13:00. This timing works well with a day in Cagliari. You can spend the afternoon exploring the old center, eating lunch, or heading back to the beach without giving up a full day.

The boat includes a dock shower for rinsing off saltwater when you return. Bring a towel, but you may not need to plan a full change of clothes before heading onward.

Speeding along Cagliari’s shore

The first part of the outing is a boat ride along the coast. The speed adds energy, but it also means you should expect wind and some movement. If you have back problems, are pregnant, or dislike bumpy rides, this may not be the right choice.

The skipper and guide speak Italian, English, and Spanish. Captain Matteo receives the most attention for his English, easygoing manner, and ability to explain the area without making the trip feel like a classroom.

Look back toward Cagliari as the boat pulls away. The city takes on a different shape from the Gulf of Angels, and the shore becomes a sequence of beaches, cliffs, caves, and rock shelves. The boat gives you a changing view that you simply cannot get from a single lookout.

Cala Mosca, the first swim

Cala Mosca is a small, sheltered beach popular with locals. It is the first substantial stop, with about 35 minutes for swimming.

This is a sensible opening stop. You can get used to the water, test the boat’s swim access, and decide how much snorkeling you want to do later. The sheltered setting should feel calmer than the more exposed portions of the coast, although sea conditions always depend on the day.

I would use this stop to settle into the rhythm. You are not being hurried from one landmark to another. You have enough time to swim, take in the cliffs, and climb back aboard without turning the morning into a race.

Cala Fighera and its limestone cliffs

After another short ride, the boat reaches Cala Fighera. This hidden beach sits below tall limestone cliffs and is known as a place favored by nudists.

That detail is worth knowing in advance. The cove is scenic, but it may not feel like a conventional family beach. You can enjoy the view and swim, but do not expect the same beach-club setting or formal atmosphere you might find at Poetto.

The stop lasts about 25 minutes and includes photo time, swimming, and views along the route. The cliffs are the main attraction here. Their pale, weathered surfaces contrast with the clear water below, giving you some of the best close coastal photographs of the morning.

The Devil’s Saddle from the sea

The Sella del Diavolo, or Devil’s Saddle, is the name-giving feature of the trip. The boat pauses here for photos, a guided explanation, scenic views, and swimming.

The formation is tied to local legend and myth, which gives the rock a little more character than a simple cliff face. Your guide explains the area’s background while you see the rock formations from water level. That perspective is the point: the cliffs appear larger and more dramatic when you are below them.

Captain Matteo’s style seems to be conversational rather than formal. He points out notable places, shares facts about the coast, and keeps the outing moving. You get information, but the focus remains on being outside and enjoying the sea.

This is also a good place for photographs. Keep your phone protected from spray, and use a secure case if you bring it into the water. The provided details do not specify waterproof storage on board, so it is best not to assume your belongings will stay dry.

Grotta dei Colombi, the longest water stop

The longest stop comes at Grotta dei Colombi, with about 45 minutes for free time, swimming, and snorkeling. For many people, this is the highlight because it gives you the time to slow down and actually explore the water.

The cave and surrounding rock formations add interest to the swim. You can use the masks provided to look for fish and marine life. Several people have seen plenty of fish, and some even encountered dolphins during their outing, though dolphins and other wildlife are never guaranteed.

The snorkeling gear is included, which adds real value to the price. One practical warning: not everyone found the snorkels suitable, and one person noted that there were more masks than usable snorkels. If snorkeling is central to your plans, ask about equipment when you arrive and bring your own set if you already have one.

You should also remember that this is not a dedicated snorkeling expedition. The tour mixes swimming, sightseeing, music, food, and coastal interpretation. That variety is its strength, but serious snorkelers may want a more specialized trip.

Poetto brings the route toward home

The route continues to Poetto, Cagliari’s best-known beach, for another photo stop, free time, and swimming. After the smaller coves and rock walls, Poetto gives you a broader beach view.

This stop helps round out the morning. You see both the secluded, cliff-lined side of the coast and the more open beach setting near the city. It also gives you one more chance to swim before the boat heads back.

The return ride takes you back along the coast to Blue Rent Boat. Depending on the day, the sea may be calm or lively. One person specifically noted that the water was not perfectly smooth but still clear enough to see fish with the provided mask. That is a fair picture of boat trips: the captain can choose good stops, but nobody controls the weather.

Spritz, chips, music, and a relaxed mood

The food and drink are modest but well judged. You receive chips and a fresh spritz on board, with music playing during the ride. Do not book this expecting a full meal. Think of it as a snack and aperitivo while floating past some of Sardinia’s best coastal scenery.

I like this small touch because it makes the trip feel social. Swimming can be tiring, and a drink after getting back on board gives the outing a pleasant pause. The music also helps create an easygoing mood, though your enjoyment will depend on your taste and the group around you.

The tour is not built around luxury. The boat is described as comfortable and functional, but not fancy. That is important when comparing it with higher-priced private charters. Here, you pay for access to the coast, a capable skipper, several swim stops, gear, snacks, and local explanation, not for plush seating or a large sun deck.

What $65 buys you

At $65, the value is strongest if you plan to swim. A simple coastal cruise with no water stops would not justify the price as easily. Here, you get transport by boat, a skipper, a guide, snorkeling equipment, food, drinks, sunscreen, music, and a dock shower.

You also get several different settings in one morning. Cala Mosca offers a sheltered beach, Cala Fighera brings cliff scenery, the Devil’s Saddle adds legend and dramatic rock, Grotta dei Colombi gives you the longest snorkeling period, and Poetto provides a wide beach view.

The flexibility is another part of the value. Captain Matteo has adjusted plans and handled changing conditions in ways that kept people comfortable. That does not mean every stop will happen exactly as planned. It means the outing is not rigid when the sea or weather demands a practical choice.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and the option to reserve now and pay later make the booking less risky. Those policies are useful if your Cagliari schedule depends on weather.

Who should book this boat trip

I would recommend this experience to couples, friends, solo visitors, and families with older children who enjoy swimming and a friendly group setting. It is especially useful if you want to see the coast but do not want to rent a boat or organize several beaches yourself.

You will get the most from it if you enjoy a mix of activity and relaxation. You can swim, snorkel, take photographs, listen to music, eat chips, and learn a little about Cagliari’s coast without needing specialist knowledge.

The tour is not suitable for pregnant women, people with back problems, wheelchair users, people with epilepsy, babies under one year, people over 95, or anyone weighing more than 275 pounds or 125 kilograms. Non-folding wheelchairs and mobility scooters are not accepted.

You also cannot bring pets, large bags, oversized luggage, bikes, fishing equipment, glass objects, umbrellas, skateboards, scooters, or weapons and sharp objects. Smoking, alcohol brought from outside, drugs, fireworks, and other dangerous items are prohibited. The boat has the required emergency systems for sea travel, but you should still follow the captain’s instructions closely.

What to bring for a better morning

Bring your passport, sun hat, towel, and sunscreen. Sunscreen is included, but I would still bring the product you know works well for your skin.

Wear clothing you can comfortably get wet. Keep valuables to a minimum because large bags and luggage are not allowed. A secure phone case is useful for photographs, but do not assume every personal item will remain dry.

If snorkeling matters to you, consider bringing your own mask and snorkel. The included equipment is a welcome bonus, but the supply of suitable snorkels may be limited.

Should you book the Devil’s Saddle boat tour?

Book it if you want clear-water swimming, several coastal stops, local stories, and an informal Italian aperitivo in one three-hour outing. Captain Matteo’s friendly presence is a major strength, and the route gives you far more than a quick look at the Devil’s Saddle.

Skip it if you need a luxury boat, a completely smooth ride, a serious snorkeling program, or step-free accessibility. For most able-bodied people who enjoy the sea, $65 is a fair price for the amount of coastline, swimming time, equipment, and hospitality included.

FAQ

How long is the Devil’s Saddle boat tour?

The experience lasts three hours, departing at 10:00 and returning around 13:00.

How much does the tour cost?

The price is $65 per person.

Where does the boat tour start?

It starts at Blue Rent Boat, Noleggio Gommoni, in Cagliari. Look for a gray gate with billboards.

What languages does the guide speak?

The tour is available in Italian, English, and Spanish.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included, although the number of suitable snorkels may be limited.

Are food and drinks included?

Yes. Chips and spritz are included, along with music on board.

Which places does the boat visit?

The route includes Cala Mosca, Cala Fighera, the Devil’s Saddle, Grotta dei Colombi, and Poetto, with scenic views along the coast.

What should I bring?

Bring your passport, sun hat, towel, and sunscreen.

Can I cancel the booking?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later.