Sailing ship from Porto San Paolo (S.Teodoro-Olbia) to Tavolara, Molara

The best Sardinian views come from offshore. This full-day sailing trip from Porto San Paolo gives you time to swim at Isola Piana, eat a generous Sardinian lunch near Tavolara, and float in the bright waters of Molara. I especially like the small group of up to 14 people and the way food, wine, snorkeling gear, and coffee are included. The main consideration is that the day depends on weather, and the boat may change its route for safety.

I also like that this is a proper sailing day, not simply a fast ride between swimming spots. You get stretches under sail, local food served aboard, and a chance to search for dolphins in the afternoon. The $119.77 price is reasonable for 7 to 8 hours on the water, though you should arrive prepared with a towel and a plan for parking.

Key points before you book

• Four sea stops: Swim at Isola Piana, Tavolara, Molara, and within the Tavolara-Punta Coda Cavallo protected marine area.
• Small boat atmosphere: The maximum group size is 14, which allows for a friendlier and less crowded day than many larger boat cruises.
• Sardinian food included: Expect a brunch-style aperitif, local products, lunch, fruit, sweets, coffee, and drinks including Vermentino, beer, and myrtle liqueur.
• Several crew members praised by name: Luigi, Fabio, Matteo, Agostino, Alessio, Stefania, Laura, Livia, and Ricardo have all been singled out for warm, attentive service.
• Bring your own towel: Snorkeling equipment is supplied, but beach towels are not.
• Plan for parking: The meeting point is at Via del Faro 62 in Porto San Paolo, and arriving around 30 minutes early helps with parking.

Why this sailing day is worth your time

The northeastern coast of Sardinia is best understood from the sea. From Porto San Paolo, the route reaches the islands of Tavolara and Molara, where pale rock, low scrub, and clear water create a striking setting. You are not rushing through a string of landings. Much of the pleasure comes from sitting aboard, watching the coast change, and waiting for the crew to choose the next sheltered swimming place.

The day begins at 9:30 am and lasts about 7.5 hours. That is long enough for several swims, a proper meal, relaxed sailing, and time to enjoy the company aboard. The group limit of 14 matters here. A small boat makes it easier to speak with the crew, find a comfortable place to sit, and avoid the packed feeling common on big excursion vessels.

The strongest part of the experience is the human touch. Luigi and Matteo are repeatedly praised for their humor, care, and service, while other departures have included Fabio, Marco, Agostino, Livia, Ricardo, Stefania, and Laura. The exact crew can vary, but the pattern is clear: the hosts take an active role in the day rather than simply steering the boat and pointing at the islands.

English is offered, and an English-speaking guide may explain local stories and places along the coast. The atmosphere can be social. One particularly happy group found that everyone spoke English and got along well, while other passengers enjoyed singing and sharing the relaxed mood. If you prefer complete privacy, this may feel too communal. If you enjoy meeting people over lunch and wine, it is part of the appeal.

Leaving Porto San Paolo and reaching Isola Piana

Meet at Via del Faro 62 in Porto San Paolo, in the San Teodoro and Olbia area. Transportation to the port is not included, so you need to make your own way there. The boat returns to this same meeting point at the end of the day.

Parking deserves attention. A useful practical tip is to arrive about 30 minutes early and check the MoniGo app for parking information. Port parking costs about 5 euros per day according to one detailed account, but spaces can be difficult to find. That small extra cost is worth including in your budget.

The first stop is Isola Piana, reached after only a few minutes of navigation. You have about 30 minutes for your first swim. This is a gentle way to begin because you can get comfortable with the water, the boat, and the snorkeling equipment before the longer stops later in the day.

Do not expect a major shore visit here. The point is the swim itself and the first look at the island coast from the water. The sea is described as clear enough to see fish, and the short stop gives you a quick introduction without using up the best part of the day.

Two hours near Tavolara, with lunch and an aperitif

The longest stop is in front of Tavolara, lasting about two hours. This is the central portion of the day, combining a swim, an aperitif, and lunch in a beautiful protected setting.

Tavolara is a dramatic presence from the water, and the view changes as the boat settles near the beach. You can swim, snorkel, or stay aboard with a drink while the crew prepares the meal. The protected setting also makes this a good place to slow down. The schedule is not built around racing from one photo stop to another.

Food is one of the most praised parts of the experience. The aperitif includes Vermentino and typical Sardinian products. The spread can include several kinds of Sardinian pecorino, sausage flavored with myrtle, local salami, small open sandwiches, pane carasau, and guttiau, a crisp seasoned version of the island’s flatbread.

Lunch is prepared aboard and includes a pasta dish with Mediterranean ingredients and fish. Fruit, local sweets, coffee, and myrtle liqueur are also served. Wine, beer, bottled water, and other drinks are included, so you do not need to bring a meal or a large supply of water.

That generous catering helps explain the price. You are paying for a long sailing day, not just transport to a swimming cove. A meal at sea, wine tasting, aperitif, coffee, snorkeling equipment, and bottled water would add up quickly if purchased separately. The value is particularly good if you intend to make full use of the food and drink service.

There is one important food limitation. The boat can accommodate no-fish or vegetarian choices, but broader food intolerances and special requests may not be manageable. If you have strict dietary needs, the operator recommends bringing a packed lunch. Ask about your needs before departure rather than assuming the galley can make substitutions.

Molara’s swimming pools and turquoise water

The route continues to Molara, with about one hour at the Molara swimming pools. The name refers to a famous area of shallow, clear water with a strong turquoise color. This is the stop for a classic Sardinian swim: mask on, face in the water, and time to watch fish below.

Snorkeling equipment is included, which makes this stop easier for anyone who does not want to pack their own mask and snorkel. Bring a towel, though, because one is not supplied. Sun protection is also essential. The water can feel refreshing, but you will still spend many hours exposed to the Sardinian sun.

The swimming pools are more about water quality and color than about caves or elaborate rock formations. One detailed account points out that this part of the coast does not offer many rocks or caves to explore up close. That is not a fault in the tour, but it is useful to know. You are choosing this outing for open-water swimming, sailing, scenery, and food rather than a close inspection of sea caves.

The protected marine area and an afternoon under sail

The boat also spends time in the Tavolara-Punta Coda Cavallo protected marine area, which extends for about 76 kilometers along the coast. This section gives you another chance to swim and snorkel, with lunch service included as part of the day’s food schedule.

Because the area is protected, the experience is best approached with care. Follow the crew’s instructions about where to enter the water and how to use the snorkeling gear. The point is to enjoy the sea without treating it like an amusement park.

Later in the afternoon, the crew may set sail and look for dolphins. Sightings are not guaranteed, so treat this as a pleasant possibility rather than the main reason to book. The search adds a natural finish to the day, especially after several stops where you have already had plenty of time in the water.

The sailing portions are important. Several people enjoyed the moment the boat left the harbor and raised its sails, finding that the change from engine power to quiet movement made the trip feel more authentic. You get time to see Sardinia from offshore, where the coastline and islands form a wider picture than they do from a beach.

The food and drinks make this more than a swim cruise

The meal service gives the day its character. Instead of a basic sandwich and a can of soda, you receive a succession of snacks, local foods, a cooked pasta course, fruit, sweets, coffee, and regional drinks.

Vermentino is the signature wine included with the meal and aperitif. Beer, bottled water, and myrtle liqueur are also available. The myrtle is a classic Sardinian digestif, so this is a good chance to try a local flavor even if you have not ordered it elsewhere.

Expect the food to be informal. It is served aboard a sailing boat, not in a restaurant dining room. That means the meal is part of the sea day rather than a separate formal event. The relaxed service suits the setting, but anyone expecting a refined, multi-course restaurant meal should adjust expectations.

One unhappy account felt that the food and organization were too simple for a seven-hour outing. The operator responded with a more detailed description of the spread, including cheeses, cured meats, flatbreads, fish pasta, fruit, sweets, coffee, and drinks. The fair reading is that the food is plentiful and distinctly Sardinian, but you should not book this expecting luxury dining.

What the crew and boat are like

The boat has been described as comfortable, clean, and well maintained. That matters on a day of this length. You will spend time sitting aboard between swims, and a tidy boat makes those stretches much more pleasant.

The crew style is warm and involved. Luigi is often praised for being capable, precise, kind, and cheerful. Fabio, Matteo, Agostino, and Ricardo are also described as attentive hosts who mingle with the group and help create an easy mood.

This can be a lively outing. Singing, jokes, and conversation have been part of some departures. The crew may also help if you have trouble finding the meeting point. Still, the social tone depends partly on the people booked that day. A small group is an advantage, but it does not guarantee silence or solitude.

The maximum is 14 people, although one person felt the experience would be best with no more than eight. That comment is worth considering if you are sensitive to space. Fourteen is still a modest group for a boat excursion, but the available room will feel different depending on the vessel and how many people are aboard.

Weather, safety, and the flexible route

This experience requires good weather. If conditions are poor, the departure can be canceled and you will be offered another date or a full refund. The captain can also adjust the route during the day to protect the safety of navigation.

That flexibility is a strength, not a weakness. Wind and sea conditions can change the best swimming locations, and a responsible captain should not follow a fixed schedule at the expense of comfort or safety. You may not visit every place in precisely the listed order, but the goal remains a rewarding day around Tavolara and Molara.

The route may also feel different from one departure to another. Sheltered water, wind direction, and sea conditions can affect where the boat pauses and how long you sail. Bring a practical attitude and let the captain make the final call.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the 9:30 am start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours ahead are not accepted for a refund. Confirmation is sent within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability, and the trip also requires a minimum number of participants.

Who should book this sailing trip?

I would choose this outing if you want a full day at sea with a strong mix of swimming, food, scenery, and conversation. It suits couples, friends, and families who are comfortable spending several hours aboard a boat and who value a personal crew more than a rigid sightseeing schedule.

It is especially good for you if:

• You want to swim several times rather than visit towns and museums.
• You enjoy Sardinian food and regional drinks.
• You prefer a small group to a large excursion vessel.
• You want snorkeling equipment included.
• You like the idea of sailing between stops.
• You are happy with a flexible route based on weather.

I would look elsewhere if you need carefully controlled dietary accommodation, dislike social group activities, or want extensive cave and rock exploration. This is also not the right choice if you expect guaranteed dolphin sightings. The dolphins are a bonus at the end of the day.

Is the $119.77 price good value?

At $119.77 per person, the cost is fair for roughly 7.5 hours. The price includes the boat, crew, multiple swimming stops, snorkeling gear, an aperitif, lunch, wine tasting, water, coffee or tea, and alcoholic drinks.

The value improves if you would otherwise pay separately for lunch, drinks, and a shorter boat ride. It is less compelling if you plan to stay aboard and skip the swimming and food service. The day is designed as an all-in experience, so use what is provided.

Remember to add the cost of getting to Porto San Paolo, possible parking, and your own beach towel. Those are small additions, but knowing about them ahead of time prevents avoidable hassle at the port.

Should you book it?

Yes, if you want one of your Sardinian holiday days to revolve around the sea. The best reasons to book are the small group, attentive crew, local food, repeated swim stops, and the chance to sail around Tavolara and Molara rather than simply view them from shore.

Book with realistic expectations. The sea and weather control the schedule, the boat is social, special dietary requests are limited, and dolphin sightings cannot be promised. Arrive early for parking, bring a towel and sun protection, and tell the operator about any food restrictions before the day begins.

For most people, the combination of clear water, Sardinian dishes, Vermentino, and a full afternoon under sail makes this a strong-value coastal excursion.

FAQ

Where does the sailing trip start and finish?

It starts at Via Del Faro 62, 07020 Porto San Paolo SS, Italy, at 9:30 am. The boat returns to the same meeting point at the end of the activity.

How long does the experience last?

The sailing day lasts approximately 7 to 8 hours, with the listed cruise duration being about 7.5 hours.

Are lunch and drinks included?

Yes. Lunch, a brunch aperitif, bottled water, coffee or tea, Vermentino, beer, myrtle liqueur, and other alcoholic beverages are included. Typical Sardinian products are served as part of the food service.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included. Beach towels are not provided, so you should bring your own.

Can the route change?

Yes. The captain may change the route according to weather and sea conditions to keep navigation safe. Dolphin sightings are possible during the afternoon sailing but are not guaranteed.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund. If poor weather or insufficient participation cancels the trip, you will be offered another date, another experience, or a full refund.