Boat Tour at Devil’s Saddle: 4 Swim Stops, Snorkeling & Prosecco

Cagliari’s best water is just offshore, and this three-hour boat trip makes a full morning or afternoon of it. You’ll cruise around Devil’s Saddle, stop repeatedly for swims and snorkeling, pass the sea-only Grotta dei Colombi, and finish with a glass of Prosecco. Guides such as Alessandro, Giovanni, and Pietro also add bits of local geography and history along the way.

I like the many swim stops, which keep the trip active without forcing you to spend hours on a beach. I also like the practical package: snorkeling gear, water, fuel, and an English-speaking skipper are included for $60.49.

The main catch is simple: there is no toilet on the boat or in the port. The route also depends on weather, and the boat is not a good choice if you suffer from seasickness.

Key points at a glance

• Four main snorkeling stops: Cala Bernat, Calamosca Beach, Cala Fighera, and the Gasole swimming pools near Sella del Diavolo.
• More than swimming: The route can also include Marina Piccola, Poetto, and a passage by Grotta dei Colombi.
• Helpful crew: English and Italian-speaking skippers may include Alessandro, Giovanni, Pietro, Matteo, or others from the NautiSardinia team.
• Good family option: Children aged 9 to 14 have enjoyed jumping from the boat and swimming in calm, clear water.
• Small-boat feel with up to 32 people: It is social rather than private, and groups should book together if staying on the same boat matters.
• Bring food and arrive early: Food is not supplied, all passengers must arrive 20 minutes before departure, and late arrivals cannot hold the boat.

Why this Cagliari boat trip works so well

The appeal is not a long sightseeing cruise with one quick photo stop. You spend much of the outing in or beside the water. The boat moves from one cove to another, giving you several chances to swim, snorkel, sit in the sun, or simply watch Sardinia’s coastline slide past.

That variety matters. If one stop feels crowded or the sea is less calm than expected, the next may offer a better place to get in. The skipper can adjust the route when weather or sea conditions require it, so the exact order and number of stops can change.

The setting is especially convenient if you are staying in central Cagliari. The meeting point is at NautiSardinia Boat Trips, Molo Dogana, in the port area. It is near public transport and close to the central bus station. If you drive, the nearest listed parking is Parcheggio Porto, managed by Apcoa, about a 10-minute walk away.

You need to arrive 20 minutes before departure. This is not a suggestion to treat casually. The boat cannot delay departure for late arrivals, so allow extra time if you are coming by taxi, bus, or car.

Cala Bernat starts the swimming rhythm

Cala Bernat is one of the first planned swim and snorkel stops. You can get into the water from the boat, use the supplied mask and snorkel, and possibly swim toward the beach.

The listed stop lasts about 20 minutes. That is enough time for a refreshing swim and a quick look below the surface, but not enough for a long snorkeling session. I would treat each stop as a series of short water breaks rather than a full beach visit.

The advantage of arriving by boat is access. You are not spending your morning finding parking, walking across hot sand, or carrying beach equipment. You step from the boat into the sea and return when the skipper calls time.

Calamosca Beach adds a familiar shoreline

The second stop is at Calamosca Beach, another place for swimming and snorkeling. The possibility of swimming toward shore gives you a choice: stay near the boat for a quick snorkel, or use the pause to approach the beach.

The coastline around Cagliari is best viewed from the water. From a boat, you see the shape of the coves and the surrounding headlands in a way that is hard to grasp from a road or city street. The stop also breaks up the ride, which helps if you prefer activity to simply sitting on deck.

Sea conditions control the details. Calm water can make this a relaxed family stop, while wind or choppy water may lead the skipper to shorten it or choose another location. The operator specifically notes that the route can vary with weather.

Cala Fighera offers another chance to snorkel

Spiaggia di Cala Fighera is the third named swimming area. Again, the plan allows about 20 minutes for swimming and snorkeling, with the option of swimming toward the beach.

By this point, the trip has a pleasant pattern: ride, swim, dry off, enjoy the view, then get ready for the next stop. I like that you are not expected to be an expert snorkeler. The equipment is supplied, and the tour is built around easy access to the water rather than technical instruction.

Expect clear water and some fish, but keep your expectations sensible. This is a coastal sightseeing and swimming excursion, not a specialist marine-life trip. One account found the snorkeling pleasant but saw fewer kinds of fish than expected. Another described seeing many fish, starfish, and even dolphins during the outing. Wildlife sightings are never guaranteed, but the water itself is a major part of the experience.

Grotta dei Colombi is seen from the sea

At some point, the boat passes in front of Grotta dei Colombi, a striking cave reachable only by sea. This is a short sightseeing moment rather than a separate landing or cave tour.

That detail gives the trip more character. You are not only visiting beaches that could be reached on foot. The boat lets you view a part of the coast that has no ordinary land approach. Keep your camera ready, but do not expect a long stop inside the cave.

The skipper may also point out historical or geographical features along the coast. Alessandro, Pietro, and others have been praised for explaining the places on the route while keeping the mood easygoing. The amount of commentary can vary by skipper, but the experience is more than a silent transfer between swimming spots.

Gasole pools sit beneath Sella del Diavolo

The route’s central highlight is Sella del Diavolo, known in English as Devil’s Saddle. Here, the boat visits the Gasole swimming pools, described as an enchanting place for another swim and snorkel stop.

This is the section that gives the tour its name. You see the distinctive headland from the water, then stop near the natural pools. The name Devil’s Saddle refers to the shape of the promontory, which is far easier to appreciate offshore than from the city.

The water is typically the star here: clear enough for swimming and a look below the surface. You can use the snorkeling equipment provided or stay aboard and enjoy the scenery. A life jacket is available if necessary, and the crew keeps an eye on swimmers.

The stop is not a guided hike up Sella del Diavolo. If you want to walk the headland, this boat tour will not replace a land excursion. It gives you a sea-level view and access to swimming water instead.

Marina Piccola and Poetto round out the route

The advertised plan also includes a stop in front of Marina Piccola bay. You may swim, snorkel, or head toward the coast. This is another chance to choose your own pace. Jump in if you want more water time, or remain on board if four swim stops have already satisfied you.

Poetto is listed as an additional swimming stop, also planned for about 20 minutes. Since the experience is described as a four-stop tour while the route includes several possible swimming areas, you should think of these locations as a flexible route rather than a rigid checklist. Weather, sea state, timing, and the skipper’s judgment can affect which places receive the most time.

That flexibility is useful, but it is worth understanding before you book. If you need every named stop in a fixed order, this may frustrate you. If you want a good stretch of swimming around Cagliari, changing conditions are part of a sensible day on the sea.

Snorkeling gear, water, and Prosecco

The tour includes snorkeling equipment, bottled water, fuel costs, and a glass of Prosecco. You do not need to rent a mask and snorkel separately or carry your own gear, though bringing your own is fine if you prefer a particular fit.

The supplied equipment has been a real plus for families and couples who did not want to pack their own. Still, snorkel masks fit differently from person to person. If you are fussy about fit, arrive ready to ask the crew for an adjustment, or bring your own mask.

Food is not included. You can bring your own, which is useful if you are booking a morning or afternoon departure and want a small snack. Keep food simple and secure on a moving boat. Alcohol beyond the included Prosecco is not allowed, and nobody may board intoxicated. Drugs are strictly forbidden.

The Prosecco is a pleasant extra rather than the reason to book. It adds a holiday touch after swimming, and some outings have included generous pours. The official inclusion is one glass, so do not book this expecting an unlimited drinks cruise.

What the skipper adds to the day

The skipper makes a large difference on a boat tour. Names connected with this experience include Alessandro, Giovanni, Pietro, Matteo, and Alec. The crew speaks English and Italian, and the strongest part of the experience is the balance between safe handling, local explanation, and a relaxed mood.

Alessandro has taken song requests, played music, taken photos and videos, and kept the energy light. Giovanni has been singled out for being attentive and thoughtful. Pietro has been praised for choosing attractive swimming locations, explaining the route, and keeping the trip on schedule.

Those personal touches are valuable because the trip has no elaborate shore program. Your skipper is the guide, captain, host, and safety contact all at once. Good communication matters when people are entering the water, moving around the boat, and returning after a swim.

The exact style will depend on who is working that departure. You might get lively jokes and music, or a quieter ride with more focus on the coast. Either way, the crew’s role is more important than a scripted speech.

Is $60.49 a fair price?

At $60.49 per person, this is good value if you plan to use the boat as a half-day water outing. You are paying for about three hours, fuel, equipment, water, a skipper, several swimming locations, and the chance to see the coast from offshore.

The comparison is not just with a beach day. A beach costs less, but it will not take you to sea-only views or move you between multiple coves. You also avoid renting snorkeling gear and arranging transport between beaches.

The value is weaker if you do not enjoy swimming, snorkeling, or boat rides. Much of the tour’s appeal comes from repeated water stops, so a person who prefers a full sightseeing commentary may want a different Cagliari excursion.

The maximum group size is 32 people. That is not a private charter, and the atmosphere can be social. Several boats may leave around the same time, so if you are traveling with friends and want to be together, book as one group rather than making separate reservations.

Who should book this experience?

I would recommend it most strongly to:

• Couples wanting an easy sea outing from Cagliari
• Families with children who enjoy swimming
• First-time visitors who want to see several coastal areas in one morning or afternoon
• Anyone who likes a relaxed boat ride with music and a drink
• People who do not want to organize snorkeling equipment or beach transfers

It has already worked well for children aged 9, 10, 12, 13, and 14, but every child should be comfortable around open water and able to follow the skipper’s instructions. The boat is not recommended for safety reasons for people weighing more than 135 kilograms, and pregnant passengers should contact the operator before booking.

If you get seasick, choose another activity. Even a calm day can feel uncomfortable on a small boat, and the repeated stops do not remove the motion between coves.

Practical details before you go

Search Google Maps for NautiSardinia Boat Trips and use the meeting point at Molo Dogana, 09125 Cagliari. Bring photo identification, swimwear, a towel, sun protection, and food if you want something to eat.

There is no toilet on the boat or in the port, so plan accordingly before you arrive. Respectful behavior is expected both on board and inside the marina.

The tour requires good weather. If poor conditions cancel it, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations or changes inside that 24-hour window are not accepted.

Should you book the Devil’s Saddle boat tour?

Book it if you want clear water, repeated swims, and a simple three-hour escape from Cagliari. The route gives you more variety than a single beach visit, while the snorkeling gear and English-speaking skipper keep the planning easy.

I would skip it if you need a toilet, dislike boats, want a private experience, or prefer a fixed sightseeing schedule. For everyone else, the combination of Cala Bernat, Calamosca, Cala Fighera, Devil’s Saddle, sea caves, Marina Piccola, and a little Prosecco makes this one of the better ways to spend part of a sunny day in Cagliari.

FAQ

How long is the Devil’s Saddle boat tour?

The experience lasts approximately three hours and ends back at the meeting point in Cagliari.

Where does the boat tour start?

It starts at NautiSardinia Boat Trips, Molo Dogana, 09125 Cagliari, Italy. Search Google Maps for NautiSardinia Boat Trips.

What swimming stops are included?

The planned route includes Cala Bernat, Calamosca Beach, Spiaggia di Cala Fighera, and the Gasole swimming pools near Sella del Diavolo. Marina Piccola and Poetto are also listed as possible swimming locations.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment, bottled water, fuel costs, a glass of Prosecco, and an English and Italian-speaking skipper or guide are included. A life jacket is available if necessary.

Is food included?

No. Food is not included, but you may bring your own.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The route may change because of weather conditions. If the tour is canceled due to poor weather, you will be offered another date or a full refund.