Guided cruise to Cala Goloritzè, Cala Mariolu, Cala Gabbiani, and Biriala

The best part of this eight-hour Sardinian cruise is the variety. You move from sea caves and rocky cliffs to three beaches, then jump straight from the boat into water so clear it looks lit from below. It is a full day on the Gulf of Orosei, not a quick look from the deck.

I like the small 12-person boat, which makes the day feel more personal and keeps the stops from becoming a crowded ferry outing. I also like the generous beach time, about 90 minutes at Cala Gabbiani, Cala Biriala, and Cala Mariolu. The drawback is simple: there is no lunch, no drinks, no restroom, and little shelter from the sun, so you must pack well.

• Three departure points: Join at Arbatax, Lotzorai Beach, or Santa Maria Navarrese at 9 a.m.
• Two boat swimming stops: Swim at Cala Goloritzè and the Piscine di Venere, both known for exceptionally clear water.
• Three long beach breaks: Cala Gabbiani, Cala Biriala, and Cala Mariolu each receive about 90 minutes.
• Small-group setting: The boat carries a maximum of 12 passengers.
• Optional cave visit: Add the Grotta del Fico guided visit for an extra fee.
• Bring your own supplies: Food, water, drinks, towels, sunscreen, and snorkeling gear are not included.

A Full Day Along Sardinia’s Gulf of Orosei

At $93 per person, this cruise is priced as a full-day outing rather than a short sightseeing ride. Fuel, the skipper, the guided service, three beach stops, and two swimming stops are included. You are paying for a long run along one of Sardinia’s most striking coastlines, with plenty of time to get off the boat and enjoy the water.

I see good value here for anyone who wants several famous places in one day. Organizing Cala Mariolu, Cala Biriala, Cala Gabbiani, Cala Goloritzè, the Piscine di Venere, and the coastal caves on your own would take more planning and separate transport. The tradeoff is that you share the schedule with the group, and the day leaves little room for lingering at one favorite spot.

The boat leaves at 9 a.m. and returns at about 5 p.m. That timing matters. You get the cooler part of the morning for the first coastal views, then spend the warmer hours swimming and sitting on the beaches. The return includes roughly an hour of boat travel, so bring something to cover your shoulders if you burn easily.

Choosing Your Departure Point

You can board at the port of Arbatax, Lotzorai Beach, or the Port of Santa Maria Navarrese. The meeting details are specific, so check them before setting out.

At Arbatax, the meeting point is on the east pier next to the AGIP petrol station. At Lotzorai, it is at Lido delle Rose beach, opposite Camping Iscrixedda. At Santa Maria Navarrese, use the road leading down from the port and look for the first office on the left.

Pickup is included, but the information does not promise hotel pickup. You need to reach one of these points yourself. Arrive with time to spare, especially if you are unfamiliar with the port or beach access.

The boat is described as a speedboat, which cuts down the time spent simply getting from one cove to the next. That is useful on a coastline with several major stops. It also means you should expect wind, spray, and a livelier ride than you would get on a large sightseeing vessel.

The First Run North and the Coastal Caves

The cruise heads north from the departure point, using the boat to reach natural monuments along the coast. Some caves and narrow coastal inlets can only be reached from the sea by a small boat, so this is where the format earns its keep.

The early portion includes a speedboat ride of about 20 minutes, followed by a photo stop. You then continue for another 20 minutes before a stop lasting around 20 minutes for photos, swimming, snorkeling, and looking for marine life.

The exact order can vary with sea conditions and the skipper’s judgment, but the pattern is clear: short rides are mixed with active stops. You are not trapped on the boat for hours before reaching the water. Pack your camera, but protect it from spray.

Cala Goloritzè and the First Clear-Water Swim

Cala Goloritzè receives a dedicated stop of about 30 minutes. The focus here is the view, the famous coastline, and swimming from the boat rather than a long beach stay.

The water around Cala Goloritzè is the kind of feature that makes this coast famous. The tour describes it as a unique, crystal-clear swimming area, and the stop is designed for a quick swim, snorkeling, and marine-life viewing. You can jump from the dinghy into the water, then return to the boat without dealing with a long shore transfer.

Do not confuse this with a full afternoon at the beach. Thirty minutes goes quickly once you allow time for everyone to enter and leave the water. Think of Cala Goloritzè as a beautiful swimming and photo stop, not one of the three long beach breaks.

The tour information identifies Cala Goloritzè as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is also one of the most recognizable places on the route, so this stop gives you a strong visual highlight early in the day.

Cala Gabbiani: Your First Long Beach Break

After another short speedboat ride, you reach Cala Gabbiani for about 90 minutes. This is the first proper pause where you can slow down, swim from shore, snorkel, take photographs, or simply sit by the water.

That hour and a half is one of the strongest parts of the schedule. You are not being hurried through a string of ten-minute photo stops. You have enough time to dry off, settle in, and enjoy the beach before returning to the boat.

Bring your own towel and food because neither is provided. Drinks and water are also your responsibility. A packed lunch is especially useful here, since there is no meal service on the boat and the tour does not promise a food stop at Cala Gabbiani.

The Optional Grotta del Fico Visit

The route includes the possibility of visiting Grotta del Fico, a guided cave experience lasting about 45 minutes. This visit costs extra, and the cave ticket is not part of the $93 tour price.

This is an important choice. If you want a full day centered on beaches and swimming, skipping the cave gives you more time to rest and keeps the day less structured. If caves are a priority, the additional visit adds a completely different setting to a day otherwise focused on open water and beaches.

Ask about the extra ticket before departure, and carry cash because a small ecological tax of €2 is also not included. The supplied information does not state whether the cave visit replaces beach time or fits into the schedule without adjustment, so confirm the timing with the skipper.

Cala Biriala and Another 90 Minutes by the Water

Cala Biriala is another long beach stop, with about 90 minutes for photographs, swimming, snorkeling, and a break. By this point, you have already had a short swim at Cala Goloritzè and a longer rest at Cala Gabbiani, so this stop works well for a second full beach session.

I would use this time according to your energy level. Swim and snorkel if the water is calm, then reserve some time to sit in the shade if you can find it. The tour does not list umbrellas or shaded seating, so sun protection is essential.

The route includes several active stops, but the day is also promoted as a day of relaxation. That balance depends on you. You can treat the beach hours as quiet time, but the combination of boat movement, swimming, sun, and three separate beaches may feel tiring for anyone who wants a very slow day.

The Piscine di Venere Swimming Stop

The Piscine di Venere is one of the two special swim stops made from the boat. The stop lasts about 20 minutes and includes swimming, photographs, and marine-life viewing.

This is a boat-based swim, not a beach landing. You step from the dinghy into clear water, enjoy the setting, and climb back aboard when the group is ready to continue. If you prefer easy shore access, tell the skipper before entering the water and take care around the boat.

A mask and snorkel can make this stop more worthwhile, but snorkeling equipment is not included. Bring your own gear if you have it. The tour also asks for biodegradable sunscreen, a sensible choice in a protected marine setting.

Cala Mariolu, the Big Final Beach Stop

Cala Mariolu receives another 90-minute break and serves as the final major beach stop before the long ride back. You have time for swimming, snorkeling, photographs, and a proper rest on the beach.

There is a bar at Cala Mariolu where you can buy food and drinks. That is useful, but I would not depend on it as your only supply. The tour specifically says no food or drinks are served during the cruise, and the bar may not suit every diet, budget, or appetite.

Cala Mariolu is also a practical place to refill if you forgot something, though water, a packed lunch, and snacks are still the safer plan. Cash is worth carrying for purchases and the separate ecological tax.

The final speedboat ride back takes about one hour. After a full day outdoors, that hour can feel long, especially if the sea is choppy or you are cold from repeated swims. Keep a dry layer within reach rather than buried in a bag.

What the Small Boat Changes

A maximum of 12 passengers is a real advantage. You avoid the scale of a large excursion boat, and a small group gives the skipper more room to manage beach landings and swimming stops. It also makes the day easier for people who prefer a quieter outing.

The small boat has limits. Space for bags is likely to be restricted, and the supplied information does not include a cooler bag. Pack only what you need in a soft, manageable bag. Leave high heels, bikes, handcarts, strollers, and baby carriages at home.

The tour is not suitable for pregnant women, people with back problems, babies under one year, or anyone over 70. Electric wheelchairs are also not allowed. Assistance dogs are permitted, but other pets are not.

You should be comfortable with boat movement, wet boarding areas, and getting in and out of the water. The tour does not list restrooms, so plan around that limitation before departure.

What to Pack for Eight Hours

The packing list is not filler. It addresses the main gaps in the service.

Bring:

• Water and drinks
• A packed lunch and snacks
• Swimsuit and beachwear
• Towel
• Sunglasses and a hat
• Biodegradable sunscreen
• Snorkeling gear
• Camera
• Flip-flops
• Cash
• Personal medication
• Biodegradable insect repellent

There is no snorkeling kit, cooler bag, meal, or drink included. A small soft cooler can help if you have one, but confirm that its size suits the boat. Keep valuables to a minimum and protect electronics from spray.

The sun is likely to be the bigger concern than insects during the open-water portions, but both biodegradable sunscreen and repellent are listed. Reapply sunscreen after every swim, since the boat and pale beaches reflect light strongly.

Guide, Language, and Group Atmosphere

The live guide service is available in Italian and English. The skipper handles the route and boat, while the guided portions add context at the caves and natural monuments.

Francesco is one guide connected with this experience. In an outing led by him, you can expect a friendly, humorous presence. The group atmosphere can also shape the day: a small boat with a young, sociable group may feel lively, while people seeking complete silence should bring realistic expectations.

The transport receives a high score, with 86 percent of ratings giving it a perfect mark. That fits the main strength of the trip: moving efficiently between hard-to-reach coastal places while keeping the group small.

Who Should Book This Cruise?

I would choose this cruise if you want a full day of swimming, beach time, and coastal scenery without arranging several separate outings. It suits couples, friends, and active families with older children who can manage a speedboat and repeated water stops.

It is also a good match for people who value variety. You get caves, two boat swims, three beaches, and a long return ride in one day. The route gives you many chances to take photographs, but also enough beach time to put the camera away.

I would hesitate if you need a restroom, want lunch included, dislike fast boats, or prefer to spend most of the day at one beach. I would also avoid it if you have a back problem, are pregnant, or fall within the stated age and mobility limits.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms help if your Sardinia plans are still shifting, but they do not change the practical need to check the weather and sea conditions before you go.

Should You Book It?

Book this tour if you want the Gulf of Orosei’s headline beaches in one well-packed day, and if you are happy to bring your own food, water, towel, and snorkeling gear. The $93 price makes sense for a small-group boat, fuel, a skipper, three long beach stops, and two clear-water swims.

Skip it if comfort matters more than coverage. There is no restroom or onboard food, the optional Grotta del Fico visit costs extra, and the long day includes plenty of sun and boat time.

For most active visitors based near Arbatax, Lotzorai, or Santa Maria Navarrese, this is a strong way to see the coast. Pack lightly, bring lunch, and save your energy for the water.

FAQ

How long is the cruise?

The experience lasts eight hours. Departure is scheduled for 9 a.m., with return to the port at approximately 5 p.m.

Where can I board the boat?

You can board at the Port of Arbatax, Lotzorai Beach, or the Port of Santa Maria Navarrese.

How many people can join the boat?

The boat has a maximum capacity of 12 passengers.

Which beaches does the cruise visit?

The beach stops are Cala Gabbiani, Cala Biriala, and Cala Mariolu. Each beach stop lasts approximately one and a half hours.

Where are the swimming stops?

The two swimming stops take place at Cala Goloritzè and the Piscine di Venere. Both are boat-based swimming stops.

Is food or water included?

No. Food, water, and drinks are not included, and nothing is served onboard. You can buy food or drinks at the bar in Cala Mariolu.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

No. Snorkeling equipment is not included, so bring your own gear if you want to snorkel.

Can I visit Grotta del Fico?

Yes, the tour offers a possible visit to Grotta del Fico with a guided tour lasting about 45 minutes. The cave ticket costs extra.

What languages are available?

The live tour guide service is available in Italian and English.