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

The best part of this day is the mix of real sailing and long swim stops. You leave Porto San Paolo under power, then may raise the sails for a quieter run toward Tavolara and Molara, with clear water, snorkeling gear, and time to enjoy the sea instead of rushing from one cove to the next.

I like the generous food and drink service, especially the Sardinian cheeses, pane carasau, mirto sausage, pasta, fruit, sweets, coffee, Vermentino, and myrtle liqueur. I also like the small group size, which is capped at 14, and the warm, social crews often led by Luigi, Alessio, Fabio, Mateo, Agostino, Stefania, or Laura. The main drawback is that this is a full seven to eight hours on the water, and the route can change with the weather.

Key points to know before you book

• Three main swimming areas: Stop at Isola Piana, Tavolara, and Molara, with time for swimming and snorkeling.
• Sardinian food is part of the experience: Expect an aperitif, lunch, fruit, sweets, coffee, wine, beer, and myrtle liqueur.
• Small boat, small group: The maximum is 14 people, a useful advantage over large excursion boats.
• A full day at sea: The cruise runs about 7.5 hours, from the 9:30 am departure to the afternoon return.
• Dolphin spotting is possible: The afternoon sailing includes a search for dolphins, though sightings are never guaranteed.
• Plan for the port: Transport is not included, and parking at Porto San Paolo needs attention before departure.

Why this Porto San Paolo sailing day works

This is not simply a transfer between beaches. The point is the day itself: setting off from Porto San Paolo, moving between protected islands, swimming in open water, eating aboard, and spending part of the afternoon under sail.

That distinction matters in northeastern Sardinia. You can reach many beaches by car, but a boat gives you a different view of Tavolara and the coast around Punta Coda Cavallo. You see the islands from the water, with the shoreline behind you and the sea forming the main setting for the day.

The boat carries no more than 14 people. That does not mean you should expect a private charter, since the group still depends on the mix of people aboard. But it should feel more personal than a large day boat, and the crew has room to circulate, explain places, serve food, and help passengers settle into the rhythm of the trip.

The atmosphere appears to be one of the strongest parts of the experience. Crews led by Luigi and his family members or by guides such as Alessio and Fabio are repeatedly praised for being friendly, funny, attentive, and easy to talk with. English is offered, and an English-speaking guide explains the background of certain places.

Leaving Porto San Paolo at 9:30 am

The meeting point is Via del Faro 62 in Porto San Paolo, in the Olbia area. The activity begins at 9:30 am and returns to the same point in the afternoon.

Give yourself time to find the port and park. One useful local tip is to arrive about 30 minutes early, especially if you plan to use the MonaiGo parking app. Paid parking near the boat has been described as costing about €5 for the day, but parking is not arranged for you as part of the tour.

You also need to arrange your own transport to and from Porto San Paolo. The cruise price covers the sailing day, food, drinks, and snorkeling equipment, not a hotel pickup or a transfer from Olbia.

Once aboard, the crossing itself becomes part of the outing. A particularly nice moment is leaving the harbor and raising the sails. The boat may use the engine for parts of the route, and the captain has the final say on the course and sailing conditions. That flexibility is sensible in this part of Sardinia, where wind and sea conditions can change the plan.

Isola Piana provides the first swim

The first stop is Isola Piana, reached only a few minutes from the departure port. You get about 30 minutes for your first swim near Isola Piana and Isola.

This short stop works as a gentle start. You can get into the water early, test the temperature, and use the snorkeling equipment before the longer stops later in the day. The water is described as clear, with fish visible below the surface.

Do not expect a long visit here. Thirty minutes goes quickly, especially if you need time to move from the boat into the water and back. Think of Isola Piana as an opening swim, not the main event.

The early stop also helps set the pace. This is not a sightseeing cruise where you remain seated for hours before reaching the islands. Swimming begins near the start, then returns at Tavolara and Molara.

Tavolara brings the main scenery and aperitif

The boat spends about two hours in front of Tavolara, including an aperitif, a swim, and lunch. This is the longest scheduled stop and likely the centerpiece of the day.

Tavolara is protected as part of the Tavolara-Punta Coda Cavallo marine area. Its shape is striking from the water, and the view from offshore gives you a sense of the island that a quick beach visit cannot provide. You are not only looking toward a beach, you are seeing the island as part of a larger protected sea area.

The aperitif is built around Vermentino and typical Sardinian products. The food served during the day has included several kinds of Sardinian pecorino, sausage flavored with mirto, local salami, small toasts, pane carasau, guttiau, and other snacks. These are useful details to know if you are hoping for more than a packet of crackers on a boat.

Lunch is prepared aboard and has included a Sardinian-style pasta dish with fish and Mediterranean ingredients. Fruit, traditional sweets, coffee, and mirto may follow. Beer, water, and wine are also provided, so you do not need to bring a large supply of drinks.

The meal is a real value point. At $119.77 per person, the price is not a bargain beach shuttle, but you are paying for 7.5 hours on the water plus lunch, aperitif, alcoholic drinks, coffee or tea, bottled water, and snorkeling equipment. If you would otherwise pay separately for a boat trip, lunch, and drinks, the total begins to make more sense.

There is a practical limitation. Food intolerances and special requests cannot be fully managed aboard. No-fish and vegetarian options are possible, while the operator recommends bringing a packed lunch when your needs are more specific. Ask before booking if food is a major concern.

Molara’s swimming pools are made for the water

The Molara stop lasts about one hour. It takes place at the famous Molara swimming pools, known for transparent water with a strong turquoise color.

This is the stop for swimming and snorkeling rather than a long meal or land visit. You stay close to the boat and enter the sea from there. The snorkeling equipment is included, which saves you from packing or renting your own mask and snorkel.

The water is the star here. Clear conditions make it easier to see fish and the bottom, though visibility always depends on the day and the weather. Bring sun protection, since a full day on the water adds up quickly even when you spend time in the sea.

Beach towels are not included. You can bring your own, along with a swimsuit, sunscreen, a hat, and dry clothing for the ride back. The tour is designed around swimming, so comfortable clothes and simple gear are more useful than a heavy day bag.

The protected marine area and afternoon sailing

The Tavolara-Punta Coda Cavallo protected marine area extends along 76 kilometers of coast. The excursion uses this setting for more swimming, snorkeling, and lunch service before turning toward an afternoon sail.

The exact order of lunch and stops may vary. The captain can change the route for safety, and the published plan is guidance rather than a fixed promise. This is important if you are choosing the tour for one exact beach or a specific photo location.

A sailing day also depends on the wind. On a calm day, the crew may need to use the engine more than you hoped. On a good sailing day, raising the sails adds a quiet, hands-on feeling that you do not get from a standard motorboat ride.

Later in the afternoon, the crew searches for dolphins, which often visit this area. Treat this as an added possibility, not a guaranteed wildlife show. The search gives the return trip a purpose, but you should not book the tour solely for a dolphin sighting.

The crew shapes the day

The named crew members vary, but Luigi appears often in the strongest praise, sometimes working with Mateo, Agustino, Ricardo, Stefania, or Laura. Alessio and Fabio are also singled out for their stories, humor, and care.

That matters on a seven-hour boat trip. A crew that explains the coast, keeps food moving, helps with swimming, and talks naturally with the group can make the day feel relaxed rather than mechanical. English is available, and the multilingual feedback suggests the operation serves an international audience.

The social side is part of the package. People may chat, sing, and get to know one another, especially because the group is small. That will suit you if you enjoy a friendly shared outing. If you want complete privacy, silence, and control over the route, a private charter would be a better fit.

The boat itself has been described as comfortable, clean, and well kept. Still, comfort on a sailing boat is not the same as comfort in a lounge. You will be moving around a marine environment, sitting in the sun, boarding from the water, and spending much of the day outdoors.

What the $119.77 price really covers

The listed price is $119.77 per person. For a 7.5-hour cruise, that is a fair midrange price if you will make good use of the included food, drinks, swimming stops, and equipment.

Included:

• Sailing cruise of about 7.5 hours
• Wine tasting
• Vermentino, beer, mirto, and other alcoholic drinks
• Bottled water
• Lunch
• Coffee and tea
• Sardinian aperitif products
• Snorkeling equipment

The strongest value comes from the all-day nature of the outing. You are not paying only for transport to Tavolara. You receive several water stops, a meal prepared aboard, a steady flow of drinks and snacks, and time under sail.

The price is less attractive if you do not drink alcohol, dislike group meals, or prefer to spend the day on land. It is also worth remembering that beach towels and transport to the port are not included.

The drawbacks you should weigh

The route is weather-dependent. Poor weather can lead to cancellation, a new date, or a full refund, and the captain can alter the itinerary for safety. That is good seamanship, but it means the exact sequence and sailing time are not guaranteed.

The tour can feel too relaxed for someone expecting constant sightseeing. One stop lasts 30 minutes, another about one hour, and Tavolara about two hours, with sailing time between them. A small number of bays and long stretches aboard are intentional, but not everyone wants that pace.

Parking is another minor nuisance. There is paid parking close to the boat, but you need to plan for it yourself. Arriving early is wise, particularly in busy summer periods.

Finally, special diets are limited. Vegetarian and no-fish choices are possible, but complex food intolerances cannot be handled reliably aboard. Bring a packed lunch if you need more control over what you eat.

Who will enjoy this most

I would choose this tour if you want a full day centered on the sea, not a quick island transfer. It suits couples, friends, and families who enjoy swimming, shared meals, and a friendly crew.

It is especially good for you if Tavolara and Molara are high on your Sardinia list, but you would rather see them from a sailing boat than rush between beaches by car. Snorkeling equipment and repeated swim stops make it a practical choice for people who want time in the water.

You should think twice if you need a rigid schedule, a private setting, guaranteed dolphin sightings, or carefully managed dietary requirements. The captain controls the route, the weather controls the sailing, and the group atmosphere is part of the experience.

Free cancellation is available until 24 hours before the start time. If poor weather or an insufficient number of bookings cancels the trip, you are offered another date or a full refund.

Should you book the Tavolara and Molara sailing tour?

Book it if you value time on the water, Sardinian food, and a small social group more than ticking off a long list of coastal sights. The combination of Isola Piana, Tavolara, Molara, swimming, snorkeling, lunch, Vermentino, and possible dolphin spotting gives you a generous day for the price.

I would not book it as a guaranteed itinerary to one exact cove. Instead, choose it as a flexible sailing day where the captain adapts the route to the sea. Arrive early, plan your parking, bring a towel and sun protection, and tell the operator in advance about any food needs.

For a relaxed day around two of northeastern Sardinia’s most memorable islands, this is a strong choice.

FAQ

Where does the sailing tour start?

The tour starts at Via Del Faro 62, 07020 Porto San Paolo SS, Italy.

What time does the tour begin?

The scheduled start time is 9:30 am.

How long does the experience last?

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

Which islands and areas does the boat visit?

The route includes Isola Piana, Isola di Tavolara, Isola Molara, and the Tavolara-Punta Coda Cavallo protected marine area.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included, along with a Sardinian aperitif and typical local products.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Bottled water, coffee or tea, Vermentino white wine, beer, mirto, and other alcoholic beverages are included.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included.

How many people can join the tour?

The experience has a maximum of 14 participants.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The tour requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.