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

The best part of this day on the water is the variety: you get real sailing, several swim stops, a generous Sardinian meal, and time around both Tavolara and Molara. Isola Piana provides an easy first swim, while the clear water at Molara’s natural pools is the visual high point. Guides including Luigi, Mateo, Fabio, Agostino, Alessio, and others are regularly praised for warm, attentive service.

I like the small maximum group of 14, which gives the boat a more personal feel than a large coastal cruise. I also like that lunch, wine, beer, coffee, local snacks, and snorkeling equipment are included, so the $119.77 price covers much more than transport between beaches.

The main consideration is that this is a full day at sea, not a fast sightseeing trip. The itinerary can change with weather, and there is no organized transport to the port or beach towel supplied. Parking near the departure point can also take planning.

Key points at a glance

• Three main swimming areas: Stop at Isola Piana, Tavolara, and Molara, with time in the protected marine area.
• A proper Sardinian food program: Expect an aperitif, local cheeses, sausage, salami, pane carasau, pasta with fish, fruit, desserts, coffee, and mirto.
• A small boat setting: The maximum is 14 people, helping the crew provide more individual attention.
• Sailing, not just motoring: The day includes open-water sailing and a late-afternoon search for dolphins.
• Good value for a long day: Lunch, drinks, wine tasting, bottled water, and snorkeling gear are included.
• Weather matters: The captain may alter the route for safety, and poor weather can lead to a refund or a different date.

A full day between Tavolara and Molara

This outing begins at 9:30 a.m. at Via del Faro 62 in Porto San Paolo, on the coast near Olbia. You return to the same meeting point after roughly 7 to 8 hours, so plan it as the main event of your day rather than something to squeeze between other activities.

The boat carries no more than 14 people. That matters here. A day built around swimming, meals, and conversation works better when you are not packed shoulder to shoulder. The crew can pass food, explain the route, and help with equipment without treating the boat like a floating bus.

You should expect a relaxed rhythm. There are several stops, but the boat also needs time to sail between them. The captain can change the order or location of the stops if conditions require it. That is a sensible trade-off on open water, even if you arrive hoping to follow every listed stop exactly.

The experience is offered in English, and the crew has included people such as Captain Luigi, Mateo, Fabio, Agostino, Alessio, Stefania, Laura, Livia, Ricardo, and Marco on different departures. The repeated praise for the crew’s friendliness, humor, and care is one of the strongest reasons to consider this trip.

Isola Piana provides the easy first swim

The first stop is Isola Piana, reached only a few minutes after leaving the port. You get about 30 minutes for a first swim around Isola Piana and the nearby Isola area.

This short stop works well as a gentle start. You can get used to the water, try the snorkeling equipment, and settle into the pace of the boat before the longer Tavolara stop. It is not meant to be a major island visit or a long exploration ashore. Think of it as a quick introduction to the clear coastal water.

Because the stop lasts about half an hour, do not waste too much time deciding what to do. Have your swimsuit ready, keep your towel close, and take the chance to swim while the boat is stopped. Beach towels are not supplied, so bring your own.

Tavolara brings the main meal and the best setting

The boat then spends about two hours in front of Tavolara’s protected beach. This is the day’s main pause, combining an aperitif, swimming, lunch, and time to enjoy the island views from the water.

Tavolara is one of the most memorable sights on this stretch of Sardinian coast. From a boat, you get a different angle than from land, with the island rising beyond the water and the protected coast creating a natural setting for a long stop. The schedule gives you enough time to swim without making the entire day feel like a race from one cove to the next.

The food is a major part of the value. The aperitif includes Vermentino and typical Sardinian products. The food served on different departures has included three types of Sardinian pecorino, sausage flavored with myrtle, local salami, tartines, pane carasau, and guttiau. The main course has been described as a traditional southern Sardinian pasta dish with fish, followed by fruit, local sweets, coffee, and mirto.

The published information notes that food intolerances and special requests are difficult to manage aboard the boat. Vegetarian and no-fish options are possible, but you should confirm this before booking. If your needs are more complicated, the operator recommends bringing a packed lunch.

The drinks are not limited to one glass at lunch. Included beverages can include Vermentino white wine, beer, bottled water, coffee, tea, and Sardinia’s myrtle liqueur. That makes the price easier to justify, especially for anyone who would otherwise pay separately for a boat trip, lunch, drinks, and equipment.

One practical point: the food is served at several times during the day, not necessarily as one restaurant-style meal. That can be pleasant on a sailing trip, since snacks and aperitif items fit naturally between swimming and sailing. If you prefer a formal lunch at a fixed hour, the boat format may feel more casual.

Molara’s swimming pools are the visual highlight

The stop at Isola Molara lasts about an hour and focuses on the famous Molara swimming pools. The water here is described as transparent with an intense turquoise color, making this the obvious place to spend time in the sea.

You can swim and use the supplied snorkeling equipment. The clear water may let you see fish below the boat, though the experience is shaped by the day’s conditions and the exact anchorage. Bring a mask if you have a favorite one, but equipment is included for those who need it.

Molara is not presented as a long shore excursion. The attraction is the water itself. You remain close to the boat, swim, and enjoy the view rather than setting off on a land walk. This suits you if your idea of a good Sardinia day involves salt water, sunshine, and unhurried time afloat.

The swimming areas do not necessarily offer dramatic caves or large rock formations up close. One account specifically noted that the area has fewer rocks and caves to explore than some other coastal outings. That is not a fault in the tour, but it helps set expectations. Choose this trip for open-water scenery, swimming, food, and sailing, not for a cave-heavy route.

The protected marine area adds a slower final stretch

Another part of the route takes place in the Tavolara-Punta Coda Cavallo protected marine area, which extends for about 76 kilometers along the coast. Here you can swim and snorkel, with lunch served as part of the day’s food schedule.

The protected status explains why the captain may need to follow local conditions and adjust the route. It also gives the outing a stronger sense of place than a generic beach transfer. You are spending the day in a defined marine environment, not simply moving between random swimming spots.

The final hour includes a pleasant sail in search of dolphins, which often visit the area. This is an attempt to find wildlife, not a guaranteed sighting. I would treat it as a bonus rather than the main reason to book. The sailing itself is worthwhile, and any dolphin appearance is an extra reward.

Raising the sails and leaving the harbor can be one of the more memorable parts of the day. You get views back toward the coast and the islands, plus the simple pleasure of moving under sail rather than spending every minute with an engine running. If you enjoy boats as much as beaches, this detail makes the trip more satisfying.

What the crew adds to the experience

The crew receives unusually consistent praise for being friendly, funny, and attentive. Luigi is repeatedly described as an excellent captain, with comments also highlighting Mateo, Fabio, Agostino, Alessio, and other crew members. Some departures have been led by a father-and-son team, while others include additional guides and hosts.

That personal service matters on a small boat. The crew does more than steer. They explain parts of the coast, keep food and drinks moving, help passengers feel comfortable, and make the long day feel social without forcing everyone into the same mood.

The language is another practical advantage. The activity is offered in English, and an English-speaking guide has explained the history of places along the route. The group may include people from several countries, so the atmosphere can be a mix of conversation, swimming, eating, and quiet time on deck.

You should still remember that a friendly crew cannot control the weather or guarantee a particular group dynamic. One of the positive experiences described an all-English-speaking group that got along especially well. Your own departure may feel quieter or more mixed. The small capacity improves the odds of a pleasant atmosphere, but it cannot promise one.

Is $119.77 a fair price?

At $119.77 per person, this is not the cheapest way to reach the Tavolara area. You are paying for a 7.5-hour sailing cruise rather than a short boat shuttle, and the cost includes much of what you need for the day.

The package includes:

• Sailing for about 7.5 hours
• Lunch and a Sardinian aperitif
• Vermentino wine tasting
• Beer and other alcoholic drinks
• Bottled water
• Coffee and tea
• Myrtle liqueur
• Snorkeling equipment

If you value only transport and swimming, a simpler boat trip might cost less. If you would otherwise buy lunch, wine, snacks, and snorkeling equipment separately, this outing becomes a stronger deal. The small group and sailing time also add value that is difficult to measure by the number of stops alone.

The food appears to be more substantial than a basic sandwich lunch. You should expect local products and several serving times, including an aperitif, a pasta course, fruit, sweets, coffee, and mirto. The one lower rating focused on the organization and felt that the food and three swimming areas did not fully fill a seven-hour day. That is a useful warning for anyone who wants constant sightseeing. The route has pauses and sailing time, not a nonstop series of attractions.

Practical advice before you reserve

Arrive with your swimming clothes under your regular clothes if possible. The first stop comes soon after departure, and the short 30-minute pause at Isola Piana will pass quickly.

Bring a beach towel. Towels are not included, and you will be wet more than once. Sunscreen is also essential, since a full day on the water gives you little natural shade and repeated swimming can make you forget how long you have been in the sun.

Parking at Porto San Paolo deserves attention. There is no tour-provided transport to the meeting point, and parking may need to be arranged in advance. One departure noted paid parking near the boat at about 5 euros for the day. Allow extra time, and do not assume you can arrive at 9:29 a.m. and find a space without trouble.

The booking confirmation is sent within 48 hours, subject to availability. Free cancellation is available until 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations made later are not refunded, and changes within that period are not accepted.

The trip requires good weather and a minimum number of participants. If weather makes the outing unsafe, you can be offered another date or a full refund. If the minimum number is not reached, you can also receive another option or a refund.

Who will enjoy this sailing day most?

I would recommend this outing to you if you want swimming and food in equal measure. It suits couples, friends, and solo visitors who enjoy meeting a small group on board. Families may also like it if everyone is comfortable spending most of a day at sea, although no specific child facilities are listed.

It is a good choice for anyone staying in the Olbia, San Teodoro, or Porto San Paolo area who wants to see Tavolara and Molara without arranging several separate activities. The English-language service helps if you do not speak Italian, and the crew’s informal style should appeal to people who prefer a warm, social boat day over a formal guided cruise.

You may want another type of excursion if you need strict dietary control, dislike open-water motion, want a long visit ashore, or expect dramatic caves and rock formations. The captain controls the route according to conditions, so flexibility is part of the deal.

Should you book the Tavolara and Molara sailing tour?

Yes, if you want a full Sardinian day built around the sea rather than a quick photo stop. The strongest reasons are the small group, the multiple swims, the generous local food and drinks, and the chance to sail through the Tavolara-Punta Coda Cavallo marine area.

Book it with realistic expectations. You are not buying a tightly timed sightseeing circuit or a guaranteed dolphin encounter. You are buying a relaxed day on a sailing ship, with clear water, local food, friendly hosts, and enough time to enjoy the coast at a human pace. Bring a towel, plan your parking, and keep your schedule open for weather-related changes.

FAQ

Where does the sailing tour begin?

The meeting point is Via del Faro 62, 07020 Porto San Paolo SS, Italy.

What time does the tour start?

The tour begins at 9:30 a.m.

How long does the experience last?

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

Where does the tour finish?

The activity ends back at the same meeting point in Porto San Paolo.

How many people can join the boat?

The maximum group size is 14 people.

Are lunch and drinks included?

Yes. The experience includes lunch, a Sardinian aperitif, Vermentino wine, beer, bottled water, coffee or tea, and mirto. Food has included local cheeses, Sardinian sausage and salami, pane carasau, pasta with fish, fruit, and desserts.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included.

Are beach towels included?

No. You need to bring your own beach towel.

Can the route change because of weather?

Yes. The captain may change the itinerary to protect navigation safety. If the tour is canceled because of poor weather, you can be offered another date or a full refund.