Porto San Paolo: Tavolara Island Sailboat Cruise with Lunch

The best part of this day is the chance to reach several of Sardinia’s finest coastal spots without packing and unpacking between beaches. You sail from Porto San Paolo into the Tavolara and Molara Marine Protected Area, then stop for swims, sandy beach time, and views that shift with the weather. Dani and Luigi have earned praise for their friendly manner and coastal stories.

I like the small maximum group of 12 passengers, which should feel far more personal than a large motorboat outing. I also like the proper onboard meal: local fish, wine, beer, fruit, Sardinian sweets, and myrtle, not just a sandwich between swims. The main consideration is that the skipper chooses only two or three stops according to the weather, so you should think of this as a flexible sea day rather than a fixed sightseeing route.

What makes this Tavolara sailing day special

• A 14.5-meter Bavaria 46 sailboat: You have room to spread out, with four cabins, two bathrooms, an outdoor shower, and a tender for reaching shore.
• Two or three weather-dependent stops: The route may include Tavolara, Molara, Cala Girgolu, Capo Ceraso, and Porto Istana.
• A real Sardinian lunch onboard: Expect an aperitif with typical products, a fresh local fish course, wine, beer, fruit, sweets, and myrtle.
• A small group size: The boat carries up to 12 passengers plus two crew members.
• Several swimming options: You can swim from the boat in clear protected waters or relax on fine white sand at selected beaches.
• A full 7.5-hour outing: This gives you time for sailing, swimming, lunch, and unhurried pauses instead of a quick coastal snapshot.

Setting out from Porto San Paolo

Your day begins in front of Wave Marina Porto San Paolo, where the skipper will meet you. Porto San Paolo is a practical starting point for the Tavolara Marine Protected Area, placing you close to the islands and coves that make this stretch of Sardinia so appealing.

The boat is a Bavaria 46, measuring 14.50 meters long and 4.80 meters wide. That matters because a full day at sea feels better when you can move around. You are not confined to a narrow bench, and the boat includes an outdoor shower, four cabins, and two bathrooms, although only one bathroom is available for the day trip.

The maximum capacity is 14 people altogether, including two crew members. That leaves room for up to 12 passengers. Group size can affect the feel of a boat trip, so this is worth noting if you want conversation and company without the packed conditions of a large excursion boat.

There is also a tender with an outboard motor. The tender is useful when the skipper chooses a beach stop or needs to move people between the sailboat and shore. The boat has a music system as well, though the main attraction here is the sea, not a party soundtrack.

The tour lasts 7.5 hours. You should plan for a full day outdoors, with sun, salt water, and several periods of sitting or lying on deck. Bring a towel, swimwear, sunglasses, a hat, sunscreen, and drinking water. Pets are not allowed, and the experience is not suitable for pregnant women or people with mobility impairments.

Sailing through the Tavolara and Molara protected area

Once underway, the skipper guides you through the marine protected area around Tavolara and Molara. The appeal is not only the islands themselves. It is the changing mix of open water, pale sand, rocky points, small coves, and many shades of blue close to shore.

The skipper chooses the exact route based on that day’s weather. You will make two or three stops, but the listed places are possibilities rather than guaranteed calls at every location. This is an important detail. I would choose this trip if you value good swimming conditions and a relaxed pace more than checking every name off a map.

The skipper also shares stories and local anecdotes about the coast. Guides Dani and Luigi have been praised for being easy to get along with and for explaining the island and its history in an engaging way. The guide language options are Italian, English, and Spanish, so check the available language when booking.

The sailing itself gives the day a calmer rhythm than a speedboat trip. You have time to look out across the water, listen to the skipper, and settle into the setting before the next stop. If you want nonstop action, a shorter motorboat ride may suit you better. If you want a long day with time to pause, this format makes more sense.

Capo Ceraso, Cala Girgolu, and Porto Istana

The possible coastal stops each offer a slightly different reason to leave the boat or swim from it.

Capo Ceraso is one of the possible points along the route. It gives the day a coastal viewpoint as well as a chance to swim in the clear water. The skipper decides if conditions make it a good stop, so you may spend time near the headland rather than follow a fixed shore visit.

Cala Girgolu is associated with sheltered coves and pale sand. This is the kind of stop where you may want to alternate between swimming and simply sitting on the beach. If the tender is used to reach shore, remember that getting on and off a small boat can be less convenient for anyone with limited mobility.

Porto Istana is another possible stop, with white sand and clear water suitable for a long swim or a quiet pause. It is a good reminder that this outing is built around the sea. You are not being rushed from one attraction to the next, and you may spend much of the time enjoying the water rather than walking around a town.

Tavolara and Molara may also feature in the route. The skipper’s local knowledge helps shape the day around conditions, and that flexibility is useful in a marine area where wind and sea state can change the best choice of anchorage.

You can swim directly from the boat at selected stops. Snorkeling equipment is not included, so bring your own if you want to look below the surface. The information provided does not promise specific marine life or snorkeling sites, so I would treat snorkeling as an optional extra rather than the main reason to book.

A proper fish lunch served at sea

Lunch is one of the strongest parts of the value here. The meal begins with an aperitif based on typical local products, followed by a first or second course featuring fresh local fish. Wine and beer are included, along with fruit, Sardinian sweets, and myrtle.

That menu makes the outing feel connected to Sardinia rather than like a standard boat ride with packaged food. Myrtle, known locally as mirto, is a classic Sardinian after-meal drink, and the inclusion of Sardinian sweets adds another regional touch.

The meal is served onboard, so you do not lose time heading to a restaurant. You eat while remaining close to the water and the day’s scenery. The boat’s size should provide a more settled dining experience than eating from a plastic container on a crowded vessel, though exact serving arrangements depend on the crew and conditions.

If you have food intolerances or special dietary needs, tell the provider in advance. Alternatives are not guaranteed, but no-fish and vegetarian options are possible. I would not book this expecting a fully customized menu without confirmation. Extra drinks are not included, so bring water and check what you may want beyond the included wine and beer.

How the group size affects the day

The boat carries up to 12 passengers plus two crew members. That is small enough for the skipper to give direct guidance and for the group to move through the day together without the impersonal feel of a large vessel.

A small boat also means that everyone shares the same rhythm. If you want a quiet morning, you cannot guarantee silence, and if the boat fills to capacity, deck space will be shared. Still, the Bavaria 46 has a useful amount of room, and the cabin layout, bathrooms, and outdoor shower make a full day more comfortable.

The guide’s role matters here. Dani and Luigi are specifically praised for being accommodating, easy to get along with, and full of stories about the coast. Those qualities can make a real difference during a long day at sea. You are spending many hours with the crew, not simply receiving a short safety briefing before being left to yourself.

The itinerary always includes two or three stops, but the skipper controls the final plan. I see this as a benefit when weather conditions are changeable. It also means you should avoid booking this if visiting one particular beach is your main goal.

Is the $120 price good value?

At $120.08 per person, this is not the cheapest way to reach the Sardinian coast. The price includes a 7.5-hour sailboat trip, fuel, lunch, and liability insurance. It also covers the crew and the use of a relatively spacious boat with practical facilities.

The value improves if you would otherwise pay separately for a boat ride, a meal, and access to several swimming locations. You also avoid arranging your own route among Tavolara, Molara, Capo Ceraso, Cala Girgolu, and Porto Istana. The skipper chooses the best available stops, which saves you from guessing where conditions will be most pleasant.

The price is less compelling if you mainly want a short swim and a quick look at Tavolara. In that case, a shorter excursion may cost less and suit your plans better. You are paying for the length of the day, the meal, the small group, and the chance to spend hours on the water.

The included lunch is a meaningful part of the calculation. Fresh fish, wine, beer, fruit, sweets, and myrtle add up quickly if purchased separately. Since the meal is part of the experience rather than an interruption to it, I consider the price fair for someone who wants a relaxed full-day outing.

Who will enjoy this cruise most?

I would recommend this cruise to you if you like slow travel, swimming, small groups, and meals tied to the place you are visiting. It suits couples, friends, and families with older children who can manage a full day on a sailboat.

It is also a good choice if you want a guided day without a rigid sightseeing schedule. You can hear coastal stories from the skipper, stop at clear-water coves, and let the weather shape the route. The emphasis is on being at sea, not on collecting formal attractions.

You should think twice if you need guaranteed access to a particular beach, dislike shared spaces, or want extensive snorkeling equipment provided. The boat does not include snorkeling gear, and the tour is not suitable for pregnant women or people with mobility impairments.

Pack lightly and keep your essentials close. Sunglasses, a hat, sunscreen, a towel, swimwear, and water are specifically useful. Beachwear is the right clothing choice, and you should expect to get wet from swimming or using the outdoor shower.

Practical details before you book

The tour is available in Italian, English, and Spanish. It is confirmed with at least four participants, so the experience depends on reaching that minimum.

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. A reserve-now-and-pay-later option is available, which helps if your Sardinia schedule is still taking shape.

The activity begins and ends at the same meeting point, in front of Wave Marina Porto San Paolo. The listed starting time can vary, so check availability for the date you want rather than assuming a fixed departure hour.

Weather is central to the experience. The skipper chooses the two or three stops based on the conditions, and the most attractive plan may change during the day. That flexibility is part of responsible boating, but it is also why you should keep your expectations open.

Should you book the Tavolara sailing cruise?

Book it if you want a full day of clear water, quiet coves, local food, and a small-group boat setting. The strongest reasons are the spacious Bavaria 46, the two or three swimming stops, the flexible route, and the generous lunch with fresh fish and Sardinian specialties.

I especially like this option for someone who values the company of a good skipper. Dani and Luigi are praised for their warmth and coastal stories, and that kind of crew presence can turn a pleasant boat ride into a day you remember.

Skip it if you want a guaranteed stop at every named location, need snorkeling equipment supplied, or prefer a short and highly structured excursion. For everyone else, the $120 price is reasonable for 7.5 hours on the water with fuel, insurance, and a full meal included.

FAQ

Where does the Tavolara sailing cruise start?

The skipper meets you in front of Wave Marina Porto San Paolo. The activity also ends back at this meeting point.

How long does the cruise last?

The cruise lasts 7.5 hours. Starting times vary, so check availability for your selected date.

Which places might the boat visit?

Possible stops include Tavolara, Molara, Cala Girgolu, Capo Ceraso, and Porto Istana. The skipper chooses two or three stops based on the weather.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch includes an aperitif with typical products, a first or second course based on fresh local fish, wine, beer, fruit, Sardinian sweets, and myrtle.

Are vegetarian or no-fish meals available?

No-fish and vegetarian options are possible, but alternatives are not guaranteed. Mention any food intolerance or dietary request in advance.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

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

What should I bring?

Bring sunglasses, a sun hat, a towel, sunscreen, water, and beachwear. Pets are not allowed.