TAVOLARA TOUR WITH 15 METERS VINTAGE SAILBOAT WITH APERITIF

The best part of this day on the Tavolara coast is the boat itself. Dulcemar is a 15-meter wooden sailboat built in 1968, with teak decking, mahogany laminate, outdoor cushions, sun loungers, and the relaxed feel of an old yacht rather than a crowded speedboat. The small group, limited to nine people, gives you room to swim, sit in the shade, and enjoy the coast without a party boat atmosphere.

I like the string of four or five swimming stops, and I like the food and drink built into the day: Sardinian cold cuts, cheese, finger food, coffee, a digestif, and Vermentino or Prosecco at mid-day. The main consideration is that Dulcemar may not deliver a fast, sail-heavy trip. One recent departure returned around 5 p.m. rather than 5:30 or 6 p.m., and another noted that the boat did not actually sail during the day.

The essentials at a glance

• A 1968 wooden sailboat: Dulcemar was designed by Carlo Sciarrelli and built by the Craglietto shipyards, then refitted in 2021 with updated safety and comfort equipment.
• Four or five swim stops: The day centers on snorkeling, swimming, and seeing marine life around Tavolara, Molara, Isola Cavalli, Cala Girgolu, and Isola Piana.
• A proper mid-day aperitif: Expect Vermentino or Prosecco DOCG, Sardinian cold cuts, cheeses, finger food, snacks, coffee, and a Sardinian digestive.
• A genuinely small group: The maximum is nine participants, a useful advantage on a full-day boat trip.
• Porto San Paolo departure: Check-in is at 9 a.m. for a 9:30 a.m. departure from the tourist harbor near the Tavolara ferry boarding point.
• Bring your own water and towel: Some water is supplied with the meal, but you need extra drinking water for the day, plus a towel and sun protection.

Why Dulcemar changes the feel of the day

Many boat trips around Sardinia are built around speed and the number of coves checked off. This one is more about the setting and the old boat. Dulcemar was built in 1968 and designed by Carlo Sciarrelli, a well-known Italian yacht designer. Its teak deck, woodwork, rear seating, cushions, and shaded area give the day a slower, more traditional character.

The 2021 refit added a Volvo Penta 130-horsepower auxiliary engine, swim ladders, an outdoor shower, refrigerator, freezer, GPS chart plotter, radar, VHF radio, and an echo sounder. That matters because an attractive old boat is only a good choice if it also provides the basic equipment needed for a long day at sea.

You will find a cabin bathroom with an electric toilet and a black water tank suitable for access to marine park waters. There is also storage for customer bags, a stereo system for music on deck, and sun loungers for those who want to spend part of the day stretched out rather than in the water.

The word sailboat needs a little context here. Dulcemar is a sailing vessel, but the experience may include more time under the auxiliary engine than under sail. One guest specifically booked with the hope of sailing and found that the boat did not sail during that departure. If the boat itself and the coast matter most to you, that may not be a deal breaker. If you want a true sailing lesson or long stretches with the sails up, ask the operator about conditions before booking.

Starting from Porto San Paolo at 9:30

You check in at 9 a.m. at Porto San Paolo’s tourist harbor, near the pier used for ferries to Tavolara. The skipper waits on the dock, but the exact meeting point can be easy to miss. I would arrive early, keep the operator’s contact details handy, and allow time to find the correct pier.

Parking near the harbor is paid, and cash may be useful. This is a small but important practical point, since a delayed start can cut into an already full day. Departure is scheduled for 9:30 a.m., with the return planned for roughly 5:30 to 6 p.m., although one recent outing arrived back closer to 5 p.m.

The trip is guided in Italian, English, Spanish, or French. Guides have included Peppe and Giuliano on past departures. Peppe was noted for being friendly and helpful, even when communicating across a language barrier. Giuliano was described as relaxed and attentive, with music playing and drinks served through the day.

Tavolara and Porto San Paolo waters

The first part of the route takes you into the Tavolara and Molara Marine Protected Area. The shoreline here is known for pale beaches, rocky points, and water that shifts from turquoise to green and then to almost clear over white sand.

The Porto San Paolo section allows time for photos, swimming, snorkeling, and watching marine life. It is a useful opening stop because you can get comfortable with the ladder, mask, fins, and movement of the boat before the day’s longer pauses.

The supplied snorkeling kit saves you from packing your own equipment. Still, fit can vary, so bring personal goggles if you already have a pair you trust. An outdoor freshwater shower is available after swimming, which is welcome after saltwater and sunscreen.

The marine reserve is the reason this trip feels different from a simple beach transfer. You are not only being taken to a beach. You are spending the day moving among coves and islands where the water itself is the main attraction.

Molara’s natural pools

The Molara Pools are the day’s signature swimming area. The water is described as turquoise, with fish visible around you and pale sand below. The boat stops for swimming and snorkeling, so you can use the time in the way that suits you best.

I would treat this as a water-focused stop rather than a sightseeing stop on land. The appeal is the color, clarity, and marine life, not a long walk or town visit. If you prefer to stay dry, the deck and shaded seating still give you a good view of the surroundings, but swimmers get the fullest experience here.

Currents can affect where the skipper anchors. One guest felt the boat could have been moored closer to the islands and away from stronger currents. That is worth keeping in mind: the safest or most practical anchorage may not always give you the shortest swim to shore or the most sheltered water.

The crew’s route can also change with sea conditions. A flexible attitude helps. The attraction is the collection of coves and water stops, not a rigid promise that every pause will look exactly like a postcard.

Isola Cavalli and the open-water pauses

Isola Cavalli is another stop for photographs, swimming, snorkeling, marine-life viewing, and a short period of sailing or cruising. The schedule allows about 45 minutes here, enough for a swim and a look around but not a long beach stay.

Several parts of the route are listed in the same way, with around 45 minutes for each pause. These unnamed or less clearly identified stops are part of the day’s charm, since the skipper can take you toward small coves and attractive stretches of water around the islands.

Do not expect a guided walking tour at each stop. Most of your time is spent on the boat or in the water. The value comes from seeing several different shades of sea and finding quiet places to swim, rather than from collecting detailed information about every island.

The music system adds to the relaxed mood, although the atmosphere depends on the group and the guide. Some people will enjoy background music and a glass of wine. Others may prefer a quieter boat. With no more than nine people aboard, it is usually easier to find a comfortable corner than on a large excursion vessel.

Cala Girgolu and the long mid-day break

Cala Girgolu receives the longest scheduled pause, about two hours. This is the meal and aperitif portion of the day, with time for another swim and photos.

The food is more substantial than a simple drink and packet of snacks. The supplied spread includes Sardinian cold cuts, cheese, finger food, snacks, still and sparkling water, coffee, and a Sardinian digestive. Fresh Vermentino or Prosecco DOCG accompanies the mid-day aperitif.

One guest enjoyed the Prosecco and blueberry liqueur but felt that a basic pasta dish was less representative of Sardinian cooking than expected. That is a fair expectation to manage. The meal is presented as an aperitif or light brunch, not a formal regional feast. You should enjoy it as a pleasant boat lunch, with local cheeses and cured meats doing much of the work.

There is no open bar. The included wine and drinks are part of the meal service, but you need to bring extra water for your personal needs and any additional food or drink you want during the day. A refrigerator and freezer are available on board, which helps keep supplies cool.

Cala Girgolu is also a good place to appreciate the practical design of Dulcemar. The awning offers shade, cushions and rear chairs provide seating, and the swim ladder makes getting back aboard easier after a long period in the water.

Isola Piana, the final swim

The route ends with a short sail or cruise to Isola Piana for one last swim before returning to Porto San Paolo. By this point, you will have had several chances to snorkel, so this final stop works well as a relaxed closing pause.

A final swim is useful after a full day of changing coves. You can get back in the water if you still have energy, or stay aboard with coffee and the view. The return to port is planned for 5:30 to 6 p.m., though the actual timing can vary.

The schedule is long enough that I would not book another evening activity immediately afterward. A return near 5 p.m. is possible, but the published plan allows for a later arrival, and sea conditions or the pace of the group can affect the timing.

What the $106 price really covers

At $106 per person, this is not simply a paid seat on a boat. The price includes the skipper, fuel, insurance, VAT, snorkeling equipment, the full-day route, and the food and drink service. You are also paying for a small group and a boat with more character than a standard motor launch.

That makes the price reasonable for someone who values a full day on the water and would otherwise need to pay separately for equipment, a meal, drinks, and access to several swimming spots. The value is weaker if you mainly want a quick transfer to one beach or a dedicated sailing lesson.

The limit of nine participants is important. A small boat can make it easier to use the shade, sit near the rear, and move between swimming and relaxing without a crowd. It also means the social mood depends more on the small group aboard.

At the same time, the experience is not a luxury charter. The food is casual, the route may return earlier than planned, and the boat may rely on its engine rather than sail. The right comparison is a friendly, small-group day cruise on a historic wooden boat, not a private yacht charter with a chef.

What to bring, and what not to use

Pack a towel, a full bottle of fresh water, and practical swimwear. The boat provides still and sparkling water with the food, but that is not the same as having enough drinking water for all your personal needs.

Bring sun protection, but note the unusual rule about sunscreen. Products with a protection factor of 50 or higher are prohibited because they are considered too greasy and can permanently stain the boat’s furnishings and cushions. Follow the operator’s instructions and apply suitable sunscreen carefully.

You cannot bring alcohol or drugs, fireworks, or explosive substances. Children under five are not accepted, and the trip is not suitable for people prone to seasickness or people with pre-existing medical conditions.

The boat has shade, outdoor cushions, sun loungers, and a freshwater shower, but you should still prepare for a long day in sun and saltwater. Keep valuables to a minimum and use the boat’s storage area for bags.

Who should book this boat day

I would recommend it to couples, friends, and solo visitors who want a slower coastal day with several swims and a small group. It is also a good fit if you like traditional boats, casual food, music, and a drink with a view.

It suits confident swimmers and people who are happy to spend much of the day moving between deck and sea. You do not need to be an expert snorkeler, but you should be comfortable boarding by a swim ladder and spending time around open water.

I would be more cautious if your main goal is sailing under canvas. Dulcemar is a sailboat by design, but its engine may do much of the work. I would also think twice if you need a precise eight-hour schedule, a formal Sardinian meal, or a highly detailed commentary about every island.

Free cancellation is available 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 need to check weather and sea conditions before the day.

Should you book the Tavolara tour?

Book this tour if you want a full day of swimming, snorkeling, food, and scenery from a handsome old wooden boat. The strongest reasons are the small group, the variety of stops, the attractive marine reserve, and the easygoing aperitif with Sardinian snacks and local wine.

Choose another trip if you want guaranteed sailing, a large lunch centered on regional specialties, or a strict return time. For the right kind of day, though, Dulcemar offers a pleasant alternative to a standard motorboat outing, with enough comfort for eight hours and enough stops to keep the sea at the center of your plans.

FAQ

Where does the Tavolara tour depart from?

The meeting point is Porto San Paolo’s tourist harbor on Via Caprera, near the ferry boarding area for Tavolara. The skipper waits on the pier. Check-in is at 9 a.m., with departure scheduled for 9:30 a.m.

How long does the boat trip last?

The advertised duration is eight hours. Departure is scheduled for 9:30 a.m., with return planned around 5:30 to 6 p.m., though one departure returned at about 5 p.m.

What islands and beaches are visited?

The route includes Porto San Paolo, Tavolara, Molara, Cala Girgolu, Isola Cavalli, and Isola Piana. The day includes four or five swimming stops, though the exact anchorage can vary.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. A snorkeling kit is included in the price, along with the swim stops and use of the boat’s swim ladders and outdoor freshwater shower.

Is food and wine included?

Yes. The mid-day service includes an aperitif with Vermentino or Prosecco DOCG, finger food, Sardinian cold cuts, cheese, snacks, coffee, a Sardinian digestive, and still and sparkling water. There is no open bar.

What should I bring on the boat?

Bring a towel and a bottle of fresh water for your needs during the day. Sunscreen is allowed with the operator’s restrictions, but products with a protection factor of 50 or higher are prohibited because they can stain the furnishings and cushions.