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

Tavolara and Molara are best seen from the water, and this 7.5-hour sailing day gives you plenty of time to swim, eat, and enjoy the coast at a relaxed pace. The boat leaves Porto San Paolo, raises its sails when conditions allow, and visits several clear-water spots rather than rushing between one or two stops.

I like the small maximum group of 14 and the generous food-and-drink program, which includes Sardinian products, lunch, wine, beer, coffee, and myrtle liqueur. I also like that the route includes the Molara swimming pools and the protected Tavolara-Punta Coda Cavallo marine area. The main consideration is simple: this is a full day in the sun, and the exact route can change with the weather. Bring a towel, sunscreen, and patience for a schedule ruled by the sea.

Key points to know before booking

• Three main swim areas: Isola Piana, Tavolara, and Molara offer different settings for swimming and snorkeling.
• Food is part of the experience: Expect a Sardinian aperitif, a fish-based pasta lunch, fruit, sweets, coffee, wine, beer, and myrtle.
• Small boat group: The tour accepts no more than 14 people, making it more personal than a large excursion boat.
• Dolphin spotting is possible: The afternoon sailing includes a search for dolphins, but sightings are not guaranteed.
• Parking takes planning: The port has paid parking nearby, reported at about €5 for the day, and arriving early helps.
• Weather controls the day: The captain may alter the route for safety, and poor weather can lead to a refund or new date.

Setting sail from Porto San Paolo at 9:30 a.m.

The meeting point is at Via Del Faro 62 in Porto San Paolo, on the coast between San Teodoro and Olbia. You return to the same place after the cruise, so you do not need to arrange a second pickup point.

The boat departs at 9:30 a.m., but I would arrive early. Parking is not included, and finding a space around a Sardinian port can take longer than expected. A nearby paid parking area costs about €5 for the day, and one useful tip is to arrange parking in advance with the monaiGo app if that option is available to you.

As the boat leaves the harbor, the trip begins with views from the sea rather than from a crowded road. When the wind cooperates, the crew raises the sails. That moment gives the outing some character: you are not simply being driven from bay to bay, but spending part of the day moving under sail.

The pace is unhurried. You should expect roughly seven to eight hours on board, with stops broken up by sailing time, food, and views along the coast. If you prefer a quick sightseeing cruise with constant commentary, this may feel slow. If you want a full day at sea, the timing works well.

Isola Piana, the first quick swim

The first stop is Isola Piana, only a few minutes from the departure port. The boat stays for about 30 minutes, giving you an early chance to swim and settle into the rhythm of the day.

This is a practical first stop. You can test the water, use the provided snorkeling equipment, and get comfortable before the longer visit near Tavolara. Because the stop is short, do not expect a full beach visit or a long exploration period. It is mainly about getting into the water.

The nearby Isola area is known for clear water, and the boat lets you see the coast from a position that road-based tours cannot match. Bring your own towel, since beach towels are not included. A phone or camera should be secured carefully, since the most appealing moments are likely to happen in the water.

Tavolara, lunch, and a longer swim

The main stop at Isola di Tavolara lasts about two hours. The boat pauses in front of Tavolara Beach, giving you time for an aperitif, swimming, and lunch.

Tavolara is one of the most memorable sights on this coast because its profile rises sharply from the sea. From the boat, you get a broad view of the island and the protected shoreline without needing to organize a separate beach transfer. The setting also gives the crew room to combine several parts of the day in one place.

The food is more substantial than a simple packet snack. The Sardinian aperitif can include local pecorino cheeses, Sardinian sausage flavored with myrtle, salami, tartines, pane carasau, and guttiau bread. Lunch includes a pasta dish made with Mediterranean ingredients and fish, followed by fruit, local sweets, coffee, and myrtle liqueur.

Drinks are served throughout the day. The package includes Vermentino white wine, beer, bottled water, coffee, tea, and other alcoholic drinks listed by the operator. You should pace yourself, especially in the sun. The combination of wine, swimming, heat, and a moving boat calls for a little common sense.

Food limitations deserve attention before you book. The boat can handle no-fish or vegetarian options, but more complex food intolerances and special requests may not be manageable in the galley. If your needs are strict, the practical choice is to bring a packed lunch and tell the operator in advance.

Molara’s swimming pools and turquoise water

The next major stop is Molara, with about an hour at the so-called swimming pools. This area is prized for transparent water and strong turquoise color, making it the natural centerpiece for anyone who books the trip mainly to swim.

The name refers to a group of shallow, clear-water areas around Molara rather than a formal swimming pool. You can snorkel with the equipment provided and watch the sea floor below the boat. The clarity of the water is the attraction here, not an organized shore visit.

An hour is long enough for a proper swim without turning the stop into an all-day beach outing. I would keep your gear simple and ready before the boat stops. Sunglasses, sunscreen, a hat, and a towel matter more than carrying lots of belongings.

One point to keep in mind is that this is a sea-based sightseeing tour. You are not promised caves, dramatic rock arches, or a long walk on land. The coastline is beautiful, but some of its best features are viewed from offshore. If your priority is exploring beaches on foot, this is not the right format.

The protected Tavolara-Punta Coda Cavallo marine area

The cruise also spends time in the Tavolara-Punta Coda Cavallo protected marine area, which stretches for about 76 kilometers along the coast. The boat stops for another swim and serves food during the visit.

Protected waters matter here because the setting feels less developed than a standard resort beach. You can swim and snorkel in a place where the sea itself is the main attraction. The crew may explain parts of the area and the islands, with English-language guidance available.

The exact order and length of the stops can change. The captain adjusts the route to wind, sea conditions, and safety. That flexibility is useful, but it means you should not treat the published schedule as a minute-by-minute promise.

The afternoon may finish with a gentle sail in search of dolphins, which often pass through the area. This is a pleasant extra rather than a guarantee. You might see dolphins, or you might simply enjoy the final stretch of open water and the coastline from the deck.

Food, wine, and the social side of the boat

Food is one of the strongest reasons to choose this trip over a bare-bones sailing excursion. You are not expected to pack a full day of meals. The program combines an aperitif, lunch, snacks, fruit, sweets, coffee, and drinks.

The menu also gives the day a Sardinian identity. Pecorino, pane carasau, myrtle-flavored products, Vermentino, and myrtle liqueur connect the meal to the island rather than offering generic sandwiches. The pasta lunch is fish-based, so vegetarian and no-fish requests need to be stated clearly.

The social atmosphere depends partly on the group. With no more than 14 people, the crew can mingle with everyone more easily than on a large vessel. Crew members named in feedback include Luigi, Mateo, Alessio, Fabio, Agustino, Marco, Ricardo, Stefania, and Laura. The exact crew may vary, but the consistent pattern is a friendly, involved service style.

Several crew combinations have been praised for being warm, funny, and attentive. Luigi and Mateo are specifically noted for welcoming service, while Alessio and Fabio are remembered for stories and humor. That matters on a long sailing day. Good service can make a boat feel comfortable; indifferent service can make seven hours feel very long.

The English option is useful for an international group, though the crew and passengers may also speak Italian, French, Spanish, German, or Portuguese. The shared setting tends to encourage conversation, but you can also find quieter time while sailing or swimming.

What the $119.77 price includes

At $119.77 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see the coast. It is, however, a solid value if you would otherwise pay separately for a boat trip, lunch, drinks, and snorkeling gear.

The price includes:

• About 7.5 hours of sailing
• Swimming and snorkeling stops
• Snorkeling equipment
• Bottled water
• Sardinian aperitif
• Lunch
• Wine tasting
• Vermentino, beer, and myrtle liqueur
• Coffee and tea

Transportation to and from attractions is not included, which is normal for an activity that begins and ends at the port. You must also handle your own journey to Porto San Paolo and pay for parking if needed. Beach towels are excluded as well.

I would compare this with the cost of a simple half-day boat trip, then add lunch, drinks, and equipment. The value improves if you want to spend most of the day on the water and appreciate food as part of the outing. It is less compelling if you mainly want a short transfer to one beach.

Who will enjoy this sailing day most

This trip suits you if you want several chances to swim without planning separate beach stops. It is also a good choice if you like local food, wine, and informal conversation with the crew.

Couples, friends, and older children who are comfortable swimming can all fit the format. The operator says most people can participate, but the day involves boarding a boat, moving around the deck, and entering the sea at several stops. Anyone with mobility concerns should ask the operator directly before booking.

It is especially suitable for visitors staying near Olbia, San Teodoro, or Porto San Paolo who want one full day devoted to Tavolara and Molara. It is less suitable if you dislike boats, need a fixed schedule, avoid fish, or want a land-based island tour.

The small capacity is a real advantage, but the experience is still shared. You will eat and swim around other people rather than having a private charter. A good group can make the day lively. A poor match in personalities can be harder to escape on a seven-hour boat.

Practical advice for a better day

Wear swimwear under your clothes and arrive ready for the first stop. Bring a beach towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, and a waterproof case for valuables.

Have breakfast before boarding, but do not pack a full supply of food and water. Bottled water, snacks, aperitif items, lunch, and drinks are included. If you need a special diet beyond vegetarian or no-fish food, bring your own lunch.

Check the weather forecast, but remember that the captain has the final say. The route may change to protect everyone on board. If bad weather cancels the experience, you can receive another date or a full refund.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the 9:30 a.m. start. A cancellation inside that window is not refunded, and changes are not accepted. The trip also requires a minimum number of participants, so a cancellation for that reason brings an alternative date, another experience, or a refund.

Should you book the Tavolara and Molara sailing tour?

I would book this if you want a full, food-filled day at sea rather than a short scenic cruise. The strongest parts are the small group, the number of swim stops, the clear water around Molara, and the Sardinian meal and drinks served on board.

I would think twice if you need a guaranteed route, strict dietary control, or a quiet private boat. The captain can change the itinerary, dolphin sightings are uncertain, towels are not provided, and the fish-based lunch may not suit everyone.

For the price, the package makes sense when you plan to use the whole day: swim at Isola Piana, spend time around Tavolara, snorkel at Molara, enjoy local food, and sail through the protected marine area. Bring your towel, sort out parking early, and let the sea set the timetable.

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 a.m.

How long does the sailing trip last?

The cruise lasts about 7 to 8 hours, with the listed duration averaging 7.5 hours.

Where does the tour end?

The boat returns to the same meeting point in Porto San Paolo.

Which islands and areas does the tour visit?

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

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included.

Are meals and drinks included?

Yes. The package includes a Sardinian aperitif, lunch, bottled water, coffee or tea, Vermentino wine, beer, myrtle liqueur, and other listed alcoholic beverages.

Can the boat provide vegetarian food?

Only no-fish or vegetarian options are possible. More complex food intolerances and special requests may not be manageable on board, so you may need to bring a packed lunch.

Are beach towels included?

No. You need to bring your own beach towel.

What happens if the weather is bad?

The captain may change the route for safety. If poor weather causes cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.