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

The sea is the main attraction. This full-day sailing trip from Porto San Paolo combines clear-water swimming, Sardinian food, wine, and a relaxed route through the Tavolara-Punta Coda Cavallo marine area. I especially like the small maximum group of 14 and the generous food and drink service, including Vermentino, local products, lunch, fruit, coffee, and myrtle liqueur. The main thing to consider is that this is a long day on the water, and the captain may change the route if wind or sea conditions require it.

I also like that the trip uses sailing time as part of the experience rather than rushing from one swimming stop to another. Captains and crew members such as Luigi, Mateo, Fabio, Alessio, Agostino, Stefania, and Laura have been praised for being warm, attentive, and entertaining. Parking at Porto San Paolo needs planning, and beach towels are not included, so bring your own.

Key points to know before booking

• Three major swimming areas: Stop at Isola Piana, Tavolara, and Molara for swims in clear Sardinian water.
• A proper food-and-wine day: The trip includes an aperitif, Sardinian specialties, lunch, fruit, coffee, beer, Vermentino, and myrtle.
• Small group size: The boat carries a maximum of 14 people, giving the day a more personal feel than a large excursion boat.
• Sailing, not just motoring: The route includes time under sail, with a possible dolphin search in the afternoon.
• Porto San Paolo start: Meet at Via Del Faro 62 at 9:30 am and return to the same point.
• Weather matters: The captain can alter the route for safety, and poor weather may lead to a new date or full refund.

What this Porto San Paolo sailing day is really like

This is a 7 to 8 hour outing, with the scheduled cruise lasting about 7.5 hours. You meet at Via Del Faro 62 in Porto San Paolo at 9:30 am, then return to the same spot in the afternoon.

The day is built around a pleasant rhythm: sail, stop, swim, eat, and sail again. It is not a fast sightseeing circuit with constant announcements. You get time to sit on deck, watch the coast from offshore, and enjoy the water without feeling hurried.

The small group limit of 14 matters. On a boat, personal space can make or break the day. A smaller group generally makes swimming stops easier, keeps service more attentive, and gives you a better chance to speak with the crew. Several crew combinations operate the trip, but names repeatedly associated with the experience include Captain Luigi, Mateo, Fabio, Alessio, Agostino, Stefania, Laura, and Ricardo.

The tone appears to be friendly and social. Singing, jokes, and easy conversation have been part of the atmosphere on some departures. That will suit you if you like a shared day at sea. If you want silence and complete solitude, a group sailing trip may feel too lively.

The first swim at Isola Piana

The first stop is Isola Piana, reached only a few minutes after leaving the port. This is a useful opening stop because you do not have to wait long for your first swim.

You get about 30 minutes here. That is enough to cool off, use the provided snorkeling equipment, and get comfortable with the water before the longer stops later in the day.

Do not expect a full island visit. This is a swimming break, not a walk ashore or a cultural tour. The attraction is the sea itself, and the short sailing time from Porto San Paolo makes it a gentle start.

If you are not a confident swimmer, ask the crew for practical guidance before entering the water. The available information confirms snorkeling equipment, but it does not specify flotation aids or a particular swimming platform, so you should not assume those are provided.

Two hours in front of Tavolara

The longest stop is at Isola di Tavolara, where you spend about two hours swimming and having an aperitif and lunch in front of a protected beach.

This is the heart of the day. Tavolara is a striking sight from the water, and the protected setting gives the stop a more special feel than a quick swim beside an ordinary stretch of coast. You have time to swim, snorkel, eat, and simply enjoy being offshore.

The food is an important part of the value here. The aperitif includes Vermentino and typical Sardinian products. The food served on different departures has included Sardinian cheeses, mirto-flavored sausage, salami, tartines, pane carasau, guttiau, and other snacks. A cooked pasta dish based on Mediterranean and fish ingredients has also been served, followed by fruit, traditional sweets, coffee, and myrtle liqueur.

The exact meal can vary, and special food requests are limited. Vegetarian and no-fish options are possible, but the boat cannot manage every food intolerance or special diet. If you have serious dietary needs, the operator recommends bringing a packed lunch.

That is worth taking seriously. This is not a restaurant with a full alternative menu. The crew can help within limits, but you should share any food concern when booking and carry backup food if necessary.

The turquoise water of Molara

After Tavolara, the boat continues to Isola Molara for about an hour. The stop is centered on the Molara swimming pools, known for exceptionally clear water with a strong turquoise color.

This is the stop for underwater viewing. Bring the supplied snorkeling gear, though remember to pack a towel. The combination of transparent water, fish, and rocky coastal scenery gives you a fine reason to spend less time on deck and more time in the sea.

The phrase swimming pools can be misleading if you imagine constructed pools. This is a natural marine area, so conditions depend on the weather and sea. The captain may adjust the exact location to keep the boat and swimmers safe.

One practical point: the day includes several swims, so bring sun protection and use it often. A sunburn can turn the final sailing hour into a long one. The boat may provide food and water, but you are responsible for your own beach towel.

The Tavolara-Punta Coda Cavallo marine area

The final scheduled stop takes place within the Tavolara-Punta Coda Cavallo protected marine area. This marine zone extends for 76 kilometers along the coast and is the setting for another swim, snorkeling, and food service.

The protected status is part of what gives the route its appeal. You are not simply moving between beaches. You are spending the day in a carefully managed coastal area where the water and offshore views are the main event.

The timing of this stop can shift with the conditions. The captain has authority to vary the route, and that is sensible on a sailing boat. Wind, waves, and visibility affect both comfort and safety. You should see the published stops as a useful plan, not a guarantee that every pause will happen at the exact same place or duration.

In the afternoon, the boat makes a pleasant sail in search of dolphins, which often visit this area. Dolphin sightings are never guaranteed, so treat this as an added possibility rather than the reason to book. The sailing itself remains worthwhile, especially after a full day of swimming and eating.

Food, wine, and the Sardinian welcome

The included food and drink make this more than a basic boat transfer with swimming breaks. You receive bottled water, coffee or tea, lunch, a wine tasting, and an aperitif with Vermentino and local Sardinian products.

Alcoholic drinks include Vermentino white wine, beer, and mirto, the traditional Sardinian liqueur. The crew serves food at several points during the day, rather than putting out one small snack and calling it lunch.

That difference matters at the $119.77 price. A full day on the water with multiple swimming stops, snorkeling equipment, a cooked meal, wine, beer, coffee, and local specialties can offer good value, particularly if you would otherwise pay separately for lunch and drinks.

Still, value depends on what you want. If your main goal is a quiet boat ride with very little food or social interaction, you may find the service more elaborate than needed. If you enjoy regional food and a convivial table, the included meal is one of the strongest reasons to choose this trip.

The crew’s hospitality is another repeated strength. Luigi and Mateo, in particular, have been praised for first-class service, humor, and a welcoming manner. Other crew members receive similar praise for making people feel at home. The experience seems to depend partly on the day’s crew and the mix of people aboard, but the small group helps.

Boat comfort and the pace of the day

The boat has been described as comfortable, clean, and well kept. That is important because seven and a half hours is a long time to spend aboard. You will want a pleasant place to sit during the sailing stretches, not only a good swimming stop.

The route offers variety without becoming frantic. Isola Piana provides a short first swim. Tavolara gives you the longest break and the main meal. Molara brings the clearest water and snorkeling. The protected marine area adds another chance to swim, followed by sailing and possible dolphin watching.

The drawback is that you do not get a deep shore visit on the islands. You are seeing Tavolara and Molara from the sea, with time in the water, not walking through villages or exploring inland paths. One account also noted that the area does not offer many close-up rocks or caves to explore. If you want dramatic caves and frequent landings, choose a different coastal trip.

This is best understood as a sailing and swimming day, not an island sightseeing tour.

Parking and meeting at Porto San Paolo

Getting to the meeting point is your responsibility. Transportation to and from attractions is not included, and the activity begins and ends at Via Del Faro 62 in Porto San Paolo.

Parking deserves advance attention. Porto San Paolo can be difficult for finding a space, and one practical suggestion is to arrive about 30 minutes early to deal with parking, including use of the monaiGo app. Paid parking near the port has been reported at about €5 for the day.

Do not cut it close. A late arrival can be stressful before a full day at sea, especially if you need to find a space, walk to the boat, and gather your belongings. Arriving early also gives you time to confirm the meeting point without rushing.

Bring swimwear, sun protection, and a beach towel. Towels are specifically not included. Bottled water is included, so you do not need to pack water for the basic service, though a small personal bag for sunscreen and dry clothing is sensible.

Who will enjoy this trip most?

I would recommend this sailing day to you if you want several swims, clear water, local food, and a friendly boat atmosphere. It suits couples, families, and small groups who would rather spend a day outdoors than tour museums or towns.

It is also a good choice if you want a more personal alternative to a large boat excursion. The maximum of 14 people keeps the scale manageable, and the crew’s attentive style appears to be a major part of the experience.

You should think twice if you have strict dietary requirements, dislike group dining, or want a fixed route that cannot change. You should also be comfortable with a full day exposed to sun, wind, and sea conditions.

The tour is offered in English, which helps if you do not speak Italian. The crew has also hosted people speaking French, Spanish, German, Portuguese, and other languages, but English is the stated operating language.

Price, booking, and weather rules

At $119.77 per person, the price is not the cheapest way to see the coast. But the package includes about 7.5 hours of sailing, several swim stops, snorkeling equipment, lunch, an aperitif, wine, beer, water, coffee or tea, and mirto.

That makes the price reasonable for a full-service day, especially if you place a high value on a small group and freshly served food. The 4.9 rating from 293 reviews and recommendation from 98 percent of customers also suggest strong consistency, though your exact crew and sea conditions can affect the day.

Confirmation arrives within 48 hours of booking and is subject to availability. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. If poor weather cancels the trip, you are offered another date or a full refund. The same applies if the minimum number of participants is not reached.

Should you book the Tavolara and Molara sailing trip?

Book it if you want the sea, not just a checklist of sights. The strongest parts are the small group, generous Sardinian meal, friendly crew, clear swimming water, and real sailing time between stops.

Go in expecting a social day with food and drinks, not a silent private charter. Bring your own towel, arrive early for parking, and understand that wind may alter the route. If those details suit you, this is a well-rounded way to spend a day along the northeast coast of Sardinia, with Tavolara, Molara, local flavors, and the chance of dolphins all woven into one outing.

FAQ

Where does the sailing tour start and end?

The tour starts at Via Del Faro 62, 07020 Porto San Paolo, Italy, at 9:30 am. It ends back at the same meeting point.

How long does the experience last?

The full experience lasts approximately 7 to 8 hours, with the sailing cruise listed at about 7.5 hours.

What food and drinks are included?

The tour includes lunch, a brunch aperitif with Vermentino and typical Sardinian products, bottled water, coffee or tea, wine tasting, beer, Vermentino white wine, and mirto liqueur.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included. Beach towels are not included, so you need to bring your own.

Can the tour accommodate food intolerances?

Only limited alternatives are possible on the boat. Vegetarian and no-fish options can be arranged, but other food intolerances and special requests cannot be fully managed. A packed lunch is recommended for strict dietary needs.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The captain may change the route for safety. If poor weather causes cancellation, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.