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

Clear water, sails, and Sardinian lunch. This full-day cruise from Porto San Paolo combines quiet sailing with swimming stops around Isola Piana, Tavolara, and Molara. I especially like the small group of up to 14 people and the generous food and drink service, including Vermentino and local specialties. The main point to consider is that the day lasts about 7.5 hours, with several swimming stops, so it suits you best if you enjoy being on the water for most of a day.

The crew receives praise for its warm, social service, with Luigi, Mateo, Fabio, Agustino, Alessio, and others named for making the trip friendly and relaxed. You should also know that beach towels are not included, parking at Porto San Paolo needs planning, and special food requests are limited to vegetarian or no-fish options.

Key things to know before you sail

• Three main swimming areas: Stop at Isola Piana, Tavolara, and Molara’s famous swimming pools.
• Food is a major part of the day: Expect an aperitif, Sardinian products, lunch, fruit, sweets, coffee, and drinks.
• A small sailing group: The boat carries a maximum of 14 people, which keeps the day more personal.
• Dolphin watching comes late in the day: The crew may sail in search of dolphins in the Tavolara-Punta Coda Cavallo marine area.
• Bring your own beach towel: Snorkeling equipment is supplied, but towels are not.
• Plan for parking: The meeting point is at Via Del Faro 62 in Porto San Paolo, and arriving about 30 minutes early is sensible.

Setting out from Porto San Paolo at 9:30

The meeting point is at Via Del Faro 62 in Porto San Paolo, on Sardinia’s northeast coast. The boat returns to this same location at the end of the day, so you do not need to arrange a separate ride from the final stop.

The scheduled departure is 9:30 in the morning. Parking deserves attention here. One practical suggestion is to arrive roughly 30 minutes early and use the MonaiGo app to help find a space. A paid car park close to the boat has been mentioned at about €5 for the day, but parking arrangements are not included in the cruise.

Once aboard, the pace is easy. You are not being rushed from one attraction to another. The day combines periods of sailing, time at anchor, swimming, food, and conversation with the crew and the other people on board. A small group limit of 14 makes a real difference. You have a better chance of finding a comfortable place to sit, getting help from the crew, and enjoying the trip without the feel of a large excursion boat.

The boat is described as comfortable, clean, and well kept. One practical detail matters: the supplied snorkeling equipment means you do not need to pack your own mask and gear. You do need to bring a towel, sunscreen, and anything else you normally want after a swim.

Isola Piana provides the first swim

The first stop is Isola Piana, only a short sail from the departure port. The boat stops here for about 30 minutes, giving you a quick chance to get into the water and settle into the rhythm of the day.

This is a useful first stop because it is brief and uncomplicated. You can test the water, use the snorkeling equipment, and get a first look at the clear sea before the longer stop at Tavolara. If you prefer a packed sightseeing schedule, 30 minutes may feel short. If you like a gentle start, it works well.

The swimming areas are the main attraction rather than built sights. Bring your attention to the water, the nearby islands, and the view back toward the Sardinian coast. This is not a trip centered on museums, churches, or town walks. You spend much of the day in the open air, with the sea as the main event.

Tavolara brings the longest swim and lunch stop

The boat then heads toward Isola di Tavolara, one of the most striking islands in this part of Sardinia. The scheduled stop lasts about two hours, making it the longest single stop on the route.

The boat anchors in front of Tavolara’s protected beach for swimming and an aperitif. This gives you enough time to swim without feeling that you must climb back aboard after a few minutes. You can also snorkel and enjoy the island from the water, where the view is often more impressive than from a crowded shore.

The food service is spread through the day rather than saved for one rushed meal. The aperitif includes Vermentino wine and products from Sardinia. Food served on the boat has included local pecorino cheeses, Sardinian sausage with myrtle, salami flavored with myrtle, small toasts, pane carasau, and guttiau bread. These are the kinds of local tastes that make the cruise feel tied to Sardinia rather than like a standard boat picnic.

Lunch is prepared and served aboard. The meal has included a pasta dish with Mediterranean ingredients and fish, followed by fruit, local sweets, coffee, and myrtle liqueur. Beer, bottled water, wine, and other drinks are also included. The exact menu can vary, but the pattern is clear: food and drinks are a central part of the outing, not a minor extra.

If you do not eat fish, or if you are vegetarian, tell the operator in advance. The stated alternatives are no-fish and vegetarian options. More complicated food intolerances and special requests may not be manageable in the boat kitchen, so you may be advised to bring a packed lunch.

Molara’s swimming pools are the visual highlight

The next stop is Isola Molara, where the boat pauses for about an hour at the Molara swimming pools. The name refers to a sea area known for transparent water and a strong turquoise color.

This is likely to be one of the best swimming stops of the day. The water clarity makes snorkeling worthwhile, even though the cruise is not presented as a specialist snorkeling trip. You have the equipment available, and the crew can direct you toward the swimming area.

The one-hour stop is long enough for a proper swim and a little time in the sun. It is not long enough for you to treat Molara as a land visit, since the program keeps you aboard and in the water. That is important when deciding if this tour suits you. You are choosing a sailing and swimming day, not an island-hopping trip with long walks ashore.

The water is the star here, but remember that several swims add up. By the afternoon, you may want a dry layer, a towel, and protection from the sun. A few people have specifically pointed out the need for sunblock, and that is sensible advice for a full day on the sea.

Tavolara-Punta Coda Cavallo adds protected waters and dolphin watching

Part of the route passes through the Tavolara-Punta Coda Cavallo marine protected area, which extends along 76 kilometers of coast. The boat uses this area for more swimming, snorkeling, and lunch service as the schedule and conditions allow.

The captain can change the route for safety. The listed stops are a guide rather than an unchangeable promise, since wind and sea conditions matter. That flexibility is a good sign on a sailing trip. You may not visit each point in precisely the listed order, but the crew can choose safer water when weather shifts.

Later in the afternoon, the crew sails in search of dolphins. There is no guarantee of a sighting, and it is best to treat this as an extra possibility rather than the main reason to book. The pleasure is in sailing through the protected area and watching the sea. If dolphins appear, the final part of the day becomes especially memorable.

The sailing itself is part of the appeal. One especially good moment is leaving the harbor and raising the sails, when the engine noise gives way to the quieter movement of the boat. The route lets you see the coast and islands from offshore, a viewpoint you cannot get from a beach or road.

The crew shapes the mood on board

Service is one of the strongest parts of this cruise. Luigi is repeatedly praised for being capable, precise, kind, and cheerful. Mateo, Fabio, Agustino, Alessio, Marco, Stefania, Laura, Livia, and Ricardo are also named in comments about friendly, attentive service.

You can expect the crew to explain parts of the route, share stories, and spend time with the group. English is offered, and an English-speaking guide has explained the history of certain places during the sailing. The atmosphere can become quite social, with music, conversation, and sometimes singing among the people on board.

That social mood will suit you if you like meeting other people during a day trip. It may be less appealing if you want a silent, private charter. Even with only 14 people, you are sharing the boat and the meal with the group.

The crew has also shown flexibility when people have had trouble finding the meeting point. That does not mean you should arrive late, but it does suggest a helpful attitude. The boat is described as clean and well maintained, another small detail that matters during a long day at sea.

What the $119.77 price includes

At $119.77 per person, this is not the cheapest way to reach the islands, but the value is better than the fare alone suggests. The price includes about 7.5 hours of sailing, several swimming stops, snorkeling equipment, lunch, wine tasting, bottled water, coffee or tea, an aperitif, and alcoholic drinks.

The included food makes a noticeable difference. You are not paying for a cruise and then discovering that every drink or snack costs extra. Vermentino, beer, myrtle liqueur, water, and the food service are part of the package.

The value is strongest if you plan to spend a full day on the water anyway. A normal boat rental would require you to arrange the vessel, captain, route, food, drinks, and snorkeling gear separately. Here, the crew handles the navigation and timing, while you concentrate on swimming and the view.

The price is less compelling if you mainly want a short transfer to Tavolara or Molara. This is a full-day outing, and much of what you pay for is the slow sailing, the meals, and the company on board.

Who will enjoy this cruise most

I would recommend this trip to you if you want a relaxed day that mixes swimming with good food and a friendly crew. It works particularly well for couples, friends, and solo visitors who enjoy a shared atmosphere rather than a private boat.

It is also a good fit if you want to see Tavolara and Molara without organizing several separate stops. The route gives you a taste of multiple sea areas, with time to swim at each one.

You should think twice if you dislike boats, extended time in the sun, or swimming from an anchored vessel. The itinerary has no major land exploration, and the crew may adjust the route because of wind or sea conditions.

Families and mixed-age groups may find the flexible format useful, since most people can participate. Still, the provider says the experience requires good weather and a minimum number of bookings, so the day is not fully guaranteed until those conditions are met.

Practical details that make the day easier

Wear a swimsuit under your clothes and pack a towel, since beach towels are not supplied. Add sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, and a dry layer for the ride back.

You do not need to bring food or water unless you have a dietary requirement that the boat cannot handle. Bottled water, lunch, coffee or tea, wine, beer, and other listed drinks are included.

Allow extra time for parking at Porto San Paolo. Arriving early is wise, especially if you are unfamiliar with the harbor or need to use a parking app.

The tour is offered in English and uses a mobile ticket. Confirmation is normally issued within 48 hours, subject to availability. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the 9:30 start time. If poor weather cancels the trip, you are offered another date or a full refund.

Should you book the Tavolara and Molara sailing day?

You should book it if your ideal Sardinian day includes clear water, several swims, local food, wine, and a small boat with an outgoing crew. The combination is generous for the price, and the route gives you more than a simple ride to one beach.

I would choose this cruise over a large group boat if personal service matters to you. I would also choose it if you want the pleasure of sailing, not just transportation between beaches.

Skip it if you want long walks on the islands, a quiet private charter, or a short excursion. The best reason to book is the whole package: the water at Molara, the Tavolara stop, the food served aboard, and the chance of seeing dolphins as the sails carry you home.

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 am.

Where does the tour end?

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

How long does the sailing cruise last?

The experience lasts approximately 7 to 8 hours, with the listed cruise duration given as 7.5 hours.

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum group size is 14 people.

Which islands does the tour visit?

The route includes Isola Piana, Isola di Tavolara, and Isola Molara. It also passes through the Tavolara-Punta Coda Cavallo marine protected area.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included, along with a Sardinian aperitif, wine tasting, bottled water, coffee or tea, and listed alcoholic drinks.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included.

Are beach towels included?

No. Beach towels are not included, so you should bring your own.

Can the itinerary change?

Yes. The captain may change the route or order of stops according to weather and sea conditions to keep the sailing safe.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If the tour is canceled because of poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start are not accepted for a refund.