Gulf of Asinara: Full day catamaran excursion with lunch

The best part of this day is the mix of easygoing sailing and real variety. From Stintino, you cruise past the protected shores of Asinara National Park, stop in clear water for swimming, eat seafood on board, and may step ashore to see a former prison or a marine animal rescue center. It is more than a boat ride, but less hurried than a land tour.

I like the choice of swimming spots, especially Fornelli’s natural pools and La Pelosa Beach. I also like the generous food plan: an aperitif, a seafood lunch, wine, fruit, and traditional after-lunch drinks are included. The main consideration is that the route is not fixed. The skipper chooses at least three or four stops according to weather, sea conditions, and the group’s plans.

• Fornelli natural pools: A prime place for swimming in clear water near the southern end of Asinara.
• A 14-person catamaran: Pittolo carries up to 12 passengers and two crew members, giving the day a small-group feel.
• Seafood lunch on board: Expect mussels, pasta with fish sauce, dessert, Vermentino, and Sardinian myrtle and grappa.
• Optional island history: You may visit the former maximum-security prison at Cala d’Oliva or the C.R.A.M.A. marine animal center.
• Franco at the helm: The experience is praised for taking the group to beautiful places away from the ordinary coastal route.
• Flexible swimming plan: At least three or four stops are promised, but the exact selection depends on conditions.

A full day from Stintino to Asinara

This nine-hour outing begins at the Anchor Port in Stintino, in northwestern Sardinia. Look for the iron anchor near the traffic lights and the gate. Pittolo is easy to identify by its tall mast, though you should allow time to find one of the nearby paid car parks.

The boat is a 2016 Aventura 43 catamaran, measuring 13.2 meters long and 7 meters wide. It has a refrigerator, four cabins, four bathrooms, a freshwater shower, a bathing ladder, a sunbathing area, safety equipment, Bluetooth stereo, and a first aid kit.

The 14-person maximum includes two crew members, so the passenger limit is 12. That matters on a long day at sea. You are not being packed onto a large excursion boat, and the catamaran gives you several places to sit, stretch out, or move into the shade.

The crew speaks Italian and English. Franco is specifically praised for choosing beautiful swimming and cruising areas, and his role matters here because the day depends on adapting to the sea. The exact program is not a fixed checklist. You should expect the skipper to make the final call.

Why the changing route is part of the deal

The planned stops include Cala Reale, Cala d’Oliva, Cala del Turco, Cala Li Giorri, Neapolitan Boats Beach, Porto del Bianco, Fornelli Natural Pools, and La Pelosa Beach. You will visit at least three or four, but not necessarily all of them.

That flexibility is useful in a marine park. Wind, waves, and the group’s wishes can affect where the catamaran anchors. A fixed route might sound reassuring, but it could force a boat into a less pleasant stop on a rough day. Here, you trade certainty for a better chance of comfortable swimming.

Ask about the likely stops before departure if one place matters most to you. You should also treat the published list as a menu, not a promise. Someone booking this trip mainly for Cala d’Oliva, for example, should confirm the plan with the skipper before leaving Stintino.

Cala Reale and the C.R.A.M.A. center

Cala Reale is one of the possible stops on Asinara. It also gives you the chance to visit the Centro Recupero Animali Marini Asinara, known as C.R.A.M.A., a marine animal rescue center.

The center is open from May 15 through September 30, every day from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. The visit is optional and must fit the day’s timing and group agreement. The entrance fee is 3 euros, paid in cash on site.

This is a good choice if you want more than swimming. It adds an educational reason to step off the boat and helps you see Asinara as a protected island with an active conservation role. You should not assume the center visit will happen automatically. Discuss it with the skipper and group before departure.

Cala d’Oliva and the former prison

Cala d’Oliva offers another optional shore visit. Here you can see the Diramazione Centrale, a former maximum-security prison known for its bunker-like character.

The site is open daily from May 15 through September 30, from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. A municipal disembarkation tax applies only when you go ashore on Asinara to visit the prison or C.R.A.M.A. It costs 2.50 euros from October through May and 5 euros from June through September, paid in cash on the island.

Residents of Porto Torres, children under seven, and people with disabilities of at least 65 percent do not pay the tax. The prison visit gives the day a strong historical element, but it also means less time sitting in the water. If your priority is sun and swimming, stay aboard or choose the marine center instead.

Cala del Turco, Cala Li Giorri, and the quieter coves

Cala del Turco and Cala Li Giorri are among the smaller coastal stops that may appear on the route. The appeal is simple: time near the water, away from the pace of a crowded shore excursion.

You might find these coves better suited to a calm swim and a look at Asinara’s rugged coast than to a formal sightseeing stop. Since the skipper chooses the exact sequence, you may reach them as part of a morning or afternoon rotation.

Porto del Bianco and Neapolitan Boats Beach are also possible stops. Their place in the day depends on conditions. The useful point is that you have several possible anchorages, so a change in wind does not automatically ruin the outing.

Fornelli Natural Pools and La Pelosa

Fornelli’s natural pools are among the strongest reasons to book this excursion. The water is described as heavenly, and the stop is intended for swimming from the catamaran. Bring a towel, swimsuit, sun protection, and sunglasses, because the day puts you close to the water for long periods.

La Pelosa Beach gives you another well-known swimming option near Stintino. Its clear water and coastal setting fit the relaxed side of the trip. Still, you should not count on a long beach visit. The boat may anchor nearby, or the route may favor another stop.

Snorkeling equipment is not included. If you want to look beneath the surface, bring your own gear. The supplied equipment list specifically covers safety equipment and a freshwater shower, not masks or fins.

What lunch is really like

Food is a major part of the value here. The aperitif arrives on board with a chopping board of sausage, guanciale, and cheese, along with Vermentino white wine, water, and cola.

Lunch includes mussels, a pasta dish with fish sauce, dessert, wine, water, and cola. Seasonal fruit, watermelon, or melon is served as a snack. After the meal, you may be offered myrtle and grappa, two familiar Sardinian flavors.

I like this setup because you do not lose part of the day searching for a restaurant. You eat with views of Asinara and keep the schedule in the skipper’s hands. The seafood focus also gives the excursion a stronger local identity than a standard packed lunch.

You should contact the number on your booking voucher as soon as possible if you have an allergy, intolerance, or need vegetarian or vegan food. Those options are possible, but they need advance notice. If you do not eat seafood, clarify your meal before departure rather than assuming a substitute will appear on board.

The value of $148.40

At $148.40 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend time on the Sardinian coast. The price makes more sense when you add up what is included: a full nine hours, the catamaran, skipper, fuel, aperitif, lunch, wine, soft drinks, fruit, and the use of a small vessel rather than a large boat.

You are also paying for access to several coastal areas in one day. A separate meal, fuel cost, and boat rental could easily make a private outing more expensive, especially for a small group. The 12-passenger limit helps the price feel reasonable if you value space and a quieter setting.

The price does not include snorkeling gear, the optional 3-euro C.R.A.M.A. entrance fee, or the municipal disembarkation tax for the island visits. These extra costs are small, but bring cash. The tax is seasonal, and the center or prison visit is not compulsory.

The strongest value comes if you want a complete day on the water with food included. It is weaker if you plan to spend most of your time ashore, since the experience is built around sailing, swimming, and dining on board.

Timing, comfort, and what to bring

Nine hours is a long outing. That is good news if you want a full coastal day, but you should be comfortable spending much of it on a boat. The catamaran has bathrooms, a freshwater shower, a refrigerator, and a sunbathing area, which make the length easier to manage.

Bring sunglasses, a sun hat, sunscreen, water, a towel, and beachwear. Water is included with the meal, but bringing your own bottle is still sensible for the time between meals. A light cover-up could also be useful, though it is not specifically listed among the required items.

The boat has a bathing ladder, so you can get into the sea from the catamaran at swimming stops. The activity is not suitable for wheelchair users. Pets are not allowed.

The trip is confirmed with at least four participants. If your plans are flexible, the reserve-now-and-pay-later option gives you room to hold a place without paying immediately. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund.

Who will enjoy Pittolo most

I would recommend this outing to you if you want swimming, food, and scenery in one day, with enough structure to avoid planning every detail yourself. It suits couples, friends, and families who are comfortable with a full day at sea and who appreciate a small boat.

It is also a good choice if you want to see two sides of Asinara: its natural coves and its unusual human history. The optional prison and rescue center visits give you a reason to leave the water for a while.

You may want another plan if you need a guaranteed beach stop, a set list of locations, or a full historical tour. The skipper controls the final route, and the focus remains on the sea. You should also think twice if you dislike seafood or want organized snorkeling equipment supplied.

Should you book this Asinara catamaran trip?

Book it if you want a relaxed but full day from Stintino, with several chances to swim, Sardinian food served aboard, and the possibility of seeing Asinara’s former prison or marine rescue center. The small passenger limit, modern catamaran, and skipper Franco’s ability to choose good stops are the main reasons this experience earns its strong reputation.

Do not book it expecting a rigid sightseeing schedule. The best approach is to arrive ready for a flexible day shaped by the weather. Bring cash for optional shore visits, pack your own snorkeling gear if you want it, and contact the operator early about dietary needs. For a balanced taste of Asinara by sea, this is a good-value choice.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran tour begin and end?

The tour begins and ends at the entrance to the Anchor Port in Stintino. The entrance is near the traffic lights, beside a gate with an iron anchor. Paid parking areas are nearby, and the boat is called Pittolo.

How long does the experience last?

The catamaran excursion lasts nine hours. Starting times vary, so you need to check availability for the date you want.

How many people can travel on Pittolo?

Pittolo can carry 14 people in total, including 12 passengers and two crew members.

Are the stops fixed?

No. The skipper chooses the route based on weather conditions and the group’s plans. At least three or four stops are guaranteed from a list that includes Fornelli Natural Pools, La Pelosa, Cala Reale, Cala d’Oliva, Cala del Turco, Cala Li Giorri, Neapolitan Boats Beach, and Porto del Bianco.

Is lunch included?

Yes. The aperitif includes sausage, guanciale, cheese, Vermentino, water, and cola. Lunch includes mussels, pasta with fish sauce, dessert, wine, water, and cola. Seasonal fruit is served as a snack, and myrtle and grappa are also included.

Do I need to pay extra to visit Asinara?

You pay an extra municipal disembarkation tax only if you go ashore to visit C.R.A.M.A. or the former prison at Cala d’Oliva. It is 2.50 euros from October through May and 5 euros from June through September. C.R.A.M.A. also has a 3-euro entrance fee, paid in cash.