Olbia: catamaran tour in the Tavolara Marine Protected Area

The best part of this Olbia catamaran tour is the setting: you spend a full day moving between the clear waters of Tavolara, Molara, Cala Moresca, and Capo Ceraso instead of seeing the coast from one crowded beach. I like the small group of 12 passengers and the roomy Lagoon 400, which gives the day a more personal feel.

I also like that lunch is a proper Sardinian spread, with seafood, local snacks, Vermentino, fruit, sweets, and myrtle. Silvia and Massimo handle the boat and hosting, and their warm approach is a big part of the appeal. The main drawback is that snorkeling gear is not included, and the tour only runs with at least six participants.

Key points to know before booking

• A full 7.5 hours on the water: Leave Olbia at about 9:30 a.m. and return around 5:30 p.m.
• Small-group sailing: The catamaran carries up to 12 passengers plus two crew members.
• Several possible swimming areas: Stops may include Tavolara, Molara, Cala Moresca, Capo Ceraso, Porto Istana, Capo Coda Cavallo, and Cala Girgolu.
• Sardinian lunch included: Expect an aperitif, seafood pasta or another seafood first course, Vermentino, beer, fruit, sweets, and myrtle.
• Comfortable boat facilities: You get an outdoor shower, four bathrooms with one available for the day trip, music, and a tender boat.
• Bring your own mask and fins: Snorkeling equipment and extra drinks cost extra and are not supplied.

Sailing from Olbia toward Tavolara

Your day begins at the Isola Bianca quay in Olbia, near a caravan park. The skipper will be waiting there, but give yourself time to find the exact spot. One past concern was meeting the boat at the port, yet the arrangement proved easy once the group arrived.

The catamaran leaves at about 9:30 a.m. and heads toward Tavolara. This early departure matters. You get a full day outside, with enough time for several stops rather than one quick swim before lunch.

The boat is a Lagoon 400, measuring 13 meters long and 7.30 meters wide. That is a useful size for this kind of outing. It is large enough to feel stable and comfortable, but the group stays small enough that the boat does not feel like a floating bus.

The boat has four cabins and four bathrooms, though only one bathroom is available for day-trip use. There is also an outdoor shower, a tender with an outboard motor, and a Hi-Fi system for music.

You should expect a relaxed sailing day, not a high-speed sightseeing run. The point is to enjoy the coast, sit in the sun, swim when the boat anchors, and spend time around the islands. Bring a sun hat, sunscreen, towel, and beachwear. Pets are not allowed.

The Tavolara Marine Protected Area

The protected waters around Tavolara and Molara are the reason to choose this excursion. The coast here is known for clear water, rocky coves, island views, and small beaches that are best appreciated from the sea.

Tavolara is the dominant sight. Its steep profile gives the coast a strong sense of place, while nearby Molara adds another island setting for sailing and swimming. You do not simply stop at a famous viewpoint and leave. The day lets you see the islands from several angles as the catamaran moves between possible anchorages.

The exact stops can change. Possible locations include Molara, Tavolara, Capo Ceraso, Porto Istana, Capo Coda Cavallo, Cala Moresca, and Cala Girgolu. That flexibility is useful because the skipper can shape the day around conditions and the group, though it also means you should not assume every listed location will be visited.

This is an important point when comparing boat tours. The experience is built around a collection of coastal stops, not a fixed route with a guaranteed landing at each place. If you have your heart set on one particular beach, ask about the planned route before departure.

Cala Moresca and Capo Ceraso swimming stops

Cala Moresca is one of the key places for getting into the water. The appeal is simple: clear sea, a scenic cove, and time to swim or snorkel without rushing through the stop.

Capo Ceraso offers another chance to enjoy the water and the rocky coast. These stops are especially valuable for people who want more than photographs. You can bring your own snorkeling equipment and look around in the shallow water, although the provided information does not promise specific marine life or underwater sights.

Because snorkeling equipment is not included, pack your own mask and fins if you have them. This is one of the few small extras that can affect the day. The boat provides the setting, but you need to supply the gear if snorkeling is a priority.

The water stops also depend on sea and wind conditions. The tour description allows for possible stops rather than a rigid promise, so keep a flexible attitude. The skipper decides where the boat can anchor safely and comfortably.

Lunch on board with Sardinian flavors

Lunch is a real strength of this outing. Instead of leaving the boat to find food at a crowded seaside restaurant, you eat on board while the coast remains part of the view.

The meal begins with an aperitif of typical Sardinian products. A seafood first course follows, served with chilled Vermentino wine. Beer, fruit, Sardinian sweets, and myrtle are also included.

That menu gives you a taste of the island without turning lunch into a formal affair. Vermentino is a natural match for a warm day on the water, and myrtle provides a distinctly Sardinian finish. The meal also helps justify the price, since food, skipper, and fuel are included in the booking cost.

You should raise food needs before booking. Alternatives are not guaranteed, but no-fish and vegetarian options are possible. Food intolerances and special requests should be discussed in advance rather than left until lunchtime.

Extra drinks are not included, so plan for that cost. The included wine and beer cover part of the day, but you should not assume every beverage is supplied.

Porto Istana and the final swim

Before the catamaran returns to Olbia, you may get another swim at Porto Istana or Cala Girgolu. This final stop gives the day a pleasant rhythm: sail, stop, eat, swim again, and head back.

Porto Istana is known for its turquoise water and beach setting. Cala Girgolu provides another possible coastal stop, depending on the route selected by the crew. Both are useful as late-day swimming locations because they give you one more chance to get into the sea before returning to port.

The return is planned for about 5:30 p.m. That timing makes this a full-day activity, not a short morning outing. If you have evening plans in Olbia, leave room for a late return. The boat must follow conditions at sea, and the listed arrival time is approximate.

What makes the boat comfortable

The Lagoon 400 is arranged for a day at sea rather than a quick transfer. The 13-meter length and wide 7.30-meter beam provide space to sit, move around, and enjoy the ride.

Four bathrooms are on board, with one available to day passengers. An outdoor shower is handy after swimming, especially before lunch or the ride back to Olbia.

The tender boat with outboard motor is also useful for access around the anchorage, though the supplied details do not promise a shore visit at every stop. The sound system adds music to the day, but you should expect the atmosphere to depend on the group and the crew.

The capacity is 14 people total: 12 passengers and two crew members. That is a practical limit. You get more room than on a standard excursion boat, but this is still a shared experience. You may spend the day with an international group rather than in a private setting.

Silvia and Massimo are the skipper-hosts named for this experience. Their role goes beyond steering the boat. They help create the easy, sociable mood that suits a long day on the water. The strongest praise for this outing centers on the crew, the food, the views, and the feeling of being well looked after.

The price and what you receive

The listed price is $173.89 per person. That is not a budget beach transfer, but it covers a full 7.5-hour catamaran trip, skipper, fuel, and lunch.

The value depends on how you use the day. If you want only a short boat ride and one swim, this will cost more than necessary. If you want a full coastal outing with several possible stops, a small group, food, and a comfortable boat, the price is easier to justify.

Fuel is included, which matters for a full day moving around the protected area. Lunch is also included, so you are not starting with the base fare and then adding a restaurant meal. The main likely extras are snorkeling equipment and additional drinks.

Compared with a large group boat, the catamaran format gives you more space and a quieter scale. Compared with a private charter, it costs less because you share the boat with other passengers. This makes it a sensible middle ground for people who want comfort without paying for an entire vessel.

The tour is confirmed with at least six participants. That means a small group is intended, but the trip is not guaranteed to operate with only a handful of people. Check the booking conditions for your date before making firm plans around it.

Who will enjoy this day most

I would choose this tour if you want your Sardinia boat day to feel social, scenic, and unhurried. It suits couples, friends, and solo visitors who are happy to share a boat and meet an international group.

It is also a good match for anyone who values food as part of the outing. The Sardinian aperitif, seafood course, Vermentino, sweets, and myrtle make the day feel more connected to the island than a simple swim-and-return trip.

You should be comfortable with a long day outdoors. There is sun, time on the water, swimming, and a shared boat environment. Bring sun protection and a towel, and consider packing your own snorkeling equipment.

This activity is not suitable for pregnant women or people with mobility impairments. The boat setting and swimming stops require a level of physical ease, and the supplied details do not indicate facilities for reduced mobility.

It is also not ideal if you need a guaranteed visit to every named location. The route lists possible stops, so weather, sea conditions, and the skipper’s decisions may shape the day.

Practical details for a smoother day

Arrive at the Isola Bianca quay near the caravan park with enough time to locate the meeting point. The skipper waits there, and the tour ends at the same place.

Wear swimwear under comfortable clothing, and pack a towel, hat, and sunscreen. A light cover-up can help between swimming stops, though the listed requirements only specify beachwear and sun protection.

Bring snorkeling equipment if you want to make the most of Cala Moresca or Capo Ceraso. Since the boat has an outdoor shower, you can rinse off after swimming.

The tour is offered with live guidance in Italian, English, and Spanish. That makes it workable for an international group, though the exact language mix on your departure can vary.

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. A reserve-now, pay-later option is also available, which helps if your Sardinia schedule is still shifting.

Should you book the Tavolara catamaran tour?

Book it if you want a full day around northeast Sardinia with a small passenger group, a comfortable catamaran, several possible swimming areas, and a proper local lunch. The strongest reasons to go are the intimate boat size, the generous time on the water, and the warm hosting from Silvia and Massimo.

Think twice if you need a fixed route, included snorkeling equipment, or a low-cost excursion. You will need to bring your own mask and fins, pay for extra drinks, and accept that the final route can change.

For most people who want a relaxed day from Olbia, this is a well-balanced choice. You get the islands, the coves, the food, and the sea without having to organize a boat, skipper, fuel, or lunch yourself.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran tour depart from?

The tour departs from the Isola Bianca quay in Olbia, near a caravan park. It returns to the same meeting point.

How long does the tour last?

The activity lasts about 7.5 hours. Departure is scheduled for about 9:30 a.m., with return around 5:30 p.m.

What locations may the catamaran visit?

Possible stops include Molara, Tavolara, Capo Ceraso, Porto Istana, Capo Coda Cavallo, Cala Moresca, and Cala Girgolu. The exact route may vary.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch includes an aperitif of typical products, a seafood first course, chilled Vermentino, beer, fruit, Sardinian sweets, and myrtle.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

No. Snorkeling equipment is not included, so bring your own if you want to snorkel.

What languages are available?

The live tour guide service is available in Italian, English, and Spanish.

Is the tour suitable for everyone?

The activity is not suitable for pregnant women or people with mobility impairments. Pets are not allowed, and the tour is confirmed with at least six participants.