Olbia: catamaran tour in the Tavolara Marine Protected Area

The sea does the talking. This full-day catamaran trip from Olbia gives you a relaxed way to see the Tavolara Marine Protected Area, with stops near Cala Moresca, Capo Ceraso, and Molara. I especially like the small 12-passenger setup and the chance to enjoy a proper Sardinian lunch on board. The main drawback is that snorkeling equipment is not included, so you need to bring your own gear or arrange it yourself.

The crew, Silvia and Massimo, are a major part of the appeal. Their warm hosting helped create the kind of easygoing day where an international group could settle in quickly, enjoy good food and drinks, and focus on the views. At $173.89 per person, it is not a budget boat trip, but the long sailing day, skipper, fuel, and lunch make the price easier to justify.

Key points to know before booking

• The 13-meter Lagoon 400 carries only 12 passengers, plus two crew members, giving you more room than a large sightseeing boat.
• The day runs from about 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., so you get a full day on the water rather than a short coastal cruise.
• Cala Moresca and Capo Ceraso are the main snorkeling stops, with clear water suited to swimming and looking below the surface.
• Lunch is served on board, including a seafood first course, chilled Vermentino, Sardinian sweets, fruit, beer, and myrtle.
• The route can include several islands and beaches, including Tavolara, Molara, Porto Istana, Capo Coda Cavallo, and Cala Girgolu.
• The tour needs at least six participants to run, and it is not suitable for pregnant women or people with mobility impairments.

Sailing from Olbia on a Lagoon 400

The meeting point is at the Isola Bianca quay, near a caravan park. The skipper waits there, which is useful because the port area can feel less obvious than a town-center meeting spot. Give yourself enough time to find the quay and identify the boat before the 9:30 a.m. departure.

The boat is a Lagoon 400 catamaran, about 13 meters long and 7.30 meters wide. That broad design matters on a full day at sea. You have more deck space than on a narrow sailing boat, and the boat includes four cabins, four bathrooms, an outdoor shower, a tender with an outboard motor, and a music system. One bathroom is available for the day trip.

The stated capacity is 14 people total, made up of 12 passengers and two crew members. This is a useful middle ground. You are not paying for a private charter, but you also are not being packed onto a large excursion boat with dozens of people. The limited passenger count should make it easier to find a comfortable spot, move around during lunch, and get in and out of the water without a great deal of fuss.

Silvia and Massimo handle the day as skipper and hosts. The strongest praise centers on their friendly service and the way they made people feel well cared for. That is important on a long boat trip. A good route helps, but a calm and attentive crew can make the difference between a pleasant day and a tiring one.

Tavolara and Molara from the water

After leaving Olbia, the boat heads toward Tavolara Island and the marine protected area along Sardinia’s east coast. The route may include Molara, Tavolara, Capo Ceraso, Porto Istana, Capo Coda Cavallo, Cala Moresca, and Cala Girgolu.

The exact order and selection of stops can vary. That flexibility is normal for a boat day, since the skipper may adjust the route to suit conditions and the rhythm of the group. You should think of the listed places as possible stops rather than a promise that you will spend equal time at every one.

Tavolara and Molara give the day its main sense of place. Instead of seeing the coast only from a road or beach, you watch the islands unfold from the sea. The protected marine setting is the reason to book this experience. The focus is not on a single landmark or museum visit, but on clear water, rocky coast, open views, and repeated chances to swim.

The boat itself also changes how you experience the coast. You can sit back during the sailing sections, listen to music, and watch the color of the water shift around the islands. Then, when the boat stops, the day becomes more active with swimming and snorkeling.

Cala Moresca and Capo Ceraso for snorkeling

Cala Moresca and Capo Ceraso are the key water stops. Here, the plan is to swim and snorkel in clear water, giving you a closer look at the marine setting than you get from the catamaran deck.

You need to bring your own snorkeling equipment because it is not included. Pack a mask, snorkel, and fins if you have them. The tour includes the boat and tender, but not personal water gear, so this is one of the few practical details that can catch people off guard.

The water stops are best suited to people who want a mix of activity and rest. You can get in for a swim, spend time snorkeling, then return to the boat and dry off in the sun. The outdoor shower should help you rinse away salt before lunch or the next stop.

If you are mainly interested in snorkeling, ask yourself how much time you want in the water compared with time spent sailing and eating. This is a broad coastal day, not a dedicated underwater excursion. You get several chances to swim, but the appeal is the whole combination of scenery, food, and time afloat.

A Sardinian lunch served at sea

Lunch is one of the strongest parts of the package because it adds local food to what could otherwise be a standard swimming trip. The meal begins with an aperitif of typical products, followed by a seafood first course. Chilled Vermentino, beer, fruit, Sardinian sweets, and myrtle are also included.

Vermentino is a natural match for a day along Sardinia’s coast. The meal is designed to feel like part of the island experience, not simply a quick sandwich between swimming stops. The combination of seafood, local sweets, and myrtle gives you a better sense of Sardinian tastes without leaving the boat.

The food is prepared with fresh, authentic ingredients, according to the tour information. Still, you should contact the provider in advance if you have food intolerances or special requests. No-fish and vegetarian alternatives may be possible, but they are not guaranteed.

Extra drinks are not included. Beer is listed as part of lunch, along with the chilled Vermentino, but you should not assume every drink outside the meal is covered. Bringing sunscreen and a hat is more important than bringing a large amount of food, since lunch is already provided.

Porto Istana and the final swim

Before the return to Olbia, the boat may stop at Porto Istana or Cala Girgolu for another swim. This gives the day a useful second half. After lunch and the earlier water stops, you have one more chance to cool off before heading back.

Porto Istana is especially appealing as a final beach stop because the plan centers on a refreshing swim in turquoise water. Cala Girgolu is another possible choice, so the final location is not fixed. As with the earlier stops, the skipper controls the route.

This last swim also helps break up the return journey. Seven and a half hours is a long time on a boat, even a comfortable one. A final stop means you are not simply sitting for hours after lunch while the catamaran heads back to port.

The return is scheduled for approximately 5:30 p.m. That timing gives you most of the daylight for the trip and leaves the evening open in Olbia. You should still allow some flexibility, since a day at sea can run slightly differently from a land tour.

What the $173.89 price includes

At $173.89 per person, this is a premium day trip rather than a quick boat ride. The value comes from the length of the outing and the items bundled into the price: catamaran transport, skipper, fuel, and lunch.

The small capacity is also part of the value. A 12-passenger boat gives you a more personal setting than a large group cruise, while the Lagoon 400 provides cabins, bathrooms, an outdoor shower, and deck space. You are paying for a full day, not just a transfer from Olbia to one beach.

Lunch adds meaningful value too. An aperitif, seafood course, wine, beer, fruit, sweets, and myrtle would cost extra if you were organizing a comparable day yourself. The boat, crew, fuel, and meal together make the price reasonable for someone who wants a simple all-in-one day.

Still, you should not book it expecting complete coverage of every expense. Snorkeling equipment and extra drinks are separate. The route is also shared with other passengers, and the trip is confirmed only when at least six people have signed up. If you want a fully private itinerary with total control over timing, this is not that kind of product.

Who will enjoy this boat day most

I would recommend this trip to couples, friends, and solo visitors who want a social but relatively intimate day on the water. The international group setting can work well if you enjoy meeting people, and the crew’s hosting style appears suited to a friendly, relaxed atmosphere.

It is also a good choice for people who want more than a beach stop. You get sailing, island views, snorkeling, swimming, a proper meal, and time to rest. The catamaran gives you a comfortable base between stops, so you do not need to keep changing boats or arranging separate activities.

This trip is less suitable if you dislike being on the water for most of a day. It is also not suitable for pregnant women or people with mobility impairments. The boat includes a tender and several facilities, but the experience still involves boarding, moving around a catamaran, and getting in and out for swimming.

Families should consider the children’s comfort with a long day at sea, though no specific child policy is provided. Pets are not allowed. If food is a concern, contact Escursì before booking rather than relying on an alternative meal being available.

Practical packing advice for Olbia

Bring a sun hat, towel, sunscreen, and beachwear. These are not optional extras on a full day in open coastal sun. You should also pack snorkeling equipment because it is not supplied.

A light cover-up may be useful between swims, though only the required items are formally specified. Keep your personal packing modest. The catamaran has room, but it is still a shared boat with 12 passengers.

The meeting point is at the Isola Bianca quay near a caravan park, and the same location is used for the return. The skipper waits there at the start. One past concern about finding the meeting point turned out not to be a problem, but I would still arrive early and keep the provider’s contact details available.

The tour is offered with a live guide in Italian, English, and Spanish. That language range is helpful for an international group and should make safety instructions and the day’s schedule easier to follow.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Sardinia plans are still taking shape.

Should you book this Tavolara catamaran trip?

Book it if you want a full, relaxed day that combines Sardinian food, clear water, island scenery, and a small-group boat setting. Silvia and Massimo appear to be a real strength, and the comfortable Lagoon 400 gives the day a pleasant home base.

The best value comes when you plan to use the whole package: swim at Cala Moresca and Capo Ceraso, enjoy the lunch, take the final swim near Porto Istana or Cala Girgolu, and spend time simply watching the coast from the deck. Bring your own snorkeling gear and prepare for a shared experience.

Skip it if you need guaranteed access to every listed location, want a private boat, or prefer a short outing with no full-day commitment. For most people seeking a polished day from Olbia, the combination of a limited passenger count, thoughtful food, and several water stops makes this a strong choice.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran tour begin?

The tour begins at the Isola Bianca quay in Olbia, near a caravan park. The skipper waits at the meeting point.

What time does the tour depart?

Departure is scheduled for 9:30 a.m.

What time does the tour return?

The catamaran returns to the port at approximately 5:30 p.m.

How long is the experience?

The experience lasts about 7.5 hours.

Which places may the catamaran visit?

Possible stops include Molara, Tavolara, Capo Ceraso, Porto Istana, Capo Coda Cavallo, Cala Moresca, and Cala Girgolu.

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 included?

No. You need to bring your own snorkeling equipment.

Are extra drinks included?

No. Extra drinks are not included, although beer and Vermentino are included with lunch.

What languages are available?

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

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The tour also offers a reserve-now, pay-later option.

Is the tour suitable for everyone?

No. It 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.