Porto San Paolo: Tavolara Island Sailboat Cruise with Lunch

The best part of this Tavolara cruise is the freedom to spend a full day on clear Sardinian water, moving between white-sand coves instead of staying at one crowded beach. From Porto San Paolo, the skipper chooses two or three stops among Tavolara, Molara, Cala Girgolu, Capo Ceraso, and Porto Istana.

I like the small maximum group of 12 passengers, which gives the day a relaxed feel, and I like the generous onboard lunch with fresh local fish, wine, fruit, sweets, and myrtle liqueur. The main consideration is that the exact route depends on weather, and food alternatives for allergies or special diets are possible but not guaranteed.

Key points to know before booking

• Two or three swimming stops: The skipper chooses the best coves for the day rather than following a fixed route.
• A proper sailing boat: You travel on a 14.5-meter Bavaria 46 with four cabins, two bathrooms, an outdoor shower, and room for up to 12 passengers.
• Local lunch included: Expect a typical aperitif, a fresh-fish first or second course, wine, beer, fruit, Sardinian sweets, and myrtle.
• Dani and Luigi lead the day: They are praised for their easygoing manner, coastal knowledge, and stories about Tavolara.
• Bring your own water gear: Snorkeling equipment is not included, so pack your own if you want to look below the surface.
• Best for active relaxation: You need to manage a boat, swim stops, and beach access, so this is not suitable for people with mobility impairments or pregnant women.

Setting off from Porto San Paolo

You meet the skipper in front of Wave Marina Porto San Paolo, a small port on Sardinia’s northeastern coast. The boat is a Bavaria 46 sailing boat, measuring 14.5 meters long and 4.8 meters wide. It has four cabins, two bathrooms, an outdoor shower, and a music system.

The day lasts about 7.5 hours, giving the outing enough time for several stops without making every swim feel rushed. The boat can carry 14 people in total, including two crew members, but the passenger limit is 12. That matters. You are not signing up for a packed excursion boat where every seat and stretch of deck is contested.

The skipper, either Dani or Luigi, handles the sailing and decides where to stop. The route is not fixed in stone. You can expect two or three stops, selected according to wind and sea conditions. That flexibility is useful around Tavolara, where a sheltered cove can be far more pleasant than a famous beach exposed to the day’s wind.

You should arrive ready for the water. Wear swimwear, bring a towel, sunglasses, a sun hat, sunscreen, and drinking water. Snorkeling gear is not included, so pack your own mask and snorkel if that is important to you. The boat has a tender with an outboard motor, which helps with access around the coast, but the exact way you reach shore will depend on the day’s stops.

Tavolara and Molara by sail

The cruise heads into the Tavolara and Molara Marine Protected Area. The main appeal is the color of the sea, which shifts through many shades of blue around rocky points, shallow water, and pale beaches. You get a different view of the coast from a sailboat than from a beach. Small coves open up from the water, and the islands feel more remote when you are approaching them under sail.

Dani and Luigi add context along the way. You can expect coastal stories and anecdotes rather than a nonstop formal lecture. That suits this kind of day. You want enough information to understand what you are seeing, but also plenty of quiet time for swimming, lunch, and sitting in the sun.

The protected-area setting also gives the outing a sense of purpose beyond simply getting from one beach to another. The water is the main attraction, but the route lets you see a section of Sardinia where careful boat handling and weather awareness matter. Listen to the skipper’s advice about where to swim and when to return to the boat.

What each possible stop offers

The itinerary can include Tavolara, Molara, Cala Girgolu, Capo Ceraso, and Porto Istana. You will not necessarily visit all five. The skipper chooses two or three places, so think of this as a flexible coastal day rather than a checklist tour.

Tavolara

Tavolara gives the trip its name and its strongest sense of place. Viewed from the sea, the island becomes the backdrop for swimming, photos, and time on deck. If your stop is near Tavolara, you can expect clear water and an unspoiled setting rather than a developed beach resort.

The advantage of stopping here is the feeling of being surrounded by open water and island scenery. The tradeoff is simple: conditions decide how long you stay and exactly where the boat can safely anchor.

Molara

Molara is another possible stop in the protected marine area. It suits the part of the day focused on swimming and quiet coastal views. The boat may anchor near a clear patch of water, giving you the chance to swim directly from the stern.

Since the route changes with the weather, Molara may be included instead of another stop. That is not a shortcoming in itself. It means the skipper can choose a safer and more comfortable place rather than force the same route every day.

Cala Girgolu

Cala Girgolu is a good choice if you want a blend of water time and beach time. The area is known for coves and pale sand, and the boat can give you access to a quieter section of the coast than you might reach by road.

You may swim from the boat or relax on the sand, depending on the conditions and the group’s plan. Bring footwear you can manage around a boat and beach, but remember that the provided equipment list does not include snorkeling gear.

Capo Ceraso

Capo Ceraso brings more coastal variety to the day, with rocky shoreline, small bays, and clear water. It is the sort of stop where the view from the deck matters as much as the swim. If the sea is calm, you can enjoy the contrast between the boat, the rocks, and the pale water around the headland.

The benefit is variety. You are not simply repeating the same beach stop three times. The limit is that you cannot count on this exact headland, since weather and sea conditions guide the skipper’s choice.

Porto Istana

Porto Istana is a strong beach option, especially if you want time on fine white sand. It offers a change of pace from swimming straight off the boat. You can stretch out on shore, then return to the water when you are ready.

A beach stop can also make the day more comfortable for people who do not want to spend all seven and a half hours aboard. Still, the experience is centered on sailing and swimming, not a long organized beach visit, so your time ashore may be limited by the rest of the route.

Swimming from the boat or relaxing on shore

The cruise is built around water time. At the chosen stops, you can jump from the boat into the sea or head toward a beach and sit on the sand. The clear water is the reason to book this outing, so pack a towel and expect to get wet.

Swimming directly from the boat is convenient, but it requires confidence in the water and comfort with using a ladder to get back aboard. The description does not promise flotation equipment or guided snorkeling, so you should not treat this as a lesson or a dedicated snorkeling trip.

You can also use the boat as your base between stops. The deck, outdoor shower, and spacious design make it easier to dry off and settle in. The one available bathroom for the day trip is useful, but with up to 12 passengers, you should not expect the facilities of a large cruise vessel.

The boat’s music system adds a casual touch. The mood can be social, especially with a full group, but there is also room to simply watch the coast pass by. If you prefer a quiet sailing trip, mention that to the crew early and keep your expectations flexible.

A Sardinian lunch served aboard

Lunch is a real part of the outing, not an afterthought. The meal includes an aperitif with typical local products, followed by a first or second course based on fresh local fish. Wine and beer are included, along with fruit, Sardinian sweets, and myrtle.

That menu gives you a taste of local food without losing time at a restaurant. You eat aboard, surrounded by the sea, and avoid the interruption of returning to port at midday. The inclusion of drinks also helps the $120.08 price feel more reasonable, since you are paying for a full day on a crewed sailboat rather than only transportation between beaches.

There are limits. Extra drinks are not included, and water is specifically listed among the things to bring. Food intolerances and special requests should be raised before booking, but alternatives are not guaranteed. A no-fish or vegetarian meal may be possible, yet you should not assume the full menu can be changed to suit every diet.

If you do not eat fish, ask before committing. This is a seafood-focused lunch, and the safest plan is to confirm whether a suitable alternative can be arranged.

Is $120.08 a fair price?

At $120.08 per person, the price is reasonable for a 7.5-hour sailing day that includes fuel, lunch, liability insurance, and a small passenger group. The comparison is not just with a short boat ride. You are getting a full day, crewed sailing, several possible swim areas, food, wine, beer, and access to a protected coastal zone.

The value is strongest if you would otherwise pay separately for a boat excursion, lunch, and beach access. The Bavaria 46 is also a more comfortable setting than a basic open motorboat. You have cabins, bathrooms, an outdoor shower, deck space, and a tender.

The price may feel less attractive if you mainly want a quick transfer to one beach, do not eat the included meal, or prefer a private charter. This is a shared excursion, with up to 12 passengers. The small group keeps it from feeling huge, but it is not a private boat day.

The flexible route is part of the value and part of the uncertainty. You pay for a good day on the water, not a guarantee of every named location. If seeing one exact beach is your top priority, a fixed beach excursion may suit you better.

Who will enjoy this sailing day?

I would recommend it to couples, friends, and families with older children who want a relaxed day built around water and food. It also suits anyone who likes the idea of sailing but does not want to organize a private boat, skipper, fuel, and lunch separately.

You will get the most from it if you:

• Enjoy swimming in open water
• Are happy with a weather-dependent route
• Like seafood and local drinks
• Want time to sit, talk, and watch the coast
• Prefer a small boat to a large sightseeing vessel
• Can move around a boat without assistance

This is not a good match if you need step-free access, are pregnant, dislike boats, or want a tightly timed list of every beach. It is also less suitable if you have strict dietary needs that the crew cannot confirm in advance.

The experience works best when you treat the named locations as possibilities, not promises. The skipper’s choice of two or three stops is meant to match the day’s conditions. In coastal Sardinia, that can make the difference between a pleasant swim and an uncomfortable one.

Booking details that matter

The cruise is confirmed with at least four participants. You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option keeps you from paying at the time of booking.

The meeting point is in front of Wave Marina Porto San Paolo, and the activity returns there. Live guidance is available in Italian, English, and Spanish.

Bring a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, towel, beachwear, and water. Pets are not allowed. Pack snorkeling equipment only if you already own it, since it is not provided. Also remember that only one bathroom is available for the day trip, despite the boat having two bathrooms in total.

Should you book the Tavolara cruise?

Book this cruise if you want a full, easygoing day on the water, with several swim opportunities and a proper Sardinian lunch included. Dani and Luigi add useful local stories, and the small group, spacious Bavaria 46, and flexible route create a more personal outing than a large boat tour.

Think twice if you need a guaranteed stop at one particular beach, require a specialized meal, or prefer a fast and highly structured excursion. For everyone else, the combination of protected waters, changing coastal scenery, fresh fish, and time to swim makes the $120.08 fare a solid choice for experiencing Tavolara from the sea.

FAQ

Where does the Tavolara sailing cruise start?

The cruise starts in front of Wave Marina Porto San Paolo. It also returns to the same meeting point.

How long does the cruise last?

The activity lasts approximately 7.5 hours. Starting times vary, so check availability when booking.

Which places might the boat visit?

Possible stops include Tavolara, Molara, Cala Girgolu, Capo Ceraso, and Porto Istana. The skipper selects two or three stops based on the day’s weather conditions.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch includes an aperitif with typical products, a first or second course based on fresh local fish, wine, beer, fruit, Sardinian sweets, and myrtle.

Are drinks included?

Wine and beer served with lunch are included. Extra drinks are not included, and you should bring water.

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

Is the cruise suitable for people with mobility impairments or pregnant women?

No. The activity is not suitable for people with mobility impairments or pregnant women. Pets are also not allowed.