Sardinia mini cruise: the 10 best

A catamaran trip to the Maddalena Archipelago is an ideal experience for visiting Sardinia's islands and its best-known beaches. You can dive and snorkel with company among the archipelago's many coves.

Departing from Porto Rafael, the excursion heads to Spargi Island, and the sailing includes two or three stops, depending on weather conditions, at Spargi and other islands in the archipelago such as Budelli, Santa Maria and Caprera. During the stops you will be able to swim, swim and do surface snorkeling among the different coves and beaches.

During the trip you will be treated to a lunch on board that includes:

• Aperitif of typical products
• First course of fish
• Vermentino wine
• Beer
• Sardinian sweets
• Myrtle

No-fish and vegetarian options are also available. In case of food allergies or intolerances, it is recommended to bring a packed lunch.

The excursion takes about 8 hours and is suitable for everyone. During stops, you will be escorted to the beach by tender.

Maximum capacity: 12 people per boat. 3 boats are available.

Daily excursion to the Gulf of Orosei aboard a motorboat with an aperitif on board from Cala Gonone.

You can choose from 3 options:

1. Mini cruise

Departing from Cala Gonone you will visit some of the most beautiful coves on the coast with audio guide for explanation included in the price. This itinerary includes 3 beach stops:

1. Sea Ox Cave and Cala Luna
2. Cala Mariolu
3. Cala dei Gabbiani

The visit to Bue Marino Cave is optional and involves an additional ticket of 10€ per person for adults and 5€ per person for children not included in the price and purchasable at the port.

Also, from the sea you will be able to see Cala Goloritzè, the Pools of Venus and the Cave of the Cormorants. On your return you will be offered an aperitif included in the price.

Departure from the port of Cala Gonone at a choice of: 9:00 am, 10:00 am and 11:00 am.
Return always scheduled for 5:30 pm.

2. Cala Luna taxi-boat

From the port of Cala Gonone, you will board the motorboat that will take you to Cala Luna. Here you will be dropped off and can stay on the beach for as long as you wish. To return, you will be able to re-board the motorboat that will take you back to the port of Cala Gonone.

Departures are scheduled from Cala Gonone port at 9:00 am, 10:00 am, 11:00 am, 12:00 pm, 3:00 pm and 4:00 pm.
While return is possible from Cala Luna at 12:30, 15:30, 16:30 and 17:30.

3. Taxi-boat Cala Luna + Sea Ox Cave.

From the port of Cala Gonone, you will board the motorboat that will take you to the Sea Ox Cave. After visiting the cave, you will sail to Cala Luna. Here you will be dropped off and can stay on the beach for as long as you wish. To return, you will be able to take the motorboat back to the port of Cala Gonone.

The visit to the Sea Ox Cave is optional and involves an additional ticket of 10€ per person for adults and 5€ per person for children not included in the price and purchasable at the port..

Departures are scheduled from Cala Gonone port at 10:00 am, 11:00 am and 12:00 pm.
While return is possible from Cala Luna at 12:30, 15:30, 16:30 and 17:30.

The Tavolara and Molara sailing trip will take you to some of Sardinia's most fascinating bays, with the possibility of swimming and surface snorkeling.

Departing from Porto San Paolo, near San Teodoro, you will sail to some of the best-known coves and beaches on the Sardinian coast, including Cala Brandinchi, Lu Impostu and Coda Cavallo. Stops will be possible depending on weather conditions and the skipper's decisions.

There will be a skipper and a sailor inside the sailboat, who will provide you with an aperitif on board during the sailing, followed by lunch. Lunch includes:

• Aperitif with typical products
• Fish first course
• Vermentino wine
• Beer
• Sardinian sweets
• Myrtle

No-fish and vegetarian options are also possible. For food allergies or intolerances, it is advisable to bring a packed lunch.

The excursion takes about 8 hours and is suitable for everyone. During stops, you will be accompanied to the beach by tender.

Maximum capacity: 14 people.

Embark on a mini cruise of the Gulf of Orosei aboard a nearly 100-year-old sailing ship.

The boat sets sail from the port of Cala Gonone at 10:30 a.m. (check in 10 a.m.) and heads out to discover the coast's most beautiful beaches and caves.

The itinerary includes:

1. Cala Biriola: small rose-colored beach
2. Le Piscine di Venere: small cove with turquoise waters
3. Cala Mariolu or Cala dei Gabbiani (longer stop): two pearls of the Gulf of Orosei
4. Cala Goloritze: natural rock arch that gives the beach its name

You will also be able to admire from the boat: Cala Luna and Cala Sisine. Return is scheduled for 5:30 pm.

During this day you will be able to admire some of the most beautiful places in the gulf aboard a unique boat and dive into crystal clear waters for an unforgettable experience.

It is recommended that you bring a packed lunch to eat at one of the beach stops, as no food or drinks can be consumed on board.

On this very spacious boat, you can enjoy a day in the company of other participants.

Discover Sardinia's most fascinating coves aboard a motorship in total relaxation and get ready to discover the beauty of the Gulf of Orosei and its crystal-clear waters, where you can dive in and go for a swim.

Departing from Cala Gonone, you will first reach Cala Luna, one of Sardinia's most enchanting beaches, where you will have the opportunity to take your first dive of the day. Afterwards, you can choose to visit the Bue Marino Caves or venture to Cala Mariolu. During the navigation, you will also be served an aperitif on board based on typical Sardinian products.

In the afternoon, the next stops will be Cala Sisine or Cala Biriola, for another swim in turquoise waters and to take breathtaking photos at Cala Goloritzè. Finally, you will board the motorboat again, which will return to the port of Cala Gonone.

The motorboat excursion lasts a full day and is organized on a shared basis. Also, depending on the skipper's decisions and weather conditions, the stops may be changed.

Maximum capacity: 149 people. More than one boat is available. Depending on numbers and season, at the time of departure, the port coordinator will decide which boat to take out for the mini-cruise.

If you wish to visit the Sea Ox Caves, there is an additional fee to be paid on the Dorgali Municipality website, the price of which varies according to seasonality. Finally, it is mandatory to pay the environmental fee of 2€ per person before departure.

Embark on an excursion to the Gulf of Orosei and enjoy an aperitif on board of typical products with local cured meats accompanied by music.

Departing from Cala Gonone, you will travel along the most picturesque coves of the Gulf of Orosei, including Cala dei Gabbiani, Cala Mariolu and Cala Luna, and have the opportunity to swim between these coves during one of two scheduled swim stops. The boat will then take you to Piscine di Venere, where you can make a third stop.

Afterwards, the navigation continues to Cala Goloritzè, where a final stop will be scheduled. You will also be offered an aperitif on board based on typical products and cold cuts, accompanied by wine, soft drinks and music to enjoy a relaxing experience.

The excursion is organized on a shared basis and lasts a full day. Depending on weather conditions and the skipper's decisions, the stops may change.

Maximum capacity: 40 people. It is mandatory to pay the disembarkation fee (2€) in cash before departure.

The shared sailing trip in the Gulf of Angels will take you to Sardinia's hidden coves and nooks and crannies along the Cagliari coast where you can swim and, if you are lucky, spot dolphins.

The boat tour departs from the port of Cagliari and while sailing you will pass S.Elia, Cala Bernat, Cala Mosca and the old enclosure to Cala Fighera for your first swim stop. Then you will visit the Grotta dei Colombi (Cave of Pigeons) and tell the legend of the Devil's Saddle before reaching the Gasole and Poetto pools. After snorkeling in the gulf, you will return to the port.

The excursion has a duration of 3 hours, and scheduled stops during navigation can be changed or modified depending on weather conditions and the skipper's decisions. Drinks and snacks will also be available for purchase on board.

The experience is a unique opportunity to learn about the legends and ancient history of the caves and coves around Cagliari and to take a swim in the waters of Sardinia with friends and family.

Maximum capacity: 10 people.

The vintage sailing boat excursion in the Gulf of Cagliari allows you to visit the coast and coves directly from the sea and can be developed according to three different itineraries:

Half Day

This tour offers an approximately 3-hour excursion to explore the beautiful Poetto beach and the striking Sella del Diavolo promontory. Available either in the morning or afternoon, times may vary according to requests and weather conditions. During the excursion, a refreshing selection of fruits and drinks will be offered.

Sunset Aperitif

This proposal offers a boat ride to admire the sunset on Poetto beach, accompanied by an aperitif that includes chilled bubbles and Sardinian gastronomic products such as olives, cheeses and cold cuts. An assortment of sushi and seafood is also available upon request.

Full Day

This excursion offers a 6-hour voyage to the Gulf of Cagliari, during which drinks and a mid-day meal, customized to guests' preferences, will be served. Departure is scheduled at 11:00 am, and return is scheduled for 5:00 pm.

Maximum capacity: 5 people. Depending on weather conditions and skipper's decisions, stops may be subject to change.

Depart daily at 10 a.m. from the Banchina Dogana in Alghero harbor for a boat excursion with lunch along the coast of western Sardinia.

During the trip, you will cross the Coral Riviera via Capo Galera and Punta Giglio, until you reach the promontory of Capo Caccia. You will admire the Scala del Cabirol and Neptune's Caves, as well as Isola Foradada and Cala d'Inferno. Next, you will skirt the bay of Porto Conte and stop near the Torre del Bollo for diving, sunbathing and snorkeling in the Capo Caccia Marine Protected Area and Porto Conte Regional Nature Park.

At 1:00 p.m., a delicious lunch will be served on board with an appetizer of local sausage and cheese, followed by pasta with fresh crab sauce and mussels alla marinara. Beverages, including water, local wine, and coffee, are all included. A fish-free or vegetarian menu can be requested in advance.

In the afternoon, the tour continues to Cala Dragunara, Tramariglio Beach and El Faro, and then returns to port at 6 pm. The boat is equipped with life jackets for children and adults.

For the scuba diving experience, you must fill out a medical form, declare that you do not suffer from sinusitis and/or eardrum problems and that you do not have nasal septum deviations.

With the dinghy excursion in Porto Conte Park in Alghero, you will learn about the most fascinating places in Sardinia where you can swim or snorkel.

Departing from Maristella, the snorkeling excursion includes several stops along the Park's coves, where you can admire the seabed and cliffs of Capo Caccia, accompanied by an experienced instructor.

The dinghy trip lasts half a day and is organized on a shared basis. The itinerary is customizable, depending on the skipper's decisions, and during the stops you can learn how to snorkel among the Park's creeks.

Get ready for an unforgettable experience among the views of Sardinia and snorkeling in great company.

Maximum capacity: 11 people.

Discover the Asinara National Park on a day trip aboard a sailboat departing from Marina di Stintino around 9:30 am and returning at 5:30 pm.

While sailing along the eastern side of the island, protected from the Mistral, you can admire the most beautiful coves and receive interesting information about the island, its history and current state. Stops are made to swim from the most picturesque coves.

When possible, you stop ashore at one of the island's 3 landings, Cala D'Oliva, Cala Reale or Fornelli, for a walk and guided tours. Afterwards, you have lunch on board with crostini, seafood pasta and dessert, accompanied by water, wine and coffee.

After lunch, depart for Stintino, with additional stops for swimming before returning. The itinerary varies depending on weather and wind direction, with the possibility of shore stops in spring and excursion entirely at sea in summer.

The Tavolara and Molara sailing trip will take you to some of Sardinia's most fascinating bays, with the possibility of swimming and surface snorkeling.

Departing from Porto San Paolo, near San Teodoro, you will sail to some of the best-known coves and beaches on the Sardinian coast, including Cala Brandinchi, Lu Impostu and Coda Cavallo. Stops will be possible depending on weather conditions and the skipper's decisions.

There will be a skipper and a sailor inside the sailboat, who will provide you with an aperitif on board during the sailing, followed by lunch. Lunch includes:

• Aperitif with typical products
• Fish first course
• Vermentino wine
• Beer
• Sardinian sweets
• Myrtle

No-fish and vegetarian options are also possible. For food allergies or intolerances, it is advisable to bring a packed lunch.

The excursion takes about 8 hours and is suitable for everyone. During stops, you will be accompanied to the beach by tender.

Maximum capacity: 14 people.

Enjoy a slow and relaxing vintage gozzo excursion in the Tavolara Marine Protected Area and Punta Coda Cavallo, with bathroom stops and a snack or aperitif on board with friends.

The boat excursion departs from Porto San Paolo and the itinerary includes several stops depending on the tour you choose. You will have a choice of three different types of trips:

Aperitif (3 hours)

A sunset aperitif on a gozzo boat based on Sardinian specialties is a unique opportunity to relax at sunset while skirting the islands of Sardinia, with 2/3 stops for swimming and diving in the crystal clear waters of the Tavolara and Molara Marine Protected Area.

Half-day (4 hours)

The half-day gozzo tour includes 2/3 stops for swimming and diving between Tavolara, Molara, Isola Piana and Don Diego. In addition, you will be offered a sweet snack (typical Sardinian pastries) or savory snack (board of typical Sardinian cold cuts and cheeses) during the navigation, accompanied by water, drinks and coffee.

Full day (6 hours)

The day excursion includes 3/4 bathroom stops between Tavolara, Molara, Isola Piana, Capo Ceraso and Cala Girgolu. You will also be treated to a small seafood lunch on board during the trip, accompanied by water, wine, fruit and coffee.

Depending on weather conditions and the skipper's decisions, the stops may be subject to change.

Maximum capacity: 8 people.