Stintino: full day tour catamaran Asinara Island

Asinara is best seen from the water, where quiet coves and clear sea replace the busy beach scene around Stintino. This eight-hour catamaran trip gives you time to swim, snorkel, paddleboard, eat Sardinian food, and enjoy the island without rushing from one stop to the next.

I like the small capacity, which is capped at 12 people, and the fact that the catamaran is permitted to stop in coves within the Marine Protected Area. I also like the food plan: an aperitif early in the day, followed by seafood pasta, wine, coffee, and dessert at 2 PM. The main consideration is the long day on open water, with the route shaped by weather and sea conditions.

Key points at a glance

• Small-group sailing: Waza-Ari carries up to 12 people, giving the day a more personal feel than a large excursion boat.
• Asinara’s protected coves: The catamaran can stop in selected coves within the Marine Protected Area.
• A proper Sardinian meal: Lunch includes seafood pasta, wine, water, coffee, and dessert, with regional food served earlier as an aperitif.
• Several ways to enjoy the sea: You can swim, snorkel, sail, and use a stand-up paddleboard during the day.
• Skipper David at the helm: The skipper is also praised for safe driving and good cooking.
• Easy cancellation terms: You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and reserve now while paying later.

Sailing from Stintino aboard Waza-Ari

The meeting point is at Lungomare Cristoforo Colombo 95, near Piazzale Guardia Costiera. Look for the catamaran Waza-Ari about 10 meters from the gasoline station. Departure is scheduled for 10 AM, with the return to the same place around 6 PM.

That timing matters. You get a full day rather than a short morning cruise, but you should plan for a complete day around the boat. Bring beachwear, a towel, sunscreen, a camera, and snorkeling gear. A cooler is not allowed, so do not plan to bring your own drinks or picnic supplies.

The catamaran can take up to 12 people. That is small enough to keep the mood relaxed and make it easier to speak with the skipper, but it does not mean this is a private charter for just your own party. If you want a boat entirely to yourself, confirm the arrangement before booking.

The boat has the required safety equipment, and a safety briefing is part of the outing. The skipper handles the fuel, navigation, and route, while the price also covers insurance and the Asinara National Park entry permit. Those inclusions make the price easier to judge: you are paying for a full day at sea, food, a licensed route into a protected area, and the practical costs of running the boat.

The route toward Asinara

The first part of the trip is the sailing run from Stintino toward Asinara Island. The appeal is not a packed sightseeing schedule. It is the changing view of the coast, the sea breeze, and the chance to settle into the pace of a day on the water.

Asinara is a protected island, and the tour is designed around its coves rather than a long list of land-based sights. That makes this a good choice if your idea of seeing the island is swimming in clear water and stopping in quiet places, not spending the day in a vehicle or following a formal walking tour.

The itinerary can change with wind, waves, and general sea conditions. That is normal for a boat trip, and it is also a useful safety point. You may not visit every planned cove or follow the exact route described on a calm-weather day, but the crew will adjust the plan to keep the outing comfortable and secure.

If you are prone to seasickness, prepare carefully. The tour lasts eight hours, and much of the experience takes place on the water. A light breakfast, sun protection, and sensible clothing can make the day easier. The supplied information does not state that medication is provided, so bring anything you normally need.

The first cove brings an aperitif

The first stop includes an aperitif served aboard the catamaran. It features typical Sardinian products, giving you a taste of local food before the main meal.

This is a small detail, but it helps the day feel tied to Sardinia rather than like a generic boat ride. The experience is not only about looking at the water. You get regional flavors, time to sit on deck, and a natural pause after the initial sailing.

You should not expect a restaurant menu or a choice of several meals. The food is set as part of the excursion. That is convenient if you want everything handled, but less suitable if you have strict dietary needs unless you ask ahead of time.

The boat then gives you time to enjoy the cove. Swimming and snorkeling are included activities, and the clear water is one of the main reasons to choose this trip. Bring your own snorkeling gear, as the instructions specifically list it among the things to pack. Do not assume equipment will be supplied.

Swimming, snorkeling, and stand-up paddleboarding

The sea stops are the heart of the outing. You can swim, snorkel, and use a stand-up paddleboard, with the exact locations chosen according to conditions and the permitted route.

The catamaran’s access to selected coves is important. You are not simply stopping wherever a large boat can anchor. The Park Authority permit allows this operator to visit certain areas within the protected marine zone, although weather and park rules still guide the final plan.

The water may be the day’s biggest reward, but it also sets the limits. This is not the right pick if you want a long list of historic sights, extensive time ashore, or a tightly timed sightseeing program. It is a sea day first.

Fishing is not allowed, and you may not feed animals. Fireworks are also prohibited. These rules protect the marine environment and keep the atmosphere calm. The boat is meant for swimming, food, and quiet enjoyment of the coast.

The catamaran is equipped with safety gear, and a safety briefing is included. Still, you should listen closely, especially if you are not used to getting on and off a boat. The supplied information also lists the activity as unsuitable for people over 350 pounds, or 159 kilograms, and gives age restrictions for people over 80 and over 95. Since those age notes are presented separately, anyone older than 80 should confirm eligibility before paying.

Seafood pasta arrives at 2 PM

Lunch is scheduled for 2 PM, after the morning sailing and first swim stop. The meal includes seafood pasta, wine, water, coffee, and dessert.

I like this timing because it gives the day a clear rhythm. You can enjoy the sea before sitting down to a more substantial meal, then return to swimming or relaxing afterward. The lunch is also included in the advertised price, so you do not need to search for a restaurant on Asinara or carry your own meal.

The food is one of the experience’s strongest practical benefits. A seafood pasta lunch with wine and dessert costs money on its own, especially in a coastal destination. Add the fuel, skipper, insurance, and national park permit, and the $135.94 price becomes reasonable for a full eight-hour outing.

Still, keep expectations in the right place. This is a boat lunch, not a formal dining experience. The information does not specify the type of seafood, the dessert, or whether alternative meals are available. If you have allergies, food restrictions, or do not eat seafood, contact the provider before booking.

The skipper is also involved in the food service. David is praised for safe driving and good cooking, which is a useful combination on a small boat. You want someone who takes navigation seriously and can keep the meal part of the day enjoyable.

What the small group changes

A 12-person maximum affects the feel of the trip. You will have fewer people competing for space than on a large excursion vessel, and the skipper can give the group more direct attention.

Small capacity does not mean silence or complete privacy. A full boat of 12 can still feel social, especially during lunch and at the swimming stops. If you like meeting people, that can be part of the appeal. If you need solitude, ask how many places are already booked.

The boat format also makes the day more flexible than a bus tour. You are not moving from one fixed attraction to another. The skipper can consider sea conditions and choose the safest practical route, while still taking you toward the coves that make Asinara special.

There is a tradeoff. On a catamaran, your comfort depends partly on the sea and on how well you handle a day in the sun. Shade, seating, and onboard facilities are not described in the available details, so ask specific questions if those features matter to you.

How the $135.94 price compares in value

At $135.94 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend a day near Stintino. It is also more than a basic sightseeing cruise. The price includes the skipper, gasoline, insurance, the park permit, aperitif, lunch, wine, water, coffee, and dessert.

You are also buying time. Eight hours on the water gives you a proper chance to reach Asinara, stop at coves, swim, snorkel, and eat without compressing everything into a few hours. A cheaper trip may offer a shorter cruise or fewer activities, though the supplied information does not provide direct comparisons.

The strongest value comes if you would otherwise pay separately for a boat trip, a seafood lunch, and access to the protected island waters. The package keeps those costs together and removes the need to organize transport between several activities.

The value is weaker if you do not enjoy swimming, do not eat seafood, or prefer a land-based tour. You may spend much of the day on the catamaran, and the route can change. Book this because you want a relaxed sea day, not because you expect a fixed sightseeing checklist.

The rating is 4.9 from 42 reviews, with especially strong praise for the crew’s attention, the food, safe handling, and the overall quality of the day. David’s cooking and careful driving receive specific mention, while the crew is described as attentive and welcoming. Those details matter because they affect the two parts of the experience you cannot control yourself: safe navigation and smooth meal service.

Who should book this Asinara day trip?

This trip suits you if you want:

• A full day on the sea rather than a short cruise
• Swimming and snorkeling in clear water
• A small-group boat with no more than 12 people
• Sardinian food included in the day
• A relaxed route that can adjust to weather
• A simple package with fuel, insurance, and park entry covered

It is less suitable if you want to explore Asinara mainly on foot, visit several historic sites, or follow a fixed route with guaranteed stops. It may also be a poor fit if you dislike boats, need a fully private vessel, have significant mobility or weight concerns, or have dietary needs that have not been confirmed.

The activity is offered in English and Italian. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve while paying later, which helps if your Sardinia plans are still taking shape.

Should you book Waza-Ari?

Book it if the best part of your Sardinia holiday sounds like a slow day on clear water, with protected coves, a Sardinian aperitif, seafood pasta, and time to swim. The small group, included food, and park permit give the outing real value at $135.94.

Think twice if you want a land tour of Asinara or need complete control over the schedule. The route depends on sea conditions, and the boat day lasts eight hours. For the right kind of holiday, though, this is a well-rounded way to see Asinara from its most attractive side, the water.

FAQ

Where does the Asinara catamaran tour start?

The tour starts at Lungomare Cristoforo Colombo 95 in Stintino, at Piazzale Guardia Costiera. The catamaran is named Waza-Ari and is about 10 meters from the gasoline station.

What time does the boat depart?

The scheduled departure is 10 AM. Check availability when booking because starting times should be confirmed for your chosen date.

When does the tour return?

The planned return is around 6 PM, back at the original meeting point.

How long is the excursion?

The catamaran excursion lasts eight hours.

How many people can join the catamaran?

The sailing catamaran can host up to 12 people.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is scheduled for 2 PM and includes seafood pasta, wine, water, coffee, and dessert. A Sardinian aperitif is served during the first stop.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

The instructions tell you to bring snorkeling gear. They do not state that snorkeling equipment is supplied.

What should I bring?

Bring a towel, camera, sunscreen, beachwear, and snorkeling gear.

Can I cancel the booking?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later.