Cagliari: Sailing tour to Devil’s Saddle aboard Merak

The best part of this Cagliari sailing trip is that you are not simply carried along the coast. Paolo invites you to help steer Merak, trim the sails, and learn how wind turns a boat into a quiet, moving viewpoint. The usual goal is Devil’s Saddle, where a white cliff rises above clear water and a small cave has purple walls.

I like the hands-on sailing and the personal guiding. Paolo brings local history, stories about Cagliari, and practical tips about Sardinia, while the boat keeps the group small. I also like the simple after-swim lunch, with sandwiches and cold drinks included. The main consideration is comfort: this is an open-water sailing trip, and anyone prone to seasickness should take suitable medication one hour before departure.

Key points to know before booking

• Sail Merak instead of taking a standard sightseeing boat: Paolo limits engine use to windless stretches, so you get a genuine sailing experience.
• Help handle the boat: A short lesson gives you the chance to steer and trim sails, even if you have never sailed before.
• Swim below Devil’s Saddle: The usual stop is a clear-water bay beneath a high white cliff, with fish, snorkeling, and a nearby purple-walled cave.
• Enjoy a small group: Merak carries no more than nine participants, which leaves room for conversation and questions.
• Look for dolphins near the harbor: Dolphins sometimes enter the port to feed on mullet fish, so keep your eyes open during the first and last parts of the trip.
• Expect a flexible outing: The sailing route depends on wind, and the morning is usually better for swimming while the afternoon can offer cooler, stronger breezes.

Why this Cagliari sailing trip feels different

At $71 per person, this is priced above a basic harbor ride but below many full-day boat excursions. You get about four hours on the water, a professional skipper, a swimming stop, snorkeling gear, a quick sailing lesson, sandwiches, and drinks. The value is strongest if you want to take part rather than sit on a boat while someone else handles everything.

Paolo is the heart of the experience. He is an experienced sailor with a clear passion for the sea, but his role is not limited to handling the boat. He can talk about Cagliari’s past, local attractions, Sardinian life, and sailing technique. Several visitors found the trip especially enjoyable because the conversation could move from local history to personal stories and practical suggestions for the rest of a Sardinia visit.

This is also a good choice if you prefer a calm, personal outing over a large commercial cruise. With up to nine people aboard, you can ask questions without trying to catch a guide’s attention across a crowded deck. The setting stays informal, and Paolo can adjust the conversation to the interests of the group.

Meeting Merak at Marina di Sant’Elmo

The meeting point is at Marina di Sant’Elmo, on Calata della Fiera, close to Bacan Bar and directly in front of the blue metal gate. Google Maps should find the location with the code 642G+PXJ Cagliari.

Give yourself enough time to locate the marina entrance. The boat leaves from the harbor, not from Poetto Beach, and the meeting point is specific. Wear shoes that stay securely on your feet. Sandals, flip-flops, and boots are not allowed, so light, closed or secure deck shoes are the practical choice.

Once everyone is aboard, Paolo releases the mooring lines and motors through the harbor. This first section gives him time to explain basic safety rules and the simple principles of sailing. It is also one of the better moments to watch the water for dolphins, which sometimes enter the harbor to feed on mullet fish.

The harbor departure is useful beyond its scenery. You get your bearings, learn where to hold on, and see how the boat behaves before reaching open water. If you have little or no sailing experience, this introduction makes the later hands-on part feel less daunting.

Raising the sails across the Gulf of Cagliari

As Merak leaves the harbor, Paolo raises the sails when the wind allows. The Beneteau First 33.7 is fitted with several sails, which helps keep the outing enjoyable in light, medium, or stronger conditions.

The stated aim is to use the engine only when there is no usable wind. That matters if you are looking for real sailing rather than a motorboat ride with a brief sail hoist for show. You may hear the engine during harbor movements or calm patches, but much of the open-water route is intended to be under sail.

Paolo gives a quick lesson and welcomes participants at the helm. You can learn how small steering movements affect the boat and, depending on the conditions, help trim the sails. This is not a formal sailing course, and you should not expect a qualification or lengthy technical instruction. It is a friendly introduction that lets you feel part of the trip.

The Gulf of Cagliari is the main stage for this section. You see the coast from a low, open-water angle, with the boat’s movement shaped by wind instead of a fixed road or harbor route. If you enjoy the mechanics of travel, this is where much of the $71 value lies.

Reaching Devil’s Saddle and its white cliff

The usual destination is Sella del Diavolo, or Devil’s Saddle, the prominent headland at the edge of Cagliari. Paolo explains the old legend behind the name as you approach, adding a bit of local character to what could otherwise be just another scenic headland.

The boat generally anchors in a beautiful bay at the foot of a high white cliff. This is the main swimming stop and the most relaxed part of the day. The water is described as crystal clear, and fish gather around swimmers, particularly when offered food.

Snorkeling masks and fins are provided. Life jackets are available for children and for adults on request, though the experience is designed around swimming and snorkeling. You should be comfortable around open water, as this is not a shore-based swim with an easy walk back to land.

Paolo may swim with the group to a small cave with purple walls. The cave adds a memorable detail to the stop, and you can take underwater pictures with your smartphone if you use the underwater case Paolo lends you. Bring a phone only if you are comfortable using it in the water, and keep in mind that the case is a practical aid, not a guarantee against damage.

The swimming stop is normally about an hour, but the exact timing can shift with wind and sea conditions. Morning departures are usually the better pick if swimming is your priority, since the water may be calmer and the outing is generally less windy. Afternoon departures tend to suit people who care more about sailing, as the local winds often strengthen and the air feels cooler.

Sandwiches, drinks, and a useful break

After swimming, Paolo offers a light sandwich with cheese and salami, along with drinks such as water, beer, iced tea, Coke, and Orangina. It is not a full meal, but it is enough to take the edge off after time in the water.

Vegans and people with gluten intolerance should state their needs when booking. The standard food is the cheese and salami sandwich, so do not assume a special option will appear without advance notice.

This pause also gives you a chance to dry off, look back at the cliff, and talk with the group. Paolo’s informal hosting is part of the appeal. He is not only pointing out sights, but creating time for conversation about Sardinia, Cagliari, sailing, and places you might visit next.

Alcohol and drugs are not allowed, and sandals, flip-flops, boots, and pets are not permitted. Alcoholic drinks are also not allowed in the vehicle, though the included refreshments list does mention beer after the swim. Follow the skipper’s instructions about when and where any drink may be served.

Sailing past Poetto Beach and watching for marine life

If time remains, Merak sails in front of Poetto Beach. This gives you another view of one of Cagliari’s best-known coastal areas and may make the route feel less repetitive on the return journey.

The schedule also leaves room for marine-life sightings. Dolphins can appear around the harbor, especially during departure and return, but they are wild animals, not a guaranteed part of the outing. The same is true of the fish at the swimming stop. You will likely see marine life in the clear water, but conditions and timing affect what appears.

A particularly lucky moment could be seeing Luna Rossa, the fast Italian sailing team that was practicing in the Gulf of Cagliari for the October 2024 America’s Cup. This is an occasional possibility, not something to book the tour around, but it adds excitement for anyone interested in sailing.

The final hour or so is shaped by the weather and the day’s pace. You may spend it sailing, watching the coast, talking with Paolo, or returning through the gulf. The advertised duration is four hours, with the route adjusted to the wind and swimming conditions rather than treated as a rigid series of timed stops.

Who will enjoy this trip most

I would choose this outing if you want a small-group day on the water with real sailing, not just transport to a swimming spot. It is especially suitable for people who like learning by doing, since you can take the wheel and help with the sails.

It also suits couples, solo participants, and families with older children who are comfortable aboard a sailboat. The boat welcomes children with life jackets available on request, but the operator lists the trip as unsuitable for people with mobility impairments and wheelchair users.

You should think carefully if you are prone to motion sickness. Appropriate medication taken one hour before departure may help, but this remains a moving sailboat in open water. If seasickness has spoiled boat trips for you before, a land-based coastal activity may be the safer choice.

The trip is also less suitable if you want guaranteed sunshine, a fixed route, or a long beach stop. Sailing depends on wind. The boat may motor during calm stretches, and the exact amount of time at Devil’s Saddle or Poetto Beach can change.

Price, timing, and practical value

The $71 price is fair for a four-hour small-group sailing trip in Cagliari, especially because it includes the skipper, sailing instruction, snorkeling masks and fins, a sandwich, and several drinks. A large boat ride may offer more room, but it will not usually give you the same chance to steer or trim sails.

Pick the morning if swimming and snorkeling matter most. Choose the afternoon if you would rather feel the breeze and spend more of your time sailing in cooler conditions.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. The tour is offered in English, Italian, and Spanish. Starting times vary, so check availability for your date.

Should you book the Merak sailing trip?

Book it if you want personal guiding, hands-on sailing, and a swim beneath Devil’s Saddle in one half-day outing. Paolo’s warmth, local stories, and willingness to let you participate make this more than a scenic transfer.

Skip it if you dislike boats, cannot manage open-water swimming, need wheelchair access, or want a guaranteed dolphin sighting and fixed schedule. For everyone else, Merak offers a well-priced way to see Cagliari from the sea while learning a little about how a sailboat actually works.

FAQ

How long is the Cagliari sailing tour?

The experience lasts four hours. The time spent sailing, swimming, snorkeling, and visiting coastal areas can change with wind and sea conditions.

Where does the tour begin?

It begins at Marina di Sant’Elmo on Calata della Fiera, close to Bacan Bar and in front of the blue metal gate. The Google Maps code is 642G+PXJ Cagliari.

Who is the skipper?

The skipper is Paolo, an experienced sailor who guides the trip and shares information about sailing, Cagliari, and Sardinia.

Can I steer the sailboat?

Yes. Paolo gives a quick sailing lesson, and participants are welcome to help steer Merak and trim the sails.

Is swimming included?

Yes. The boat usually anchors near Devil’s Saddle for swimming and snorkeling in a clear-water bay beneath a white cliff.

Are snorkeling items provided?

Yes. Masks and fins are included. Life jackets are available for children and for adults on request.

What food and drinks are included?

After swimming, you receive a cheese and salami sandwich. Drinks include water, beer, iced tea, Coke, and Orangina. Vegan and gluten-free needs should be given when booking.

Is the tour suitable for people prone to seasickness?

People prone to seasickness can participate if they take suitable motion sickness medication one hour before the tour. The experience is not suitable for people with mobility impairments or wheelchair users.