From Olbia: Tavolara or Cala Moresca Catamaran Tour

The best part of this Olbia catamaran trip is the chance to spend a full day on Sardinia’s clear north-eastern waters without rushing from beach to beach. You may sail toward Tavolara, with its dramatic rocky outline and white coves, or north toward Cala Moresca and Figarolo, where dolphins sometimes swim nearby.

I like the small boat setup, limited to 12 passengers plus two crew, and the fact that meals are part of the day rather than an afterthought. I also like the relaxed mix of swimming, scenery, and local food. The main consideration is that you do not choose the route yourself, since weather conditions decide between Tavolara and Cala Moresca.

Key points

• Two possible sailing routes: Head south toward Tavolara, Dottore beach, Capo Coda Cavallo, and Molara, or north toward Cala Moresca, Figarolo, Capo Figari, and Mortorio.
• Small-group catamaran: Hakuna Matata carries up to 12 passengers, giving you more room than a large sightseeing boat.
• Sardinian food on board: Expect cold cuts, cheese, bruschette, olives, wine, beer, soft drinks, and a pasta dish or rice salad.
• Swimming and SUP time: Bring a towel and sunscreen for stops in clear water, with two stand-up paddleboards available.
• Possible dolphin sightings: The waters around Figarolo are known for dolphins, though sightings cannot be guaranteed.
• Seasonal timing: The trip lasts six hours from April through June and in October, and about seven and a half hours from July through September.

Setting Out From Olbia on Hakuna Matata

You meet the crew at the quay between the Brin Pier car park and the tourist car park in Olbia. Free parking is available in the area, which is useful if you are staying outside the city or touring Sardinia by car.

The boat is the Pajot Maldives 32 catamaran Hakuna Matata. Built in 1989, it is about 9.8 meters long and 5 meters wide. It has four cabins, one bathroom, a sunbathing net, a shower, a boarding ladder, life jackets, and first-aid equipment.

The capacity matters. With 12 passengers and two crew members, this is a small outing rather than a crowded harbor cruise. You should still expect shared space, especially around the bathroom and serving area, but the broad catamaran layout gives you room to sit, stretch out, and move between the shaded and sunny parts of the boat.

Francesca and Fabio lead the experience. Their approach is part of the appeal: they handle the sailing, food, swimming stops, and explanations rather than treating the day as a simple boat transfer. Italian, English, and French are spoken.

The boat leaves in the morning. From July through September, the stated schedule is 9:00 am to 4:30 pm. From April through June and in October, it runs from 9:30 am to 3:30 pm. Check the exact departure time when booking, since the season changes both the length and the start of the outing.

Choosing Between Tavolara and Cala Moresca

The route is set according to the weather. That is important to understand before you book. You are not buying a guaranteed Tavolara itinerary, and you are not selecting between the two areas on the morning of departure.

If conditions allow a southward route, the catamaran heads toward the Protected Marine Area of Tavolara. You can see Tavolara’s rocky outline from the water as you approach. The island has a bold, unusual profile, and viewing it from a low boat gives you a better sense of its scale than a quick look from shore.

The route can include white sandy coves around Dottore beach, Capo Coda Cavallo, and Capo Ceraso. Isola Piana and Molara also form part of the wider view. These names are not just map points. They help explain why this coast is so prized: pale sand, granite rock, small islands, and clear water appear one after another as the boat moves along.

A northward route takes you toward Cala Moresca and the islet of Figarolo. This area offers a different mood, with views toward Capo Figari and the Grotta della Madonnina. The islet of Mortorio, with its granite rock and green-blue water, may also feature in the day’s scenery.

The route choice is a minor drawback if you have your heart set on one exact beach. It is also a sensible safety measure. Boat trips should respond to wind and sea conditions, and the alternative route gives the crew a way to keep the day enjoyable when Tavolara is not suitable.

Swimming in Sardinia’s Clear Water

Swimming is one of the main reasons to book this trip. The catamaran stops in clear water, giving you time to get in from the ladder rather than simply photograph the coast from the deck.

Bring your own towel, sunglasses, sun hat, sunscreen, and comfortable clothes. You should also bring water, even though water and soft drinks are included with the meals. A swimsuit is not listed separately in the required items, but it is a practical choice for a day built around swimming.

Two stand-up paddleboards are included. They offer another way to enjoy the stops, though availability depends on sharing them with the rest of the group. The boat also has a shower, useful after saltwater swimming.

The catamaran’s sunbathing net is likely to be a favorite place when the boat is moving or resting in a calm area. Keep in mind that open decks mean strong sun exposure. A hat, sunscreen, and a willingness to move into shade will make the long day more comfortable.

This is not the right outing if you want a fully dry sightseeing cruise. Nor is it suited to anyone who needs step-free access or has limited mobility. Boarding involves a ladder, and the tour is not suitable for people with mobility impairments, children under six, or pregnant women.

A Sardinian Aperitif at Sea

The food gives this trip more value than a boat ride that asks you to bring your own lunch. The first serving is an aperitif with a platter of cold cuts and cheese, bruschette with tomato, and olives. You can choose a glass of red or white wine, with beer, water, and soft drinks also available.

The meal is designed for an easy day on the water. You are not sitting down to a formal restaurant service, but you do get a taste of familiar Sardinian ingredients while looking out over the coast. The simple format suits the setting.

Lunch includes a pasta dish or rice salad, again with a choice of red or white wine, beer, water, and soft drinks. The food is one of the details that makes the outing feel personal rather than purely commercial. Fabio’s mother prepares some of the food, including ingredients from her garden and kitchen, and that home-style touch has been singled out as a memorable part of the experience.

Vegetarian and vegan options are available. If you have an allergy or gluten intolerance, you need to give at least two days’ notice. Contact the phone number on your voucher after booking. Do not wait until you are on board, since special meals require advance planning.

Smoking is allowed only at the stern. That rule keeps the main seating and eating areas more pleasant for everyone.

Watching for Dolphins Near Figarolo

The waters near Figarolo are a possible highlight on the Cala Moresca route. Dolphins live in the area, and with good luck you may see them swimming in their natural setting.

The wording matters: dolphins are possible, not promised. Treat this as an extra rather than the purpose of the booking. The boat still offers a worthwhile day if the animals remain out of sight, thanks to the swimming stops, coastal views, food, and time on the water.

The view toward Capo Figari adds interest even without wildlife. The Grotta della Madonnina and the granite formation of Mortorio give the route a sense of variety. You are not looking at the same stretch of coast all day.

If seeing dolphins is your top priority, ask about the route and conditions before departure, but understand that the crew cannot control wildlife or weather. A flexible attitude will make the day better.

What the Small Group Means for You

A maximum of 12 passengers is a strong point for anyone who dislikes large boat excursions. You can expect a more personal setting, and Francesca and Fabio have room to speak with people rather than simply make announcements to a crowd.

Small boats also have limits. Seating is shared, there is one bathroom, and the available deck space is finite. If every passenger wants the sunbathing net at once, you will need to take turns. The compact setup works best for people who enjoy a social day and do not need lots of private space.

The reviews point to the crew’s friendly attitude and care with the group. Fabio and Francesca are described as professional and passionate, and their knowledge of the area adds more than a basic transport service. The atmosphere can also help you meet the other people on board, which is part of the charm of a small group outing.

The tour is confirmed with at least four participants. That means the date depends on reaching the minimum group size, so keep that in mind when planning a tightly timed Sardinia itinerary.

Is $134.81 a Fair Price?

At $134.81 per person, this is not the cheapest way to reach the coast. It is also not simply a boat ticket. The price includes the catamaran, crew, fuel, two SUPs, an aperitif, lunch, wine, beer, water, and soft drinks.

You are paying for roughly six to seven and a half hours on the water, depending on the month. A full day of sailing, several coastal viewing areas, swimming time, and two food services make the price reasonable for someone who wants an all-in-one experience.

The value is strongest if you would otherwise pay separately for a boat trip, lunch, and water activities. It is less compelling if you only want a short transfer to one beach or prefer to spend the day on land.

The small passenger limit also affects the value. You are not paying for a packed vessel with a large queue for the ladder. If the route, food, and relaxed pace appeal to you, the price is justified. If you are mainly interested in reaching Tavolara itself, remember that the route can change with the weather.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those options help if your Sardinia schedule is still shifting.

Who Should Book This Catamaran Day?

I would recommend this trip to couples, friends, and solo visitors who want a full day at sea with food included. It works especially well if you are staying in or near Olbia and want to see several coastal areas without organizing your own boat, picnic, and swimming equipment.

It also suits people who enjoy a sociable atmosphere. The group is small enough for conversation, and the crew’s role goes beyond steering the boat. You will share the deck, meals, and SUPs, so this is not a private charter.

Families with older children may consider it, but children under six cannot join. Anyone who is pregnant or has mobility limitations should choose another activity.

You should also be comfortable with changing plans. The actual route depends on the weather, and the day’s best feature might be Tavolara, a calm swimming stop, a meal prepared with family ingredients, or a lucky dolphin sighting near Figarolo.

Should You Book It?

Book this Olbia catamaran tour if you want a relaxed, small-group day that combines Sardinian food, swimming, coastal scenery, and a chance to see dolphins. The limited capacity, two onboard meals, and warm hosting by Francesca and Fabio give it more character than a basic sightseeing cruise.

Think twice if you need a guaranteed visit to Tavolara, dislike shared boat facilities, or want a private and highly structured itinerary. For most people who can accept the weather-based route, the mix of clear water, granite islands, local food, and unhurried time at sea makes $134.81 a fair spend.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran tour start?

You meet the guide at the quay between the Brin Pier car park and the tourist car park in Olbia. Free parking is available in the area.

How long does the experience last?

From April through June and in October, the excursion lasts six hours, from 9:30 am to 3:30 pm. From July through September, it lasts seven and a half hours, from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm.

Will the tour visit Tavolara?

The route depends on weather conditions. The boat may sail toward Tavolara or toward Cala Moresca and Figarolo.

Can I see dolphins?

Dolphins may be seen near the islet of Figarolo on the Cala Moresca route. Sightings are possible but are not guaranteed.

What food is included?

The aperitif includes cold cuts, cheese, bruschette with tomato, olives, and a choice of red or white wine, along with beer, water, and soft drinks. Lunch includes a pasta dish or rice salad, with the same drink choices.

Are vegetarian or vegan meals available?

Yes. Vegetarian and vegan options are available. Special meals for allergies or gluten intolerance require at least two days’ notice.

What should I bring?

Bring sunglasses, a sun hat, a towel, sunscreen, water, and comfortable clothes.

Are children allowed on the tour?

Children under six are not allowed to join this activity.

Is the tour accessible for people with mobility impairments?

No. The activity is not suitable for people with mobility impairments. It is also not suitable for pregnant women.