From Stintino: sailing trip to Asinara with Lunch

Asinara is the star here, but the boat gives the day its character. You sail from Stintino aboard Mastro Pasqualino, a handsome wooden gozzo built with traditional methods, then land at Cala Reale for about an hour before returning to the water for swimming and lunch.

I like the small group of up to 10 people, which makes the boat feel personal rather than crowded. I also like the food: cold cuts, cheeses, Sardinian bread, gnocchetti with sausage sauce, vegetables, wine, coffee, and local sweets. The main consideration is that the trip runs for eight hours, and the boat travels by motor despite being a sailing boat.

Key points at a glance

• A handcrafted wooden boat: Mastro Pasqualino is a 10-meter gozzo made from mahogany, fir, azobé, and Sardinian oak.
• A real Asinara stop: You spend about an hour at Cala Reale, with time to learn about the island and swim.
• Two possible bathing areas: The crew may stop at Li Giorri or the natural pools of Fornelli, depending on conditions.
• A full Sardinian meal: Lunch includes local cold cuts, cheeses, bread, pasta, vegetables, wine, coffee, digestif, and desserts.
• A genuinely small outing: The boat carries no more than 12 passengers and two crew members, with the tour limited to 10 participants.
• Plan for extras: Bring water, swimwear, and a towel. A €5 municipal landing fee is paid on site.

Why this Asinara trip feels different

Many boat excursions around Sardinia focus only on swimming. This one gives you a stronger sense of place because you actually go ashore on Asinara, a protected island with a striking past and a coastline that remains largely unspoiled.

Your route begins at the Porto Turistico Marina di Stintino. The meeting point is in front of the kiosk at the harbor, with parking nearby for €5 for the full day. Once aboard, you leave Stintino and follow the coast toward the island.

The boat is not a modern speedboat. Mastro Pasqualino is an all-wood gozzo with a Latin sail, built in 2020 using the trebuchet system, a traditional construction method associated with southern Italian coasts. That matters if you appreciate boats as part of the experience rather than as simple transportation.

The wood also gives the boat a warmer, quieter feel than fiberglass craft. It has a shaded awning, a bathroom, a kitchen, an indoor freshwater shower, and a ladder for getting back into the water. At 3.5 meters wide, it offers enough room to sit comfortably, though you are still spending a full day on a compact vessel.

Meeting Alessandro and learning about the boat

Alessandro is the young captain and shipwright connected with Mastro Pasqualino. He built the boat himself and is open to questions about both the vessel and Asinara. That is a useful touch, because you are not simply being carried from one swimming spot to another.

The tiller-style rudder works on a lever principle and can be handled easily under crew supervision. You should not expect a formal sailing lesson, but the boat’s design gives you a closer look at how a traditional craft is operated.

Patrizia is also part of the hosting team. The warm, attentive service is one of the strongest parts of the outing. Alessandro and Patrizia are described as quick to help with refreshments, food, scenery advice, and personal needs. That is especially helpful on a long day when a good crew can make the difference between a pleasant trip and a tiring one.

The tour is offered in Italian and English. Since the group is small, you should have a reasonable chance to ask questions without shouting across a crowded deck.

The ride from Stintino to Asinara

The opening coastal navigation is as much about settling into the pace of the day as reaching the island. The boat travels by motor, so do not book this expecting a day of silent sailing under full sail. The wooden hull and old-style design still provide the atmosphere, but the engine handles the route.

That arrangement has one practical advantage: the crew can keep to the planned stops more reliably. It also means you spend less time waiting for wind conditions. The skipper can change the route or stops if weather and sea conditions require it, so the advertised locations are best understood as the intended plan rather than a guarantee.

As you cross toward Asinara, the focus shifts from Stintino’s harbor to the island’s open shore. This is a good point to keep your camera ready, but also to put it away now and then. The outing is designed for a slow day on the water, not a rushed checklist of viewpoints.

Cala Reale: an hour on Asinara

The first main stop is Cala Reale, where the boat lands for approximately one hour. This is the part of the trip that separates the experience from a standard coastal cruise.

You get time to step onto Asinara and explore a small part of the island rather than seeing it only from offshore. The guide shares stories about the island’s past and its protected natural setting, giving the stop more meaning than a quick photo break.

An hour is enough for a taste, not a full exploration. You will not cover all of Asinara in this time, and the stop is not designed as a long walking tour. If you want a detailed, extended visit to the island, you would need a different kind of excursion. Here, the short shore visit works as one part of a full day that also includes swimming and lunch.

Cala Reale also serves as a bathing stop. The water around Asinara is clear, and you can swim before or around the shore visit depending on how the crew manages the timing. Bring footwear you are comfortable using around a boat and shore area, though specific water shoes are not required in the supplied information.

The €5 municipal landing fee is not included in the tour price. Keep that small payment ready, since it is paid on site.

Lunch on board, with a full Sardinian menu

After the Asinara stop, lunch is served on the boat. This is not a token sandwich. The meal begins with an abundant platter of typical cold cuts and cheeses, along with Sardinian bread.

The first course is gnocchetti with Sardinian sausage sauce, followed by seasonal vegetables. Wine, water, coffee, a digestif, and traditional Sardinian desserts are also included with the meal.

Food is one of the strongest reasons to choose this trip over a basic boat ride. You get to eat local dishes in the setting where the day is taking place, without losing time searching for a restaurant or returning to shore. The menu also gives you a better taste of Sardinia than a generic packed lunch would.

You should tell the operator in advance if you need a lactose-intolerant option or a vegetarian alternative. These are available on request through the number on your booking voucher.

There is one small point worth clarifying. Water is listed as something to bring, even though water is included with lunch. I would bring your own bottle for the morning and between stops. You should not have to rely only on the lunch service for hydration during an eight-hour day in the sun.

The second swim at Li Giorri or Fornelli

Once lunch is finished, the boat continues along Asinara’s east coast. The second swim lasts about half an hour and takes place either at Li Giorri or at the natural pools of Fornelli.

The final location depends on weather and the skipper’s judgment. That flexibility is sensible around an exposed island, where wind and sea conditions can change the safest or most comfortable choice.

Li Giorri offers the classic appeal of a quiet cove and clear water. The natural pools of Fornelli give the stop a different character, with calmer water and unusual coastal formations. The information provided does not promise one location every day, so you should treat the choice as part of the skipper’s local knowledge rather than a disappointment if the route changes.

Half an hour is enough for a refreshing swim, but it will feel brief if swimming is your main reason for booking. This trip divides the day between an island visit, lunch, coastal views, and two bathing opportunities. A dedicated swimming cruise may give you more time in the water.

You will use the ladder to get back aboard. The indoor freshwater shower is useful after swimming, especially when salt and sunscreen begin to build up.

Is $107.85 a fair price?

At $107.85 per person, this is not the cheapest way to reach Asinara. The value depends on how much you want from the day.

The price includes the boat excursion, skipper, fuel, insurance, a small-group setting, the island stop, and a substantial lunch with wine, coffee, digestif, and desserts. Those inclusions make the cost easier to justify than a bare transport ticket or a simple half-day swim trip.

You are also paying for a boat with a maximum capacity of 12 passengers plus two crew, though this tour is limited to 10 participants. That is a major difference from a large excursion vessel. With fewer people, the crew can respond more easily to food needs, questions, and comfort.

I would call it good value for someone who wants a complete day and appreciates traditional boats. It is less compelling if you mainly want the longest possible swim time or the lowest possible fare. The municipal landing fee is extra, and you should bring your own water, so budget for those small details.

The tour is confirmed with at least four participants. If your plans are fixed, check availability for the date and starting time before building your day around it.

Who should book this boat trip?

I would recommend it to you if you want:

• A full day on the water rather than a short transfer
• A small group with personal hosting
• A traditional wooden boat with character
• A taste of Sardinian food included in the price
• A short but meaningful visit to Asinara
• Time for swimming in clear coastal water
• A relaxed mix of sightseeing, food, and sea time

It is also a good match if you enjoy asking questions. Alessandro’s connection to the boat gives the outing an added human element, and the crew can explain both the craft and the island.

I would think twice if you dislike long boat days, need a tightly fixed route, or want extensive time ashore. The island visit lasts about an hour, the second swim about half an hour, and the skipper can alter the plan for weather. That is normal for a sea excursion, but it may not suit someone expecting a fixed schedule.

Pets are not allowed. You should bring swimwear, a towel, and water. The boat has a bathroom and freshwater shower, but the supplied information does not give details about step-free access or other mobility arrangements, so ask the operator before booking if that matters to you.

Booking and cancellation details

The trip lasts eight hours, with starting times shown when you check availability. It begins and ends at the Porto Turistico Marina di Stintino, in front of the harbor kiosk.

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. A reserve-now, pay-later option is also available, which helps if your Sardinia plans are still moving around.

The tour is run by Escursì and is available in Italian and English. The small group limit is 10 participants, while the boat itself can carry up to 12 passengers and two crew members.

Should you book this Asinara sailing trip?

Book it if you want Asinara presented as a full experience, not just a backdrop for a swim. The combination of Cala Reale, a handcrafted wooden boat, Alessandro’s stories, attentive hosting from Alessandro and Patrizia, and a proper Sardinian meal gives the day substance.

Skip it if you want a fast, sail-powered adventure or a long guided exploration on land. For everyone else, especially people who value local food, traditional boats, and a relaxed pace, the $107.85 price is reasonable for eight hours of transport, swimming, island time, and lunch.

FAQ

How long does the Asinara boat trip last?

The experience lasts eight hours, including the boat ride, the Cala Reale stop, lunch, the second swimming stop, and the return to Stintino.

Where does the tour start and end?

It starts and ends at the Porto Turistico Marina di Stintino. Meet in front of the kiosk at the harbor.

Is parking available near the meeting point?

Yes. Parking is available near the embarkation point at a cost of €5 for the full day.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch includes typical cold cuts and cheeses, Sardinian bread, gnocchetti with Sardinian sausage sauce, seasonal vegetables, wine, water, coffee, digestif, and traditional Sardinian desserts.

Can vegetarian or lactose-intolerant meals be arranged?

Yes. Vegetarian alternatives and options for lactose-intolerant people are available upon request using the number on your booking voucher.

How much time is spent at Cala Reale?

The stop at Cala Reale on Asinara lasts approximately one hour.

Where does the second swimming stop take place?

The second swim takes place at Li Giorri or at the natural pools of Fornelli. The skipper chooses the location according to weather and sea conditions.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, a towel, and water. A €5 municipal landing fee is also paid on site.

Are pets allowed on the boat?

No. Pets are not allowed.