From Olbia: Tavolara or Cala Moresca Catamaran Tour

Clear water, good food, and open sea. This seven-hour catamaran trip from Olbia combines Sardinia’s best coastal scenery with swimming stops, local wine, and a small-group feel. I especially like the 12-passenger limit, which keeps the boat more personal than a large day cruise, and the generous food included: an aperitif, lunch, wine, beer, water, and soft drinks. The main thing to consider is that the route depends on the weather, so you cannot choose in advance between Tavolara and Cala Moresca.

The boat is a 9.8-meter Pajot Maldives 32 catamaran with a sunbathing net, shower, ladder, bathroom, two stand-up paddleboards, and four cabins. Francesca and Fabio receive particular praise for their friendly, engaged hosting, while the homemade food is described as fresh and full of family flavor. The open-sea setting is wonderful, but this trip is not suitable for children under six, pregnant women, or people with mobility impairments.

Key points to know before booking

• Two possible routes: Weather decides between the Tavolara marine area and Cala Moresca near Figarolo.
• Small boat, limited capacity: The catamaran carries up to 12 passengers plus two crew members.
• Sardinian food is part of the day: Expect cold cuts, cheese, tomato bruschette, olives, pasta or rice salad, and local drinks.
• Swimming is central to the experience: Bring a towel, swimsuit, sun protection, and clothes that are comfortable in sea spray.
• Dolphins are possible, not promised: Cala Moresca is a good area for spotting them in the wild.
• Season changes the schedule: April to June and October run for six hours, while July to September last seven and a half hours.

Setting out from Olbia’s Brin Pier

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 have a rental car and do not want to arrange a taxi before an early departure.

The exact sailing time depends on the season. From April through June and again in October, the trip runs from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. From July through September, it runs from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The advertised duration is often described as seven hours, but the seasonal schedule shows six hours in the cooler months and seven and a half hours in summer. Check the date carefully when you book.

The boat is the Hakuna Matata, a Pajot Maldives 32 built in 1989. It is 9.8 meters long and five meters wide, with four cabins and one bathroom. The age of the boat is worth noting, but its useful features matter more for a day at sea: a sunbathing net at the front, a shower, a climbing ladder, a first aid kit, and life jackets.

Capacity is limited to 14 people total, including 12 passengers and two crew members. That is a good size for a social day without the feeling of being packed onto a large excursion boat. The tour needs at least four participants to operate, so keep that condition in mind if your dates are flexible.

Choosing between Tavolara and Cala Moresca

You do not select the destination as a fixed option. The captain chooses between Tavolara and Cala Moresca according to sea and weather conditions. This is practical rather than disappointing. A boat day is better when the crew can choose the safer, calmer route.

If conditions allow, the Tavolara route takes you into the Protected Marine Area of Tavolara. Tavolara itself is easy to recognize from the water, thanks to its tall, rocky profile. The island gives the cruise a strong sense of place long before you reach the swimming areas.

This route also brings views of white sandy coves and nearby islands. Dottore Beach, Capo Coda Cavallo, Capo Ceraso, Isola Piana, and Molara are all part of the wider coastal scenery you may see during the voyage. The appeal is not one single landmark. It is the contrast between pale sand, granite rock, and clear water along a largely open coast.

Cala Moresca offers a different mood. The boat heads north toward the marine area off Cala Moresca and the islet of Figarolo. This is the route with the chance to spot dolphins in their natural habitat. There is no guarantee, so treat a sighting as a lucky bonus rather than the main reason to book.

From the water, you may also see Capo Figari, the Grotta della Madonnina, and the islet of Mortorio. Mortorio is known here for its granite formation and green-blue water. The changing rock shapes make this route appealing even if the dolphins stay out of sight.

Swimming in Sardinia’s clear coastal water

Swimming stops are a major part of the day. The catamaran anchors in calm, attractive areas where you can get into the water from the boat. Use the ladder rather than expecting a sandy beach at every stop.

The clear water is ideal for a long swim, cooling off between meals, or simply floating beside the boat. Two stand-up paddleboards are included, giving you another way to use the water without paying extra for equipment. Availability may depend on how many people want them, so do not assume you will have one to yourself for the whole trip.

The catamaran also has a sunbathing net. This is one of the nicest places to sit when the boat is moving, though it offers little shade. If you burn easily, the shaded parts of the boat may be more comfortable. Bring sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, and plenty of water even though drinking water is supplied.

A towel is not listed as included, so pack your own. Wear clothes that can handle salt water and wind. Comfortable clothing is recommended, and a light extra layer is sensible for the ride back if the wind picks up.

An aperitif with Sardinian flavors

The first food service is an onboard aperitif. It includes a platter of cold cuts and cheese, bruschette with tomato, olives, and a drink of your choice from red wine, white wine, beer, water, and soft drinks.

This is more than a snack to fill time. It gives the day a local food angle and works well with the relaxed pace of the boat. Sardinian cooking is often at its best when the ingredients are simple and well handled, and the combination of cheese, cured meat, tomatoes, and olives fits the setting.

The crew pairing of Francesca and Fabio has received especially warm praise for friendly service and enthusiasm. The food has also been singled out for tasting fresh and homemade, with produce linked to Fabio’s mother’s garden and kitchen. That detail matters. You are not simply being handed a standard packaged lunch while looking at the coast.

Special meals for allergies or gluten intolerance are possible, but you must give at least two days’ notice. Contact the phone number on your voucher after booking. Vegetarian and vegan options are available as well, but it is still wise to state your needs early.

Smoking is allowed only at the stern. This keeps the main seating and sun areas more pleasant for everyone.

Lunch on board, with time to slow down

Lunch includes a pasta dish or rice salad, along with your choice of red or white wine, beer, water, or soft drinks. The exact dish can vary, so you should not book this expecting one fixed Sardinian recipe.

The meal is served during the sailing day, giving you a chance to sit down, talk with the crew, and enjoy the view without rushing to the next stop. With a small group, meals can feel like part of the social experience rather than a quick refueling break.

Food and drinks make a noticeable difference to the price. At $134.81 per person, this is not a cheap ferry ride or a bare-bones boat rental. You are paying for the catamaran, fuel, crew, equipment, two food services, and a full coastal day. If you would otherwise buy lunch, drinks, and a separate boat trip, the package offers fair value.

The value is strongest for someone who wants a complete day with little planning. It is less compelling if you only want a short transfer to a beach or prefer to bring your own food and spend the day independently.

What the small catamaran changes

A 12-passenger boat gives you a better chance to interact with the crew. That matters here because the trip is built around hospitality, not just transport. Francesca and Fabio have been praised for making people feel welcome, explaining the area, and keeping the day enjoyable.

The small size also brings trade-offs. There is only one bathroom, and the boat has limited indoor space compared with a larger vessel. The four cabins are part of the boat’s layout, but this is a day excursion, not overnight accommodation.

If you are prone to seasickness, consider where you sit and ask the crew for practical advice. The front sunbathing net moves more with the sea, while the central area may feel steadier. The tour details do not promise calm water, so anyone sensitive to motion should plan accordingly.

The experience is not designed for people with mobility impairments. Boarding involves a quay, moving boat, and climbing ladder. It is also unsuitable for pregnant women and children under six. Pets are not allowed.

How the route feels in different seasons

Summer gives you the longest outing, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. That extra time allows a fuller day on the water, but July and August can also mean stronger sun and higher demand for the limited seats. Reserve early if your schedule is fixed.

April, May, June, and October offer a shorter six-hour version. You still receive the boat trip, food, and swimming opportunities, but there is less time overall. These months may suit you if you prefer a shorter day or want to fit another Olbia activity around the cruise.

The route can change in any season because weather controls the choice between Tavolara and Cala Moresca. Think of the tour as a coastal experience with two possible settings, not as a guaranteed visit to one specific island.

The tour is offered in Italian, English, and French. A live guide is included, so you can ask questions during the sailing rather than relying only on printed information.

Who will enjoy this boat day most

I would recommend this trip to couples, friends, solo visitors, and families with older children who enjoy swimming, scenery, and a social boat atmosphere. It suits you especially well if you like the idea of spending most of a day at sea but do not want to organize a private charter.

Food-focused visitors will appreciate the Sardinian aperitif and lunch. So will anyone who prefers a tour where the crew handles the practical details. The inclusion of wine, beer, soft drinks, water, fuel, and paddleboards keeps the day simple.

This is not the best choice for someone seeking a guaranteed dolphin encounter, a specific beach, or a large amount of time walking on shore. It is also a poor fit if you dislike shared meals, boat movement, or changing plans based on weather.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms are useful when your Sardinia plans are still shifting, but they do not remove the need to check the final departure time and route conditions.

Is the Tavolara or Cala Moresca cruise worth booking?

Book it if you want a relaxed, food-inclusive day on a small catamaran with several possible swimming areas and strong coastal views. The limited capacity, two crew members, fresh local-style food, and use of paddleboards give it more character than a basic sightseeing cruise.

I would choose it for the combination of Tavolara or Cala Moresca, not for one guaranteed stop. If your priority is dolphins, remember that sightings are possible but never certain. If your priority is Tavolara, accept that the captain may choose Cala Moresca for safety.

At $134.81, it is a fair splurge for a full day with meals and drinks included. Pack sun protection, a towel, and a flexible attitude about the route, and this can be one of the easiest ways to enjoy north-east Sardinia from the water.

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 tour last?

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

Will the tour visit Tavolara or Cala Moresca?

The route depends on weather conditions. The crew may take you to the Protected Marine Area of Tavolara or to the marine area around Cala Moresca.

Can I see dolphins?

Dolphins may be seen near Cala Moresca and Figarolo, but sightings are not guaranteed.

What food is included?

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

Are vegetarian, vegan, or allergy-friendly meals available?

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

Is swimming equipment included?

Two stand-up paddleboards are included. The boat also has a swimming ladder and shower.

What should I bring?

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

Who cannot join the tour?

The tour is not suitable for children under six, pregnant women, or people with mobility impairments. Pets are not allowed.