Boat Tour to Sella del Diavolo: Snorkeling, GoPro & Beer

The best views come from the water. This three-hour boat trip from Cagliari visits Calamosca Beach, the dramatic Sella del Diavolo, and long Poetto Beach, with time to swim, use a GoPro, and enjoy a beer. I especially like the chance to reach coves and clear water that are harder to access from land, plus the friendly guiding reported from Gabriel, Francesco, and the family team. The main tradeoff is the small boat, which means limited space and a less comfortable fit for anyone carrying bulky mobility equipment.

I also like the relaxed pace. You are not rushed from one photo stop to the next, and the tour leaves room to swim more than once. Just confirm the exact meeting point at Molo Dogana and arrive early, since one serious complaint centered on missed communication and timing.

The essentials at a glance

• Three Cagliari swimming stops: Calamosca, Sella del Diavolo, and Poetto give you three different coastal settings in one outing.
• A GoPro included: You can record underwater clips during the swim stops, and the operator has sent tour photos to participants at no extra cost.
• A small-boat feel: The limited-size boat gets close to the coast, but personal space and storage are restricted.
• One hour and 20 minutes at Sella del Diavolo: This is the longest stop, giving you the best chance for swimming and underwater photos.
• Beer and equipment included: A beer is provided, and snorkeling gear is available, though one account described the equipment as goggles without a snorkel tube.
• Strong overall satisfaction: The experience is rated 4.6 out of 5, with 94 percent of customers recommending it.

Setting out from Molo Dogana

You meet at Molo Dogana, at 09125 Cagliari, and return to the same point. The harbor location is near public transportation, making it practical if you are staying in central Cagliari or arriving for a day in port.

The meeting point deserves more attention than it usually gets in a beach excursion. The operator’s directions have worked well for many people, but one unhappy participant had trouble finding the boat and reported difficulty reaching the company. Another booking problem involved a guest arriving at the wrong time for a shared departure. My advice is simple: check the confirmation carefully, save the operator’s phone number, and do not rely on asking random people at the harbor.

The boat is described as a small inflatable craft. That gives the trip a friendly, close-to-the-water character, but it is not the place for large bags, walkers, or lots of loose equipment. The maximum group size is 20, though some departures have been much smaller. One family of seven found only another couple aboard, which made the ride especially calm and flexible.

The operator may be represented by Gabriel, Francesco, or another member of the family team. Personal service is a major part of the appeal. Gabriel has been praised for his humor and local background, while Francesco has been described as warm, professional, and good at sharing short stories about the coast without turning the trip into a lecture.

Calamosca Beach, towers, and the first swim

The first stop is Calamosca Beach, one of Cagliari’s best-known beaches. You have about 40 minutes here, enough for a swim, an underwater look, and a quick orientation to the coast.

Calamosca combines natural scenery with two useful landmarks. An old Spanish tower dating from around 1600 watches over the area, and the Calamosca lighthouse was built later. From the boat, you can take in both structures while staying focused on the water.

The swimming here is intended to be easygoing rather than athletic. You can put on the provided equipment, look for fish in the clear water, and take pictures with the GoPro. One account specifically described seeing fish, which is encouraging if you want more than a quick splash.

There is one practical point about the equipment. The experience includes snorkeling gear, but a participant reported receiving goggles only, without an actual snorkel tube. That may reflect the setup on a particular departure, but I would ask before boarding if using a full mask-and-tube arrangement matters to you. The GoPro is a stronger and more distinctive feature, especially if you want short underwater videos instead of ordinary beach photos.

Calamosca is also a good first test of the boat and the ladder. If getting in and out of the water feels difficult, you will know early, since later stops use the same general style of boarding. The operator can offer a hand, but this is not a boat designed around assisted access.

Sella del Diavolo, Cagliari’s most memorable stop

The second stop lasts about one hour and 20 minutes, making it the heart of the trip. Sella del Diavolo means Devil’s Saddle, and the name comes from a local legend involving Lucifer, the Gulf of Cagliari, and the archangel Michael.

The tale says Lucifer fell for the beauty of the gulf and tried to claim it. Michael knocked him from his horse, and the lost saddle fell into the water and turned to stone. The promontory’s unusual shape helps explain why the story has lasted.

The best feature here is access. You reach coastal water and rock formations that are not as easy to see from a road or ordinary beach. Some departures have included a swim toward caves, and that was described as one of the most memorable parts of the morning. The exact stopping point can vary with sea conditions, so you should think of this as a chance to explore the coast from the water, not a guaranteed cave visit.

This is where the GoPro earns its place. You can record yourself swimming beneath the boat, capture fish in the clear water, and film the rocky coast from sea level. The operator has also sent photos to participants free of charge, which adds real value to a tour priced at $66.08 per person.

The water is the star, but the boat itself shapes the experience. Calm conditions make a small craft comfortable and nimble. Rougher conditions could make the ride less pleasant, and the provider states that the outing requires good weather. If the sea forces a cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund.

Poetto Beach and the final hour

The last stop is Poetto, Cagliari’s long urban beach. It stretches for about eight kilometers and is sometimes called the beach of the hundred thousand because of its large summer crowds.

You have about an hour here. The water is clear, the bottom is sandy, and the setting feels different from the rocky coast around Sella del Diavolo. One particularly useful detail is that some departures allow you to swim to shore and spend a short time on the beach. That gives you a break from the boat and lets you see Poetto as locals do, at least briefly.

Poetto was once known for salt extraction, a reminder that this is not just a swimming strip. It has long been tied to the daily life and economy of Cagliari. You will not get a full cultural tour here, but the guide can add enough background to make the stop more than a simple final swim.

The hour can feel short if you want a full beach visit. This tour is built around several stops, not a long stay at one beach. If your ideal day involves settling under an umbrella for half a day, choose Poetto on your own. If you want to sample the coast and keep moving, the schedule works well.

What the GoPro, beer, and relaxed pace add

Many short boat trips charge extra for photographs or offer little beyond transport. Here, the GoPro and included beer help make the $66.08 price easier to justify.

The GoPro lets you take your own underwater clips, which is more personal than receiving a few standard company images. You control what you film, and you can record friends or family in the water. The operator has also provided photos afterward at no added cost, though you should confirm how and when those files will be sent.

The beer is a small touch, but it suits the outing. After swimming, sitting back with a cold drink makes the final part of the ride feel social rather than hurried. The tour is not framed as a party cruise, and the most praised feature is the friendly atmosphere, not loud entertainment.

Music may be available on the boat, according to one account, but the main pleasure is the sea and the conversation. The guides have been praised for creating a relaxed mood, giving useful local information, and allowing people to stay longer at a stop when conditions and timing permit.

Value, group size, and who should book

At $66.08 per person, this is not the cheapest way to reach a Cagliari beach. You can visit Poetto independently for less, and public beaches do not require a boat fee. The price becomes more reasonable when you count the guide, three-hour boat ride, multiple coastal stops, swimming time, equipment, GoPro access, beer, and possible free photos.

I see the best value for someone with only a few hours in Cagliari. You get a quick taste of several coastal areas without arranging separate transport. It also suits cruise passengers, though you should leave a generous margin around the ship’s departure and verify the timing directly.

Couples, families, and small groups should all fit the tone of the experience. A family with five children aged 14 to 24 found the trip especially enjoyable, and several accounts describe the boat as calm and friendly. The maximum group size is 20, but a smaller departure will feel more comfortable and give you more room to move.

The small boat is the main limitation. You should bring only what you need for the water and keep personal items compact. Large mobility equipment can be a serious problem because there is little storage and nothing on the dock to secure it. The operator specifically warns against the tour for people with obesity or cardiovascular disease, and anyone with reduced mobility should ask detailed questions before booking.

Timing, cancellation, and practical preparation

The tour lasts about three hours, although one description of the service refers to three and a half hours. Use the confirmed departure details as your guide rather than building a tight plan around an exact return minute.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes made inside that window are not accepted, and late cancellations are not refunded. Bad weather can lead to a new date or a full refund, while a failure to reach the minimum number of participants brings the same choice.

I would pack a swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, and a small water-resistant bag. Keep your phone protected, even if you plan to use the GoPro. Arrive early, confirm the boat and departure time, and save the operator’s contact details before leaving your accommodation.

The outing is offered in English. Guides may vary, but the experience has included Gabriel, Francesco, and a brother-and-sister team. Their friendly approach is one of the strongest reasons to choose this trip over a bare boat transfer.

Should you book the Sella del Diavolo boat tour?

I would book it if you want a compact, active introduction to Cagliari’s coast, especially if your time is limited. The combination of clear water, three different coastal stops, GoPro use, included equipment, and an easygoing guide makes it more than a sightseeing ride.

I would skip it if you need spacious seating, guaranteed full snorkeling equipment, step-free access, or a long stay at one beach. I would also avoid booking without checking the meeting details and mobility limits first.

For most reasonably mobile visitors who enjoy swimming and do not mind a small boat, this is a strong-value morning or afternoon on the water. Sella del Diavolo is the main reason to go, while Calamosca and Poetto round out the experience with two very different beach settings.

FAQ

Where does the boat tour start and finish?

It starts at Molo Dogana, 09125 Cagliari, Italy, and returns to the same meeting point.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts approximately three hours. Some service information refers to three and a half hours, so check your confirmed departure details.

Which places does the tour visit?

The planned stops are Calamosca Beach, Sella del Diavolo, and Poetto Beach.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Snorkeling equipment is included. One participant reported receiving goggles without a snorkel tube, so ask the operator if full snorkel equipment is important to you.

Is a GoPro available?

Yes. A GoPro camera is available for use during the tour, and the operator has also sent photos to participants without an extra charge.

Is food or drink included?

Each participant receives a beer. The supplied information does not list a meal or other food.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience starts. Poor weather or failure to reach the minimum number of participants can also lead to a new date or full refund.