Alghero Catamaran Day Trip: Sailing, Snorkeling & Lunch

Summary

Sail past Porto Conte’s coves, swim Capocaccia park waters, share Sardinian lunch on deck

You’ll sail along Alghero’s coast on a small-group catamaran day trip with plenty of space to relax in sun or shade. Swim or snorkel at Porto Conte’s coves, try stand-up paddleboarding, then share a Sardinian lunch on deck—cheese, sausage, seafood pasta and local wine included. Expect laughter with your guide and moments where time feels slower than usual.

★★★★★★★★★★

4.98

(130 reviews)

What’s the experience like?

I opened my eyes to the sound of water slapping gently against the hull — not that sharp clatter you get in a harbor, but something softer. We’d just left Alghero behind and already I could smell salt and this faint herbal note — maybe wild thyme? The skipper, Marco, grinned when he handed me coffee (he called it “fuel for the sea”), and I tried not to spill it as the catamaran picked up speed. There were only ten of us on board, so it didn’t feel crowded at all. Cushions everywhere, some folks already stretched out in the shade with their feet up. I had this weird moment where I realized how blue everything looked — like someone turned up the saturation just for us.

First stop was somewhere near Porto Conte. Marco pointed out these limestone cliffs that looked like they’d been bitten by giants. He joked about the “Capocaccia wind” messing up his hair (he barely had any). The air smelled different here — sharper, almost metallic from the rocks? I slid into the water for a swim; it was colder than I expected but good once you got used to it. Someone handed me a snorkel mask and I fumbled with it for a bit (I never get those straps right), but then there were little silver fish darting around my toes. One guy tried stand-up paddleboarding and fell off immediately — everyone laughed, including him.

Lunch happened kind of suddenly — one minute we were drying off in the sun, next minute Marco was slicing cheese and sausage right on deck. The bread was warm and tasted faintly of olive oil; bruschetta with tomatoes that actually tasted sweet. There was seafood pasta too — nothing fancy-looking but so good after swimming. Bottarga sprinkled on top (I’d never tried it before; salty and weirdly addictive). We passed around carafes of lemony water with mint and ginger floating inside. Someone asked if there was more wine (“always,” Marco said). It felt like eating at someone’s backyard table except the view kept moving.

I think what stuck with me most wasn’t any one cove or swim spot — though Capocaccia park is wild-looking up close — but this sense of time slowing down while we drifted between stops. The beaches looked busy from afar but we barely heard them over our own quiet conversations and seagulls overhead. By late afternoon my skin felt tight from salt and sun; I didn’t want to check my phone even once. On the way back toward Alghero, Marco made espresso for anyone who wanted it (I said yes twice). Still can’t believe how peaceful it all felt.

6h 30m

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Catamaran sailing and swimming day

Board spacious catamaran
Sail inside Natural Park
Stop for swimming and snorkeling
Relax in sun and shade
Enjoy skipper's aperitif
Have lunch with local products
Use snorkeling and SUP equipment
View crowded beaches from boat

What’s included

Your day includes sailing from Alghero aboard a spacious catamaran with plenty of shaded spots or sunbathing cushions; several stops for swimming or relaxing in Porto Conte and Capocaccia park; use of snorkeling gear and SUP boards; an onboard Sardinian lunch featuring bruschetta with tomatoes or bottarga sausage, mature cheeses, seafood pasta with tomato pesto; unlimited soft drinks plus wine at lunch; carafes flavored with mint lemon ginger; coffee or tea served by your skipper before heading back in the afternoon.