Asinara: Catamaran Snorkel & Animal Center with Seafood Lunch

Summary

Swim wild coves snorkel clear water taste mussels on Asinara

You’ll glide over Asinara’s clear waters by catamaran, swim and snorkel in quiet coves, share fresh mussels and local wine for lunch on deck, then step ashore to meet rescued turtles at the animal recovery center before sailing home salty and sun-warmed.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I noticed was the slap of salt on my lips as we pushed away from Stintino—just twelve of us and that low hum from the catamaran. Our guide, Paolo, grinned and pointed out a swirl of gulls chasing fishing boats. The water in these Asinara bays is so clear you can see straight to the bottom, where little silver fish dart around like they’re showing off. I didn’t expect to feel so quiet, just floating there, mask on, listening to my own breath and the soft clink of someone’s wedding ring against the ladder.

We stopped at one cove—I think Paolo called it Cala Reale—and he handed out fins for snorkeling. I’m not exactly graceful with flippers but nobody cared; everyone was too busy peering at sea grass and these huge shellfish (pinna nobilis? Paolo said they’re rare now). There was this moment when a school of blue fish zipped past me and I almost laughed underwater. Afterward, we dried off in the sun while the crew set out mussels with lemon and poured cold white wine into plastic cups. Maybe it was just hunger or maybe it’s something about eating seafood right above the water where it came from—either way, that lunch hit different.

We landed on Asinara for an hour or so to visit the marine animal recovery center. There’s a kind of hush there—the staff move quietly around tanks with turtles and seabirds being nursed back to health. I tried asking one volunteer about a loggerhead turtle in Italian (my accent probably gave her a headache), but she smiled anyway and explained how they track releases back into open sea. It’s strange how you can feel both hopeful and sad in places like that.

The final stretch back was all wind in your hair and that lazy feeling after swimming all day. Someone fell asleep stretched across two benches; nobody minded. We docked again at Stintino around 6pm, salt still crusted on my skin. I keep thinking about those blue fish—how quick they were, how free.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Full day catamaran excursion

• Depart from Stintino port at 9:30
• Visit former super prison on Asinara island
• Stop at marine animal recovery center
• Swim in crystal clear bays
• Guided snorkeling to see marine fauna
• Enjoy lunch on board with wine
• Relax with sweet coffee and digestive
• Return sailing to Stintino port at 18:00

Top questions

How long does the Asinara catamaran excursion last?

The full-day tour lasts about 8 hours, departing at 9:30 am from Stintino and returning by 6:00 pm.

Is lunch included on the Asinara catamaran tour?

Yes, lunch is served onboard with mussels appetizer, fish pasta, dessert, coffee, digestive liqueur, and bottled wine.

Can you visit land during the day trip to Asinara?

Yes, there is a stop on land to visit the marine animal recovery center on Asinara island.

How many people are on each catamaran tour?

The AQUA catamaran carries a maximum of 12 guests per excursion.

Are children allowed on this tour?

Infants and small children can join but must sit on an adult's lap; strollers are allowed onboard.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes, fins are provided for snorkeling during stops in Asinara's bays.

Where does the tour depart from?

The catamaran departs from the port of Stintino.

Are there vegetarian options for lunch?

The main inclusions are seafood-based; vegetarian options are not specified in the reference content.

What’s included

Your day includes departure from Stintino port by catamaran with a small group (max 12), guided snorkeling stops in Asinara’s bays using provided fins, landing to visit the marine animal recovery center ashore, plus a full seafood lunch onboard with bottled wine, dessert, coffee and digestive before sailing home in late afternoon.