Asinara Island full-day tour from Stintino: Minivan and swimming

Ride the minivan through the park, then swim in the coves

A full-day tour of Asinara National Park departing from Stintino includes motorboat transfer, minivan exploration of the island's prison history and wildlife, and a long stop for swimming and snorkeling. The tour runs eight hours total, with a guide speaking English or Italian. A municipal landing fee applies, payable in cash on arrival (€2.50 to €5.00 depending on season). Admission to the Sea Turtle Recovery Centre costs €3.00 extra if you choose to visit.

Step-by-step itinerary

Full day tour of Asinara Island

• Meet at Tanca Manna pier, Stintino
• Board motorboat Ausonia
• Arrive at Fornelli pier, Asinara Island
• Explore park by minivan
• Pass Fornelli Prison and Castellaccio castle
• Stop at Cala di Mackerel for birdwatching
• Visit Campo Perdu and see white donkeys
• Visit Sea Turtle Recovery Center (if possible)
• Visit Cala d'Oliva village and museum
• Relax, swim, and snorkel at Cala Sabina
• Return to Fornelli pier
• Board motorboat Ausonia back to Stintino
• Arrive at Stintino port

The experience

The day starts at 9 a.m. at the Tanca Manna pier in Stintino, where you board the motorboat Ausonia for the crossing to Asinara. The boat arrives at Fornelli pier around 9:50 a.m., and from there a minivan takes over for the rest of the exploration. Your guide, speaking English or Italian, leads the route through the park's interior, passing the Fornelli Prison and the Castellaccio castle, then moving through Cala di Mackerel and Cala Reale to see the riding school where the island's famous white and gray donkeys live alongside horses and goats. The minivan stops at the small village of Cala d'Oliva to visit the former prison branch and its museum.

The longest stop comes at Cala Sabina, where you have roughly an hour and a half to swim, snorkel and rest in the clear water. Bring a mask and snorkel if you have them. The cove is the main reason many travelers book this tour. If conditions allow, the guide can arrange a visit to the Sea Turtle Recovery Centre (CRAMA) run by the Association: entry costs €3.00 per person, paid in cash on the spot. The return boat leaves Fornelli at 4:30 p.m. and arrives back in Stintino around 5 p.m.

The minivan and boat are included, as is the guide. Bring comfortable walking shoes, a swimsuit, sunscreen and at least two liters of water. A packed lunch and snacks are not provided, so plan to bring your own or eat before the tour. The municipal landing fee (€2.50 to €5.00 depending on the season) is paid in cash when you arrive on the island. Children under six and residents of Porto Torres are exempt from the fee.

What’s included

• Motorboat transfer from Stintino to Asinara and back.
• minivan exploration of Asinara National Park.
• live guide in English or Italian.
• visits to the Fornelli Prison, Castellaccio castle, Cala d'Oliva village and museum.
• roughly ninety minutes at Cala Sabina for swimming and snorkeling.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:00Last departure this season: 31 Oct

Book up to2d before

AgesAdult (11 and older) · Child (3 to 10 years) · Infant (under 3)

GroupUp to 8

Live guideEnglish and Italian

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsNo refund if you cancel.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Paid on site€ 7.50

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearby

Operated by MADE IN WORLD Agency

Is this one for you?Eight hours away from Stintino means you can fit this tour into a day trip from Alghero or another base on the coast, though you'll spend most of the daylight on the island itself. The long swimming stop at the end suits anyone who wants time in the water rather than a packed itinerary of stops.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Italian.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 10 years); Infant (under 3).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. No refund if you cancel.

What animals might I see on Asinara Island?

The island is home to free-roaming white and gray donkeys, horses, mouflons and various water and sea birds. The donkeys are the most famous residents and are often spotted near Cala Reale, where a riding school operates.

How much time do I actually get to swim at Cala Sabina?

Cala Sabina is the final stop and you have roughly an hour and a half there to swim, snorkel and relax before the return to Fornelli pier at 4:30 p.m.

What's included in the tour price, and what do I pay separately?

The tour includes the motorboat transfer from Stintino, the minivan ride through the park, the guide and visits to the prison facilities and Cala d'Oliva village. You pay separately for the municipal landing fee (€2.50 to €5.00 in cash, depending on season) and the Sea Turtle Recovery Centre admission (€3.00 in cash if you choose to visit). Lunch and water are not provided.

Do I need to bring snorkeling gear, or is it provided?

Snorkeling gear is not provided. Bring your own mask and snorkel if you want to use them at Cala Sabina. The guide recommends having them but does not supply them.

What if the motorboat isn't available? How does the transfer work then?

In low season, if the motorboat Ausonia is not running, you travel on a 12-seater inflatable boat with a skipper, also departing from Stintino. The operator will contact you by email or phone the day before if this change applies to your tour.