Boat tour to Tavolara and Molara: Lunch and snorkeling

Anchor yourself in the archipelago for a morning or afternoon at sea

A small-group boat tour in Sardinia visits Tavolara and Molara islands over six and a half hours, with a skipper guiding stops at named bays and limestone formations. You swim and snorkel at each stop, disembark on Tavolara for an hour, and eat a homemade fish lunch in a secluded cove. The boat carries no more than eight passengers and includes snorkeling mask, wine, fresh fruit and water.

Step-by-step itinerary

Boat tour to Tavolara and Molara

• Meet at starting point
• Stop at Spiaggia del Dottore bay
• Disembark for island visit
• Visit cliffs and Madonna's arch
• Lunch and swim at Molara cove
• Visit most visited bay
• Stop for dip at enchanting bay
• Last stop at Horse Island bay
• Return to arrival point

The experience

The tour departs from a meeting point in the Tavolara area and heads first to Spiaggia del Dottore, a small bay where few boats can anchor. You disembark here for about an hour to explore the island on foot. From there the boat sails south along Tavolara's cliffs to the Arch of the Madonna, also called the Ear of Ulysses, a sea-carved limestone formation that rises from the water. The skipper points out how wind and waves have shaped the rock over time.

The route then moves to Molara, where you stop in a secluded cove for lunch: homemade fish (or vegetarian if requested in advance), Sardinian wine, local sweets, fresh fruit, coffee, juice and water are served on board. After eating, the boat visits other bays in the archipelago known for swimming and snorkeling. You bring a mask and can dip in the water at each stop. Weather and sea conditions permitting, a final stop at Horse Island rounds out the day before the return to the meeting point. The boat has a spacious sundeck, shade for all seats, a fresh water shower and a comfortable ladder for entering and exiting the water.

The skipper speaks English or Italian and leads the tour at a pace built around swimming and exploring rather than rushing between sites. WiFi is available on board. Groups stay under eight passengers, so the boat feels intimate and the stops less crowded than larger tour boats visit.

What’s included

• Snorkeling mask.
• homemade fish or vegetarian lunch with Sardinian wine, local sweets, fresh fruit, coffee, juice and water.
• skipper-led tour in English or Italian.
• WiFi on board.
• fuel and all fees and taxes.

Before you book

Days and timesNext departure: 9 Jun 2027

Book up to10h before

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

GroupUp to 16 · max 9 per booking

Live guideEnglish and Italian

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

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.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.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportPublic transport nearby

Operated by Sole Sale Sardinia

Is this one for you?At six and a half hours, the tour fills a full morning or afternoon and leaves the rest of your day free for other activities in Sardinia. The small boat size, eight passengers maximum, means you get to each stop before the larger groups arrive and can linger in the water without feeling rushed.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Italian.

Can children come?

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

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is Spiaggia del Dottore and why do you stop there first?

Spiaggia del Dottore is a small bay on Tavolara that can only fit a few boats at once. The tour heads there first so you get to explore the island before larger groups arrive. You spend about an hour walking and swimming there.

Can I snorkel on this tour?

Yes. A snorkeling mask is included, and you stop at several bays and coves where you can swim and snorkel. The boat has a ladder and fresh water shower to rinse off after each stop.

What does the lunch include?

Lunch is homemade fish (or vegetarian if you request it when booking), Sardinian wine, local sweets, fresh fruit, coffee, juice and water, served on board in a secluded cove near Molara.

How many people go on the boat?

The boat carries a maximum of eight passengers, so the group stays small and the stops feel less crowded than larger tour boats.

What is the Arch of the Madonna?

The Arch of the Madonna, also called the Ear of Ulysses, is a limestone formation on the south side of Tavolara carved by sea and wind erosion. The boat sails past it so you can see the arch from the water.