Olbia: Dolphin Watching & Snorkeling Tour with Sardinian Snack

Summary

Dolphin watching boat trip olbia snorkeling figarolo island

You’ll set off from Olbia’s marina for dolphin watching with local guides who know every fin in the bay. Snorkel twice—in Figarolo’s clear waters and Cala Moresca’s colorful bay—then relax with Sardinian snacks on deck as cliffs tower nearby. Expect laughter, salty air, and moments that linger long after you dry off.

What’s the experience like?

I’ll admit, I almost dropped my phone in the marina when I first spotted the dolphins—wasn’t expecting them to show up so quickly. Our guide, Matteo, just grinned and said, “They like this spot,” like it was no big deal. The boat left from Moys Marina in Olbia, and honestly, the air smelled like salt and sunscreen (and maybe a bit of engine oil). There were only a handful of us on board, which made it easy to ask questions—Matteo knew every dolphin by their fin shape. He pointed out one he called “Nonna” because she’s apparently been around forever.

The main keyword for me was dolphin watching tour Olbia—I’d read about bottlenose dolphins here but seeing them twist through the water right next to us felt different. They kept their distance but still seemed curious. We drifted close to Figarolo Island for our first snorkeling stop; the water was cold at first touch but clear enough to see little silver fish darting between rocks. I tried to say “starfish” in Italian—Matteo laughed and corrected me (“stella marina!”), which still makes me smile thinking back.

After that, we sailed past these huge cliffs at Capo Figari—wind picked up a bit, so everyone grabbed jackets or towels. There’s this cave locals call the “love cave”—I didn’t get the full story (my Italian is hopeless), but it looked dramatic against all that blue water. Last swim was in Cala Moresca bay—more fish than I could count, some yellow stripes flashing by my mask. On deck later, we shared a plate of pecorino cheese and local bread with iced tea (and beer for those who wanted). The snack tasted salty-sweet after swimming—maybe everything does when you’re sunburnt and tired in Sardinia.

I still think about how quiet it got sometimes out there—just waves slapping the hull and someone quietly pointing out birds overhead. If you’re looking for a day trip from Olbia that isn’t just sitting on a crowded beach, this one sticks with you. I didn’t get every detail right (still can’t pronounce Figarolo), but that’s part of why I’d do it again.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Dolphin watching and snorkeling tour

• Depart from Moys Marina port
• Search for wild bottlenose dolphins
• Enjoy snorkeling among colorful fish
• Swim and snorkel at Figarolo Island
• Admire limestone cave and cliffs
• Savor typical Sardinian aperitif on board

Top questions

How likely am I to see dolphins on this tour?

The chance of seeing wild bottlenose dolphins is about 80% according to the guides.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes, all snorkeling gear is included in your tour price.

Where does the dolphin watching tour depart from?

The boat leaves from Moys Marina tourist port in Olbia.

Are drinks or food included?

Yes, you’ll get an aperitif with typical Sardinian products plus soft drinks and local beer on board.

Can children join this tour?

Children under three years old are not allowed on board.

Is pickup available from hotels?

No hotel pickup is included; you meet directly at Moys Marina in Olbia.

What if the weather changes suddenly?

The itinerary may change based on marine weather conditions for safety reasons.

Are service animals allowed?

Yes, service animals are permitted on this boat tour.

What’s included

Your day includes departure from Olbia’s Moys Marina with free parking available, all fees and taxes covered, use of snorkeling equipment for both swim stops at Figarolo Island and Cala Moresca, guidance from an expert naturalist guide who shares stories along the way, plus soft drinks, iced tea or local beer and a Sardinian snack platter served right on deck before heading back to port.