San Pietro Island & Carloforte tour: Private ferry & swim

Volcanic cliffs, Ligurian culture, and a swim in topaz water off Sardinia's southern coast

A private tour of San Pietro Island and Carloforte from Chia in southern Sardinia, with hotel pickup and a 40-minute ferry crossing. A local guide leads a hop-on hop-off tour of the island, stopping at named sites like the Columns (two 16-meter cliffs that plunge into the sea), and the 18th-century town center founded by Genoese coral fishers. You get time to swim and take photographs before the return ferry and drive back to your hotel.

Step-by-step itinerary

San Pietro Island private tour and swim

• Hotel pick-up in Domus de Maria and Chia
• Drive to Calasetta
• Ferry to San Pietro Island
• Guided island tour of Carloforte
• Stop to swim in the sea
• Visit historical center of Carloforte
• Return drive to hotel

The experience

The Columns (two volcanic cliffs 16 meters high rising straight from the water) anchor the island's most photographed stretch of coast. The tour starts with hotel pickup in the Chia area and a scenic drive to Calasetta, where you board the ferry for a 40-minute crossing to San Pietro Island. Once there, a local guide takes you on a hop-on hop-off route, stopping at spots like Bobba beach and Cala Fico, where the seafloor is thick with fish. The guide knows the island's history (how Ligurian families from Genoa and Tunisia colonized it in the 1700s and left their language and customs intact), and will share that context as you move through the day.

Swimming is built into the itinerary. You choose when and where to stop for it. The island's interior is hilly and planted with juniper and pine, volcanic in origin, and the guide will point out peregrine falcons and dolphins if they appear. The historical center of Carloforte, founded by around 30 coral fishers in the 18th century, sits on the island and preserves that Ligurian heritage in its architecture and street life. After the tour, the guide drives you back to the ferry and then to your hotel, a full day that runs 10 to 11 hours from pickup to drop-off.

Transport is by air-conditioned minivan with free wifi. The ferry itself is included. Bottled water and hotel pickup in the Chia area are part of the booking. The tour is private, so the pace and stops are shaped by your interests, and the guide will tailor the experience to what you want to see and learn.

What’s included

• Transport by air-conditioned minivan with free wifi.
• hotel pickup and drop-off in the Chia area.
• ferry crossing to San Pietro Island.
• hop-on hop-off guided tour of the island.
• bottled water.
• professional guide in English, Italian, Portuguese or French.
• insurance.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:00

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (9 and older) · Child (3 to 8 years) · Infant (under 3): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, French, Italian and Portuguese

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight 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.

Prices and times updated 3 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleStroller-friendlyInfant seats availableNot recommended with heart problems

Operated by Bitan Daily Tours

Is this one for you?Hotel pickup in the Chia area means you don't need a car to reach the ferry. The minivan collects you and handles the drive to Calasetta, so the day works whether you're staying in the south or renting without transport. The private format lets you set the pace and choose where to swim, rather than following a fixed schedule with a larger group.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, French, Italian and Portuguese.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 8 years); Infant (under 3): free.

What is Carloforte and why does it feel different from the rest of Sardinia?

Carloforte is the main town on San Pietro Island, founded in the 18th century by around 30 coral fishers from Genoa who had been living in Tabarka, Tunisia. It preserves Ligurian language, customs, and culture because of that colonial history, so the architecture, food, and way of life reflect Liguria rather than the Sardinian mainland.

How long is the ferry ride to San Pietro Island?

The ferry crossing from Calasetta to San Pietro Island takes around 40 minutes. The ferry is included in the tour, and you depart after the scenic drive from your hotel in the Chia area.

What are the Columns and where do you see them?

The Columns are two volcanic cliffs 16 meters high that rise straight from the sea on the island's coast. They are one of the most photographed spots on the tour and provide a dramatic backdrop for pictures of the topaz-colored water.

Will I have time to swim during the tour?

Yes, the tour includes stops where you can swim in the sea. The guide leads a hop-on hop-off route, so you choose which beaches or coves to stop at and how long to spend in the water.

What wildlife might I see on San Pietro Island?

The guide will look for dolphins and peregrine falcons during the tour. The coasts around Bobba and Cala Fico are also known for colorful fish in the shallows, visible from the water or from the shore.