Tavolara and Molara boat tour: Half-day swim and snorkel

Drift through turquoise waters with easy beach access and shade on deck

A half-day boat tour around Tavolara and Molara in Sardinia, with a live guide in English or Italian, stops for swimming and snorkeling at five named sites, and a maximum of eight passengers per boat. You swim at the Doctor beach, pass Tavolara's cliffs and the Grotta della Madonnina, spend time in the Molara Pools, and finish with a dip at Horse Island before returning to Porto San Paolo.

Step-by-step itinerary

Boat tour around Tavolara and Molara

• Navigate 15 minutes to Doctor beach
• Swim and have coffee at Doctor beach
• Pass Tavolara bay and admire beaches
• View Dolomia cliffs on south side
• Stop at Ear of Ulysses for photos
• Swim and relax at Molara Pools
• Enjoy coffee, sweets, and fresh fruit
• Return passing Isola Rossa
• Stop for a dip at Horse Island

The experience

The boat leaves Porto San Paolo and reaches the Doctor beach, or the three Sisters, after 15 minutes, where you swim in transparent water and have coffee with a view. From there the route passes Tavolara's bay to show you the mountain descending to the sea, then heads south to the Dolomia cliffs, which wind and water have carved into shapes worth photographing. The Grotta della Madonnina, also called the Ear of Ulysses, is the next stop: you stay on the boat to see the cliffs and take pictures from the water.

The Molara Pools are the anchor of the afternoon or morning. You swim among the fish in water so clear it barely seems there, then rest on deck with coffee, Sardinian sweets and fresh fruit. Before heading back toward Porto San Paolo, the boat makes one more stop at Horse Island, a small island with a bright blue bay where you get one final swim. The return passes Isola Rossa on the way home. The boat itself carries shade for every seat, a fresh water shower to rinse off salt, and a comfortable ladder to climb in and out of the water: details that matter when you are wet and the sun is high.

You choose the morning or afternoon departure at checkout. The boat holds a maximum of eight people, so the pace stays unhurried and the guide can answer questions as you move between stops. Snorkeling masks are provided. Coffee, tea, snacks and fresh fruit are included. WiFi is available on board.

What’s included

• Snorkeling mask.
• coffee and tea.
• snacks and fresh fruit.
• WiFi on board.
• fuel.
• fresh water shower on the boat.
• live guide in English or Italian.

Options for this experience

2 options

Half-day tour in the morningGuide in English or Italian · Available from 9 Jun 20279:30am to 1:30pm

Half-day tour in the afternoonGuide in English or Italian · Available from 9 Jun 20272pm to 6pm

You pick the guide language when booking.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesNext departure: 9 Jun 2027

Book up to2h before

AgesAdult (11 to 90 years) · Child (3 to 10 years) · Infant (under 3): free

GroupUp to 16 · max 8 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. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportPublic transport nearby

Operated by Sole Sale Sardinia

Is this one for you?Choose the morning departure if you want to swim and snorkel early in the day when the sun is lower and the water is calmest. Pick the afternoon tour if you prefer to spend your morning elsewhere and join the boat later. The boat holds only eight people, so the stops never feel crowded and the guide can move at a pace that lets you actually see what you came for.

Traveler reviews

4.94★★★★★★★★★★

16 verified traveler reviews

Read all the reviews ›

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 the Molara Pools actually like for swimming?

Molara Pools is known for crystal clear water where you can see fish while swimming. The boat stops there for a longer break, giving you time to swim and then rest on deck with refreshments before moving on.

Do I need my own snorkeling gear or is it provided?

Snorkeling masks are included with the tour. You do not need to bring your own, though you can if you prefer.

Can I book a morning or afternoon departure, and does it matter which one I choose?

You choose between a morning half-day tour and an afternoon half-day tour at checkout. Both follow the same route and stops. The difference is the time of day, so pick whichever fits the rest of your schedule in Sardinia.

Is the boat accessible if I use a wheelchair?

The boat is wheelchair accessible and transportation options nearby are wheelchair accessible. If you have specific accessibility needs, contact the operator before booking to confirm what the boat can accommodate for your situation.