Tavolara & Molara: Dinghy Excursion with Local Skipper

Summary

Swim in Sardinia’s wildest waters and hear real stories from Tavolara locals

You’ll ride a dinghy from Cala Suaraccia with a local skipper who knows every cove by heart, swim in Molara’s natural pools among curious fish, walk along Spalmatore beach on Tavolara, and end with one last dip at Turtle bay—plus all those little stories and salty laughs along the way.

What’s the experience like?

I nearly lost my hat to the wind before we even left Cala Suaraccia. Our skipper—Gianni, who looked like he’d been born with salt on his skin—just grinned and tied it down for me. “You’ll need both hands free,” he said, pointing out toward Tavolara’s jagged outline. I didn’t expect the dinghy to bounce so much over the water; it felt like riding a stubborn horse, but wetter. The air smelled sharp and clean, with that weird mix of seaweed and sunscreen.

First stop: Proratora Cave at Capo Coda Cavallo. Gianni slowed the boat and started telling us about smugglers hiding out here ages ago. His English was good but sometimes he’d slip into Italian, waving his hands around to fill in the gaps. I liked that. Inside the cave it was cooler, almost echoey—someone joked about pirates but honestly, I just stared at the way the light hit the rocks underwater. It’s hard to describe those colors without sounding fake.

We swam at Molara’s natural pools next, surrounded by these tiny darting fish that came right up if you stayed still (I tried not to shriek when one brushed my ankle). The water was so clear it made my eyes ache a bit—like looking through glass you could actually touch. Afterward we circled under Tavolara’s massive wall—felt small in a good way—and then stopped for an hour at Spalmatore beach. Some folks wandered off barefoot; I just sat on a rock eating salty crackers from my bag, watching Gianni chat with another skipper in Sardinian dialect I couldn’t follow at all.

Last swim was at Turtle bay in Cala Girgolu. By then my hair was stiff with salt and everyone had that sleepy look you get after too much sun and swimming. On the way back Gianni pointed out some birds nesting on the cliffs—I missed most of what he said because I was thinking about how quiet everything felt out there compared to town. Still think about that silence sometimes.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Guided marine area excursion

• Start trip from Cala Suaraccia
• Stop at Proratora Cave
• Swim at Molara natural pools
• View Tavolara crag wall
• Stop at Tavolara beach
• Walk along Spalmatore beach
• Swim at Tartle bay Cala Girgolu

Top questions

Where does the Tavolara excursion start?

The trip starts from Cala Suaraccia.

Are there swimming stops during this dinghy tour?

Yes, there are swim stops at Molara’s natural pools and Turtle bay.

Is lunch included on this Tavolara excursion?

No, lunch is not included; bring your own snacks if needed.

How long do you stop at Tavolara beach?

You stop for about 1 hour at Spalmatore beach on Tavolara island.

Is this excursion suitable for infants or people with limited mobility?

Infants must sit on an adult’s lap; not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries or pregnant travelers.

Are service animals allowed on this tour?

Yes, service animals are allowed.

Does this include pickup or just meet-up at departure?

The excursion includes skipper and gasoline but does not mention hotel pickup; meet at Cala Suaraccia.

What language does the guide speak?

The local skippers speak Italian and some English.

What’s included

Your day includes guided navigation by an expert local skipper who provides stories along the way, all fuel for the dinghy covered so you don’t have to worry about extra costs, plus plenty of time for swimming stops and exploring beaches before returning to Cala Suaraccia.