Sardinia Sailing: Tavolara & Molara with Lunch & Snorkeling
Sail to Sardinia's Smallest Kingdom & Swim in Turquoise Bays
You board at San Teodoro port at 9:45 and spend the next seven to eight hours sailing between Tavolara and Molara islands, swimming in protected bays with turquoise water and white sand. Lunch and snorkeling gear are included, along with wine, beer, and local Sardinian aperitifs. The boat holds a maximum of ten people, which keeps the day feeling unhurried rather than crowded. You return around 5:30pm.
Step-by-step itinerary
Sailing and swimming around Tavolara
- Depart from San Teodoro port
- Swim at Cala Brandinchi beach
- Enjoy aperitif and lunch near Tavolara beach
- Swim at Molara swimming pools
- Sail in Tavolara-Punta Coda Cavallo marine area
- Watch dolphins while sailing
- Return to San Teodoro port
What’s included
Your day includes hotel or port pickup (arrange separately), departure at 9:45am from San Teodoro, swimming and snorkeling at Cala Brandinchi and Molara in the protected marine area, an aperitif with Vermentino wine and typical Sardinian products, a full lunch prepared on board with local dishes, snorkeling equipment, coffee and tea, and an afternoon sail in search of dolphins before returning around 5:30pm. Beer and myrtle liqueur are also available on board.
Next departure: 1 Jun 2027
Information
7-8 hour sailing tour from San Teodoro to Tavolara and Molara islands. Includes lunch, snorkeling gear, wine and aperitifs. Dolphin watching and swimming. Departs 9:45am.
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The experience
"How deep is the water here?" someone asks, leaning over the rail as the 13-meter sailing ship cuts toward Cala Brandinchi. The captain doesn't answer right away. He's watching the color shift from pale jade to that impossible turquoise that photographs never quite capture. You're three hours into the day, and the boat has already stopped twice: once for an aperitif with Vermentino wine and local Sardinian products on the deck, and once to let people slip into the water at Molara, where the sea is so clear you can see straight down. The swimming happens in bays that feel private, even though you're part of a group of no more than ten.
The sailing tour from San Teodoro departs at 9:45 and doesn't return until around 5:30, which sounds long until you realize how much ground, or water, that covers. You'll anchor near Tavolara, the island that holds the title of world's smallest kingdom (a real thing, not a marketing invention), and spend time in the protected marine area that stretches 76 kilometers along the coast. Lunch arrives on board: not a sandwich, but proper hot food prepared in the galley, Sardinian dishes with local flavors, followed by coffee or tea. The snorkeling equipment is there if you want it, but plenty of people just float and look down at the seabed. In the afternoon, the sail turns into a dolphin watch. They show up often enough in this area that it's not a maybe, more of a when.
What makes this different from a speedboat tour is the pace. You're under sail most of the day, which means no engine roar, no rushing between stops. The itinerary can shift if the weather turns (the captain has the final say on that), but the structure stays the same: swim, eat, snorkel, sail, watch for dolphins, return. Families bring kids, groups book it together, and the boat stays small enough that you're not crammed in. If you have food intolerances or dietary needs, bring a packed lunch. The kitchen can only manage vegetarian or no-fish options, and the boat's not equipped for complex allergies.
Top questions
What languages is the tour guided in?
Live guide in English, Spanish and Italian.
Can children come?
Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 9 years); Infant (under 3).
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 time does the boat leave and return?
Departure is 9:45am from San Teodoro port, with return around 5:30pm. The full excursion is 7–8 hours.
Is lunch included?
Yes. Lunch with typical Sardinian dishes is prepared and served on board, along with coffee or tea.
Can I snorkel?
Yes. Snorkeling equipment is provided, and you'll have time to snorkel in the turquoise waters at multiple stops.
What if I have a food allergy?
The boat's kitchen cannot manage complex allergies or intolerances. You're welcome to bring your own packed lunch. Only vegetarian or no-fish options can be prepared on board.
How many people are on the boat?
Maximum 10 participants, which keeps the group small and the experience more relaxed.
Will we see dolphins?
Dolphins often visit this marine area in the afternoon. The captain sails in search of them, though sightings are not guaranteed.
What drinks are included?
Vermentino white wine, beer, myrtle liqueur (a typical Sardinian product), bottled water, and tea or coffee.
Can the itinerary change?
Yes. The captain may adjust the route based on weather conditions to ensure safe navigation. The stops and activities remain the same.
Is there a public transport option to the port?
Public transportation options are available near San Teodoro port.
Operated by Sardinia Sailing Tour. Explorevia does not run this tour: we compare it with similar options, and you book it with our booking partner.
Prices and times updated 9 days ago
Sardinia Sailing: Tavolara & Molara with Lunch & Snorkeling
7h–8h · EN · ES · IT
from € 129 per person
≈ US$ 145 in your currency
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