Tavolara & Molara: 5-Island Boat Tour from San Teodoro

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Free cancellation

1/13

Duration6h 30m

GroupUp to 30

LanguagesEN · IT +1

Mobile ticketAccepted

Five islands, nine stops, one boat—the Sardinian coast the way locals see it.

You board at La Cinta Beach and visit five islands in one day: Tavolara, Molara, Isola Cana, Ruia, and Coda Cavallo, with nine stops for swimming, snorkeling, and photos. The skipper is a lifeguard who navigates the marine reserve and explains the caves and rock formations. Fuel, landing fees and facilities are included; you bring your own snorkeling gear and lunch, or eat at the beach restaurant on Tavolara.

6h 30m

Step-by-step itinerary

5 Island and Beach Tour from La Cinta

Depart from La Cinta Beach
Photo stop at Punta Aldia camp
Stop at Cala Brandinchi for swimming
Pass Punta della Guardia and Lu Impostu beach
Sail past Ruia Island near Salina Bamba
Visit Lu Furru cave for photos and swim
Swim and snorkel at Molara Island pools
Stop at Cala Spagnola
Explore Tavolara Island caves and rock formations
Swim and free time at Spalmatore di Tavolara beach
Sail to Isola Cana for photos and swim
Visit Cala Girgolu and Cala delle Vacche for snorkeling
Anchor at Coda Cavallo cove for swimming
Return to La Cinta Beach

The Experience

The boat leaves La Cinta Beach and within minutes you're past the day-trippers. This isn't a crowded beach tour; it's a working route through the Tavolara marine reserve, where the skipper—also a qualified lifeguard—knows which caves reflect light like cathedrals and where the fish gather. You'll stop at Cala Brandinchi first, the beach with the daily visitor limit, and the reason becomes obvious the moment you see the water. Then it's Punta della Guardia, where locals once spotted pirate ships, and Lu Impostu beyond it. The boat moves steadily; you're not rushed, but you're not lingering either.

The five-island tour around Sardinia hits the landmarks most people miss. Ruia Island sits across from Salina Bamba, then you round Capo Coda Cavallo toward Lu Furru—locals call it "The Oven"—a cave with a hole in the roof that throws light onto the water in ways that make you forget your phone for a moment. Molara Island's natural pools are the turquoise you see in photos, except you're actually in them, snorkeling where the water stays that color because almost nobody knows to come here. The skipper will tell you about the Cathedral Cave at Tavolara, the Eye of God formation, and the Ghigliottina Cave (you see it from a distance—it's in the protected zone). At Spalmatore beach on Tavolara, there's a restaurant and time to walk to the vanishing beach if you want lunch ashore.

After Tavolara comes Isola Cana with its own clear pools, then Cala Girgolu, where granite rocks sculpted by centuries of wind and water have names—the Turtle, the Coffee Pot, the Dromedary, the Eagle, the Cat. You stop to swim and snorkel at each one. The final anchor is Coda Cavallo, a sheltered cove where the water is so calm it feels deliberate, and then you head back. Bring snorkeling gear if you have it, sunscreen (the sun reflects off the water), a towel, and lunch if you don't want to eat at Tavolara. The skipper organizes boats by age—families with young children on one boat, younger travelers on another—so the rhythm stays comfortable for whoever's aboard. Children under five don't come; kids five to seventeen need an adult with them.

What’s included

Your day includes the boat, skipper guidance, landing and facility fees at each island, and fuel surcharge.
Snorkeling gear is not included—bring your own or arrange a rental.
Lunch is your choice: pack it, or eat at Tavolara's restaurant or beach kiosk.
GST is included in the price.

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Mediomare

Is this one for you?Right for travelers staying in or near San Teodoro who want to see multiple islands and caves without arranging their own boat or navigating the marine reserve alone. The full day out—nine stops across five islands—is what makes skipping the main beaches and reaching the quieter coves possible in one trip.