TAVOLARA TOUR WITH 15 METERS VINTAGE SAILBOAT WITH APERITIF

The best part of this day on the water is the boat itself. Dulcemar is a 15-meter wooden sailboat built in 1968, with teak decks, mahogany laminate, sun loungers, shaded seating, and the relaxed feel of an old Mediterranean cruiser. You spend the day around Tavolara and Molara, where clear water, pale sand, and fish make swimming the main event.

I like the small group of no more than nine people, which gives the day a calm, personal feel instead of a crowded excursion-boat mood. I also like the generous food and drink package: Sardinian cold cuts and cheese, finger food, snacks, coffee, Vermentino or Prosecco, and a local digestive are included.

The main consideration is that this is not a sailing-school trip. The engine may do much of the work, and one past outing did not sail because of concerns about the mast fittings. The day can also end around 5:00 pm rather than the advertised 5:30 to 6:00 pm, so allow for some flexibility.

The five details that shape the day

• Dulcemar is a 1968 vintage boat: Carlo Sciarrelli designed the vessel, and a 2021 refit added modern safety, navigation, comfort, and marine-park equipment.
• You get four or five swim stops: The route includes Tavolara, Molara, Cala Girgolu, Isola Cavalli, and Piana, with time for snorkeling and photos.
• The group stays small: A maximum of nine participants makes the boat easier to enjoy and gives you more room on deck.
• Lunch is part of the experience: Expect an aperitif, Sardinian cold cuts and cheese, finger food, snacks, coffee, and either Vermentino or Prosecco DOCG.
• Porto San Paolo is the base: Check in at 9:00 am for a 9:30 am departure from the tourist harbor near the Tavolara ferry boarding point.
• Bring your own water and towel: Some water is included, but you should carry a fresh bottle for your needs throughout the day.

Why Dulcemar makes the boat ride special

Many boat trips in Sardinia focus only on getting you from one beach to the next. Dulcemar gives the day a stronger sense of character. Its wooden hull, teak deck, outdoor cushions, rear chairs, music system, and older design create a slower, more classic feeling.

The boat was designed by Carlo Sciarrelli and built by the Craglietto shipyard. Its 2021 refit added a Volvo Penta 130-horsepower auxiliary engine, GPS chart plotter, radar, VHF radio, graphic echo sounder, electric toilet, black-water tank, swim ladders, outdoor shower, fridge, freezer, and awning.

That mix matters. You get the charm of an older sailboat without giving up basic modern equipment. The bathroom is suitable for entry into marine parks, and the shaded areas help during a long day in strong Sardinian sun.

The vessel carries up to nine people, so you are not dealing with the scale of a large excursion boat. You can move between sun and shade, settle into a rear chair, and reach the swimming ladder without a long queue.

The tradeoff is equally important. If your main goal is to spend the day under full sail, this may disappoint. At least one outing used the engine rather than sailing, and another passenger felt the boat was not ideal for a dedicated sailing experience. Think of Dulcemar as a vintage motor-assisted sailboat for coastal sightseeing and swimming, not as a technical sailing lesson.

Starting at Porto San Paolo

The meeting point is at Porto San Paolo tourist harbor on Via Caprera, near the pier used for ferries to Tavolara. Check-in is at 9:00 am, with departure planned for 9:30 am.

Give yourself extra time to find the exact pier. The meeting point has caused some confusion, and one departure was delayed because the location was not clear. The skipper waits on the dock, but it is still smart to confirm the precise boarding spot before the morning of your trip.

Parking near the harbor may be paid, and you should carry cash in case the parking arrangement requires it. This is a small detail, but it can save you from a rushed start.

Once aboard, the day follows a relaxed rhythm: short stretches on the water, time to swim and snorkel, a long food break, and more swimming before returning to Porto San Paolo. The advertised schedule runs for eight hours, although the return can be closer to 5:00 pm on some days.

Tavolara and the first swim stops

The waters around Tavolara are the setting for the day. The island rises sharply from the sea, giving the boat a memorable backdrop as you move along the coast. The exact order of stops can change with conditions, but the main appeal remains the same: short passages and plenty of time in the water.

At the early stops, you can swim, snorkel, take photos, and watch marine life from the surface. Snorkeling equipment is included, so you do not need to pack your own mask and fins unless you prefer using familiar gear.

Tavolara is especially good for the views. The island gives the route a dramatic focal point, while nearby coves shift from turquoise to green and then to pale, almost clear water over white sand.

Do not expect a long guided visit on land. This is a boat-based day, and the emphasis is on coves, sea views, swimming, and snorkeling rather than walking around the islands. If you want extensive history or a structured lecture at every stop, you may find the commentary light.

The guides communicate in Italian, English, Spanish, and French. Past departures have included skippers named Peppe and Giuliano, but your skipper may be different. Peppe was praised for being friendly, helpful, and willing to communicate across a language barrier. Giuliano was described as relaxed and attentive, keeping the music playing and the drinks and food moving.

Molara’s clear water and marine life

Molara is likely to be the high point for swimmers. The area known as the Molara Pools has shallow, clear water and plenty of fish. The boat stops so you can get in with the snorkeling gear, swim around the hull, and look down toward the seabed.

Conditions matter here. Current can be stronger in some areas, and one passenger felt the boat could have moored closer to the islands instead of remaining in higher-current water. That means you should be comfortable in open water and pay attention to the skipper’s instructions.

This stop is less about polished beach facilities and more about the water itself. You will not have a café, changing room, or organized beach setup. Use the boat’s swim ladder, outdoor shower, and shaded deck as your base.

The boat has storage for customer bags, but keep your day bag compact. A towel, water, sun protection, and a dry change of clothing are the useful basics. The deck can become wet after each swim, so avoid bringing anything you do not want exposed to spray.

Cala Girgolu and the long food break

Cala Girgolu receives the longest stop, around two hours. This is where the day shifts from a series of swimming pauses into a proper onboard break with food and drinks.

The included spread is built around an aperitif rather than a formal restaurant meal. You can expect finger food, Sardinian cold cuts, a cheese board, snacks, still and sparkling water, coffee, and fresh Vermentino or Prosecco DOCG. A Sardinian digestive is served at the end of the lunch break.

This is a strong value point. At $106 per person, you are paying for eight hours on a vintage boat, fuel, skipper, insurance, snorkeling equipment, several swim stops, and a substantial food and drink service. Buying a separate boat outing and then paying for lunch and drinks along the coast could quickly approach the same cost.

The food is not necessarily a showcase of Sardinian cooking. One past passenger found the pasta basic and hoped for a meal that felt more distinctly local. You should book this expecting an attractive aperitif and generous snacks, not a multi-course Sardinian tasting menu.

The drinks are a highlight, but this is not an open bar. Vermentino, Prosecco, coffee, water, and the listed food are included. Bring extra water for yourself, especially if you are swimming often or visiting during hot weather. Alcohol and drugs are not allowed beyond the drinks provided as part of the tour.

Isola Cavalli and Piana before the return

Isola Cavalli is one of the route’s quieter water stops. The plan allows time for photos, swimming, snorkeling, marine-life viewing, and a short sail or cruise between locations.

You can expect the rhythm to remain informal. There is no pressure to leave the water after a few minutes, and the small group helps keep the stop from feeling hurried. If you prefer to stay dry, you can use the deck, shade, and seating while others swim.

Isola Piana is the final stop before Porto San Paolo. It gives you one more chance to swim and cool off before the return trip. The final stop is useful because it keeps the afternoon from ending immediately after lunch.

The route includes four or five swim stops, but the precise timing depends on sea conditions, anchoring space, and the skipper’s judgment. That flexibility is normal for a boat day. You should not expect every stop to last exactly the stated amount of time.

Sun, swimming, and comfort on deck

This is an outdoor day with long exposure to sun. Bring a towel, a bottle of water, and sun cream. The operator prohibits sunscreen with a protection factor of 50 or higher because it can stain the boat’s furnishings and cushions. Follow that rule, and avoid applying greasy products immediately before boarding.

The boat has an awning, cushions, sun loungers, rear chairs, and an outdoor freshwater shower. Those features make a real difference over eight hours. You can rinse off salt after swimming and move between sun and shade.

The tour is not recommended for children under five, people prone to seasickness, or people with pre-existing medical conditions. Even on a calm day, an eight-hour boat trip can be tiring, and swimming stops require a reasonable level of comfort in open water.

If you are prone to seasickness, consider whether the vintage boat, engine noise, and changing sea conditions will suit you. The short passages between stops help, but they do not remove the possibility of motion.

Is $106 a fair price?

For this route, $106 is a reasonable price if you value the boat and the food package. You are not simply buying transport to a beach. The cost covers the skipper, fuel, insurance, snorkeling equipment, four or five swim stops, onboard food, wine, Prosecco, coffee, water, and use of a distinctive 15-meter boat for most of a day.

The small group improves the value. A limit of nine people gives you more space than a large day boat and makes the experience feel closer to a shared private charter. On one past departure, only one booking group was aboard, creating an even more private setup, but you should not assume that will happen on your date.

The value drops if you want serious sailing, detailed island commentary, or a full Sardinian lunch. The trip may use the engine, explanations can be limited, and the food leans toward aperitif plates and simple pasta rather than a carefully planned regional meal.

The rating is strong at 4.6 out of 5 from 21 ratings, with especially warm praise for the boat, the friendly skippers, the beautiful water, the swim stops, the food, and the relaxed atmosphere. The recurring cautions are practical: unclear meeting details, a possible early return, higher currents at one anchorage, and the possibility of limited sailing.

Who should book this day on Dulcemar?

I would choose this trip if you want a small-group coastal day with swimming, snorkeling, wine, and a boat that has real character. It suits couples, friends, and adults who prefer a slower outing to a packed beach transfer.

It is also a good fit if you care about comfort during a long day at sea. The awning, bathroom, shower, cushions, swim ladder, fridge, and storage make the boat more usable than a bare open-deck craft.

I would look elsewhere if you want a strenuous sailing experience, a detailed cultural tour, or a guaranteed return at exactly 5:30 or 6:00 pm. You should also reconsider if you dislike open-water swimming, suffer badly from seasickness, or need a formal meal with several courses.

Book at least one day ahead if you want flexibility, since cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure and the reserve-now, pay-later option keeps your plans open. Before leaving your accommodation, confirm the exact pier and pack your towel, water, and suitable sun protection.

The final call

Book Dulcemar for the combination of classic wooden boat, clear swimming water, small group, and generous aperitif. The most memorable parts are likely to be the Molara swim, the views around Tavolara, and the relaxed lunch break with Vermentino or Prosecco.

Skip it if your idea of a perfect boat day means sailing under canvas all day or eating an elaborate regional lunch. For most people seeking a comfortable, good-value day around Sardinia’s northeast coast, the boat’s character and easy pace make the $106 price sensible.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The tour starts at Porto San Paolo tourist harbor on Via Caprera, near the ferry boarding point for Tavolara. The skipper waits on the pier.

What time should I arrive?

Check-in is at 9:00 am, and departure is scheduled for 9:30 am.

What time does the tour finish?

The planned return is around 5:30 to 6:00 pm, although one past departure returned at about 5:00 pm.

How many people can join the boat tour?

The group is limited to nine participants.

Which places does the boat visit?

The route includes Porto San Paolo, Tavolara, Molara, Cala Girgolu, Isola Cavalli, and Isola Piana. The day includes four or five swim stops.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included in the tour price.

Is food included?

Yes. The package includes an aperitif, finger food, Sardinian cold cuts and cheese, snacks, coffee, still and sparkling water, and either fresh Vermentino or Prosecco DOCG.

Is this an open bar?

No. The tour includes the drinks listed in the package, but it is not an open bar. Bring your own fresh water for your needs during the day.

What should I bring?

Bring a towel and water. You should also bring suitable sun cream, keeping in mind that sunscreen with a protection factor of 50 or higher is prohibited because it can stain the boat.

Who should not take this tour?

The tour is not suitable for children under five, people prone to seasickness, or people with pre-existing medical conditions.