Cagliari: Sailing tour to Devil’s Saddle aboard Merak

The best part of this Cagliari sailing trip is that you do not simply sit on a boat while someone points at the shore. Paolo invites you to help steer Merak, trim the sails, and understand what makes a sailboat move. After leaving Marina di Sant’Elmo, the usual route heads toward the white cliffs of Devil’s Saddle, where you can swim and snorkel in clear water.

I like the genuine sailing time and the small group, limited to nine people. I also like Paolo’s mix of sea skills, local history, and practical Sardinia tips. The main consideration is comfort: this is a proper sailing boat, not a large, steady sightseeing vessel. If you are prone to seasickness, take suitable medication one hour before departure.

Key points to know before you book

• Hands-on sailing: Paolo gives you a quick lesson and welcomes you at the wheel or helping with sail trim.
• Devil’s Saddle swim stop: Anchor below a high white cliff, swim among fish, and follow Paolo to a small cave with purple walls.
• Real wind-powered sailing: Engine use is kept to calm conditions, so the ride changes with the day’s wind.
• Small-group setting: Merak carries no more than nine participants, leaving room for conversation and individual attention.
• Local stories with the scenery: Paolo talks about Cagliari, Sardinian history, sailing, and places worth visiting on land.
• Useful timing tip: Morning trips are usually better for swimming, while afternoon departures often bring cooler, stronger winds for sailing.

Setting out from Marina di Sant’Elmo

You meet Paolo at Marina di Sant’Elmo, at Calata della Fiera, near Bacan Bar and directly in front of the blue metal gate. If you use Google Maps, the meeting point code is 642G+PXJ Cagliari. Allow enough time to find the marina area, since a smooth start matters when the departure point is inside a working harbor.

Once the mooring lines are released, Merak motors through the harbor. Paolo uses this quieter opening to explain basic safety rules and the simple principles of sailing. This is also one of the better moments to watch the water around the boat. Dolphins sometimes enter the harbor to feed on mullet, so keep your eyes open, though a sighting is never guaranteed.

Merak is a Beneteau First 33.7, a sailing yacht built for active sailing rather than passive transport. You should expect a boat that responds to wind and movement. That is part of the appeal, but it also means you need to listen to Paolo’s instructions and move carefully around the deck.

The group size makes a real difference here. With a maximum of nine people, you can ask questions without shouting across a crowded boat. Paolo has a warm, conversational style, and the trip can move easily from local history to sailing technique to personal stories about life at sea.

Learning how Merak sails

As soon as the boat reaches open water, Paolo raises the sails whenever conditions allow. He limits engine use to times when there is little or no wind, which gives you a more genuine sailing experience than a standard coastal cruise with sails raised mainly for show.

Paolo explains what the sails are doing and gives you a chance to take the wheel. You may also help trim them, meaning you adjust their position so they work better with the wind. You do not need previous sailing experience. The point is not to qualify as a sailor in four hours, but to understand the basic connection between wind, sail, and direction.

The experience changes with the weather. Light wind can produce a calm, gentle ride, while stronger afternoon breezes may make the sailing more active and cooler. That difference is useful when choosing a departure time. If swimming is your priority, the morning is usually the safer choice. If you care most about feeling the boat work under sail, an afternoon trip may offer more wind.

Do not expect a rigid performance lesson. Paolo adjusts the amount of instruction to the people aboard. You can stay relaxed and enjoy the views, or ask for more help at the wheel and more detail about sailing. That flexibility is one reason the trip suits both beginners and people who already know their way around a boat.

The run toward Devil’s Saddle

The normal destination is Sella del Diavolo, or Devil’s Saddle, the rocky promontory that gives this trip its name. Paolo tells the old legend behind the name as you approach, adding a layer of story to the cliffs rather than leaving you with scenery alone.

From the water, the promontory offers a strong visual change from the harbor. You see pale rock, open sea, and the curved coast around the Gulf of Cagliari. The setting is at its best when the boat is moving under sail, since the pace is slower and quieter than a motorboat ride.

The exact route depends on the wind and sea conditions. This is worth understanding before you book. A sailing trip cannot promise the same speed, angle, or sequence every day. The changing conditions are part of the activity, but anyone wanting a tightly timed sightseeing schedule may prefer a more fixed boat excursion.

Paolo uses the journey to point out local features and answer questions about Sardinia. His strong point is not just naming sights. He connects the coast to Cagliari’s past, local habits, and places you might want to visit after the boat returns to shore.

Swimming below the white cliff

At Devil’s Saddle, Merak anchors in a beautiful bay below a high white cliff. You get roughly an hour for swimming, snorkeling, and looking at marine life, with the exact balance shaped by the day’s sailing conditions.

The water is described as crystal clear, and fish gather near swimmers when food is offered. That can make the snorkeling stop especially lively, but you should keep expectations sensible. Fish sightings are likely in these waters, while a particular animal or quantity cannot be promised.

Paolo swims with the group to a small cave with purple walls. This is a particularly nice touch because it turns the swim into a short exploration rather than simply a jump from the boat. He can lend you an underwater case for your smartphone, allowing you to take pictures beneath the surface.

Bring a phone you are comfortable using around water and follow the instructions for the case. Saltwater and electronics are an uneasy pair, so a borrowed case is helpful but not a reason to take unnecessary risks with an expensive device.

Snorkeling masks and fins are included. Life jackets are available for children and for adults on request. You should still be comfortable getting into the water from the sailboat, as this is not an accessible shore-based swimming stop.

A simple Sardinian lunch on board

After swimming, Paolo serves a light sandwich with cheese and salami, along with drinks such as water, soft drinks, iced tea, Coke, Orangina, and beer. It is a practical meal for a half-day on the water, not a full restaurant lunch.

The food matters because swimming and sailing build an appetite, and you do not need to arrange a separate meal during the four-hour outing. Vegan and gluten-free needs can be accommodated if you specify them when booking. Do not wait until you step aboard to mention dietary restrictions.

The atmosphere is informal. You eat on the boat, with the coast still around you and the next stretch of sailing ahead. Alcohol is not allowed as a general passenger drink during the activity, despite beer being listed among the provided refreshment options, so clarify the current serving arrangement if that matters to you. In all cases, follow Paolo’s safety instructions.

Sailing past Poetto Beach

If time remains after the swim and lunch, Merak may sail in front of Poetto Beach. This section gives you a different view of one of Cagliari’s best-known coastal areas, with the beach seen from the Gulf rather than from land.

The route is not a promise, since wind and the time spent swimming affect what can fit into the four-hour outing. That flexibility is normal on a sailing trip. Paolo’s priority is to give you a good combination of safe sailing, time in the water, and conversation, not to race through every possible viewpoint.

There may also be a chance to see Luna Rossa, the fast Italian sailing boat that was practicing in the Gulf for the October 2024 America’s Cup. This is an occasional bonus, not a scheduled part of the tour, but the possibility adds interest for anyone who follows sailing.

What makes Paolo a strong guide

Paolo is the heart of the experience. He is an experienced sailor who clearly enjoys explaining how the boat works, but his role extends beyond handling the yacht. He shares local stories, historical details, suggestions for places to visit, and personal experiences connected to the sea.

I would book this for someone who wants conversation rather than a recorded commentary. Paolo’s style is personal and adaptable. You can ask about Sardinia, Cagliari, sailing, or the coast, and he creates an atmosphere where a four-hour trip feels tailored to the people aboard.

The language options are English, Italian, and Spanish. That makes the tour workable for a mixed international group, though the quality of the experience will depend on which language you use most comfortably.

Is $71 a fair price?

At $71 per person, the tour offers four hours on a private sailing yacht setting without the cost of hiring a whole boat. The price includes the skipper, sailing instruction, snorkeling equipment, the swim stop, sandwiches, and drinks.

The value is strongest if you want more than transport. You are paying for active time on the water, access to a small cave, local explanation, and the chance to participate in sailing. A larger cruise may offer more space or a lower price, but it is less likely to give you time at the wheel or direct conversation with the skipper.

The price is less attractive if you dislike swimming, want a fully enclosed boat, or prefer a fixed sightseeing route. You should also remember that the experience depends on wind, and engine use is limited. That is a benefit for sailing fans, but it means the boat may move slowly during calm conditions.

Who should book this experience?

I would recommend Merak to couples, solo visitors, friends, and families with children who can follow boat safety instructions and manage a swim stop from a yacht. It suits anyone who wants to combine a coastal outing with local stories and a little hands-on learning.

It is especially good for:

• First-time sailors who want a friendly introduction
• People who enjoy swimming and snorkeling in open water
• Visitors who prefer small groups to large boat excursions
• Travelers interested in Cagliari’s coast and local history
• Anyone who wants a flexible conversation with a local skipper

You should think twice if you use a wheelchair, have a mobility impairment, or are strongly prone to seasickness. The tour is not suitable for wheelchair users or people with mobility impairments, and the operator specifically advises those prone to seasickness to take appropriate medication one hour before departure.

Wear secure footwear. Sandals, flip-flops, and boots are not allowed, so choose shoes that stay on your feet and work safely on a boat. Pets are not permitted, and alcohol and drugs are prohibited.

Booking details that matter

The activity lasts four hours, with starting times dependent on availability. The group is capped at nine people, and the guide speaks English, Italian, and Spanish.

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. A reserve-now, pay-later option is also available, which helps if you are still arranging the rest of your Cagliari plans.

The meeting point is Via Calata della Fiera at Marina di Sant’Elmo, near Bacan Bar and the blue metal gate. Use the supplied map code if the marina address is not clear in your navigation app.

Should you book Merak?

Book it if you want a real sailing outing rather than a short ride with a view. The combination of Devil’s Saddle, a clear-water swim, a purple-walled cave, dolphins as a possible bonus, and Paolo’s easy local commentary gives the trip plenty of substance.

I would choose a morning departure for warmer, calmer swimming conditions, or an afternoon departure if sailing itself is your main goal. Just arrive ready for a moving boat, changing wind, and an active water stop. For a hands-on half-day around Cagliari, $71 is a fair price, especially when you take part in steering instead of simply sitting back.

FAQ

Where does the sailing tour begin?

It begins at Marina di Sant’Elmo, Calata della Fiera, near Bacan Bar and directly in front of the blue metal gate in Cagliari. The Google Maps code is 642G+PXJ Cagliari.

How long does the experience last?

The sailing tour lasts four hours.

How many people can join the boat?

The group is limited to nine participants.

Who is the skipper?

The skipper is Paolo, an experienced sailor who also provides local stories, historical information, and suggestions for places to visit in Sardinia.

Can I steer the sailboat?

Yes. Paolo gives you a quick sailing lesson and welcomes participants who want to help steer Merak and trim the sails.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Masks and fins are included. Life jackets are available for children and for adults upon request.

What food and drinks are provided?

After swimming, you receive a cheese and salami sandwich. Drinks include water, soft drinks, iced tea, Coke, Orangina, and beer. Vegan and gluten-free needs should be specified when booking.

Is the tour suitable for someone prone to seasickness?

People prone to seasickness may participate if they take suitable motion sickness medication one hour before the tour. The activity is not suitable for people who are strongly prone to seasickness.

Can I cancel the booking?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. A reserve-now, pay-later option is also available.