From Olbia: Tavolara or Cala Moresca Catamaran Tour

The best part of this Olbia catamaran trip is its small scale. The boat carries just 12 passengers plus two crew, so you get a more personal day on the water than you would on a large excursion boat. I especially like the chance to swim near Tavolara’s white coves and the generous meal service, with local cold cuts, cheese, bruschette, pasta or rice salad, wine, beer, and soft drinks included.

Francesca and Fabio bring a friendly, hands-on feel to the day, and Fabio’s family cooking has earned special praise for its fresh taste. The main consideration is that the route is weather dependent: you may visit Tavolara or Cala Moresca, and the trip is not suitable for children under six, pregnant women, or people with mobility impairments.

Key points to know before booking

• Two possible routes: Sail toward Tavolara, Dottore beach, Capo Coda Cavallo, and Molara, or head north to Cala Moresca, Figarolo, and Capo Figari.
• Small catamaran group: The Hakuna Matata carries up to 12 passengers, giving you room to relax, swim, and use the two SUP boards.
• Food is part of the experience: You receive an aperitif with cold cuts, cheese, tomato bruschette, olives, and a drink, followed by pasta or rice salad for lunch.
• Dolphin possibility: Cala Moresca and Figarolo are areas where you may spot dolphins in the wild, though sightings cannot be promised.
• Season affects the schedule: April to June and October means six hours, while July to September lasts seven and a half hours.
• Plan for the sun: Bring a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, towel, water, and comfortable clothes. Smoking is allowed only at the stern.

A small catamaran from Olbia

This is a full day at sea, not a quick coastal boat ride. You meet the crew at the quay between the Brin Pier car park and the tourist car park in Olbia, where free parking is available in the area. From there, the Pajot Maldives 32 catamaran Hakuna Matata takes you out along Sardinia’s north-eastern coast.

The boat was built in 1989 and measures 9.8 metres long and 5 metres wide. It has four cabins, one bathroom, a sunbathing net, a shower, a boarding ladder, life jackets, and a first aid kit. Those details matter on a seven-hour outing. You have places to sit, room to stretch out, and a ladder that makes getting back aboard after a swim easier.

The group limit is one of the strongest features. With no more than 12 passengers, the day should feel more like a shared sailing outing than a crowded boat transfer. You can move between the seating areas, the sunbathing net, and the water without feeling packed in.

Francesca and Fabio lead the trip in Italian, English, or French. Their role is not just to handle the boat. They also share information about the coast, keep the stops moving, and prepare the food. If you prefer a quiet day with some conversation rather than a loud party cruise, this setup should suit you well.

Choosing between Tavolara and Cala Moresca

You do not pick between the two routes as a fixed sightseeing menu. The crew chooses the sailing area based on weather conditions. That is worth understanding before you book, since the two options offer different kinds of scenery.

The Tavolara route gives you the dramatic rocky outline of Tavolara island as a backdrop. Tavolara rises sharply from the sea and is one of the most memorable shapes along this part of Sardinia. The trip also takes in white sandy coves and several notable points around the protected marine area.

The Cala Moresca route heads north from Olbia. Here, the focus is on the bay, the islet of Figarolo, and the coast around Capo Figari. With luck, you may see dolphins near Cala Moresca or Figarolo. The dolphins live in their natural setting, so this is a possible bonus rather than a guaranteed show.

I like this weather-based approach because it gives the crew room to choose a more comfortable sailing area. The tradeoff is simple: if you have your heart set on one exact beach, this is not the right kind of excursion. You are booking a day on the coast, not a guaranteed visit to one named stop.

The Tavolara route and its white coves

When conditions allow the Tavolara route, you can admire the island’s rocky profile from the water as the catamaran approaches. The view changes as you sail, with Tavolara appearing on the horizon and then becoming a stronger presence near the coast.

The route can include Dottore beach, known for its pale sand and clear water, along with Capo Coda Cavallo and Capo Ceraso. These places are valuable mainly for swimming and views. You are not being rushed through a long list of land visits. The point is to stop in attractive water, enjoy the boat, and spend time outside.

Isola Piana and Molara are also part of the wider area you may see during the sailing. The names can sound like a lot to fit into one day, but the experience is not built around checking off every island. Some points may be viewed from the catamaran, while the crew selects suitable places for swimming and relaxing.

The water is the main attraction here. You can climb down the boat’s ladder, swim for a while, then return to the deck for a rinse under the shower. Two SUP boards are included, giving you another way to enjoy the bays. Use them when conditions are calm and you want to see the water from a lower, slower angle.

Cala Moresca, Figarolo, and the chance of dolphins

The alternative route takes you toward Cala Moresca and Figarolo. The islet of Figarolo is a key point on this side of the trip, with views toward Capo Figari and the Grotta della Madonnina. The route also includes the possibility of seeing Mortorio, a granite islet surrounded by clear green-blue water.

Dolphin spotting adds a little suspense to this route. The animals are found in the area, but nobody can control their movements. You should treat a sighting as a lucky moment, not as the main reason to pay for the trip. The coast and swimming stops still make the outing worthwhile if the dolphins stay out of sight.

The Grotta della Madonnina gives the day another visual marker, while Capo Figari adds a strong coastal backdrop. The exact time spent at each place depends on the sailing plan and sea conditions, so expect a flexible route rather than a timed series of stops.

As with Tavolara, the value comes from seeing the coast from the water. You get a broad view of the rocky shoreline, small islands, and open sea that is hard to reproduce from a road or beach.

Swimming, SUP, and time on board

Bring a towel and swimsuit if you plan to make full use of the stops. The clear water is the reason to choose this trip over a standard sightseeing cruise, and the boat is set up for swimming with a ladder and shower.

You also get two stand-up paddleboards. They are included in the price and shared among the group, so availability depends on how many people want to use them at once. They are best seen as an extra activity rather than a private piece of equipment for the entire day.

The catamaran has a sunbathing net, but shade and seating preferences may vary depending on the number of people on board. I recommend bringing a sun hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen, then taking breaks from direct sun. Seven hours or more on bright water can feel longer than expected.

Comfortable clothing is the right choice. A light layer may also be useful, since conditions can feel different when the boat is moving compared with when it is anchored. Water is included, but bringing your own bottle is still listed among the recommended items.

Sardinian food, wine, and the pace of lunch

Food is one of the better reasons to compare this outing with cheaper boat trips. The aperitif includes a platter of cold cuts and cheese, tomato bruschette, olives, and your choice of red wine, white wine, beer, water, or soft drinks.

Lunch brings either a pasta dish or rice salad, along with another drink. This is not a restaurant meal with a long menu, but it is more substantial than a snack handed out in a packet. You can expect the food to fit the setting: simple Sardinian flavours, served on board while the coast remains around you.

Fabio’s family cooking has received particular praise for its fresh taste, including produce connected with his mother’s garden and kitchen. That personal touch helps the meal feel tied to Sardinia rather than added as a generic catering service.

Vegetarian and vegan meals are available. If you have a food allergy or gluten intolerance, contact the phone number on your voucher at least two days before the trip. Do not wait until the morning of departure, since special arrangements require advance notice.

Smoking is allowed only at the stern. That rule helps keep the main seating and eating areas more comfortable for everyone.

What the price includes at $134.81

At $134.81 per person, this is not the cheapest way to reach the coast. The price makes more sense when you add up what is included: the boat, crew, fuel, two SUP boards, the aperitif, lunch, wine, beer, water, and soft drinks.

You are also paying for a small group and a full day rather than a short transfer. A public boat may take you to a single destination for less, but it will not offer the same combination of flexible sailing, swimming stops, onboard food, and crew attention.

The value is strongest if you plan to spend the day on the water anyway. It is weaker if you mainly want to reach one beach and spend the rest of the day on land. The route can change with the weather, and you should be comfortable with that flexibility before booking.

The tour is confirmed with at least four participants. If your plans are firm, the reserve-now-and-pay-later option and free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure offer useful flexibility, subject to the booking terms.

Timing, meeting point, and seasonal differences

From April through June and in October, the excursion lasts six hours, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. From July through September, it runs for seven and a half hours, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

That seasonal change is practical. The longer summer schedule gives you more time on the water during the busiest beach season. The shorter spring and autumn schedule still gives you a substantial outing without taking the entire day.

Check the exact starting time when you book, then allow time to reach the quay between the Brin Pier car park and the tourist car park. Free parking is available in the area. The tour returns to the same meeting point.

The trip lasts long enough that you should plan around it rather than squeeze it between other Olbia activities. Bring the items you need at the start, since the boat returns only at the end of the outing.

Who will enjoy this catamaran day

I would choose this trip if you want:

• A small boat rather than a large group cruise
• Clear water for swimming
• A relaxed day with food and drinks included
• A chance to use a SUP board
• Views of Tavolara, Cala Moresca, Figarolo, or nearby islands
• A friendly crew with Italian, English, and French
• The possibility of seeing dolphins without treating the trip like a wildlife guarantee

It is less suitable if you need step-free access, are pregnant, or are travelling with a child under six. The boat has a ladder, and the activity is not suitable for people with mobility impairments.

You should also skip it if you dislike being on the water for most of a day or need a fixed itinerary. The crew may switch between Tavolara and Cala Moresca according to conditions, which is sensible for safety but less useful for someone set on one exact destination.

My take: book it for the day at sea

I would book this catamaran trip if I wanted a relaxed Sardinian coast day with good food, swimming, and a small group. The combination of Tavolara or Cala Moresca, two SUP boards, and a proper aperitif and lunch gives the price a fair foundation.

The strongest reasons to choose it are the limited passenger count and the personal cooking from Fabio’s family kitchen. Just remember that the route depends on the weather, dolphin sightings are not guaranteed, and the trip is best for people who are comfortable climbing a boat ladder and spending several hours at sea.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran tour start?

You meet the guide at the quay between the Brin Pier car park and the tourist car park in Olbia. Free parking is available in the area.

How long does the excursion last?

From April to June and in October, it lasts six hours, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. From July to September, it lasts seven and a half hours, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Will the tour visit Tavolara or Cala Moresca?

The route depends on weather conditions. The crew may sail toward the protected marine area of Tavolara or toward the Bay of Cala Moresca.

Can I see dolphins?

You may see dolphins near Cala Moresca and Figarolo. Dolphins live in the area, but sightings are not guaranteed.

What food and drinks are included?

The aperitif includes cold cuts, cheese, tomato bruschette, olives, and a choice of red wine, white wine, beer, water, or soft drinks. Lunch includes pasta or rice salad and another drink.

Are vegetarian, vegan, or gluten-free meals available?

Vegetarian and vegan options are available. Special meals for allergies or gluten intolerance require at least two days’ notice after booking.

What should I bring?

Bring sunglasses, a sun hat, towel, sunscreen, water, and comfortable clothes.

Is the tour suitable for children and people with mobility impairments?

The tour is not suitable for children under six, pregnant women, or people with mobility impairments.