From Stintino: Catamaran tour to Asinara Island

The best part of this Stintino boat trip is its easy access to Asinara’s clear coastal water. You stay aboard a roomy catamaran, stop at striking coves, and swim straight from the boat rather than spending the hottest part of summer walking on the island.

I like the small group of no more than 12 people and the generous onboard lunch, with Sardinian hors d’oeuvres, fresh fish, wine, fruit, coffee, and a digestif. The main consideration is the weather: wind can make the ride rougher and may change the route, while parking near the port can cost an extra €10.

Key points to know

• Swim stops near Fornelli and La Pelosa: The itinerary usually includes at least two or three stops from the boat in beautiful coastal water.
• A proper Sardinian lunch onboard: Expect local starters, a fish main course, water, wine, fruit, coffee, and a digestif.
• Small-group sailing: The catamaran takes a maximum of 12 participants, giving the day a more personal feel.
• Comfortable boat setup: The 10-meter Wild Cat has two bathrooms, four cabins, a shaded cockpit, a galley, a dinette, and sunbathing nets.
• Route depends on conditions: The skipper chooses the final stops according to weather and sea conditions.
• Best for confident swimmers: You enter the sea directly from the boat, and the activity is not suitable for people with mobility impairments, pregnant women, or children under three.

Leaving Stintino for the Gulf of Asinara

You meet the guide at the anchor port in Stintino, in northwestern Sardinia. From there, the 10-meter Wild Cat catamaran heads into the Gulf of Asinara for a day of open water, quiet coves, and swimming stops.

The trip lasts about 7.5 hours, so this is not a quick harbor outing. You have enough time for several stops, lunch, and a relaxed ride back to Stintino. The experience ends at the same port where you start.

I like the simple plan. There is no long bus transfer and no complicated island transport to organize. You walk to the boat, settle into the cockpit or onto the sunbathing nets, and let the skipper shape the day around the sea.

The group is limited to 12 people. That matters on a boat. You will not be sharing the catamaran with a large crowd, and the skipper has a better chance to explain the places you visit and answer questions in Italian or English.

The tour is confirmed with at least four participants. If you are booking far ahead, keep that minimum in mind when planning your day around it.

Why staying aboard makes sense in July and August

Asinara is known for its wild, open character, but summer heat can be punishing. During July and August, the operator strongly discourages spending time ashore because of high temperatures, strong sun, and a lack of shaded areas.

That advice shapes the whole experience. Instead of walking around exposed ground, you remain on the water, where the boat has a shaded cockpit and several places to sit or lie down. You still see the island and hear about its past from the skipper, but the main activity is enjoying the coast from the sea.

This is especially useful if your priority is swimming and scenery rather than a land excursion. You can cool off at the stops, return to the boat for shade, and avoid carrying supplies for a long day on shore.

Bring sunscreen, a hat, swimwear, and a towel. Water is included, but it is still sensible to carry what you need for personal comfort. The sun can feel strong even when the boat is moving and a breeze makes the air seem cooler.

The Wild Cat catamaran and what the layout means

The Wild Cat measures 10 meters long and 6 meters wide. That gives it a broad platform for a boat of its size, with several different areas where you can spend the day.

The large cockpit has shade, which is the most practical feature during a full day in Sardinia. It gives you a place to eat lunch and take a break from the sun. The catamaran also has sunbathing nets, useful when you want an open view and a low place to stretch out between stops.

There are two bathrooms, four cabins, a galley, and a dinette. You are not booking a private cabin for the day, but the cabins and indoor spaces give the boat more flexibility than a basic open motorboat.

The boat’s width should also make it feel less cramped than a narrow day boat, although conditions can still affect how comfortable the ride feels. One day can be calm and gentle, while another can bring plenty of wind. A past outing included a lot of wind but still had enjoyable swimming periods and a good meal onboard.

If you are sensitive to motion, consider where you sit and follow the skipper’s advice. The exact route and pace are not fixed, since the crew may adjust them for the sea.

Fornelli and the natural pools

One of the planned areas is the Piscine Naturali di Fornelli, or Natural Pools of Fornelli. The name tells you what makes the stop special: calm, clear water enclosed by the shape of the coast.

You reach the swimming area directly from the catamaran. There is no need to find a beach or carry your things across shore. When the skipper gives the go-ahead, you enter the sea from the boat and return aboard when you are ready.

This setup is a major part of the day, but it also tells you who will enjoy the tour most. You should be comfortable getting in and out of the water from a boat. The outing is not suitable for people with mobility impairments, and the direct-from-boat format may not suit anyone who prefers a gently sloping beach.

The water is the main attraction here. Bring a towel and swimwear, and expect the focus to be on swimming, floating, and looking back at the unspoiled coast from offshore. The skipper may share information about the island and the places you visit as the day continues.

La Pelosa and the changing route

La Pelosa is another possible stop. The area is among the best-known coastal sights near Stintino, and seeing it from the water gives you a different angle from a standard beach visit.

The itinerary is not locked to a strict sequence. Weather conditions and the skipper’s decisions determine the final route, and the day always includes at least two or three stops directly from the boat in the most appealing coves available.

That flexibility is helpful. It means the crew can respond to wind and sea conditions instead of forcing the boat toward a fixed location. It also means you should not book this trip expecting every stop to happen exactly as listed or in a guaranteed order.

You may spend more time at one cove if the water is pleasant, or move on if conditions are less comfortable. For me, this is the right tradeoff for a sea-based outing. A fixed route sounds reassuring, but a sensible skipper should put comfort and safety before a printed schedule.

A Sardinian lunch served on the water

Lunch is not a snack between activities. It is one of the day’s main pleasures and a meaningful part of the price.

The meal includes Sardinian hors d’oeuvres, a fish main course, water, wine, fruit, coffee, and a digestif. The food is based on local products, so you get more than the usual packaged lunch often found on day boats.

You eat onboard, likely using the shaded cockpit or dinette area. The meal breaks up the swimming and gives you a chance to sit still while the skipper talks about the island and the route.

The wine is included, but use common sense if you plan to swim again afterward. Water is included as well, which is important on a hot day. You should contact the number on your voucher at least one day before the excursion if you have an intolerance or a special food request.

A meal built around local fish and Sardinian products gives this trip a stronger sense of place. You are not just paying for transport to a swimming spot. You are also getting a long lunch at sea, with regional food folded into the outing.

What the skipper adds to the day

The skipper does more than steer the catamaran. During the route, the guide explains the history of Asinara and points out the places you visit.

The tour is available in Italian and English. That makes a difference when the day includes several coves and a protected natural area. You will have someone to explain what you are seeing rather than simply being dropped at a swimming point.

The amount of commentary may vary with the conditions and the pace of the trip. The skipper must also make practical decisions about wind, water, and where the boat can stop comfortably. Think of the narration as part of the ride, not as a formal walking tour with a long prepared speech.

I like that the history is delivered while you are moving through the gulf. You get the story of the island in the setting itself, with the coastline and water in front of you.

Price and value at $134.81 per person

At $134.81 per person, this is not the cheapest way to reach the water around Stintino. The price makes more sense when you count what is included: a full 7.5-hour boat trip, skipper, fuel, lunch, and water.

You are also paying for a limited group, a catamaran with two bathrooms and shaded seating, and multiple swimming stops. A shorter boat ride with no meal could cost less, but it would not provide the same amount of time on the water.

The value is strongest if you want a complete day and plan to eat onboard. The included fish lunch, wine, coffee, fruit, and digestif reduce the need for extra spending during the excursion.

The value is weaker if you mainly want a quick swim or prefer to spend several hours walking around Asinara. This trip is built around the boat, not an extended shore visit. In July and August, staying aboard is also the recommended approach because the island has limited shade.

Remember to allow for parking costs at the port. One outing involved a €10 parking charge, which was separate from the tour. That is a small but useful detail when you are working out the full cost of the day.

Wind, comfort, and the practical tradeoffs

Weather can shape this experience more than any other factor. Strong wind may make the ride less smooth and can lead to changes in the route. Even in poor weather, the swimming periods may still go ahead if the skipper considers the conditions suitable, but you should not expect a perfectly calm sea every time.

The catamaran provides some protection through its shaded cockpit and indoor areas. Still, this is an open-water day, not a sheltered cruise. Pack sun protection and be ready for changing conditions.

Pets are not allowed. The activity is not suitable for children under three, pregnant women, or people with mobility impairments. Those restrictions are important because you board a boat, use direct water access, and spend many hours at sea.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if you are arranging a Sardinia schedule around uncertain weather.

Who should book this Stintino boat tour?

I would choose this trip if you want a small-group day centered on swimming, coastal scenery, and food. It suits couples, friends, and families with older children who are comfortable on a boat and in open water.

It is also a good fit if you want to see the Gulf of Asinara without spending the hottest part of the day walking on the island. The shade, bathrooms, meal, and several seating areas make the boat better suited to a long outing than a bare-bones excursion.

I would think twice if you dislike wind, motion, or entering the water from a boat. You should also choose another plan if your main goal is to explore Asinara on foot. This tour gives you the island from offshore, with the skipper’s stories and the sea as the center of the day.

Should you book it?

Book this catamaran tour if you value a full day on the water, a small group, and a proper Sardinian lunch included in the price. The swimming stops at Fornelli and La Pelosa, plus the shaded catamaran, create a well-rounded outing from Stintino.

Skip it if you need a fixed route, guaranteed calm weather, or substantial time ashore. For the right kind of day, though, $134.81 is a fair price for seven and a half hours, food, fuel, and a skipper who can adjust the plan to the sea.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran tour start and finish?

The tour starts at the anchor port in Stintino and ends back at the same meeting point.

How long does the experience last?

The catamaran trip lasts 7.5 hours. Starting times depend on availability.

What food and drinks are included?

Lunch includes Sardinian hors d’oeuvres, a fish main course, water, wine, fruit, coffee, and a digestif.

Which languages are available?

The live guide service is available in Italian and English.

How many people can join the tour?

The catamaran tour is limited to 12 participants. The experience is confirmed with at least four participants.

What should I bring?

Bring a sun hat, swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and water. Pets are not allowed.