Excursions Tavolara: what are the best ones and where to start
Tavolara is one of the symbols of Olbia and one of the most Instagrammable spots. Discover which excursions you can take, where they depart from, and their prices.
Snorkeling Tavolara
Get ready to explore the wonders of the Marine Protected Area of Tavolara with fins and a mask. Accompanied by expert guides, you can observe the most beautiful forms of life that populate the Mediterranean Sea. Colorful fish, birds, marine mammals, and a rich and fragrant vegetation. The snorkeling tour at Tavolara usually lasts 4 hours, including snack breaks, navigation, and of course, beautiful swims. An experience recommended for everyone, both adults and children.
book snorkeling Tavolara + dolphin watching
Excursions Tavolara by inflatable boat
Choose your starting point among the nearby ports, such as Porto San Paolo, Capo Coda Cavallo, Olbia, or Golfo Aranci. From here, you can start your adventure to Tavolara, already admiring the crystal-clear waters and spectacular views.
Renting an inflatable boat to Tavolara means discovering imposing cliffs, secluded coves, and hidden beaches. An inflatable boat offers the flexibility to access places that may be inaccessible by larger boats.
Always navigate safely and don't forget to take a dip in the Natural Pools of Molara.
Book excursion Tavolara by inflatable boatDiving Tavolara
Day on a sailing boat Tavolara
Sailing is always a beautiful sensation. Sailing while immersed in the crystal-clear waters of Tavolara promises an unparalleled experience.
The excursions Tavolara by sailing boat depart from Porto San Paolo, Porto Ottiolu, San Teodoro, Budoni, Olbia, Golfo Aranci, Cannigione and last for a full day.
The onboard staff prepares lunch and you can enjoy a day of complete relaxation between swimming, aperitifs, and enchanting views.
book excursion Tavolara by sailing boatTrekking Tavolara
Trekking excursions at Tavolara are very popular, but not all trekking routes on the island of Tavolara are suitable for everyone.
On the island, there are well-marked paths that lead to the Prolagus path, Cala Tramontana, the Cemetery of the Kings of Tavolara, and the spot called “The Two Seas”.
These routes take varying durations from 10 to 30 minutes and are suitable for everyone; it is necessary to be cautious during the hottest hours, ensuring to bring drinking water and a hat.
There are also more challenging excursions and treks that via ferrata lead to the top of Tavolara, for these, it is essential to rely on an experienced guide.
Excursions Tavolara: where do they depart from
Excursions Tavolara from Olbia
A strategic point for those who wish to see Tavolara is to start from Olbia, one of the most important cities in northern Sardinia. With its Olbia airport Costa Smeralda and the Isola Bianca tourist harbor very close to the airport and reachable from the city in 10 minutes, Olbia is an ideal gateway for boat excursions to Tavolara.
Choosing Olbia as the departure point for excursions to Tavolara also means seeing an enchanting stretch of sea like the promontory of Capo Ceraso. A granite peninsula that dominates the Gulf of Olbia and is dotted with spectacular beaches and coves. Capo Ceraso is located within the municipality of Olbia, in the province of Olbia-Tempio in northeastern Sardinia.
Excursions to Tavolara from Olbia primarily depart from the MOYS – if you're looking for information on the Olbia tourist harbor, visit the Olbia marina website near Costa Smeralda airport Moys.
You can find inflatable boats, motorboats, and sailing boats. The crossing to reach Tavolara takes about 20 minutes, and you will admire various points of interest.
Excursions Tavolara from Porto San Paolo
Another main departure point for excursions to Tavolara is Porto San Paolo. This delightful village with its picturesque harbor offers a wide range of tourist services, including organized tours and inflatable boat rentals. From here, excursion enthusiasts can set off to Tavolara in various ways, including boat trips and inflatable boat excursions.
In general, excursions to Tavolara start from the following locations:
- from San Teodoro
- from Porto San Paolo
- from Olbia
- from Golfo Aranci
- from Capo Coda Cavallo
- from Porto Ottiolu
Excursions Tavolara: prices
The prices for excursions to Tavolara can vary based on various factors, including the type of excursion, duration, time of year, and the chosen tour operator. In general, we can say that shared excursions to Tavolara cost much less than renting boats privately. Here’s a general overview of the prices you might expect:
Snorkeling Tavolara
from 30 to 70 euros per person. Children usually receive a discount and sometimes are free (depending on age, it’s always best to check the provider's website).
DST Sardegna, for example, offers snorkeling excursions to Tavolara, and children up to 1 year are free.
Group tours with a guide: From around 40 to 80 euros per person, depending on the duration and included services.
Rental of inflatable boats
The rental of an inflatable boat can range from about 100 to 500 euros per day, depending on the size of the inflatable boat and the type of inflatable boat. There are larger inflatable boats with powerful engines that can cost from 500 to 2,000 per day. An inflatable boat without a license of 40 HP for Tavolara costs around 150/200 euros in low season and around 300 euros in high season.
Sailing Boat Excursions
From 80 to 150 euros per person for a full-day tour.
Rental of sailing boats
The rental of a sailing boat exclusively can range from about 500 to 3,000 euros per day depending on the size, the features of the sailing boat, any extras agreed with the rental company, and obviously also from the departure port's distance.
Catamaran Excursions
From about 60 to 150 euros per person, depending on the duration and included services.
Catamaran rentals
The rental of a catamaran can range from about 800 to 3,000 euros per day depending on the size and services offered on board and from the departure port.
Scuba Diving
Single guided dives: From 50 to 100 euros per dive, depending on the duration and whether or not you rent scuba equipment.
Diving packages: Multiple packages can offer discounts, with prices ranging from about 150 to 400 euros for a package of 3-5 dives.
How to see Tavolara?
Tavolara is an island located off the northeastern coast of Sardinia, in the Tyrrhenian Sea. To admire this wonderful island with its imposing and suggestive appearance, you can choose from several options:
Boat excursions
These excursions offer the chance to admire the island of Tavolara from different angles and sometimes allow you to explore the island for snorkeling in its crystal-clear waters.
Kayak or Canoe Trips
If you love adventure and want to have a more intimate experience with the sea and the island, you can choose kayak or canoe trips. These will allow you to get closer to Tavolara and explore its coasts in a calm and relaxing way.
Scenic Points on the Mainland
From the Sardinian coast, especially from beach resorts like Porto San Paolo or San Teodoro, you can enjoy stunning panoramic views of Tavolara. You can search for elevated viewpoints along the coast or book accommodation with a view of the island to admire it comfortably from your terrace.