Every day dozens of tours depart by sea from Olbia: Tavolara Island tour, guided snorkeling in the Protected Marine Area, dolphin watching and sunset cruises. On this page, you’ll find all available tours with prices, duration and verified reviews, to choose the right one and book in just a few clicks.
Prices start from €39 per person for the 3-hour guided snorkeling and go up to €85 for the fisherman’s lunch on board. The most requested tour, the Tavolara Island tour with snorkeling, costs €70 and lasts about 6 hours. Almost all tours include equipment and allow free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance.
If it’s your first time in Olbia, the Tavolara tour is the classic must-do. With children, the sunset dolphin watching is brief (2 and a half hours) and exciting. For a gourmet day, choose the fisherman’s lunch among the mussel farms in the gulf; for a romantic evening, the sunset cruise in Costa Smeralda.
In May and June, the sea is already swimmable and departures are less crowded: perfect for snorkeling, with visibility exceeding 20 meters. July and August offer the richest schedule (afternoon and evening departures too), but it’s advisable to book 3-5 days in advance. September is the favorite month for those returning every year: water at 24 degrees, golden light for photos, and prices that start to drop. In October, dolphin outings remain active, and some Tavolara tours are available on weekends with good weather.
Wear your swimsuit, bring a beach towel, reef-safe sunscreen (mandatory in certain protected areas), a hat and a light sweatshirt for the return: even in mid-summer, the wind while sailing can be felt. For snorkeling, equipment is almost always included, but those bringing their own mask can sail more comfortably. The boats have shade on board and water; lunch is only included where indicated, so check the details of the experience before you head out.
Dolphin watching is the top choice with little ones: it lasts two and a half hours, you sail in protected waters and the excitement is guaranteed. The Tavolara tour works well for ages 6 and up, with the beach stop breaking up the day. Avoid full-day outings for children under 4: better to choose two half days. All vessels provide life jackets for kids, but notify the age of the little ones at the time of booking.
No: in case of adverse weather conditions, the tour is canceled, and a full refund is provided, or you can reschedule for another day.
Yes, in July and August: the most requested tours sell out 3-5 days in advance. In other months, booking 1-2 days ahead is sufficient.
Almost all tours depart from Brin Wharf, in the heart of the marina, a 10-minute walk from the main street. Some Tavolara tours leave from Porto San Paolo, 15 km south: the exact departure point is always indicated in the booking confirmation.
Yes: swimming stops are optional, and life jackets are always available on board. For guided snorkeling, however, it's necessary to know how to swim, even at a basic level: the guide will provide floating aids to those who ask.
The Gulf of Olbia is naturally sheltered, so many outings take place regularly even with moderate wind. If the captain deems conditions unsafe, the tour will be rescheduled or fully refunded: the decision usually comes the night before or the morning of.
Online: spots on the best tours sell out in advance, and web rates are often lower than those at the booth. Booking online also gives you free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance, which isn’t always guaranteed at the port.