Gulf of Asinara: Full day catamaran excursion with lunch

Asinara is best seen from the water, and this nine-hour catamaran trip gives you a generous day for it. You’ll pass quiet coves, swim in the clear pools near Fornelli, and pause at La Pelosa, one of northwestern Sardinia’s famous beaches. I like the combination of scenery and food, especially the seafood lunch with Vermentino served while the island fills the view.

I also like the small scale: 12 passengers plus two crew on the catamaran Pittolo. The main consideration is that the route is not fixed. Weather and the skipper decide the stops, so you should book this for a flexible day on the water, not for a strict checklist of beaches.

Key points at a glance

• Three or four stops are guaranteed: The skipper chooses from coves, beaches, natural pools, and island anchorages.
• Fornelli offers the best swim setting: Its natural pools are a prime place to get into the clear water.
• Lunch is a proper Sardinian meal: Expect mussels, pasta with fish sauce, dessert, wine, water, soft drinks, myrtle, and grappa.
• Pittolo is a manageable catamaran: It carries 12 passengers and two crew, with sunbathing space, four bathrooms, and a freshwater shower.
• Island history is optional: You can visit the C.R.A.M.A. marine animal rescue centre or the former prison-bunker at Cala d’Oliva.
• Bring your own snorkel gear: Snorkelling equipment is not included, and shore visits require cash for local fees.

Setting out from Stintino on Pittolo

The trip starts at the entrance to Anchor Port in Stintino. Look for the iron anchor near the traffic lights and the boat with the tall mast named Pittolo. Paid parking is available nearby, though the information provided does not specify its price or how close each space is to the dock.

Pittolo is an Aventura 43 catamaran built in 2016. At 13.2 metres long and seven metres wide, it has room to spread out without feeling like a large excursion ship. The stated capacity is 14 people, made up of 12 passengers and two crew members. That matters here. You can expect a more personal outing than a crowded boat trip, with a better chance of speaking directly with the skipper about the route.

Onboard features include a sunbathing area, freshwater shower, railing ladder, fridge, Bluetooth stereo, safety equipment, and first-aid kit. There are also four bathrooms, a useful detail on a full-day trip. The boat has twin 40-horsepower engines, though the focus is clearly on a relaxed day around the coast rather than speed.

The language of the tour is Italian and English. Franco is the skipper named in the feedback connected with this outing, and the available comment specifically credits him with taking the group to excellent places. The important practical point is that the skipper has real control over the day. You should expect local decisions about anchoring and swimming rather than a rigid, pre-set cruise.

Why the changing route matters

The itinerary lists eight possible stops: Cala Reale, Cala d’Oliva, Cala del Turco, Cala Li Giorri, Neapolitan Boats Beach, Porto del Bianco, Fornelli Natural Pools, and La Pelosa Beach. At least three or four stops are guaranteed, but the exact mix changes with weather conditions and the skipper’s judgment.

That flexibility is a strength in a coastal setting. Wind, waves, and safe anchoring matter more than reaching every name on a list. A calm day might allow longer swimming time at Fornelli or La Pelosa. Another day may favour sheltered coves such as Cala del Turco or Cala Li Giorri.

The trade-off is simple: you cannot book this expecting a precise route. If La Pelosa is the one place you must see, confirm the likely plan before departure, but understand that conditions can still change it. I would treat the listed locations as a menu of possibilities, not a promise to visit all of them.

Cala Reale and the marine rescue centre

Cala Reale is one of the possible stops and also the location of the Centro Recupero Animali Marini Asinara, known as C.R.A.M.A. The centre offers a way to learn about marine animals on Asinara rather than spending the entire day only swimming and sunbathing.

The visit is optional and must be arranged with the group and skipper before departure. It is open from May 15 through September 30, every day from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. That opening window matters. If you want to visit, raise the subject early, since the boat’s timing and the centre’s hours need to match.

The stated entrance fee for C.R.A.M.A. is 3 euros, paid in cash on site. A separate municipal disembarkation tax also applies when you go ashore on Asinara to visit C.R.A.M.A. or the prison-bunker. It is 2.50 euros from October through May and 5 euros from June through September. Residents of Porto Torres, children under seven, and people with a disability rating of at least 65 percent are exempt from that municipal fee.

Cala d’Oliva and the prison-bunker

Cala d’Oliva gives the day a different tone. Here, you may visit the former maximum-security prison called Diramazione Centrale, described as a prison-bunker. It is open daily from May 15 through September 30, from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

This optional stop is worthwhile if you want context for Asinara beyond its beaches. The island is not just a pretty stretch of water. Its former prison use shaped its identity, and a visit to the prison site can help explain why parts of the island feel so remote and unusual.

You need to agree on the visit with the group and skipper before leaving. The same disembarkation tax applies, and the fee must be paid in cash. The prison visit is not included as part of the boat price, so carry small notes or coins. If you prefer a swimming-focused day, you can skip it and remain on board.

Fornelli Natural Pools and La Pelosa

Fornelli Natural Pools are among the most appealing swim stops on the route. The description promises clear water and time to get in from the catamaran. A railing ladder makes boarding easier after your swim, while the freshwater shower lets you rinse off salt before lunch or the next stop.

Bring a towel, beachwear, sunscreen, a hat, and plenty of water. Snorkelling equipment is not supplied, so pack your own mask and snorkel if you want to look below the surface. The tour information does not promise organised snorkelling, lessons, or underwater equipment, so think of the gear as your own addition to the swim stop.

La Pelosa Beach offers a second famous swimming setting near Stintino. Its turquoise water is a major reason people come to this corner of Sardinia, and seeing it from a catamaran gives you a wider view than simply arriving by road. As with Fornelli, the time spent there depends on the day’s route and conditions.

The other possible anchorages, including Cala del Turco, Cala Li Giorri, Neapolitan Boats Beach, and Porto del Bianco, add variety. Some may be chosen for shelter, others for their coastal views or swimming conditions. Since exact details about each stop are not supplied, I would avoid expecting a guided walk or a specific activity at every anchorage. The guaranteed format is three or four stops, not a tour of every cove.

Aperitif and lunch with Sardinian flavours

Food is a real part of this outing, not just a packet of snacks. The aperitif is served on board and includes a chopping board with sausage, guanciale, and cheese. It comes with Vermentino white wine, water, and Coke.

Lunch includes mussels, a pasta dish with fish sauce, dessert, wine, water, and Coke. Myrtle and grappa are also served, and seasonal fruit such as watermelon or melon is offered as a snack. The meal gives you a taste of local ingredients while keeping you on the boat, where the view remains part of the setting.

I particularly like this arrangement because a nine-hour coastal trip needs more than a short swim break. You are not forced to leave the boat to find lunch, and the meal is substantial enough to make the full-day schedule practical. Vermentino is a natural match for seafood and a fitting choice for northern Sardinia.

Food restrictions can be accommodated, including allergies, intolerances, vegetarian requests, and vegan options. Contact the number on your booking voucher as soon as possible. Do not wait until boarding, since the crew needs advance notice.

The food and drink package adds meaningful value to the price, but keep your expectations sensible. This is a boat lunch built around local dishes, not a restaurant tasting menu. The appeal is the combination of mussels, fish pasta, wine, and open water.

What the $148.40 price includes

The price is $148.40 per person. That covers the one-day catamaran trip, skipper, fuel, aperitif, and lunch. You are paying for nine hours on a small boat, not simply for transport between two beaches.

The value is strongest if you plan to make full use of the day. Three or four coastal stops, swimming time, a full seafood meal, wine, and the chance to visit an island site add up to a solid schedule. Fuel is also included, which removes one common extra cost on boat outings.

You should budget separately for snorkelling equipment if you need it, optional entrance to C.R.A.M.A., and the municipal disembarkation fee for an island visit. These extra amounts are modest, but the cash requirement matters. The municipal fee is 2.50 euros in the cooler months and 5 euros from June through September, while C.R.A.M.A. costs 3 euros.

At 14 people maximum including crew, the boat should feel less anonymous than a large day cruise. That smaller capacity is one of the main reasons the price can make sense. If you only want a quick swim and a short boat ride, it may feel expensive. If you want a full day with food, several stops, and optional island history, the package is easier to justify.

Timing, comfort, and what to pack

The activity lasts nine hours, with starting times shown when you check availability. Plan for a full day and avoid scheduling another major activity immediately afterward. The boat returns to the same meeting point in Stintino.

The catamaran has sunbathing space, but shade information is not provided. Pack sunglasses, a sun hat, sunscreen, towel, water, and beachwear. I would also bring a dry bag for valuables, though it is not specifically listed among the required items.

A freshwater shower is available, which is useful after swimming. The boat also has four bathrooms, first-aid equipment, and safety gear. Pets are not allowed.

This outing is not suitable for wheelchair users. The need to board a catamaran, use a ladder for swimming, and potentially disembark on Asinara makes mobility an important consideration. If anyone in your group has access needs, ask the provider before booking rather than assuming the boat can accommodate them.

The tour is confirmed with at least four participants. That means you should not assume a very small private outing, even though the maximum group size is limited. The boat can carry up to 12 passengers plus two crew.

Should you book this Asinara catamaran trip?

Book it if you want a full day that combines coastal scenery, swimming, and Sardinian food in one package. It suits couples, families with children old enough for a boat day, and small groups who prefer a limited-capacity catamaran to a large vessel. It is also a good choice if you want the option of adding a short look at Asinara’s prison past or its marine rescue work.

Think twice if you need a guaranteed visit to one particular beach, dislike changing plans, or want a highly structured historical tour. The skipper chooses the route, and the day may focus more on coves and swimming than on shore visits.

For the best fit, pack your own snorkelling gear, carry cash, notify the crew about food needs early, and keep the day open from start to finish. With a 4.7 rating from six reviews and especially strong praise for Franco’s choice of beautiful stops, this looks like a well-focused way to see northwestern Sardinia from the water, provided you are comfortable with a flexible route.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran excursion start?

It starts at the entrance to Anchor Port in Stintino, near the traffic lights. An iron anchor is beside the gate, and the boat is named Pittolo and has a tall mast.

How long does the excursion last?

The excursion lasts nine hours and ends back at the original meeting point in Stintino.

How many passengers can Pittolo carry?

The catamaran carries up to 14 people, including 12 passengers and two crew members.

Which places might the boat visit?

Possible stops include Cala Reale, Cala d’Oliva, Cala del Turco, Cala Li Giorri, Neapolitan Boats Beach, Porto del Bianco, Fornelli Natural Pools, and La Pelosa Beach. At least three or four stops are guaranteed, but the route can change with weather and the skipper’s decisions.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch includes mussels, pasta with fish sauce, dessert, wine, water, Coke, myrtle, and grappa. Seasonal fruit such as watermelon or melon is served as a snack.

Is snorkelling equipment included?

No. You need to bring your own snorkelling equipment if you want to use it during the swimming stops.

Can I visit the prison-bunker or C.R.A.M.A. centre?

Yes, both visits are optional and must be arranged with the group and skipper before departure. C.R.A.M.A. is open from May 15 to September 30, from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. The prison-bunker is open during the same dates, from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Are there extra fees for visiting Asinara?

Yes. Visiting C.R.A.M.A. costs 3 euros in cash on site. A municipal disembarkation tax also applies when going ashore for C.R.A.M.A. or the prison-bunker: 2.50 euros from October through May and 5 euros from June through September.