From Stintino: Half-day dinghy tour in Asinara Gulf

The best part of this Stintino boat trip is the freedom of seeing the coast from the water, where La Pelosa beach and its historic tower look quite different from shore. I like the flexible route, which lets the skipper choose two or three coves based on the wind, and I like the small eight-meter dinghy, which gives you a more direct outing than a large sightseeing boat. The main thing to consider is that the boat is open to the weather, and the final stops are not fixed.

I also like the easy three-hour length. You get clear water, short swims, and striking views without giving up a full day. The drawback is practical: parking near Porticciolo dell’Ancora is limited and chargeable, especially in July and August, so arrive about 20 minutes early.

Key points at a glance

• Three hours on an eight-meter dinghy: A compact half-day trip with an awning and boarding ladder.
• Two or three swimming stops: The skipper picks from coves and sea sites according to wind and weather.
• La Pelosa from the water: See the shallow beach and its famous tower without spending the whole outing on shore.
• Clear English and Italian guidance: Nicolò is one of the guides praised for friendly, natural explanations.
• Good value at $56 per person: The price includes the skipper, fuel, and guided boat trip, but not food or drinks.
• Simple packing list: Bring water, a towel, swimwear, and a sun hat. Pets are not allowed, and the trip is not suitable for pregnant women.

Why this short boat trip works so well

Stintino is known for its beautiful water, but the shore is not always the best place to appreciate it. From a dinghy, you can look back toward the beaches, cliffs, and rocky points while the boat moves between small coves. The view keeps changing, and you avoid spending the entire day in one busy beach area.

This trip also gives you a taste of the Asinara Gulf without asking for a full-day commitment. Three hours is enough time for a few stops and a swim, but short enough to fit around a morning at La Pelosa, lunch in Stintino, or an afternoon on the coast.

I think the flexible route is a real strength. The skipper does not promise the same stops every day, because wind and sea conditions matter. That means you may visit Cala Grande, Scanna Capretti, the natural swimming pools of Fornelli, Roccia Forata, Porri Island, or other sites around Isola Piana and Mare di Fuori.

The tradeoff is that you should not book this expecting a rigid checklist. If one particular cove is your main goal, ask about conditions before departure. The skipper decides the route, and that is the sensible choice for comfort and safety.

Boarding at Porticciolo dell’Ancora

The meeting point is Porticciolo dell’Ancora, at the quay on the left as you enter Porto dell’Ancora in Stintino. It is worth reading this detail carefully, since arriving at the wrong part of the harbor could waste valuable time.

In July and August, arrive 20 minutes early. Parking nearby is limited, and the car parks in the area charge a fee. I would not cut this close, particularly if you are traveling with children, carrying beach gear, or visiting during the busiest part of the season.

The boat is called Wild Asinara. It is an eight-meter rubber dinghy fitted with an awning and a ladder. The awning matters on a sunny Sardinian day, though it does not turn the boat into a shaded cabin. Bring a hat and use sun protection, especially during the middle of the day.

The ladder makes getting back aboard easier after a swim, but this is still a boat outing rather than a step-free beach excursion. You should be comfortable boarding from a quay and moving around a small vessel.

What three hours on Wild Asinara feels like

The trip runs in the morning or afternoon, depending on the available departure time. Once underway, the skipper guides you along the coast and selects at least two or three stops. The outing has a simple rhythm: cruise, look, swim, climb back aboard, and move on to the next cove.

That rhythm suits anyone who wants variety. You are not sitting at one beach for hours, and you are not spending the whole time racing from one attraction to another. The short stops let you see several parts of the gulf while still leaving room to relax.

The boat carries an awning, but food and drinks are not included. Bring your own water, as well as anything else you need during the three hours. A towel, swimwear, and sun hat belong in your day bag.

The skipper provides the fuel and handles the boat. Guidance is available in Italian and English. Nicolò has been singled out for clear English, a cheerful manner, and explanations that feel natural rather than formal. That can make a difference when you want to understand what you are seeing instead of simply stopping for a swim.

Isola Piana and Mare di Fuori

The route can include the beaches and coves of Isola Piana, as well as Mare di Fuori around Capo Falcone. These areas give you the classic Stintino combination of pale rock, open sea, and water clear enough to make swimming the main event.

Isola Piana is especially appealing if you want a quieter sense of space away from the main beach. The precise stop depends on wind and sea conditions, but you can expect the skipper to look for sheltered water and a pleasant place to get in.

Mare di Fuori has a more open coastal feel. The name refers to the seaward side, so conditions may feel different from a protected cove. That is one reason the flexible route matters. On a calm day, an exposed stretch can offer wonderful views. On a windy day, a sheltered cove may be the better choice.

You should also keep your expectations realistic. These are swimming and sightseeing stops, not long beach visits. The time available at each location is limited because the trip aims to show you several places in one outing.

Cala Grande and Scanna Capretti

Cala Grande and Scanna Capretti are among the possible cove stops. Their appeal is not a long list of facilities. You come for the natural setting, the water, and the chance to swim from the boat.

A dinghy is well suited to this kind of coast. It can pause near a cove and give you a close view of rocky edges and shallow water without requiring a long walk from a parking area. You also get a perspective that is hard to match from land.

Still, a cove stop may be brief, and there may be no beach service, toilets, or place to buy refreshments. Since the tour includes no food or drinks, carry water with you. Keep your belongings compact and secure, since space on a small dinghy is limited.

The natural swimming pools of Fornelli

The natural swimming pools of Fornelli are another possible stop. The name tells you what makes the site appealing: the setting is suited to a calm swim in clear coastal water.

This is the sort of stop where you will want your towel ready and your camera protected. The best reason to come is not a formal attraction with signs and facilities, but the chance to spend time in a striking natural setting.

Conditions can change the experience. Wind affects the water and the skipper’s choice of stops, so the Fornelli pools are not guaranteed. I see that as a fair exchange for a safer and more comfortable route. A boat trip should respond to the sea rather than force a fixed schedule.

La Pelosa and the tower from the water

La Pelosa is the star view of the outing. Its shallow water and famous tower make it one of the most recognizable beaches in Sardinia. From a dinghy, you see the beach as part of the coast rather than as a single crowded patch of sand.

The passage in front of La Pelosa may be a viewing section rather than a long beach stop. That is useful if your aim is to photograph the beach, admire the tower, and understand the shape of the coast without committing the whole day to shore time.

One benefit is that you can enjoy a different angle on a place that may be busy at beach level. One limitation is that passing in front of La Pelosa does not replace visiting the beach itself. If you want to sit on the sand or spend hours in its shallow water, plan separate time for that.

The boat may also pass Capo Falcone, the headland near the beach. The headland adds scale to the view and helps explain why the coast has so many changes in shelter, rock, and water color.

Roccia Forata and Porri Island

Roccia Forata, or the perforated rock, offers a more distinctive sight than a standard cove. A rock formation with an opening gives the skipper a natural point of interest during the coastal run, and it is the kind of feature that looks best from the sea.

Porri Island is another possible stop or viewing point. Small islands change the feel of a boat trip because they make the route seem more open and remote, even when Stintino is not far away.

Neither place is guaranteed. The skipper selects the final route based on the wind and the day’s conditions. That can be frustrating if you have your heart set on one named site, but the flexibility helps keep the experience pleasant rather than forcing a rough crossing for the sake of a promise.

The value of $56 per person

At $56 per person, this is a reasonably priced way to get on the water around Stintino. The cost includes the guided half-day excursion, skipper, and fuel. For a three-hour outing, those inclusions make the price easier to assess because fuel and boat operation are already covered.

The value comes from access to several coastal areas in one morning or afternoon. Hiring a boat privately would normally cost far more, while visiting each cove by land may be difficult or impossible. You are paying for movement between sites, swimming access, and the skipper’s judgment about conditions.

The price does not include food or drinks, so budget for those separately. This is not a catered cruise. It is a straightforward coastal trip where you supply your own water and focus on the sea.

I think the tour is strongest for people who want a compact outing at a fair cost. It may be less appealing if you prefer a large boat with toilets, a fixed route, or a full-day experience with lunch included.

Who should book this Stintino excursion

I would choose this tour if you want to see more than La Pelosa but do not want to give up an entire day. It suits couples, friends, and families who enjoy short swims and changing scenery.

It is also a good option if you would rather see La Pelosa from the sea than spend all your time on the beach. One French guest specifically appreciated having an alternative to the crowds at La Pelosa, which captures the appeal well: you can admire the area without making the beach itself your only plan.

The trip may suit you if you value a friendly guide. Nicolò has been praised for being approachable, clear in English, and relaxed when explaining the places along the route. The Italian and English language options make the trip practical for international visitors.

I would think twice if you are pregnant, since the activity is listed as unsuitable for pregnant women. Pets are not allowed. You should also reconsider if you dislike open boats, sun exposure, or changing plans based on weather.

Practical packing and timing advice

Bring swimwear, a towel, drinking water, and a sun hat. Those are not optional extras on a three-hour boat ride. I would also wear footwear that you can manage around a quay and on a small boat, though the stated requirements only specifically mention the items above.

Keep valuables to a minimum. The boat has an awning and ladder, but the available space is not described as large, and you will want both hands free when boarding or swimming.

Morning and afternoon departures are available, with times dependent on the schedule. A morning trip can leave your afternoon open for Stintino or La Pelosa. An afternoon trip may work better if you want a slow start, but you should still plan around the strongest sun and the time needed to reach the harbor.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now while paying later. Those terms are useful when your Sardinia plans depend on weather, but check the exact departure time and availability before you commit.

Should you book it?

I would book this dinghy trip if you want clear-water swimming, several coastal views, and La Pelosa from the sea in just three hours. The $56 price is fair because it includes fuel, the skipper, and a guided route through areas that are not easy to link together on foot.

Choose it with the understanding that the sea decides the final program. You may see two or three of the named sites rather than all of them, and food is not provided. If that flexibility suits you, Wild Asinara offers a practical, enjoyable way to see the Asinara Gulf without turning your whole day into a boat outing.

FAQ

Where does the dinghy tour depart from?

The tour departs from Porticciolo dell’Ancora, at the quay on the left as you enter Porto dell’Ancora in Stintino.

How long does the excursion last?

The excursion lasts three hours and is available with morning or afternoon departure times, subject to availability.

What places might the boat visit?

Possible stops and viewing points include Cala Grande, Scanna Capretti, the natural swimming pools of Fornelli, La Pelosa, Capo Falcone, Roccia Forata, Porri Island, Isola Piana, and Mare di Fuori. The skipper chooses two or three stops according to wind and weather.

Is food included?

No. Food and drinks are not included, so bring water and any other refreshments you need.

What should I bring?

Bring a sun hat, swimwear, a towel, and water.

Is the activity suitable for everyone?

The excursion is not suitable for pregnant women, and pets are not allowed. The boat has an awning and ladder, but the trip takes place on an eight-meter dinghy.