Boat Tour at Devil’s Saddle: 4 Swim Stops, Snorkeling & Prosecco

The best part of this Cagliari boat tour is simple: you get into the water again and again. From the marina, the boat runs along the coast near Devil’s Saddle, stopping at clear-water coves, beaches, and the Gasole swimming pools. It is an easy way to see a wilder side of Sardinia without committing to a full-day cruise.

I like the number of swim stops, which gives you several chances to snorkel, float, or stay dry on deck. I also like the mix of scenery and small touches: snorkeling gear, bottled water, music, local stories, and a glass of chilled Prosecco. The main consideration is comfort. There is no toilet on the boat or at the port, and the trip is not a good choice if you suffer from seasickness.

Key points to know before booking

• Several chances to swim: The route includes stops at Cala Bernat, Calamosca Beach, Cala Fighera, the Gasole pools, Marina Piccola, and Poetto, with timing subject to weather.
• A lively skipper makes a difference: Guides including Giovanni, Alessandro, Pietro, Matteo, and Alec have been praised for friendly service, safety, local information, music, and help in the water.
• Snorkeling equipment is supplied: Masks and snorkels are included, so you do not need to pack your own gear.
• Grotta dei Colombi is seen from the sea: The cave can only be reached by water, making the passage one of the route’s more unusual sights.
• Plan for a compact outing: The cruise lasts about three hours and returns to Molo Dogana in Cagliari.
• Arrive early: You must be at the meeting point 20 minutes before departure. The boat cannot wait for late arrivals.

Why this Cagliari boat tour works so well

Cagliari has plenty of churches, old streets, and viewpoints, but the coast gives you a different sense of the city. From the water, the rocky shore around Devil’s Saddle feels far removed from the urban center. You see coves that are awkward to reach on foot, low cliffs, sea caves, and bright water close to the city.

This tour is built around time in the sea rather than long explanations on board. Each swimming stop lasts about 20 minutes, though weather and sea conditions can change the plan. That rhythm suits a hot Sardinian day: cruise for a while, stop for a swim, dry off, and then move on to another stretch of coast.

The boat returns to the same place where it starts, at NautiSardinia Boat Trips at Molo Dogana. That makes the outing practical if you are staying in central Cagliari or connecting it with a walk around the harbor. The experience is offered in English, with an English- and Italian-speaking skipper or guide.

The maximum group size is 32 people. That is not a private cruise, so expect a shared outing rather than a quiet charter. On some departures, several boats may leave around the same time. If you want to sit with friends or family, book together.

From Molo Dogana to Cala Bernat

The meeting point is at Molo Dogana, in Cagliari’s port area. Search Google Maps for NautiSardinia Boat Trips rather than relying only on the general name of the marina. Arrive at least 20 minutes early, since late departures are not held for delayed taxis, buses, or cars.

Cala Bernat is the first listed swimming stop. The short stop gives you an early chance to test the water and snorkeling gear. If conditions allow, you can swim toward the beach, but the exact plan depends on wind and sea conditions.

I see this first stop as a useful warm-up rather than the main event. You can settle into the boat, check your mask, and decide how much swimming you want to do. If you are not a confident swimmer, ask the skipper about the safest way to enter the water and use the life jacket if needed.

Calamosca Beach and the first look at the coast

The boat then continues to Calamosca Beach, another stop of roughly 20 minutes for swimming and snorkeling. Calamosca is a natural place to pause because you get the beach view as well as the open-water experience.

The chance to swim to shore is appealing, but it also means you should not assume every stop is a beach visit. The tour is not designed around getting off the boat for a long time. You are mainly stopping to swim, snorkel, and enjoy the coast from the water.

The water can be very clear, and several accounts describe seeing fish, starfish, and attractive underwater views. Keep your expectations sensible, though. This is a coastal sightseeing trip with casual snorkeling, not a specialist marine excursion. One evening outing had warm water and pleasant surroundings but fewer fish than expected.

Cala Fighera, a rougher and more dramatic cove

Spiaggia di Cala Fighera brings you to another stretch of the Devil’s Saddle coast. The cove has a more secluded feel than a standard city beach, and the boat lets you appreciate its rocky setting without needing to plan a separate walk.

Again, the stop is about 20 minutes. You may swim toward the beach if the conditions and your ability allow, or stay near the boat with a mask and snorkel. I would bring water shoes if you have them, since rocky swimming areas can be less comfortable underfoot. They are not listed as included, so pack your own.

The route can change. This matters more than it might sound. Sea trips are controlled by wind, waves, and safety, not by a fixed sightseeing script. A change of cove is not a failure of the tour, but you should book this for the overall coastal experience rather than for one exact beach.

Passing Grotta dei Colombi by boat

At one point, the boat passes in front of Grotta dei Colombi. The cave is reachable only by sea, so the boat provides a view that is difficult to arrange independently.

This is a passage rather than a long shore visit. You will likely have time to look, take photos, and hear some information from the skipper before the boat continues. The cave adds variety to an outing that could otherwise feel like a sequence of swim breaks.

The guides have also pointed out historical and geographical details along the coast. Do not expect a formal lecture. The information is woven into the ride, which suits the relaxed nature of the trip. Alessandro, Giovanni, and Pietro have each been singled out for combining local context with a light, friendly manner.

Devil’s Saddle and the Gasole swimming pools

The tour’s central feature is Sella del Diavolo, or Devil’s Saddle. The name comes from the distinctive shape of the headland, which is best understood from the water. Here, the boat visits the Gasole swimming pools, a striking area for another swim and snorkeling stop.

This is the place where the tour’s title makes sense. You are not simply looking at Devil’s Saddle from a distant viewpoint. You are moving around its shore and stopping in the water beside it.

The Gasole stop lasts about 20 minutes in the planned schedule. The pools may be especially inviting when the sea is calm, but weather can affect access and the order of the route. If swimming is your main goal, this is one of the stops to look forward to. If you prefer sightseeing, you can stay on board and enjoy the cliffs and water from the deck.

Marina Piccola and Poetto add more water time

The boat continues toward Marina Piccola, stopping in front of the bay for another swim and snorkeling session. You may have the chance to swim toward the coast, but the focus remains on being in the water rather than exploring the marina on foot.

Poetto is the final listed swimming stop. This well-known stretch gives you one more chance to swim before returning to Cagliari. The sequence can feel generous for a three-hour trip, especially if you want an active outing rather than a slow cruise with only one swim.

There is a small catch: six listed points, including Poetto, do not fit neatly with the title’s promise of four swim stops. The practical answer is to expect several swimming opportunities, with the exact number and order changing with weather, timing, and sea conditions. The supplied schedule assigns about 20 minutes to each stop, but the boat may adjust the route.

Snorkeling gear, safety, and the Prosecco break

Masks and snorkels are included, which saves you from renting equipment or filling your luggage with bulky gear. Bottled water is also provided, and a life jacket is available if necessary.

The crew’s attention to safety is a strong part of the experience. Guides have been praised for checking on swimmers, helping people feel secure, and keeping the outing moving. That is particularly useful for families. Children aged 9, 10, 12, 13, and 14 have enjoyed the stops, and the repeated short swims can work better for children than one long period in the water.

You should bring your own food if you need a meal. Food is not included, and the tour lasts only about three hours, so a light snack may be enough for many people. Do not assume the included Prosecco replaces lunch. The advertised inclusion is one glass.

Music is part of the mood on some departures. Alessandro has taken song requests, and other skippers have kept the atmosphere playful without losing control of the boat. If you want a quiet, meditative cruise, this may feel too social. If you like a little music, conversation, and humor between swims, it fits well.

Is $60.49 a fair price?

At $60.49 per person, this is not the cheapest way to reach a Sardinian beach. You are paying for a boat, fuel, skipper, several stops, snorkeling equipment, bottled water, and the convenience of returning to central Cagliari. You also get access to sea views and the passage by Grotta dei Colombi, which would be difficult to reproduce with a normal beach day.

The value is strongest if you plan to swim more than once. A single boat ride with one quick stop would not justify the price as easily, but this outing is built around repeated water access. The Prosecco is a pleasant extra, not the reason to book.

The trip is often reserved about 22 days ahead. That suggests you should not leave it until the last minute during a busy summer visit, especially if your schedule has only one suitable morning or afternoon. Still, check the sea conditions before you commit to the day, since poor weather can lead to a new date or a full refund.

Who should book this experience?

I would choose this for anyone staying in Cagliari who wants a relaxed half-day on the water without arranging a private charter. It suits couples, groups of friends, and families with children who are comfortable around open water.

It is also a good fit if you have already seen the city’s main sights and want a change of pace. The tour combines scenery, swimming, light local information, and a social atmosphere. Evening departures can be especially pleasant, with one outing running from 5 pm to 8 pm and finishing around sunset.

I would think twice if you are prone to seasickness. The operator specifically does not recommend the trip for people who suffer from it. Pregnant passengers should contact the provider before booking, and the tour is not recommended for safety reasons for people weighing over 135 kilograms.

You also need to be comfortable with basic practical limits. There is no bathroom on the boat or in the port. You must arrive on time, carry identification, and avoid bringing alcohol or drugs on board. Respectful behavior is expected both on the boat and in the marina.

Booking, cancellation, and timing tips

The tour starts and ends at NautiSardinia Boat Trips, Molo Dogana, 09125 Cagliari. The nearest listed parking is Parcheggio Porto | Apcoa, about a 10-minute walk away. Public transportation is nearby, but allow extra time if you are arriving by bus or taxi.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the local start time. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund. If bad weather cancels the trip, you are offered another date or a full refund. The same applies if the minimum number of participants is not reached.

Bring swimwear, a towel, sun protection, and any water shoes you prefer. Pack a snack if needed, but keep the load small. A photo of an identification document is accepted, and you should have it with you.

Should you book the Devil’s Saddle boat tour?

Book it if you want several easy swims, clear coastal water, casual snorkeling, and a friendly skipper-led outing from Cagliari. The strongest reasons are the repeated stops, the access to sea-only sights such as Grotta dei Colombi, and the simple all-in setup with gear, water, fuel, and Prosecco included.

Skip it if you need a bathroom, dislike shared boat trips, or regularly feel ill at sea. Also avoid booking it around a tightly fixed schedule unless you can arrive early and accept changes caused by weather.

For most people looking for a sunny break from Cagliari’s streets, this is a strong-value outing. Choose a morning trip for a fresh start to the day, or an evening departure if you like softer light and a sunset ride back toward the city.

FAQ

How long does the Devil’s Saddle boat tour last?

The experience lasts approximately three hours and ends back at the Molo Dogana meeting point in Cagliari.

Where does the boat tour start?

It starts at NautiSardinia Boat Trips, Molo Dogana, 09125 Cagliari, Italy. You can search Google Maps for NautiSardinia Boat Trips.

Are snorkeling masks and snorkels included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included, along with bottled water, fuel surcharge, a life jacket if necessary, and one glass of Prosecco.

How early should I arrive?

All passengers must arrive 20 minutes before departure. The boat cannot delay departure for late arrivals.

Is food included?

No. Food is not included, but you may bring your own.

Can the route change because of weather?

Yes. The swimming locations and itinerary may vary according to weather and sea conditions. If poor weather cancels the experience, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.