Boat Tour to Sella del Diavolo: Snorkeling, GoPro & Beer

The best part of this Cagliari boat trip is the access. You reach the coves and clear water around Sella del Diavolo by sea, with time to swim, use a GoPro, and see the coast from a completely different angle. Guides including Gabriel and Francesco add local stories and a relaxed, friendly feel.

I like the free GoPro and photos, which turn a pleasant swim into something you can take home. I also like the three-stop plan: Calamosca gives you history and snorkeling, Sella del Diavolo delivers the most striking setting, and Poetto finishes the outing on a broad sandy beach.

The main thing to consider is the small boat. It suits people who are comfortable climbing a short ladder, sitting close to others, and bringing only a small amount of personal gear. Check the meeting details carefully, and contact the operator ahead of time if you need mobility equipment or extra assistance.

Quick take: what makes this boat trip worth considering

• Sella del Diavolo by sea: You reach swimming spots beneath one of Cagliari’s best-known coastal landmarks.
• Three different stops: Calamosca, Sella del Diavolo, and Poetto each offer a different setting rather than three similar beach visits.
• GoPro included: You can record underwater clips, and the operator has sent photos to customers at no extra charge.
• A relaxed three-hour outing: The schedule leaves time for swimming instead of turning the trip into a quick photo stop.
• Small-group feel: The advertised maximum is 20 people, while some departures have been much smaller.
• Simple extras: Snorkeling equipment and a beer are included, with the exact equipment worth confirming before departure.

Starting at Molo Dogana in central Cagliari

The meeting point is Molo Dogana, at the harbor in Cagliari. The activity returns to the same place, which makes planning the rest of your day easier. It is also near public transportation, though you should allow enough time to find the correct boat and boarding point.

This is not a large sightseeing vessel. It is a small inflatable boat, described by the operator as a dinghy, with limited room for personal belongings. That is part of the appeal: you sit close to the water and get a more direct view of the coast. It also means you should pack lightly and avoid bringing anything you cannot keep secure.

The departure time matters. One customer described leaving at 10 a.m. and returning on time for a cruise ship, but you should still allow a sensible buffer before your ship’s departure. Another booking problem came from a missed start time and confusion over the meeting point, so read the confirmation closely and use the operator’s phone number if you cannot locate the boat.

The tour is offered in English. Gabriel and Francesco are named as guides and skippers in the available feedback, and the family-run feel comes through in the way the trip is conducted. Expect a captain who handles the boat and gives basic information about the coastline, rather than a formal lecture with a microphone.

Calamosca Beach: swimming beside old coastal defenses

The first stop is Calamosca Beach, about 40 minutes. This is a useful opening stop because it combines a swim with a little Cagliari history. You can get into the water, look for fish, and take underwater pictures while the boat stays near one of the city’s well-known beaches.

Two landmarks frame the stop. The old Spanish tower dates from around 1600, and the Calamosca lighthouse was built later. From the water, these features give the cove a stronger sense of place than a standard beach stop. You are not just looking at another patch of sand and sea. You are seeing how the coast was watched, marked, and used over time.

The water is described as clear, and the seabed is suitable for seeing fish. Expectations should stay sensible: this is casual snorkeling rather than a specialist marine excursion. The equipment is included, but one person specifically found that the provided gear consisted of goggles without an actual breathing tube. If snorkeling gear matters to you, bring your own mask and tube or ask the operator exactly what will be supplied.

This stop is also a good test of your comfort with the boat. You will need to get into the water and climb back aboard, usually using a small ladder. The guides can offer a hand, but the operator does not promise full physical assistance.

Sella del Diavolo: the strongest stop on the route

The second stop lasts about 1 hour and 20 minutes, giving it the largest share of the trip. That is sensible. Sella del Diavolo is the visual centerpiece, and reaching it from the water lets you see the rocky promontory from an angle walkers and road users cannot get.

The name means Devil’s Saddle. Local legend says Lucifer wanted to claim the Gulf of Cagliari because of its beauty. The archangel Michael knocked him from his horse, and the saddle fell into the gulf, turned to stone, and became the promontory you see today.

You do not need to take the story literally to enjoy it. It gives the rock formation a memorable identity, and the shape makes the old tale easy to picture. The main attraction, though, is the water around it. You can swim in clear sea, look toward the cliffs and coves, and use the GoPro for underwater footage.

This is where the time allowance has real value. Some boat outings rush past a scenic point, leaving you with a quick photograph and little else. Here you have enough time to swim, return to the boat, and get back into the water. One family particularly enjoyed a stop where it was possible to swim toward caves, though the formal stop names do not identify that location. You might encounter similar coastal features around this part of the route.

The boat provides a good viewing position, but do not expect a private cove or complete quiet. The maximum group size is listed as 20, and the vessel is small. Some departures have had only a few people aboard, while others have felt more compact. If you want a roomy, spacious boat with plenty of shade and storage, this is probably not the right product.

Poetto Beach: a broad finish after the rocky coves

The final stop is Poetto, with about an hour set aside. Poetto stretches for roughly eight kilometers and is one of Cagliari’s main beaches. Its sandy seabed and clear water create a different mood from the rocky coastline around Sella del Diavolo.

Poetto is known as the beach of the hundred thousand, a nickname linked to its large summer crowds. From the boat, you get a broad view of the shoreline and a chance to swim in more open surroundings. The beach was also once connected with salt extraction, an interesting reminder that this coast has supported work as well as leisure.

A useful feature of this stop is that, on some outings, you may be able to swim to shore and spend a short time on the beach. Do not treat that as a guaranteed extended beach visit. The tour is still a boat trip, and the schedule must allow the group to return to Molo Dogana.

Poetto works well as the final stop because it gives you a softer landing after the rocks, towers, and cliffs. If you prefer sandy beaches, this may be your favorite part. If you came mainly for dramatic coastal scenery and caves, Sella del Diavolo will probably leave the stronger impression.

The GoPro, photos, beer, and snorkeling equipment

The included extras are more useful than they first sound. A GoPro lets you record your own swims rather than relying only on the guide’s photographs. You can capture fish, rock formations, and the color of the water from your own point of view.

The operator has also provided photos afterward at no extra cost. That is a real advantage for anyone who does not want to spend the entire trip holding a phone. You can enjoy the water and still have a record of the outing.

The beer is a small touch, but it fits the easygoing character of the trip. You also receive snorkeling equipment, although the precise setup may be limited to goggles. If you want to breathe through a tube while looking below the surface, bring your own equipment or confirm the details before booking.

Music and soft drinks have also been part of the onboard setup described by customers. Since the information does not promise a fixed drinks menu beyond the beer, think of these as possible comforts rather than a full refreshment service.

What three hours gives you for $66.08

At $66.08 per person, this is not the cheapest way to visit a beach. But the price includes a boat ride, three coastal stops, swimming time, snorkeling equipment, a GoPro, and a beer. The operator has also supplied photos without an extra charge. If you would otherwise pay separately for a short boat cruise and equipment hire, the package makes reasonable sense.

The value depends on how you use the time. If you stay on the boat and only take photographs, the cost may feel high. If you swim at each stop, use the camera, and appreciate seeing Cagliari from the Gulf, three hours gives you a solid half-day activity without taking over your whole schedule.

The small boat is important to the value calculation. You are paying for close access and a more personal outing, not for a large vessel with a bar, toilets, wide seats, or lots of room to spread out. I would choose this trip for the route and time in the water, not for onboard comfort.

The tour is booked about eight days ahead on average, so popular dates can fill. The 4.6 rating from 33 ratings and a 94 percent recommendation rate suggest a generally strong experience, but the poor experiences point to practical risks. Meeting-point confusion, late arrival, limited boat space, and mobility needs can affect the day more than the sightseeing itself.

Who will enjoy it, and who should choose another outing

I would recommend this boat trip to you if you want:

• Several swims in one outing
• A close view of Cagliari’s coast from the water
• Informal guiding rather than a formal sightseeing cruise
• Underwater photos without hiring your own camera
• A manageable three-hour activity during a short city stay
• A boat trip that can fit a cruise-port day, with careful timing

It is a particularly good match for couples, families with older children, and active adults who are happy to climb in and out of the water. One family with five children aged 14 to 24 completed the outing comfortably and returned in time for its ship.

I would think twice if you need a walker, have limited mobility, or are uncomfortable with a short boat ladder. The operator specifically says the experience is not recommended for people with obesity or cardiovascular disease. That is a safety note worth taking seriously, not a minor formality.

You should also reconsider it if you dislike small boats, need lots of shade, or want a long stay on the sand. The tour moves between coastal stops, and the main activity is swimming from the boat.

Weather, timing, and practical planning

The trip depends on good weather. If conditions force cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. The same applies if the minimum number of participants is not reached.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund, so leave yourself room if your Cagliari plans may change.

Wear a swimsuit and bring only the basics. A towel, sun protection, and a secure way to carry small items are sensible choices, although the supplied information does not list a formal packing list. Keep valuables to a minimum because storage on a small boat is limited.

Finally, do not assume that being near the harbor means the exact boarding point will be obvious. Use Molo Dogana as the stated starting point, arrive early, and call the operator if you are unsure. That simple step can prevent the kind of missed departure that turns a good plan into a lost morning.

Should you book this Cagliari boat tour?

Book it if you want active time on the water, three different coastal settings, and the chance to swim beneath Sella del Diavolo. The GoPro, photos, beer, and included equipment make the $66.08 price easier to justify, especially for a short visit or cruise stop.

Skip it if you need generous space, full mobility support, or a conventional beach day. For the right person, this is a friendly, uncomplicated way to see Cagliari’s coast. Just arrive at the correct harbor point, travel light, and confirm the snorkeling setup and accessibility needs before you pay.

FAQ

Where does the boat tour start and finish?

It starts at Molo Dogana, 09125 Cagliari, Italy, and ends back at the same meeting point.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts approximately three hours. The listed stops take about 40 minutes at Calamosca, 1 hour and 20 minutes at Sella del Diavolo, and one hour at Poetto.

What places does the tour visit?

The route includes Calamosca Beach, Sella del Diavolo, and Poetto Beach.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes, snorkeling equipment is included. One account describes the equipment as goggles without a breathing tube, so confirm the exact setup if that matters to you.

Is the GoPro included?

Yes. You can use a GoPro during the outing, and the operator has provided photos at no extra charge.

Is the tour suitable for people with limited mobility?

The tour may not be suitable for people who need a walker or extensive assistance. The boat is small, boarding involves a ladder, and the operator states that the activity is not recommended in cases of obesity or cardiovascular disease.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before the start time are not refunded. If poor weather or insufficient participation cancels the tour, you are offered another date or a full refund.