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

Cagliari’s best views often come from the water, and this three-hour boat trip gives you a lively taste of the coast without taking up a full day. You’ll swim at Calamosca, stop beneath the striking Sella del Diavolo, and finish near the long sands of Poetto.

I like two things here: the GoPro and free photos, which make it easy to record underwater moments, and the relaxed guide-led pace. Gabriel and Francesco are both named as guides, and the experience includes drinks and snorkeling equipment. The main drawback is the small boat, with limited room and access that may be difficult for anyone carrying mobility equipment.

Quick points to know

• Three coastal stops in about three hours: Calamosca, Sella del Diavolo, and Poetto.
• Swimming is central to the experience: The longest stop is at Sella del Diavolo, with about 80 minutes in the area.
• A GoPro is available to use: Photos are sent afterward at no extra charge.
• The boat is small: That helps create a friendly outing, but personal space and storage are limited.
• Beer and soft drinks are included: This is a simple, informal trip rather than a formal sightseeing cruise.
• Molo Dogana is both the meeting and return point: The tour is offered in English and accepts a maximum of 20 participants.

Why this boat trip works well in Cagliari

I see this as a good middle ground between a beach afternoon and a guided sightseeing outing. You are not simply transported from one beach to another. The guide gives context about the coast, points out notable sights, and leaves plenty of time for swimming.

The experience is also easy to fit into a short visit. It lasts about three hours, returns to the same place where it begins, and has been used successfully by people visiting Cagliari for only part of a day. One family with five children aged 14 to 24 completed the morning trip and returned on time for a cruise departure.

The boat atmosphere is casual. A father and daughter team may operate the outing, while guides such as Gabriel or Francesco lead different departures. The tone is friendly and informal, with music, drinks, and the chance to move between swimming spots rather than sit through a long narrated cruise.

You should know what you are booking. This is a small boat experience, not a large vessel with a shaded cabin, toilets, or broad walking space. The boat has been described as a dinghy or gommone, so you will need to manage a short ladder and get in and out of the water from the boat. That is part of the fun for active visitors, but it matters if you have limited mobility or need to bring bulky equipment.

Starting at Molo Dogana in Cagliari

The tour starts at Molo Dogana, 09125 Cagliari, and ends there. The meeting point is near public transportation, which makes it practical if you are staying in central Cagliari or arriving without a car.

I would allow extra time to find the exact boarding point. One poor experience came from confusion over the meeting place and the scheduled departure time. The operator’s response made clear that the morning departure was held for 35 minutes, and that calls and messages were sent to the contact number in the booking. The useful lesson is simple: check the exact time and location carefully, keep your phone available, and contact the operator at once if you cannot find the boat.

The tour has a maximum of 20 participants, although the actual group can be smaller. A small group makes it easier to ask for help, hear the guide, and spend a little longer at a favorite swimming spot. A larger departure will feel more social and may leave less room on the boat.

The meeting point is also useful at the end of the day. One Italian-language account noted that the return brings you close to Cagliari’s evening activity, with the crew offering suggestions for places to go afterward. That makes this an easy addition to a day that continues into dinner.

Calamosca Beach and its old coastal landmarks

The first planned stop is Calamosca Beach, with about 40 minutes allocated. This is a sensible opening stop because it gives you time to settle into the boat, get familiar with the swimming equipment, and take your first look below the surface.

The water is described as clear, and the area is suitable for swimming, underwater photos, and seeing fish. The crew supplies snorkeling equipment, though you should clarify exactly what is available. One account described the equipment as goggles only, without a breathing tube. If you expect a full mask and snorkel set, ask before departure or bring your own if you have space.

Calamosca also adds a little history to what could otherwise be only a swim stop. From the water, you can see an old Spanish tower dating from about 1600 and the Calamosca lighthouse, built later. These details are easy to appreciate from a boat because you get a broad view of the shoreline rather than only the beach itself.

Forty minutes is enough for a swim and a quick look around, but it is not a long beach visit. You should not expect time for a leisurely walk, a full meal, or extended time on the sand. The trip is built around repeated short swims and coastal views.

Sella del Diavolo, the main swimming stop

The longest stop is Sella del Diavolo, with about one hour and 20 minutes in the area. This is the part that gives the trip its name and its strongest sense of place.

The promontory is tied to an old legend. Lucifer supposedly fell in love with the Gulf of Cagliari and tried to claim it. The archangel Michael knocked him from his horse, and the saddle fell into the gulf, turned to stone, and became the rock formation now called the Devil’s Saddle.

You do not need to be interested in legends to enjoy this stop. The real appeal is the access. The boat takes you to water and coves that are best appreciated from the sea, with cliffs and open views around you. Several accounts describe swimming near caves, and one family singled out this second stop as especially memorable.

This is also where the flexible pace matters most. You can swim, return to the boat, and go back into the water rather than rush through one single activity. The crew appears to give the group time to enjoy the conditions, though the exact route can vary with weather and sea conditions.

The water is the main attraction, so pack your expectations accordingly. This is not a land excursion with a long walk to a viewpoint. You will see Sella del Diavolo from the boat and from the water. If you want to hike up the promontory, this tour does not provide that experience.

Using the GoPro and receiving your photos

The included GoPro is one of the strongest practical touches. You can use it for underwater video and still images instead of worrying about your own camera getting wet. That gives you a way to record the fish, swimming, and clear water without buying an extra photo package.

The operator sends the photos afterward at no additional cost. That is valuable because you can enjoy the swim instead of trying to take pictures with one hand while holding onto equipment with the other.

You should still treat the camera as a shared activity item, not a personal rental. The supplied information does not specify how many cameras are available or how long each person can use one. If the boat is full, you may need to take turns.

The snorkeling setup also deserves a realistic note. The tour includes snorkeling equipment, but at least one person found that it consisted of goggles without an actual snorkel. That is enough to look underwater, but it is different from a full snorkeling setup. Strong swimmers may not care. If you rely on a breathing tube, confirm the equipment before booking.

Poetto Beach, the easy final stop

The final stop is Poetto, Cagliari’s best-known beach, stretching for about eight kilometers. It is nicknamed the beach of the hundred thousand because of its large summer crowds.

Poetto has a sandy seabed and clear water. It also has a working past, since the area was once known for salt extraction. After the open-water stops around Calamosca and Sella del Diavolo, Poetto provides a more familiar beach setting.

The schedule allows about one hour here. Depending on the conditions and the group, you may swim from the boat or reach the beach for a short visit. One account described being able to swim to shore at the last stop and spend a little time on the sand.

Do not treat this as a full Poetto beach day. An hour passes quickly, especially when you are sharing time between swimming, photos, and getting back aboard. The advantage is variety: you see three different coastal settings in one trip instead of spending the whole outing in one bay.

The guide, group mood, and what is included

The guide can make a real difference on a small boat. Gabriel is described as funny and helpful, while Francesco is noted for sharing information about Cagliari and Sardinia without turning the trip into a lecture. The family-run feel comes through in the accounts of a father and daughter working together.

This is a social outing, but it is not necessarily loud or crowded. Some departures have had only a few people aboard, allowing the group to linger at one stop. The advertised maximum is 20, so you should be prepared for a fuller boat on popular dates.

Included features are practical rather than luxurious:

• Swimming stops at three coastal areas
• Snorkeling equipment
• Use of a GoPro
• Photos sent afterward
• A beer or other drink
• An English-language experience
• Return to Molo Dogana

The beer is a pleasant finishing touch, especially after swimming, but it should not be the reason you book. This is a coastal outing first. The value comes from the boat access, swimming time, guide, and camera service.

Is $66.08 a fair price?

At $66.08 per person, I consider this a reasonable price if you want several swimming areas and the GoPro service. You are paying for about three hours on the water, a guide, equipment, drinks, and the chance to visit stretches of coast that are awkward to see independently from land.

The price is less compelling if you only want to sit on a beach. Poetto and Calamosca can be visited as beach destinations, and this tour does not give you a long stay at either one. You are paying for the boat route and the ability to reach Sella del Diavolo from the sea.

The free photos help the value. Many water activities charge extra for images, while this experience sends them afterward. I would still compare the price with any longer boat trips available during your stay, especially if you want more time on the coast rather than a compact introduction.

The trip is booked an average of eight days ahead, so I would reserve early during busy periods. The experience requires suitable weather and a minimum number of participants. If poor weather or low enrollment cancels the outing, you are offered another date or a full refund.

Who should book it, and who should think twice

I would recommend this trip to you if you want an active half-day, like swimming in open water, and prefer a small-group setting over a large sightseeing boat. It also fits well into a cruise stop or a short Cagliari visit because it returns to the original meeting point.

Families with older children and teenagers should find the format appealing. The water activities, camera, and repeated stops give younger participants something to do, while the short duration keeps the day manageable.

Couples and friends will appreciate the relaxed pace and the chance to share underwater photos. The beer, music, and informal guiding make it feel more like an outing with a local crew than a formal excursion.

I would be cautious if you need a walker, have trouble climbing a short boat ladder, or need generous storage space. The operator states that the activity is not recommended for people with obesity or cardiovascular diseases. The boat cannot accommodate every type of mobility equipment, and the operator needs to know about such needs before booking.

The cancellation terms are straightforward: cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations inside that period are not accepted for a refund.

Should you book the Sella del Diavolo boat tour?

Book it if you want a compact, friendly way to see Cagliari from the water, with plenty of swimming and useful extras such as the GoPro, free photos, and a drink. The Sella del Diavolo stop is the highlight, while Calamosca and Poetto give the outing welcome variety.

Skip it if you want a large, polished cruise boat, a full day at the beach, or guaranteed access for bulky mobility equipment. For everyone else, the combination of clear water, local guides such as Gabriel or Francesco, and three different coastal stops makes $66.08 a fair price for an active morning or afternoon.

FAQ

Where does the boat tour begin?

The tour begins at Molo Dogana, 09125 Cagliari, Italy.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the Molo Dogana meeting point.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts approximately three hours.

Which places does the tour visit?

The scheduled stops are Calamosca Beach, Sella del Diavolo, and Poetto Beach.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes, snorkeling equipment is included. One account describes the supplied equipment as goggles without a breathing tube, so confirm the exact setup if you require a full snorkel.

Can I use a GoPro during the tour?

Yes. A GoPro is available for use during the swimming and snorkeling portions.

Are photos included?

Yes. The operator sends the tour photos afterward at no extra charge.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes, the activity is offered in English.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not refunded. Weather or minimum-participant cancellations offer a different date or a full refund.