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

Cagliari from the water is a different planet. This 3-hour boat tour strings together clear-water swimming and snorkeling stops around the Devil’s Saddle area, plus a cruise past Grotta dei Colombi reachable only by sea, with a small-group feel and Prosecco onboard. English is part of the experience, and guides like Giovanni, Pietro, and Alessandro are known for making the day run smoothly.

What I like most is the way it balances real time in the water with just enough moving between bays to keep things fun. You also get snorkeling equipment plus bottled water, and that glass of Prosecco helps it feel like a day out, not a chore with a boat ride.

One consideration: it is not recommended for seasickness, and there is no toilet on the boat or in the port, so plan around that.

Key Highlights You’ll Care About

• Four main swim and snorkeling breaks, with the route shifting a bit based on sea and weather conditions
• Sella del Diavolo and the Gasole swimming pools, a favorite spot for a quick jump and a second swim
• Snorkel gear and bottled water included, so you can just show up and go
• Grotta dei Colombi is passed from the water, since it is reachable only by sea
• A glass of Prosecco onboard, with a lively guide vibe reported by many people

Devil’s Saddle Snorkeling, Built for Real Swim Time

This tour works because it is designed around water time, not sightseeing stamps. You are cruising along Cagliari’s coastline, then stopping at multiple spots where you can go in, float, and (with luck) spot fish in clear water. The mix of coves and beaches matters, because each stop has its own feel, from easy swimming near shore to deeper spots that are best for snorkeling.

The Devil’s Saddle angle is what gives this trip its name and tone. The area is known for dramatic coastal scenery, and one stop in particular, Sella del Diavolo, ties the whole theme together. Then you add quick coastal cruising, including a passage in front of Grotta dei Colombi, and the day stops feeling one-note.

Also, this is not a giant party boat. The cap is 32 travelers, which is big enough for a lively group, small enough that the skipper can keep an eye on you when you are in the water.

Getting Ready at NautiSardinia, Molo Dogana

You’ll meet at NautiSardinia Boat Trips at Molo Dogana, 09125 Cagliari. This is in the city, near public transportation, so you are not locked into renting a car just to have fun for a few hours.

A few practical heads-ups to make your day smoother:

• Be there 20 minutes early. The boat will not wait.
• Bring a photo ID.
• There is no toilet on the boat or in the port, so plan to handle that before you go.
• You can bring your own food, but you should not expect meals provided.
• If you have seasickness, skip this one. It is explicitly not recommended for that.
• If you are pregnant, you should contact the operator before booking.

If you want the best experience, come with swimwear ready, and keep your phone protected. You will be hopping on and off and changing between sun and water.

The Cruise Plan: Cala Bernat, Calamosca, Cala Fighera, and More

The day is paced like a chain: cruise to a spot, get set for swimming and snorkeling, then move on. Each water stop is scheduled around the same window, roughly 20 minutes for the swim and snorkeling portion, with timing and exact locations able to shift due to weather.

Here is what you can expect at each scheduled area:

Cala Bernat: Beach Swim + Snorkeling Time

Cala Bernat is set up for an easy entry style, with time to swim and snorkel and even a chance to go toward the beach. That matters if you are new to snorkeling or just want a low-pressure water break. You can spend your time either floating and looking around or swimming at a steady pace.

A small drawback here is common on day trips: because conditions vary, you might find some days feel more like swimming and less like snorkeling. The upside is you still get water time either way.

Calamosca Beach: Another Clear-Water Break

Next comes Calamosca Beach, again with swimming and snorkeling, and the option to head toward the coast. This is the kind of stop that helps the tour feel like a mix of lounging and exploring. If one cove feels choppy or crowded, another can be calmer, and the route gives you multiple chances rather than betting everything on one location.

Spiaggia di Cala Fighera and a Pass by Grotta dei Colombi

At Spiaggia di Cala Fighera, you get the same idea again: swim, snorkel, and enjoy the visibility if the sea cooperates. Then there is a special moment on the route, a passage in front of Grotta dei Colombi, a sea-only reachable grotto.

You are not stopping to walk inside (it is reachable only by sea), but cruising past it from the water gives you a sense of the coastline’s dramatic structure. It is a good reminder that Cagliari is not just beaches. It is also cliffs and hidden places you can only see properly from a boat.

Sella del Diavolo: The Gasole Swimming Pools Stop

This is the stop that gives the tour its strongest wow-factor. Sella del Diavolo includes Gasole swimming pools, and the setup is made for short, happy swims. Expect a place where you can float, snorkel, and jump in without a ton of stress.

If you love places that feel like natural swimming infrastructure, this is the one to watch for. And even if snorkeling is not your main goal, this stop is the kind where you can just enjoy the water for its own sake.

Marina Piccola and Poetto: Extra Coastline Swimming

After Sella del Diavolo, the route includes Marina Piccola with swimming and snorkeling, plus the possibility of reaching the coast from the water. Then there is Poetto, with a swim stop scheduled again.

These later stops matter because they give you flexibility. If you feel good after the earlier swims, you can keep going. If the morning took more out of you than expected, you still get more chances to enjoy the water without it being one long nonstop stretch.

Snorkeling Reality Check: What You Can and Cannot Control

Here’s the truth that keeps expectations clean: snorkeling results depend heavily on day-to-day conditions like water clarity and how calm the sea is. When conditions line up, you’ll enjoy looking around and seeing fish in the water. When conditions are rougher, snorkeling can still be worth it, but it may feel more like swimming with extra gear than like a reef safari.

The good news is that the tour gives you multiple water attempts, so you are not relying on a single spot. That design choice is one of the best forms of value on a day trip. If one stop is not perfect, another may be.

Also, you are provided with snorkeling equipment and life jacket support if necessary, so you do not have to hunt down gear in Cagliari ahead of time.

Why the Prosecco Stops the Whole Thing Feeling Like Work

A glass of Prosecco is included, and that small detail has an outsized effect on how the tour feels. On a boat, the vibe shifts. People relax. The music and the guide energy (and yes, song requests have been part of the experience with some skippers) makes the ride feel like a social day out.

It is also practical. You get water onboard, plus bottled water is included. So you can pace your hydration while you enjoy that one celebratory pour.

Just remember: the operator rules are clear about not arriving intoxicated and not bringing alcohol or drugs onboard. The Prosecco is the planned treat, not a free-for-all.

Guide Energy Matters More Than You Think

The skipper is the difference between a tour that feels rushed and a tour that feels safe and fun. This route is run by an English and Italian-speaking skipper/guide, and the feedback you’ll see around guides by name is consistent: people cite clear communication, good pacing, and a watchful attitude in the water.

Even when you are focused on snorkeling, you want someone managing the boat, timing the next stop, and keeping the group together. That is exactly what you are paying for when you choose a guided boat format rather than just renting something and hoping.

Value Check: Is $60.49 Worth It?

At $60.49 per person for around 3 hours, this tour makes sense if you care about three things:

1. Multiple swim opportunities in different bays
2. Gear included, so you are not spending time or money lining up equipment
3. A guided route that brings you to spots you can actually enjoy from the water

You also get bottled water, a fuel surcharge, and that glass of Prosecco. And with a maximum of 32 travelers, it avoids the chaos you sometimes get on bigger boats.

The main cost you are adding is your time. The trip is not trying to be an all-day cruise. It is a focused block of sea time, which is perfect if you are touring Cagliari and want an experience that feels like you left the city for a while without burning your whole day.

Who This Tour Fits Best (and Who Should Skip)

This boat tour is a strong match for:

• People who want snorkeling-friendly stops without planning a boat day on their own
• Travelers who prefer a small-group pace
• Families, including kids, as long as everyone can handle simple boat rules and getting in the water for short bursts

It is not a good match if:

• You get seasick easily
• You need toilet facilities onboard
• You want a long sit-down meal structure (food is not included)

There are also safety notes you should take seriously: life jacket use is provided if necessary, and the tour is not recommended for individuals weighing over 135 kg. If you are pregnant, you should contact the operator before booking.

Should You Book the Devil’s Saddle Boat Tour?

If your ideal Cagliari day includes clear water, at least a few chances to snorkel, and a guided route with Prosecco included, this is an easy yes. The value comes from the mix: multiple water stops, gear provided, and a skipper who keeps the day moving without making it feel hectic.

If you are sensitive to motion or you dislike jumping between stops, then pick something else. Also, if you hate the idea of no toilet access, you’ll want to factor that in before you step on board.

My quick call: book it if you want a simple, low-planning way to enjoy the coast around Sella del Diavolo, plus real water time in Cagliari’s best-looking bays.

FAQ

How long is the boat tour?

The tour runs for about 3 hours.

How many places do we stop to swim and snorkel?

The plan includes several swimming and snorkeling stops, including Cala Bernat, Calamosca Beach, Spiaggia di Cala Fighera, Sella del Diavolo (Gasole pools), Marina Piccola, and Poetto, with possible adjustments based on weather.

What snorkeling gear is included?

Snorkeling equipment is included, along with life jackets if necessary.

What language will the guide speak?

The skipper/guide offers English and Italian.

Is Prosecco included?

Yes. A glass of Prosecco is included.

Is there a toilet on the boat?

No, there is no toilet on the boat or in the port.

Can I bring food with me?

Food is not included, but you can bring your own.

Is this tour recommended if I get seasick?

No, it is not recommended for people who suffer from seasickness.

Can I cancel for free?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. If you cancel less than 24 hours before the start time, the amount paid is not refunded.