REVIEW · SARDINIA
Asinara: Sailing trip in the park of Asinara
Book on Viator →Operated by Asinara Sailing School · Bookable on Viator
Asinara feels made for slow sea time. What I love most is the snorkeling in the park’s bays and the relaxed rhythm of an aperitif plus a proper onboard lunch. Even better, the host Giorgio gets called out for keeping the day enjoyable and well-paced, including a lunch that can include mussels, pasta with mussels, and shrimp.
The main thing to consider is that this trip is weather-dependent and the plan includes about an hour-long descent to land on the island. If you are sensitive to rough water or prefer a strictly shore-based schedule, you’ll want to think twice.
You start at 9:30 am and roll back to the same meeting point at 5:00 pm. It runs with a maximum of 11 people, which makes the day feel personal instead of crowded, and the experience is offered in English with a mobile ticket.
In This Review
- Key things to know before you go
- Price and what you really get for $133 in Asinara
- 9:30 to 5:00: how the day flows on the water
- Parco nazionale dell’Asinara: what those snorkeling bays are buying you
- Lunch on board: local fish, drinks, and a very human host
- C.R.A.M.A. entrance: the small extra fee you should not forget
- Island landing time: plan for that one-hour descent
- Meeting point at Asinara Sailing School, Cala Sant’Andrea
- Who this sailing trip suits (and who might not)
- Should you book Asinara: Sailing trip in the park of Asinara?
- FAQ
- Is lunch included on the Asinara sailing trip?
- Is snorkeling equipment included?
- How long is the sailing trip in Asinara National Park?
- What is the extra cost for C.R.A.M.A.?
- Where do I meet for the tour?
- What language is the experience offered in?
- What group size is this trip?
- What happens if the tour is canceled due to poor weather?
Key things to know before you go
- Max 11 people: a small group size that keeps the sailing day calm and easy to manage.
- Snorkeling included: you get use of snorkeling equipment, so you can travel light.
- Food is part of the plan: there’s a mid-morning aperitif and a fish lunch with drinks served on board.
- C.R.A.M.A. fee is extra: plan for an additional €2.50 per person if you’re going into C.R.A.M.A.
- Island landing takes time: the schedule expects about a one-hour descent to land on the island.
- Meets back where you start: start and end at Asinara Sailing School at Cala Sant’Andrea in Stintino.
Price and what you really get for $133 in Asinara
At $133.03 per person for roughly 8 hours, this sailing day looks like a “pay for the whole package” kind of trip—and that’s mostly true. You’re not just buying a seat on a boat; you’re covering the long sea time in Asinara National Park, plus snorkeling gear use and lunch.
Here’s what makes the price feel fair: the day is planned from 9:30 am to 5:00 pm, you get snorkeling equipment, and lunch is served on board with drinks. Add in the fact that there’s a restroom on board and the group cap is 11, and you’re paying for comfort and time, not just transportation.
The one extra cost to budget for is the C.R.A.M.A. entrance fee, listed at €2.50 per person. It’s small, but it’s real money, so it’s smart to keep it in mind before you go. If you’re trying to keep everything tight, count it into your total.
You can also read our reviews of more boat tours in Sardinia
9:30 to 5:00: how the day flows on the water
This is a full-day outing by design. The boat leaves at 9:30 am and returns at 5:00 pm, so you can treat it like your main event in the Stintino area.
The day is structured around a few “high points” rather than constant moving around. You’ll spend time in scenic bays for snorkeling, then you’ll have food breaks that keep energy up without you needing to hunt for restaurants. The timing also includes a mid-morning aperitif, which is a nice touch if you like your day to feel social and relaxed.
One detail that matters: the schedule expects about a one-hour descent to land on the island. Even if you’re not spending every minute ashore, you should plan for the fact that the logistics of getting to and from land are built into the overall timetable.
Parco nazionale dell’Asinara: what those snorkeling bays are buying you
The heart of the trip is the time inside Parco nazionale dell’Asinara, with stops in some of the most beautiful bays on the island. This isn’t a quick “see it from the deck” boat ride. You’re given time to get in the water and snorkel at those stops.
Snorkeling gear is included, so you don’t need to source equipment in advance. That matters because it’s one less step, one less rental problem, and one less “oops, I forgot something” moment when you’re trying to enjoy the sea.
The snorkeling stops are also the reason this tour fits nature lovers. You’re spending your hours where the marine scenery is the point, not just where the boat passes by. You can think of the sailing as the delivery system for the best underwater time.
A practical note: because you’ll be on a boat for much of the day, wearing sunscreen and bringing a light layer is smart. Even in good weather, sea spray and wind can change how comfortable you feel.
Lunch on board: local fish, drinks, and a very human host
Food is one of the biggest reasons this trip earns a near-perfect rating. The plan calls for a lunch based on local fish with drinks served on board, plus a typical mid-morning aperitif earlier in the outing.
What I find especially reassuring is that the onboard meal isn’t treated like an afterthought. In the feedback, Giorgio is singled out for doing a great job with hospitality, including setting up a strong aperitif and serving a lunch that can include mussels, pasta with mussels, and shrimp. That kind of specificity tells you the meal has personality, not just “bread and something.”
If you care about value, this is where it pays off. You’re not paying extra for lunch, you’re not budgeting time to find a place on shore, and you don’t have to switch mental gears in the middle of the day. The tour handles the meal as part of the rhythm of sailing.
Also, because drinks are listed as included with lunch, you can enjoy the day without constantly reaching for your wallet. Just remember that the exact menu can vary, since the tour describes lunch as fish-based rather than a single fixed dish every time.
C.R.A.M.A. entrance: the small extra fee you should not forget
One item that catches first-time bookers is the C.R.A.M.A. fee. Entrance to C.R.A.M.A costs €2.50, and it is not included in the main price.
It’s not a big amount, but it can be the difference between arriving ready vs. scrambling. So I’d treat it as a standard add-on you should budget for when you plan your total day cost.
If you’re the type who likes having a fully planned list before you leave, mentally add €2.50 per person for C.R.A.M.A on top of the tour price. Then you can just enjoy the rest of the day without doing math on-site.
You can also read our reviews of more sailing experiences in Sardinia
Island landing time: plan for that one-hour descent
The schedule expects a one-hour descent to land on the island. That’s important because it affects what the day feels like. You may not get a casual, quick walk and then back to the boat. Instead, expect some structured time where getting ashore takes longer than the short tender transfers you might be used to.
This is exactly why the trip works best for people who can relax and let the day unfold. If you’re the type who wants to control every minute, the landing logistics may feel like waiting.
On the comfort side, plan for time on and off the water. Bring swimwear and a dry set of clothes if you have space in your day bag. And if you’re sensitive to motion, consider how you usually handle boats—this is a sea-based experience, not a quick shuttle.
Meeting point at Asinara Sailing School, Cala Sant’Andrea
You meet at Asinara Sailing School at Cala Sant’Andrea, 07040 Stintino (Stintino SS), Italy. The start time is 9:30 am, and the tour ends back at the meeting point.
Because it’s a repeat stop (you return to where you started), the meeting point is more than just a location—it’s also where you’ll know your day ends. That’s convenient when you’re planning the rest of your day or your next transport.
The meeting point is also noted as near public transportation. So if you’re coming in from elsewhere on Sardinia or you don’t want to fight parking, you have options.
One simple tip: arrive a little early. On a boat trip, getting settled without rushing makes everything easier, especially when you want to feel calm before the first line is cast off.
Who this sailing trip suits (and who might not)
This trip is described as suitable for most travelers, and the small group size helps it feel manageable. If you like snorkeling, enjoy fish-forward lunches, and want one main daytime activity instead of a list of stops, this is a strong match.
It’s also a good fit if you value time in nature over shopping or big-city sightseeing. You’re spending the day in a protected area and working your way through bays where snorkeling is part of the core experience.
The main “not ideal” case is someone who struggles with weather or movement. The activity requires good weather, and the plan includes that one-hour descent associated with landing. If your ideal day is strictly controlled, you may prefer a shorter, less weather-sensitive option.
Finally, if you’re traveling as a couple or small group and want a day that feels personal with an attentive host, the max 11 travelers makes a difference. You’re not one of a hundred faces; you’re part of a small crew.
Should you book Asinara: Sailing trip in the park of Asinara?
I’d book it if you want a straightforward, good-value day where the key activities are built in: snorkeling, a full onboard fish lunch, and a relaxed schedule from morning to late afternoon. The added hospitality factor—Giorgio being praised for aperitif setup and the meal—gives you confidence that the experience isn’t just about getting from A to B.
Skip it or choose carefully if you know you don’t handle boat days well, or if you’re trying to plan around tight weather uncertainty. The tour requires good weather, and the itinerary includes landing logistics that take time.
If you’re making a decision today, here’s my practical checklist:
- You enjoy snorkel time in protected bays.
- You want lunch handled for you on board.
- You’re okay with a weather-dependent day in Sardinia.
- You can budget a small extra €2.50 per person for C.R.A.M.A.
If that fits, Asinara is the kind of trip that turns one day into a story you’ll remember for the water, the food, and the calm pace.
FAQ
Is lunch included on the Asinara sailing trip?
Yes. A lunch based on local fish is served on board, and drinks are included with the lunch.
Is snorkeling equipment included?
Yes. The tour includes the use of snorkeling equipment.
How long is the sailing trip in Asinara National Park?
It lasts about 8 hours, with a departure at 9:30 am and a return at 5:00 pm.
What is the extra cost for C.R.A.M.A.?
Entrance to C.R.A.M.A costs €2.50 per person and is not included in the main tour price.
Where do I meet for the tour?
You meet at Asinara Sailing School at Gite in barca, Via Cala Sant’Andrea, 07040 Stintino SS, Italy. The tour ends back at the same meeting point.
What language is the experience offered in?
The experience is offered in English.
What group size is this trip?
The maximum group size is 11 travelers.
What happens if the tour is canceled due to poor weather?
The experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
