Santa Maria Navarrese: Goloritzè, Mariolu, & Biriala Cruise

The best thing about this trip is simple: it gets you to the Baunei coast’s boat-only coves in one long, well-paced day. You cruise by speedboat from Santa Maria Navarrese, stop for swims at Cala Gabbiani, Cala Biriala, and Cala Mariolu, and visit the Grotta del Fico when the sun is high.

I like the small group of no more than 12 people, which leaves room to move and makes beach time feel less like a bus tour. I also like the local guides, including Silverio, Antonio, Antonello, and Luca, who give clear pickup times, explain the coast, and often adjust the order or timing when conditions allow. The main catch is food and drink: bring your own lunch, water, and snacks, and confirm whether Cala Goloritzè is a swim stop or only a boat-side photo stop on your date.

Key points at a glance

• Small speedboat group: A maximum of 12 people means more space and quicker boarding at each cove.
• Five water stops: Swim and snorkel at Cala Gabbiani, Cala Biriala, Cala Mariolu, the Pools of Venus, and, when permitted, Cala Goloritzè.
• Grotta del Fico visit: The cave tour lasts about 45 minutes, but the entrance ticket is not included.
• Nearly five hours ashore or in the water: The schedule gives you long breaks rather than a string of rushed photo stops.
• Bring everything to eat and drink: Water, snacks, lunch, snorkel gear, and a waterproof bag are your responsibility.
• A weather-sensitive outing: Rough seas can change the date or route, and Cala Goloritzè access may be restricted.

Why the Baunei coast is best seen from the water

Sardinia’s eastern coast near Baunei is made for a boat day. Cliffs drop into clear water, small beaches sit between rock walls, and several coves are difficult or impossible to reach without arriving from the sea.

That matters because this is not just a ride along the coast. You get repeated chances to leave the boat, swim, snorkel, sit on a beach, and look back at the cliffs from the water. The views between stops are part of the experience, especially during the faster stretches along the coast.

The boat carries no more than 12 people. That is a useful middle ground. You get the speed and range of a small craft without being packed into a large excursion boat. It also makes the day more social. Guides set a return time for each stop, and the group normally moves together rather than waiting for a long line of passengers.

The boat ride can be lively. If you have motion sickness or back problems, this is not the right outing. The tour is also not suitable for pregnant women, wheelchair users, babies under one year, unaccompanied minors, or people over 65 according to the stated restrictions. Those rules are worth taking seriously because the day includes repeated boarding, swimming, and movement on a speedboat.

Starting at Santa Maria Navarrese Port

You meet at the Sardinia Natural Park Tours office, number 06, inside Santa Maria Navarrese Port. Arrive 30 minutes before departure. That extra time is useful for checking in, paying the ecological tax, and getting your day bag ready before the boat leaves.

The €2 ecological tax is not included. Parking is available at the marina for a fee, with one recent estimate putting a full stay at about €9. Treat that figure as a guide rather than a fixed price.

Bring a small, practical load:

• Water and a packed lunch
• Snacks for the full day
• A hat and swimwear
• Towel and flip-flops
• Snorkel gear and goggles
• Waterproof bag for phone and valuables
• Cash for the ecological tax and cave ticket
• A garbage bag for your own waste

A small cooler is allowed and can be useful, but do not expect the boat to provide drinks or food. There is no dependable lunch stop in the schedule. One beach kiosk may be available later in the day, but you should not plan your meals around it.

Cala Goloritzè and the first coastal views

After about 30 minutes by speedboat, the first major stop is Cala Goloritzè. It is one of Sardinia’s most photographed coves, with striking rock formations and clear water that makes an excellent opening stop.

Here you get time for photos, swimming, snorkeling, and looking for marine life. But there is an important detail: access rules and sea conditions can affect what the boat is allowed to do. Several accounts describe Cala Goloritzè as a photo stop from the boat rather than a beach landing or swimming stop. The published schedule describes swimming, yet that may not happen on every departure.

Plan for both possibilities. You will still see the cove from its best viewpoint, but if swimming at Cala Goloritzè is essential to you, ask the operator before booking. The inland walk to the beach takes roughly one to two hours and requires solid shoes, so this cruise is not a substitute for the land route.

Cala Gabbiani gives you a proper beach break

The boat travels about 15 minutes to Cala dei Gabbiani, where you have around 90 minutes. This is one of the longer stops and gives you time to settle into the day rather than rush in, take a photograph, and leave.

You can swim, snorkel, explore the beach, and enjoy the views from shore. The clear water may reveal fish close to the rocks, so your own goggles or snorkel kit will make this stop more rewarding.

The beach surface is not necessarily soft sand. A towel or thin beach mat helps on the stony shore, and water shoes are a smart addition even though they are not listed as required. You should also keep an eye on the return time. The guides are generally clear about when to come back, and the boat cannot wait indefinitely for a late swimmer.

Grotta del Fico adds a change of pace

The Grotta del Fico visit lasts about 45 minutes and breaks up the beach-hopping rhythm. Instead of spending the whole day in the sun, you walk into one of Sardinia’s best-known sea caves with a guided tour.

The cave ticket is extra. One account reported paying €10 per person and receiving an audio guide, but ticket prices can change. Bring cash and check the current price when you book or arrive.

The cave is described as an easy walk that can be managed in flip-flops or slides, though sturdy footwear is still more sensible if you have room in your bag. The visit is scheduled during the brighter part of the day, when the contrast between the sun outside and the cave interior is especially effective.

This stop is optional in practical terms because the ticket is not part of the $105 price. I would add it if you want more than beaches and swimming. If your main goal is time in the water, the extra cost and 45-minute pause may feel less important.

Cala Biriala is a strong candidate for your favorite stop

After another short speedboat ride, you reach Cala Biriala for roughly 90 minutes. You can swim, snorkel, take photos, and look for fish in the clear water.

This cove has received especially warm praise from people who loved the mix of rock, beach, and open water. That makes sense for a day like this: Biriala feels less like a single postcard stop and more like a place you can enjoy in several ways. You can float in the water, walk the shore, or simply sit and watch the boat traffic pass outside the cove.

Snorkel gear is not supplied, so bring your own. The tour description refers to colorful fish and occasional dolphins along the coast, but wildlife is never guaranteed. Treat dolphins as a lucky extra, not part of the promised schedule.

The Pools of Venus are a short but memorable swim

Piscine di Venere, or the Pools of Venus, gets about 30 minutes. This is shorter than the main beach stops, but the stop works well as a dedicated swim in calm, clear water.

The name tells you what to expect: sheltered pools surrounded by rock, with water suited to a quick plunge and snorkel. Thirty minutes is enough for a swim and a few photographs, but it is not enough for a long beach break. Keep your belongings secure and be ready to return to the boat when called.

Because the day already includes several longer stops, I prefer this short format. It gives you another setting without taking too much time from Cala Biriala or Cala Mariolu.

Cala Mariolu closes the day with a possible drawback

Cala Mariolu is scheduled for about 90 minutes and includes swimming, snorkeling, free time, photos, and scenic views. It is one of the major reasons to book this cruise, and the water can be spectacular when the sun is high.

The timing, however, deserves attention. On some departures, Mariolu comes late in the day. If the sun is already low, the water may not look as bright blue as it does in midday photographs. This is not a fault with the cove, but it can affect your impression of it.

You might find a small stall selling drinks, including white wine, but do not count on it for lunch. Bring your own food and water. Cliff jumping has also been described at the stop, but only consider it if the guide says conditions are safe and the activity is permitted that day.

After Mariolu, the return ride takes about an hour. You can use that time to dry off, watch the cliffs recede, and enjoy the final views without needing to make another stop.

The guides make the long day easier

The strongest human part of this experience is the guiding. Silverio is repeatedly singled out for being warm, punctual, and familiar with the coast. Antonio is praised for being helpful and attentive, while Antonello is noted for explaining the geology, local stories, and history of Sardinia with real enthusiasm. Luca has also been described as flexible when small changes could improve the group’s day.

That matters on a boat tour because good timing keeps the day pleasant. You want to know when the boat returns, how long you have at the beach, and what to watch for in the water. Clear instructions prevent the usual confusion of people searching for the boat at the end of a swim.

Guides have sometimes adjusted the plan for weather or group preference. Do not assume you can redesign the whole route, but minor changes may be possible. Weather can also lead to a date change. In one case, moving the trip by a day produced much better sea conditions, which is a good reminder that a calm-water day matters more than sticking stubbornly to the original date.

Is $105 a fair price?

At $105 per person, the value is strong if you want a full day on the Baunei coast. The price covers the boat, the guide, and access to several coves that would be difficult to visit independently in one day.

You are also getting about eight hours of transport and beach time, with nearly five hours spread across the main swimming stops. The small group improves the value because you are not paying for a crowded boat where every stop feels short and impersonal.

The price is not all-inclusive. Add money for the €2 ecological tax, the Grotta del Fico ticket, parking if needed, food, drinks, and snorkel gear. Once those extras are counted, the total cost rises, but the core outing remains reasonable for a full day of coast access.

I would not choose this tour if you want a quiet luxury cruise, restaurant service, or guaranteed access to every named beach. I would choose it if you want maximum scenery and several good swims without organizing separate boat transfers.

Booking advice for the right kind of day

Book this if you enjoy an active day with sun, salt water, rocky beaches, and repeated movement between boat and shore. It suits couples, friends, and families with older children who can swim and manage a speedboat outing.

Pack lunch even if you expect to buy something later. Bring more water than you think you need, because the tour lasts all day and food service is not included. A waterproof phone pouch, goggles, water shoes, and a towel will make the day easier.

If Cala Goloritzè is your main goal, ask specifically whether your departure can stop for swimming or only for photos. If Cala Mariolu’s famous blue water is your priority, ask about the planned order and daylight. These two questions can prevent the most common disappointments.

The tour offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Languages are English and Italian. Check the forecast before you go, but do not treat a weather-related change as a bad sign. On this coast, calm water is part of what makes the day work.

Should you book the Santa Maria Navarrese cruise?

I would book it for the range of coves, the small boat, and the long swim breaks. The guides add useful local color, and the route gives you far more coastline than you could comfortably see from one beach base.

I would pause only if you dislike speedboats, need guaranteed beach access at Cala Goloritzè, or want meals and equipment included. For everyone else, this is a practical way to see Sardinia’s Baunei coast in one day, as long as you arrive with lunch, water, snorkel gear, and realistic expectations about the weather and stop order.

FAQ

Where does the cruise leave from?

It leaves from the Sardinia Natural Park Tours office, number 06, inside Santa Maria Navarrese Port. You should arrive 30 minutes before departure.

How long does the experience last?

The cruise lasts about eight hours, including the boat rides, beach stops, cave visit, and return to Santa Maria Navarrese.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

No. You need to bring your own snorkel gear, goggles, or other swimming equipment.

Is the Grotta del Fico ticket included?

No. The cave entrance ticket is separate from the tour price. One supplied account paid €10 per person, but you should confirm the current amount.

Do I need to bring lunch and water?

Yes. Water, drinks, snacks, and meals are not included. Bring enough food and water for the full day, along with a small cooler if useful.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the tour for a full refund. The booking also offers a reserve-now, pay-later option.