An Asinara boat tour takes you from Stintino, on Sardinia’s northwest tip, to Asinara, an island that is now a national park, with a former prison and wild donkeys. Two day trips lead Viator, at the same price. The catamaran excursion, with lunch cooked on board, is rated 4.9 across 341 reviews, from about $116. The sailing trip, with snorkel gear included, is rated 4.9 across 113 reviews, from about $116.
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The verdict
The catamaran is our pick for most travelers. It has three times as many reviews behind the same rating, and reviewers single out the lunch: mussels to start, wine, a Sardinian dessert and coffee, all served by the crew. Recent reviews also describe quiet coves and a stop to see the donkeys. One thing to know: a four-star reviewer says snorkeling is only possible if you bring your own gear.
The sailboat suits travelers who want to snorkel without packing a mask, since the equipment is included along with lunch. One reviewer counts three swim stops and a little over an hour ashore to see the old prison and the wild horses. Another says the boat felt crowded, with only two spaces to lie down for nine passengers.
Both last about eight hours from Stintino, and both offer free cancellation up to 24 hours before.
The two cost the same, so choose on what matters to you: the food on the catamaran, or the snorkel gear and time ashore on the sailboat. For the rest of the island, see our guide to things to do in Sardinia.
Which one is for you?
Take the catamaran if
- You want the most-reviewed option: 341 ratings.
- Lunch on board matters to you.
- You want a roomy, stable boat.
- You will bring your own snorkel gear.
Take the sailboat if
- You want snorkel gear included.
- You like the idea of sailing, not motoring.
- You want time ashore on Asinara.
- You don’t mind a smaller deck.
What each price covers
The catamaran, from about $116
Included: lunch served on board by the crew, with a starter of mussels, wine, a digestif, coffee and a typical Sardinian dessert.
Not included: nothing is listed as excluded, but one reviewer says snorkeling gear is not provided.
The sailboat, from about $116
Included: lunch, use of snorkeling equipment, and a restroom on board.
Not included: nothing is listed as excluded.
Where each one starts
- Catamaran: Viale la Pelosa 12, in Stintino, at the private marina before La Pelosa beach.
- Sailboat: at 9:15, at kiosk bar P26 inside the Marina di Stintino port.
Side by side
| Catamaran | Sailboat | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.9 from 341 | 4.9 from 113 |
| Five-star reviews | 319 (94%) | 110 (97%) |
| Price | from about $116 | from about $116 |
| Length | 8 hours | 8 hours |
| Boat | Catamaran | Sailboat |
| Lunch | Included, cooked on board | Included |
| Snorkel gear | Not supplied, per one reviewer | Included |
| Cancellation | Free up to 24 hours before | Free up to 24 hours before |
What travelers say
On the catamaran
Giovanni took us to the most incredible untouched places, peaceful and quiet, with perfect water and rugged landscapes.
Tina_K, September 2026, via Viator
The lunch served on board was absolute perfection.
Eszter_H, September 2026, via Viator
On the sailboat
We had 3 swimming stops in the most beautiful turquoise water.
LaurieA_J, June 2026, via Viator
Nice boat nice host nice food.
Timothy_D, June 2026, via Viator
Both are reviewed mostly with five stars: 94% of the catamaran ratings and 97% of the sailboat ratings. Three stars or lower make up about 2% of the reviews on the first and fewer than 1% on the second.
More of Sardinia by boat
Along the same coast, the Alghero boat tour covers the cliffs near Alghero. In the northeast, compare the La Maddalena boat tour and the Tavolara boat tour. On the east coast, the Gulf of Orosei boat tour reaches the famous coves.
For planning, read our guide to things to do in Sardinia.
Questions travelers ask
Which Asinara boat tour should I book?
For most travelers, the catamaran with lunch on board, rated 4.9 from 341 reviews on Viator, from about $116 (checked September 2026). For snorkel gear included, the sailing trip, rated 4.9 from 113 reviews, at the same price.
Where do Asinara boat tours leave from?
Both leave from Stintino: the catamaran from the marina on Viale la Pelosa, and the sailboat from the Marina di Stintino port.
Is lunch included on an Asinara boat tour?
Yes, on both. The catamaran lists a lunch cooked on board with wine, dessert and coffee.
Do I need my own snorkel gear?
On the sailboat, no: the equipment is included. On the catamaran, one reviewer says you need to bring your own.
Can I cancel an Asinara boat tour?
Both offer free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start.
Book the catamaran for the lunch and the reviews; book the sailboat if you want to snorkel without packing gear.
Editorial assessment by Italy2Love, September 2026. Inclusions and exclusions, meeting points, prices, ratings, review counts and cancellation terms read on both Viator product pages (product codes 208009P1 and 111402P1), September 2026. Reviews quoted with attribution to their authors and to Viator. Next review March 2027, or sooner on any change to either option.