From Porto Rotondo: RIB tour of Porto Cervo’s beaches

Sardinia looks best from the water. This 3.5-hour RIB tour from Porto Rotondo takes you along the glamorous Costa Smeralda, pairing famous beaches with small islands and easy swimming stops. I like the chance to see several coastal spots in one morning or afternoon, and I especially like that the boat carries only 12 passengers plus the skipper. The main consideration is that the route depends on sea conditions, and a popular August stop can feel crowded.

The tour costs $98 per person, including the skipper and fuel. That is fair value if you want a fast, well-organized way to reach beaches that would take much longer to visit by land. I also like the boat itself: a 2022 BWA 750 Gold Line with sun decks, an awning, a fridge, a boarding ladder, and safety equipment.

The guide may be Gippo, a name praised for being friendly and capable, or another member of the Italian and English-speaking team. One useful warning: there is no toilet on board. You get a shore stop at Pirata beach, where a bar has toilets, but plan accordingly.

Key points to know before booking

• Four or five swimming stops: Each stop lasts about 25 minutes, giving you time to swim, sit on the beach, or take photographs without spending the whole day at one place.
• A small, powerful RIB: The 7.8-meter BWA boat carries 12 passengers and one skipper, with a Suzuki 250-horsepower engine for quick movement between coves and islands.
• Capriccioli and Elephant Beach: These are the visual highlights, with pale sand, striking rock formations, and the polished coastal scenery associated with Porto Cervo.
• Mortorio, Soffi, and Le Camere: These small islands offer a different feel from the mainland beaches, with open water around you and stops chosen for swimming.
• The exact route can change: The skipper decides the final pattern of stops according to marine weather, so treat the listed beaches as possibilities rather than a fixed schedule.
• Bring your own basics: Water, snacks, a windbreaker, sun protection, and beachwear are essential. Snorkeling equipment is available only for an extra charge after booking.

Leaving Porto Rotondo from Molo Moro

The meeting point is inside the Molo Moro area, at the refreshment point with small lounge areas. Free parking spaces are available, which is useful if you have a rental car and are staying elsewhere on the Costa Smeralda.

The boat departure is practical rather than grand. You meet the guide, walk toward the marina area, and board the inflatable boat. Since the tour lasts only 3.5 hours, little time is wasted on formalities once everyone is ready.

The RIB is a BWA 750 Gold Line built in 2022. It measures 7.8 meters long and 3 meters wide, a good size for moving quickly while still offering room for a small group. The capacity is 13 people total, including the skipper, so you will not be packed into a large excursion boat with dozens of other passengers.

That smaller scale matters here. The Costa Smeralda has plenty of boats during the summer, especially in August. A 12-passenger group lets the skipper respond to conditions and choose a practical place to stop, rather than following a rigid large-boat schedule.

The vessel has a bow sun deck and a stern sun deck, plus an awning for shade. There is also a fridge, a climbing ladder, a first-aid kit, and standard safety equipment. You should still expect a boat ride, not a floating lounge. Bring a windbreaker because speed and open water can make the ride cooler than the beach.

What the RIB ride adds to the day

The RIB is not just transport between beaches. It is the reason this tour can cover so much coastline in a short time. From Porto Rotondo, the route heads toward some of the most sought-after beaches near Porto Cervo, then out toward small islands such as Mortorio and Soffi.

The Suzuki DF 250 four-stroke engine gives the skipper plenty of power for moving between stops. That is useful when the tour needs to adjust to wind, waves, or crowd levels. It also means you should expect some spray and movement, particularly when the boat is underway.

The seating arrangement may change depending on how the skipper positions passengers and the boat. If you care about shade, ask early rather than assuming the awning will cover every seat. You will spend much of the time exposed to sun, even when the boat is anchored.

The tour is best understood as a sampler. You get several short visits rather than one long beach day. Each stop lasts about 25 minutes, and at least four or five stops are promised from the possible route. That gives you variety, but it also means you may leave just as you begin settling into a beach.

Capriccioli and the polished Costa Smeralda coast

Capriccioli is one of the tour’s strongest beach stops. Its pale sand and striking water fit the classic Costa Smeralda picture, and the setting is easy to appreciate even during a short visit.

I like Capriccioli as a stop because it gives you the beach experience without requiring a full day of planning. You can swim, step ashore if the boat lands there, and take in the surrounding coves before moving on. The short stay keeps the tour moving, though anyone hoping to sunbathe for hours will find it too brief.

The nearby options may include Prince’s Beach and Romazzino Beach. Both belong to the same polished stretch of coast, where the appeal is soft sand, clear bathing water, and a famous setting. The route may also include Razza di Juncu or Petra Ruja, depending on the sea.

You should not assume that every listed beach will appear on your tour. The skipper chooses the final pattern, and the description promises four or five stops from the full group of options. Think of the list as a menu shaped by weather, not a guaranteed checklist.

Elephant Beach and the pleasure of a quick stop

Elephant Beach gets its name from a rock formation said to resemble an elephant. The shape is the main attraction, but the stop also gives you a chance to swim in a memorable setting rather than simply passing another anonymous cove.

This is the kind of detail that makes a short boat trip worthwhile. You can photograph the rock, cool off in the water, and enjoy a place with a clear visual identity. The stop may be especially appealing to families with older children, couples, and anyone who likes natural formations with a story attached.

The drawback is time. At around 25 minutes, you need to make a quick choice between swimming, photographs, and relaxing on board. I suggest having your beachwear on before departure and keeping your phone or camera ready in a waterproof case.

Pirate’s Beach may also be part of the route. It is especially useful because the bar there has toilets, providing the tour’s sanitary stop ashore. Since there is no toilet on the RIB, this is more than a casual convenience. Use the opportunity even if you do not yet feel you need to.

Mortorio, Soffi, and Le Camere by boat

The island stops change the mood of the outing. Mortorio, Soffi, and Le Camere are small islands surrounded by open water and unspoiled coastal scenery. Instead of stepping onto a famous beach, you get the feeling of stopping in a quieter natural setting for a swim.

Mortorio is one of the more striking choices because it places you away from the mainland beach crowds. Soffi and Le Camere add variety to the route, especially if the sea is calm enough for comfortable swimming around the boat.

These are bathing stops, not full island visits. The information provided does not promise a long walk, guided exploration ashore, or a particular snorkeling site. You should expect to swim from the boat or spend time near the water, with the skipper choosing the safest and most suitable position.

Snorkeling equipment is not included. You can arrange to hire it for an extra cost after booking by contacting the number on your voucher. If seeing underwater life is central to your plans, organize this before the departure day. Otherwise, bring your own equipment only if the operator allows it, as the supplied details specifically mention rental rather than included gear.

The possible route, stop by stop

The tour can include at least four or five stops of about 25 minutes each from this group:

• Prince’s Beach
• Romazzino Beach
• Capriccioli Beach
• Pirate’s Beach
• Razza di Juncu Beach
• Petra Ruja Beach
• Mortorio Island
• Soffi Island
• Le Camere Island

The variety is the real value. You may see a famous sandy beach, a rock formation, a practical shore stop, and one or more islands in the same outing. That is far more efficient than trying to reach each location independently.

The trade-off is uncertainty. Sea conditions and the skipper’s judgment determine the route, so a specific beach may be skipped. One German-language review praised the boat trip but noted that the last stop was very crowded. That is a realistic summer warning, particularly in August, when even beautiful coves can feel busy.

The guide’s decisions matter here. The strongest praise in the feedback centers on the guide, especially Gippo, who was described as friendly, capable, and good at explaining Sardinia’s history while showing the coast. The Italian guide was also praised for being prepared and helping the group appreciate the scenery and colors. That balance of local explanation and practical boat handling adds value to a route that might otherwise be just a series of swims.

Price, group size, and what you receive

At $98 per person, the tour is not the cheapest way to reach a beach, but it includes the parts that usually add up on a private outing: the boat, skipper, and fuel. You also get access to several coastal stops without arranging your own vessel or learning the local waters.

The 12-passenger maximum is important when judging the price. A smaller RIB makes the outing more personal than a large ferry-style cruise and lets you cover more ground than a slow boat. You are paying for mobility, variety, and the skipper’s local decisions, not for a full meal, private boat, or included snorkeling kit.

The tour has a 4.9 rating from 29 reviews, with repeated praise for the guide’s attitude, preparation, and ability to point out beautiful scenery. That pattern suggests the human element is a major part of the experience. If you want a silent ride with no commentary, this may matter less. If you enjoy learning a little about Sardinia while moving between stops, it is a welcome feature.

The tour is confirmed with at least four participants. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours ahead, and a reserve-now, pay-later option is available. Those policies make it easier to fit the outing into a changing Sardinia schedule.

What to bring for a comfortable ride

Pack lightly, but do not arrive unprepared. You should bring:

• A passport or ID card
• A windbreaker
• Sunglasses
• A sun hat
• Water
• Snacks
• Biodegradable sunscreen
• Beachwear

Water and snacks matter because no food is included. A hat with a secure fit is better than a loose one, since the boat moves at speed. Biodegradable sunscreen is the responsible choice around coastal waters, and you should apply it before boarding so you are not trying to manage bottles during the ride.

Wear your swimwear beneath your clothes. With short stops, you do not want to spend valuable beach time changing. A small waterproof bag for your phone, wallet, and documents is also sensible, though the provided information does not specify whether the operator supplies dry storage.

Pets are not allowed. Children under 3 and pregnant women should not take this tour. The activity is listed as wheelchair accessible, but because this is a small inflatable boat with a boarding ladder, you should confirm the exact boarding arrangements before relying on that option.

Who will like this tour most

I would choose this outing if you have limited time in Porto Rotondo and want to see several of the Costa Smeralda’s best-known coastal areas in one trip. It suits people who enjoy swimming, short scenic stops, and a fast ride more than people who want to spend an entire afternoon on one beach.

It is also a good choice if you do not have access to a boat. The skipper handles navigation, fuel, and route decisions, leaving you free to watch the shore and get into the water. Couples and small groups will appreciate the modest passenger count, while solo visitors can join without organizing a private charter.

You may want a different plan if you dislike sun exposure, movement on open water, or changing locations often. The lack of an onboard toilet is a real issue for some people, though the Pirata beach stop helps. And if your main goal is snorkeling, budget for equipment and remember that the tour does not promise a dedicated reef or underwater excursion.

Should you book the Porto Rotondo RIB tour?

Book it if you want a compact, active introduction to the Porto Cervo coast, especially Capriccioli, Elephant Beach, and the islands of Mortorio, Soffi, and Le Camere. The $98 price is reasonable for a small-group boat, fuel, skipper, and several bathing stops, with the added benefit of guides who have earned strong praise for their friendliness and local explanations.

Skip it if you need a fixed itinerary, a toilet on board, long beach stays, or included snorkeling gear. Also keep your expectations flexible in August, when one stop may be crowded and the skipper may change the route.

For most visitors with 3.5 hours to spare, this is a smart way to see more of northeastern Sardinia than you could reach easily by car. Pack water, wear your swimsuit, use the shore toilet when offered, and let the skipper’s weather-based choices shape the day.

FAQ

How long is the Porto Rotondo RIB tour?

The tour lasts 3.5 hours.

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $98 per person.

Where does the boat leave from?

The meeting point is inside the Molo Moro area in Porto Rotondo, at the refreshment point with small lounge areas. Free parking spaces are available.

How many people can the boat carry?

The BWA 750 Gold Line carries 13 people in total: 12 passengers and one skipper.

Which beaches and islands might the tour visit?

Possible stops include Prince’s Beach, Romazzino Beach, Capriccioli, Pirate’s Beach, Razza di Juncu, Petra Ruja, Mortorio Island, Soffi Island, and Le Camere Island.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

No. Snorkeling equipment is not included, but it can be hired for an additional cost after booking by contacting the number on your voucher.

Is there a toilet on the boat?

No. There is a sanitary stop ashore at Pirate’s Beach, where a bar has toilets.