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Boat Excursions from Stintino to Asinara: 2025 Guide

  • Writer: Lionholiday Sardinia
    Lionholiday Sardinia
  • 4 days ago
  • 3 min read

Turquoise water, wind‑sculpted granite and wild donkeys roaming free—Asinara National Park is the untamed jewel of north‑west Sardinia, and Stintino is the closest harbour to reach it. This guide explains how to plan an unforgettable, eco‑conscious boat trip, from recommended routes and permits to packing tips and the best months to sail.


1. Why Depart from Stintino

  • Minutes from paradise – Asinara lies just 20 minutes by boat from the docks of Porto Mannu or Porto Minore.

  • Fully equipped marinas – Fresh water, shore power and pontoons for boats up to 24 m.

  • Year‑round services – From April to October you can rent a self‑drive RIB, join a shared cruise or charter a private sailboat with an English‑speaking skipper.

Looking for a stress‑free base? Villa I Banani is less than a 10‑minute drive from the piers and offers private parking for snorkelling gear and day‑packs.

2. Know the Park Rules

Since 1997 Asinara has been both a marine and terrestrial reserve famous for its white donkeys, loggerhead turtles and dense seagrass meadows. To protect this fragile ecosystem:

  • Entry permit – Required for every visitor (free under 6); purchase online or at the harbour kiosk.

  • Yellow mooring buoys – Anchoring on the seabed is forbidden; pick up the marked buoys instead.

  • Limited‑access beaches – Cala Sabina, Cala d’Arena and Cala del Tramonto accept a daily quota of visitors.


3. Excursion Formats

Option

Duration

Highlights

Best for

40 hp self‑drive RIB

5 h

Cala Sant’Andrea, dolphin spotting

Adventurous couples

RIB with skipper

6 h

Cala Reale + short hike to former prison

Families up to 6

Shared motor‑yacht tour

7 h

Cala del Tramonto + lunch on board

Solo travellers & small groups

Private vintage sailboat

8 h

Silent sailing + guided snorkelling

Slow‑travel lovers


4. Classic One‑Day Itinerary

  1. 09:00 – Cast off from Porto Mannu

  2. Cala Sottile – First swim in emerald water over sandy bottom.

  3. Sail past Cala d’Arena – Snap photos of the park’s widest beach.

  4. Dock at Cala Reale – Visit the park museum and meet the famous white donkeys.

  5. Lunch on the hook at Cala Sabina – Fregola salad and fresh fruit picked up at Stintino market.

  6. Snorkel at Punta Barca – Schools of damselfish amid lush seagrass.

  7. 17:00 – Return to Stintino cruising below the cliffs of Capo Falcone.


5. Best Months to Sail

Month

Weather

Pros

Cons

May–June

23–26 °C

Crystal‑clear water, discounted park ticket

Sea 19–21 °C

July–August

28–31 °C

Perfect swimming temps

Busier, buoy booking essential

September

26–28 °C

Warm sea, pink sunsets

Some services shorten hours


6. What to Pack – and Leave Behind

Bring: stainless‑steel water bottle, reef‑safe sunscreen, UV shirt, personal mask & snorkel, dry‑bag for phone, wide‑brim hat.

Leave: single‑use plastic, loud speakers, beach chairs and anything that could harm the dunes.


7. Respect the Island

  • Use only authorised buoys; free anchoring is banned.

  • Don’t collect sand, shells or plants—fines reach €3 000.

  • Keep at least 50 m from wildlife.

  • Carry your rubbish back to the mainland; waste facilities on the island are limited.


8. Where to Stay & How to Organise Your Departure

Sleeping in Stintino means you’re already at the dock on excursion day. Browse the full portfolio in the Holiday Homes section: every property includes free parking and secure storage for beach gear.


Useful Sources


Conclusion

A boat tour from Stintino to Asinara is the must‑do experience for anyone longing to see Sardinia at its most authentic: transparent water, fascinating history and unique wildlife—all with zero logistical stress. Book your villa, choose your boat and get ready to cast off: paradise awaits on https://www.lionholidaysardinia.com/.

 
 
 

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