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

Porto Rotondo is your launch point for a fast, salt-sprayed look at Sardinia’s most exclusive shore. The white beaches around Capriccioli and Elephant Beach are the stars, while the small islands of Mortorio, Soffi, and Le Camere give you clear water and a quieter place to swim.

I like the generous number of stops and the roomy BWA 750 boat, which has sun decks, shade, a fridge, and a proper boarding ladder. I also like that skipper Gippo is repeatedly singled out for being friendly and good at explaining Sardinia’s scenery and past. The catch is simple: in August, even the prettiest beach can be crowded, and the skipper may change the route to suit the sea.

Key points

• Four or five swimming stops: Plan on about 25 minutes at each beach or island.
• Capriccioli and Elephant Beach: Two of the coast’s most striking sandy stops, with Elephant Beach named for its unusual rock shape.
• Mortorio, Soffi, and Le Camere: Small islands offering open-water swims and a more natural setting.
• Comfortable 2022 RIB: The 7.8-meter BWA 750 Gold Line carries up to 12 passengers plus the skipper.
• Useful onboard features: Expect an awning, fridge, bow and stern sun decks, ladder, and safety equipment.
• Good practical fit: The tour lasts 3.5 hours, includes fuel and a skipper, and welcomes wheelchair users, though it is not suitable for children under 3 or pregnant women.

A half-day on Sardinia’s northeast coast

This is a boat trip for seeing a lot without giving up your whole day. You meet at Molo Moro in Porto Rotondo, near the small refreshment point and lounge area. Free parking is available, which helps if you are staying inland or have a rental car.

From there, the BWA 750 heads along the northeast coast. The boat is an inflatable RIB, but this is not a tiny beach shuttle. At 7.8 meters long and 3 meters wide, it has room for 12 passengers and the skipper. That capacity matters. You get the lively feel of a small-group outing without being packed into a narrow boat.

The 250-horsepower Suzuki four-stroke engine gives the boat enough power to move between stops during a short tour. You are not spending the whole morning getting from one bay to the next. The boat also has a canopy for shade, a fridge for supplies, sunbathing areas at both ends, and a ladder that makes getting back aboard easier after a swim.

The boat is a 2022 model, so the setup should feel modern rather than worn. Still, remember what this is: an open boat on the sea. You will feel spray, wind, and movement. Bring a windbreaker even on a warm day.

How the stop pattern works

The company guarantees at least four or five stops, usually about 25 minutes each. The exact mix can include Prince’s Beach, Romazzino Beach, Capriccioli, Pirate’s Beach, Razza di Juncu, Petra Ruja, Mortorio, Soffi, and Le Camere.

That list is important because you should not treat the advertised beaches as a fixed checklist. The skipper chooses the final route according to sea conditions and the day’s boating situation. If a particular cove is rough or uncomfortable, another stop may replace it.

Twenty-five minutes is enough for a brisk swim, a few photographs, or a quick look around. It is not enough for a long beach afternoon. I see this as a sampler of the coast, not a substitute for settling onto one beach with a book.

The boat keeps the outing moving, which is its main advantage. In three and a half hours, you can see several areas that would take much longer to reach by road. The tradeoff is that every stop comes with a clock. If you want long, lazy time on one particular beach, book a beach day instead.

Capriccioli and the famous white sand

Capriccioli is one of the tour’s strongest stops. Its pale sand and clear water fit the postcard idea of Sardinia, but the appeal is not only visual. This is the kind of place where a short swim gives you a quick sense of why the Costa Smeralda is so sought after.

The name is often linked with small goats, and the area has a mix of low rocky points, beach, and sea. You can expect a scenic approach from the water, followed by time to swim or step ashore if conditions and the route allow it.

The main limitation is popularity. Capriccioli is not a secret beach in the practical sense. During August, the shore can be busy, and the water around a well-known stop may feel less private than the word exclusive suggests. I would enjoy the view, take the swim, and avoid expecting solitude.

Elephant Beach and the coast’s odd shapes

Elephant Beach earns its name from a rock formation that resembles an elephant. It is a small but memorable detail, and it gives the stop more character than another generic sandy cove.

From a boat, the rock is best appreciated as part of the coastline. Have your camera ready before the boat moves on, but do not spend the whole 25 minutes looking through a screen. The real pleasure is the combination of rock, pale sand, and water viewed from sea level.

As with Capriccioli, this stop may attract plenty of people in high summer. The rock shape is distinctive, but the stop is still mainly about a swim and a quick look. If your priority is quiet nature, the island stops may suit you better.

The three island stops

Mortorio, Soffi, and Le Camere offer a change of mood. Instead of pulling up beside a famous beach, the boat reaches small islands surrounded by more open water and unspoiled natural areas.

Mortorio is particularly appealing for a swim away from the main beach crowds. You can expect a boat-based stop where the focus is water, rock, and open views. There is no promise of a long shore visit, so bring your mask if you want to look below the surface.

Soffi and Le Camere add variety to the route. Their value is not a list of monuments or shops. You come for the clean setting and the chance to get into the sea in a different place. The skipper’s choice of anchorage will matter here, since wind and waves can affect how pleasant a swim feels.

These stops also show why a small RIB works well. A larger sightseeing boat may be limited in where it can position itself. This boat can visit several coastal points in one morning, though the final choice remains with the skipper.

What the skipper adds

The guide can make or break a short boat outing. You have only a few hours, so a skipper who keeps things moving, handles the boat well, and shares useful information adds real value.

Gippo is the guide name connected with the strongest personal feedback, and his easy manner is a recurring part of the experience. You can expect commentary in Italian or English. One positive account specifically notes that he explains Sardinia’s past while showing the beaches, which gives the trip more substance than a simple transfer between swimming spots.

Do not expect a formal lecture. The character of this tour is casual and outdoorsy. You will get information while moving along the coast, then time to swim. If you want detailed archaeology or a long historical talk, this is not the right format. If you like a guide who points out what you are seeing without taking over the trip, it fits better.

Is $98 a fair price?

At $98 per person, this is not the cheapest way to reach a beach. You are paying for a 3.5-hour boat trip, fuel, the skipper, the vessel, and access to several coastal stops in one outing.

The value improves if you want variety. Reaching four or five beaches and islands independently would mean arranging transport, parking, and possibly separate boat access. Here, you can arrive at Molo Moro, board once, and let the skipper handle the route.

The price is less compelling if you plan to swim only once or sit on one beach all day. In that case, a public beach and your own transport may cost less. I would also factor in the included boat facilities. The canopy, fridge, ladder, and two sun decks are practical features, not luxury decoration, especially during a warm summer morning.

Fuel is included, so you do not face a surprise surcharge for the route. Snorkeling equipment is not included. You can arrange rental equipment after booking by contacting the number on your voucher.

What to bring for a comfortable morning

Pack a swimsuit, biodegradable sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, water, and snacks. A windbreaker is worth carrying even when Porto Rotondo feels hot. Speed and open water can make the ride cooler than you expect.

Bring your passport or identity card as requested. Keep phones and cameras secure around spray, and do not count on buying food onboard. The boat has a fridge, but the information does not promise catering.

There are no toilets on the RIB. A sanitary stop is available ashore at Pirate’s Beach, where a bar has toilets. That stop may be welcome, but it also means you should use facilities before meeting the guide.

Pets are not allowed. The tour is not suitable for children under 3 or pregnant women. It is listed as wheelchair accessible, though you should still confirm the practical boarding arrangements when booking if you use a wheelchair, since the activity takes place on a small boat.

Weather, crowds, and route changes

The skipper can change the stops based on marine weather. That is a sensible safety rule, not a flaw, but it means you should book this for the overall coastal experience rather than one exact beach.

August brings the best odds of hot swimming weather and the highest chance of crowds. One account describes the final stop as very busy during August, while still rating the outing positively. That is a useful warning: a crowded last stop does not mean the whole morning is a failure, but it can affect the quiet feel you may expect.

Sea conditions also influence comfort. If you are prone to motion sickness, sit where the skipper recommends, look toward the horizon, and eat lightly before departure. The provided details do not promise calm water, so I would avoid booking this as your only fixed activity if you need a guaranteed gentle ride.

The tour requires at least four participants to operate. The reservation system allows you to reserve and pay later, and cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure. Those terms give you some protection if your plans are still shifting.

Who will enjoy this boat trip most?

I would choose this excursion if you want to see several famous beaches and islands but have only half a day. It suits couples, friends, and families with older children who are comfortable with a moving boat and short swim stops.

It is also a good pick for people staying in Porto Rotondo who want a simple morning plan. Free parking at the meeting point removes one small hassle, and the English and Italian guide service makes the outing accessible to an international group.

I would think twice if you need a long beach stay, onboard toilets, or a quiet private outing. A boat carrying up to 12 passengers is small-group travel, not a private charter. You should also be comfortable with the skipper changing the plan.

Should you book the Porto Rotondo RIB tour?

Book it if your ideal Sardinia morning includes a fast boat ride, several beautiful swimming spots, and a guide who adds local context without turning the outing into a classroom. The strongest reasons are the number of stops, the capable modern RIB, and the chance to reach Mortorio, Soffi, and Le Camere as well as the better-known beaches.

Skip it if you want to spend hours on one shore, avoid all boat motion, or need a toilet onboard. Go in with sensible expectations: this is a lively coastal sampler, and popular beaches can be crowded in August. At $98, I think it offers good value for a compact view of the Porto Cervo coast, especially if you would otherwise struggle to reach several stops in one morning.

FAQ

Where does the tour meet?

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 long does the boat tour last?

The tour lasts 3.5 hours.

How many swimming and beach stops are included?

At least four or five stops of about 25 minutes each are guaranteed. The exact stops can change with marine weather and the skipper’s decisions.

Which beaches may be included?

Possible beach stops include Prince’s Beach, Romazzino Beach, Capriccioli, Pirate’s Beach, Razza di Juncu, and Petra Ruja.

Which islands may be included?

The route may include Mortorio, Soffi, and Le Camere islands.

What type of boat is used?

The tour uses a BWA 750 Gold Line inflatable boat built in 2022. It is 7.8 meters long, 3 meters wide, and carries up to 12 passengers plus the skipper.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

No. Snorkeling equipment is available to rent for an additional cost after booking by contacting the number on your booking voucher.

Are there toilets on the boat?

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

What languages are available?

The live guide service is available in Italian and English.

Can I cancel the tour?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later.