Review · RIB & ZODIAC BOAT TOURS

Exclusive Rib for Tours Along the Baunei Coast

★ 5.0 · 3 reviews From $964 a head Operated by Davide Skipper Arbatax · Bookable on Viator
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The best part of this Baunei Coast trip is control. You and your group have a private RIB with skipper Davide, so the day can follow your pace instead of a fixed crowd schedule. You can spend time swimming at Cala Mariolu, pause for photos at the Piscine di Venere, or linger on Cala Luna.

I like the private format and the chance to visit several famous coves in one day. I also like the practical extras: a beach umbrella, snorkeling kit, and aperitif are included. The main drawback is the price, listed at $964.04 per person, and lunch, bottled water, and the €3 environmental beach contribution are extra.

Key details before you book

Exclusive Rib for Tours Along the Baunei Coast - Key details before you book

  • Private RIB with Davide: Your group travels alone, with a skipper who can adjust the day around your preferred coves, swim stops, and timing.
  • Five major coastal stops: The route includes Cala dei Gabbiani, Cala Mariolu, Piscine di Venere, Cala Biriala, and Cala Luna.
  • Swimming is central: Expect beach time at several coves, plus an optional swim from the boat at Piscine di Venere.
  • A full eight-hour outing: Departure is at 9:00 am from Arbatax, with the boat returning to the same meeting point.
  • Useful gear is included: You receive a beach umbrella, snorkeling kit, and toast or aperitif.
  • Bring money for extras: Lunch, bottled water, and the €3 per-person environmental beach fee are not included.

Why a private RIB changes the Baunei Coast day

Exclusive Rib for Tours Along the Baunei Coast - Why a private RIB changes the Baunei Coast day

The Baunei Coast is best appreciated from the water. A private RIB lets you see several coves without packing and unpacking for a series of separate beach visits. You also avoid the feel of a large shared excursion, where one timetable controls every swim and photo stop.

Davide Skipper Arbatax presents this as a private outing rather than a rigid sightseeing circuit. That matters most if your group has different priorities. You might want a long beach stop, while someone else wants to snorkel or take photos from the boat. The private setup gives Davide room to shape the day around you.

The outing lasts about eight hours, beginning at 9:00 am on Via Lungomare 13 in Arbatax. It ends back at the same meeting point. You should plan this as your main activity for the day, not as a short morning boat ride before another major excursion.

The experience is also well suited to a honeymoon or special family day. One couple specifically valued the privacy while celebrating their honeymoon, and Davide was praised for being accommodating and helping them avoid the heaviest crowds. That is the sort of practical benefit you pay for here: not just a boat, but more freedom over how the boat day feels.

Pedra Longa gives the coast its first story

Exclusive Rib for Tours Along the Baunei Coast - Pedra Longa gives the coast its first story

The first stop includes an explanation of Pedra Longa. The information does not specify the length of this stop, so think of it as an orientation point rather than a scheduled beach session.

This opening pause gives you a chance to take in the coast before the longer swimming stops begin. Since the tour is built around both scenery and water time, the explanation at Pedra Longa adds some context without taking over the day.

For you, the value depends on what you want from a boat tour. If you mainly want to swim, this may feel like a brief pause before the main event. If you enjoy knowing what you are looking at, it gives the route a useful beginning.

Cala dei Gabbiani: your first substantial swim

Cala dei Gabbiani includes a one-hour beach stop, with admission included. This is your first major chance to get off the boat, settle under the included beach umbrella, and swim at your own pace.

A full hour is long enough to make the stop feel worthwhile rather than rushed. You can use the time for a proper swim, a little beach rest, or snorkeling with the included kit. Since no detailed beach facilities are provided, bring only what you need and do not count on buying every item once ashore.

The beach stop also helps break up the boat ride. Five coastal locations in one day could otherwise feel like a fast sequence of arrivals and departures. Cala dei Gabbiani gives the day an early pause.

Cala Mariolu: a major highlight for swimmers

Exclusive Rib for Tours Along the Baunei Coast - Cala Mariolu: a major highlight for swimmers

Cala Mariolu receives another one-hour beach stop, with admission included. This is likely to be one of the most anticipated parts of the route, and the private boat format lets you enjoy it without sharing your day with a large group.

You can swim from the beach and use your snorkeling kit. The clear water is one of the main reasons to choose this coast, so this is a good place to spend less time taking photos and more time in the water.

The exact crowd level can change, but Davide’s ability to adjust timing is important here. The couple who praised the trip specifically appreciated how he helped them avoid the busiest periods. You should still expect popular coves to attract other boats, but a private skipper gives you a better chance of finding a calmer moment.

Piscine di Venere: a short photo and swim pause

Exclusive Rib for Tours Along the Baunei Coast - Piscine di Venere: a short photo and swim pause

Piscine di Venere is a 20-minute optional stop. You admire the pools, take photos, and possibly swim from the boat rather than going ashore.

This stop works as a scenic interlude. It is shorter than the beach visits, so you should not expect a long swim or a relaxed shore break. Instead, it gives you a chance to see a striking section of coast from the water and capture photos without interrupting the day for too long.

The word optional matters. If the group prefers more time at a beach, this is the kind of stop you can discuss with Davide. If photos and a quick swim appeal to you, it adds variety to the route.

Cala Biriala offers another hour to slow down

Exclusive Rib for Tours Along the Baunei Coast - Cala Biriala offers another hour to slow down

Cala Biriala includes a one-hour stop for bathing and relaxation. By this point, you will have had time on the boat and at least two chances to swim, so the value of Cala Biriala is its slower rhythm.

You can use the hour to rest on the beach, swim again, or snorkel. The included umbrella is especially useful during a full day around exposed coves, though you should confirm how your group will use it with the skipper.

I like the balance of the route here. The tour does not simply rush from one viewpoint to the next. Several stops allow a full hour, which gives you a better chance to enjoy the coast instead of collecting quick snapshots.

Cala Luna combines beach time with a meal option

Exclusive Rib for Tours Along the Baunei Coast - Cala Luna combines beach time with a meal option

The final listed stop is Cala Luna, with about one hour at the beach and the possibility of eating at the restaurant. Lunch is not included, so this is where your spending plan matters.

If you want to eat at the restaurant, set aside money beyond the tour price. You should also bring or arrange drinking water, since bottled water is not included. The provided information does not say whether lunch requires advance planning, so ask Davide when booking if your group wants to make the meal part of the schedule.

Cala Luna is a useful ending because it gives you a choice. You can focus on the beach, take a final swim, or use the restaurant option rather than treating the last stop as only a quick photo break. Still, one hour is limited if you hope to eat and swim, so you may need to choose between the two.

What the $964.04 price means in practical terms

Exclusive Rib for Tours Along the Baunei Coast - What the $964.04 price means in practical terms

At $964.04 per person, this is not a casual budget boat ride. The price makes more sense for a group that values privacy, personal timing, and a dedicated skipper. It is harder to justify if you simply want transportation to one beach.

The listed price is per person, but the supplied details do not explain the maximum group size or whether the amount changes with the number of people. Confirm the final total and group capacity before booking. For a honeymoon or family celebration, splitting the cost across a private group may feel more reasonable than comparing it with a basic shared excursion.

You are paying for an eight-hour private experience with a skipper and access to several well-known coves. The included snorkeling kit, beach umbrella, toast, and aperitif add useful value, but they do not cover the full cost of the day. Lunch, bottled water, and the €3 environmental beach contribution remain your responsibility.

I would judge the price by asking one question: how important is privacy to you? If having Davide adjust the timing and stops is the heart of the experience, the cost may be worthwhile. If your main goal is simply to reach Cala Mariolu or Cala Luna, a less expensive shared option may fit better.

What to bring and what to plan for

Bring drinking water because bottled water is not included. You should also plan for lunch costs if you want to eat at Cala Luna, plus the €3 environmental beach contribution per person.

The snorkeling kit is included, so you do not need to rent one separately. A beach umbrella is also supplied. Even with those items covered, pack the personal basics you need for a full day around the sea.

A mobile ticket is provided, and booking confirmation arrives at the time of booking. The meeting point is Via Lungomare 13 in Arbatax, and the return is to that same location.

The tour is near public transportation, and most people can participate. The activity depends on good weather, so keep your schedule flexible enough to handle a weather-related change. If poor conditions cancel the trip, you are offered another date or a full refund.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the 9:00 am start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours ahead are not refunded or accepted.

Who will get the most from this coast trip

I would choose this tour for a couple celebrating something special, a family that wants its own space, or a small group with a clear wish list of coves. The private format is the main reason to book, and the route gives you plenty of swimming and beach time.

It also suits people who dislike being pushed from one stop to the next. Davide can personalize the adventure around your preferred activities, within the practical limits of weather and the day’s route.

You should think twice if you want a low-cost outing, a long lunch, or a quiet day at one beach. Five stops sound generous, but the day involves regular movement. Cala dei Gabbiani, Cala Mariolu, and Cala Biriala each allow about an hour, while Piscine di Venere is only 20 minutes and Cala Luna combines beach time with a possible meal.

The excursion is also not ideal if you arrive without a plan for water and lunch. Those omissions are easy to solve, but they affect comfort and budget. Ask questions before departure rather than assuming every drink or meal is covered.

Should you book Davide’s private Baunei Coast tour?

Book it if you want a full private boat day, several famous coves, flexible timing, and a skipper who can help you avoid the busiest moments. The strongest reasons to choose it are the private setting, Davide’s accommodating approach, and the number of meaningful swim stops included in one outing.

Skip it if $964.04 per person stretches your budget or if you would be happy sharing a boat. For the right group, especially a honeymoon couple or family marking a special day, the privacy can make the price easier to accept. Just budget for water, lunch, and the €3 environmental fee, then let Davide shape the day around the places you most want to see.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The tour starts at Via Lungomare 13, 08048 Arbatax NU, Italy.

What time does the tour begin?

Departure is scheduled for 9:00 am.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts approximately eight hours.

Does the tour return to Arbatax?

Yes. The activity ends back at the meeting point in Arbatax.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. Only your group participates in the private activity.

Which coves are included?

The route includes Cala dei Gabbiani, Cala Mariolu, Piscine di Venere, Cala Biriala, and Cala Luna. It also includes an explanation at Pedra Longa.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included, although you have the possibility of eating at the restaurant at Cala Luna.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you are offered a different date or a full refund. Free cancellation is also available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time.

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