Exploring the Tavolara – Capo Coda Cavallo Marine Protected Area

The entire gulf of Porto Istana up to Capo Coda Cavallo enjoys favorable wind conditions thanks to the Tavolara and Molara Islands. From Porto San Paolo, just 5 km from Villa Gaviel, several uncrowded tours depart to the main islands, Tavolara and Molara. I recommend the one that also includes the two wonderful islets right in front of Villa Gaviel: Isola Piana and Isola dei Cavalli, with their crystal-clear waters and fine sand, will make you feel perfectly in harmony with nature!

Choose the solution you prefer to reach these heavenly places. Would you like a tour on a small sailboat? Or do you prefer a different boat or a rubber zodiac?

Let yourself be enchanted by the charm of Molara Island, where the colors of the azure, blue, and emerald, green waters, known as “the pools of Molara,” will constantly invite you to take a dip.

Sailing within the Marine Protected Area is a continuous thrill, thanks to the myriad colors of the sea and the different characteristics of the rocks. Heading south along the coast, just a few minutes of navigation away, you’ll notice the color and surface of the rocks, first rough and clay colored as in the cove below Villa Gaviel, and then, smooth and majestic as, for example, in the wonderful and famous Cala Girgolu. Climb onto the rocks and bask in the sun before diving into the crystal-clear waters.

This last wonder is also accessible by land, perhaps after a stop at Porto Taverna Beach, long and beautiful, equipped with sun loungers and umbrellas for rent in an elegant environment, perfect also for families with children.

Staying at Villa Gaviel, you’ll feel like you can touch Tavolara Island with your hand…

I recommend not leaving without landing at least once on the magnificent island of Tavolara. It’s a unique emotion both by day and by night…

The island is part of the Tavolara Marine Protected Area, which extends to Punta Capo Coda Cavallo. Established by the Ministry of the Environment in 1997, the Marine Protected Area was then also recognized as an ASPM, “specially protected area of Mediterranean importance” in 2007.

From the nearby port of San Paolo, take the small ferry that several times a day from April to October will take you to the island. Or if you prefer, you have a wide choice of options: rent a rubber dinghy and reach the small pier. Or take part in private or group tours. And don’t worry, in any case, these are small and uncrowded means.

The Kingdom of Tavolara is known as the smallest kingdom in the world. In the 19th century, according to legend, King Carlo Alberto, while wandering in search of the goat with golden teeth, came across the island’s only inhabitant and named him King of Tavolara. And even today, the descendants of the Bertoleoni family live on the island, and Tonino, the current king of Tavolara, awaits you at his beachside restaurant: “da Tonino”.

Tavolara is a mountain of granite and limestone rising from the sea with its height of 560 meters and its four kilometers in length. It offers incredible views, and each side is profoundly different due to tides and winds. Even today, after so many years, it continues to make me dream with its grandeur, dizzying verticality with its goats that seem like acrobats… and that sometimes come down to the sea almost to pose in front of you.

Once ashore on the island, you can reach charming coves, incredible viewpoints, beaches with fine sand, and a strip of sand where the waves meet, and depending on the tides, offer an enchanting massage. On the island, there is even a tiny cemetery right behind the characteristic beach bar nestled in nature right in front of the landing pier.

Don’t forget to bring your mask with you as well. The main beach is sandy, but in several spots on the island reachable on foot, you’ll find incredible seabeds. Here’s another perfect opportunity for your snorkeling; the sea offers such a variety of colors; the seabeds are different at every point.

If you can, go around the island with your rental zodiac, or at least try to see the part where Tavolara “looks” at Molara with its sheer cliffs over the sea and incredible seabeds. If you sail alone, please respect the buoys marking the non-navigable stretches and also the sea: if you go behind Tavolara, the sea can be rough even though the landscape truly takes your breath away.

For nature and tracking enthusiasts, the “climb of Tavolara” is a must. Your guide will give you all the details to experience this unique adventure of landscapes, colors, and scents, and I assure you that when you reach the top or even just halfway up, the view is breathtaking (see excursions).

Every year in July, Tavolara hosts the Cinema Festival held against the magnificent backdrop of the island since 1991.

Tavolara is incredibly charming even at night. By booking your dinner at one of the island’s two restaurants, ask to reserve the boat as well, and don’t forget to show up at the pier at the indicated time, otherwise, you could spend the night on the island…