Three hours later, you will still taste salt. This fast RIB ride hugs the south Sardinian coast, then anchors where the water turns glassy for swimming, snorkeling, and the famous Devil’s Saddle scenery. I love the swim-and-snorkel stops and the lively way your skipper runs the day with stories, a microphone, and frequent singing energy, plus a complimentary pink spritz-style drink onboard. The main consideration is that it is a speedboat, so if you hate choppy water or quick turns, you should plan accordingly.

The comfort piece is real. You can get in and out more easily with a telescopic ladder and two big rear platforms, and there is even a shower so you are not walking around Cagliari feeling like a walking sea-salt souvenir. There is also an awning you can open if the sun is too strong or weather shifts.

One more reality check: the captain decides whether the tour runs based on conditions and official permission that day. Also, it is not for everyone, including pregnant women, people with pre-existing medical conditions, and anyone over 331 lbs (150 kg).

Quick hits on the Cagliari Devil’s Saddle RIB tour

• Devil’s Saddle, Gasole Pools, and the south coast views from an 8-meter RIB
• 4+ swim and snorkeling moments, not just one quick dip
• Dolphin watching around the Cagliari cruise port, sometimes on the way
• Skipper entertainment with a microphone, singing party vibe, and Bluetooth music
• Easy water access via a telescopic ladder, rear platforms, and a rinse shower after
• Hands-on coastal legends connected to the places you are actually seeing

Why La Sella del Diavolo is more than a photo stop

The headline here is La Sella del Diavolo, Devil’s Saddle, which juts into the sea like a natural landmark you can understand from the boat in minutes. Instead of looking at it from afar, you get time to stop, look around, and then head into the water nearby when the skipper says it is safe.

What I like most is that the Devil’s Saddle moment is built into the middle and end of the day, not shoved into a quick cameo. You also get a closer look at the Gasole Pools area under the saddle, which adds texture to the scenery, not just another shoreline view. Even if you do not snorkel much, the shape of the coastline and the way the light hits the water make it worth being there.

And if your ideal boat day includes a mix of nature and story, this fits. Skippers focus on local legends and coastline lore while you are moving along, so you start recognizing places instead of just watching them pass.

Getting to Bacan Cagliari and what the RIB ride feels like

You meet your skipper at Bacan in Cagliari, right in front of the restaurant. There is no hotel pickup or drop-off, so you will be walking in on your own and then letting the boat do the sightseeing part.

The boat itself is an 8-meter rigid RIB. Translation: you feel the speed. This is not a slow, floating sightseeing craft. It is built for getting you from cove to cove efficiently, which matters because the itinerary includes multiple water stops. If you want more time at swimming locations and less time under engine noise with nothing to do, this format helps.

On board, you will notice a few practical extras. There is a microphone so you can hear the skipper, whether you are tuned in for history or joining the singing party energy. There are also speakers that let you connect via Bluetooth, so your group can play music alongside the skipper’s stories. If rain or sun becomes an issue, there is a large awning you can open, which is a small thing that makes a real difference when conditions change.

Stop by stop: the south-coast sequence that keeps things fun

This tour is paced like a greatest-hits reel, moving through several coves and viewpoints before returning toward Poetto and Cagliari.

First up, the cruise port and quick dolphin watching

You start with a short dolphin-watching window near the Cagliari cruise port area. It is not a guarantee, but it is timed for chances during the day. You also get a second dolphin-watching moment later as you pass back through the area.

Why this works: it is early enough to set the mood, and late enough that you can still enjoy the rest of the coastline even if the dolphins do not show up.

Cala Bernat: the scenic reset where you settle in

Cala Bernat is a photo stop plus a visit and guided talk, with some free time built in. It is the kind of stop where the boat slows the pace and you get a break from pure motion. You are also in position for sunset-style views depending on timing, and that can make this feel like your first real “Sardinia postcard” moment.

A possible drawback: because it includes both guided elements and some free time, it is not the stop where you should expect a long, slow beach wander. This is still a boat tour, not a full day on land.

Cala Mosca: more guided time, good for orientation

Cala Mosca Beach comes next with a guided component. This stop helps you connect the dots around Cagliari’s coastline, so when you reach the more iconic landmarks later, you understand what you are looking at.

If you prefer a guide to do the explaining rather than you reading signs on your own, this is a plus. If you are the type who loves to just drift and take it all in quietly, you can still enjoy the views, but you will likely be listening for at least part of the stop.

Cala Fighera: another cove moment before the Devil’s Saddle

Cala Fighera includes a photo stop, a visit, and guided tour time. This helps set up the main event by showing you more coastline variety before you reach La Sella del Diavolo.

What you should know: these stops are long enough to enjoy the look and hear some context, but the tour’s true payoff is how the water access works around the Devil’s Saddle area.

The star area, La Sella del Diavolo: swimming and snorkeling twice

You get two separate segments around the Devil’s Saddle. Both are built for photo and guided viewpoints, plus time for swimming, snorkeling, and marine life viewing. That repetition is smart, because it gives flexibility if one water window is rougher or a group needs a slower pace.

The Gasole Pools connection matters here. It is a reminder that you are not only seeing a landmark, you are seeing a specific underwater area associated with the saddle. You are allowed to look and enjoy marine life, but touching marine life is not allowed, so keep hands to yourself and let nature be nature.

A practical tip: wear what keeps you comfortable getting on and off the ladder and platforms. The tour has rules about shoes and clothing, so plan around that rather than trying to make it up last minute.

Poetto: your final viewpoint before heading back

Poetto is the last major stop, with a visit time before returning toward the meeting point. This is a good way to end because it feels like you are closing the loop, returning to the Cagliari side of the coast you started from.

Swimming and snorkeling setup: easy access is the real value

Most boat tours say swim, but the best ones make it easy. Here, getting in and out is handled with a telescopic ladder and two rear platforms, which means you are not awkwardly figuring out jumps or unstable steps.

There are also shower facilities onboard so you can rinse off salt after your swims. That matters more than it sounds. Sardinian sun plus salt water can make you feel sticky fast, and the shower helps you stay comfortable afterward.

For snorkeling, you will be doing it during the skipper’s safe-moment stops. The tour also mentions watching marine life, and that lines up with the idea that the water quality is often excellent in this area. Still, snorkeling is always weather and sea-condition dependent, so go with the flow.

Also note: touching marine life is not allowed. It is one of those small rules that protects the sea and keeps you from turning a fun swim into a lecture.

The onboard vibe: songs, Bluetooth music, and a drink that fits the mood

This tour is designed to feel like a group day out, not a silent sightseeing transfer. Many skippers lean into storytelling and song energy, and you will hear it through the microphone setup. Depending on who is running the day, names like Francesca and Gianni show up in the way people describe the experience, especially for being friendly, funny, and really present with the group.

What is clever here is the mix of entertainment and information. You get local legends and coastline context while you are cruising between coves. At the same time, the boat is set up for music through Bluetooth speakers, so your group can steer the mood when you want a lighter moment.

You also get one complimentary pink spritz-style drink onboard. That is the kind of included perk that turns a swim break into something you remember, not just something you endured.

Drinks can also be purchased onboard. Just keep in mind there are restrictions listed for red wine, plus a general no intoxication rule, which is normal on the water.

Weather, safety, and who this tour is best for

You have two forces that affect your day: authority permission and captain decision-making. The tour runs only if excursions are permitted that day, and the captain makes the final call. That is also why you will want to build in a bit of flexibility in your Cagliari plan.

The other factor is physical suitability. This tour is not recommended for pregnant women, people with pre-existing medical conditions, or anyone above 331 lbs (150 kg). The list of prohibited items also points to how the boat operates. You should expect a hands-on, water-focused day rather than a carry-everything beach picnic.

Who this fits best:

• You want a fast RIB experience with multiple swim stops
• You care more about water time than long shore walks
• You like a guide who tells stories, not just points at places
• You are comfortable with getting on and off the water-access points

Who should think twice:

• You get motion sick easily
• You need a very gentle pace and lots of time purely on land
• You are looking for a calm, quiet nature cruise with no singing energy

Price: does $62.31 feel fair for what you actually get?

At about $62.31 per person, you are paying for a short, high-impact stretch of coast time. The tour includes the speedboat ride, fuel, a skipper, and the onboard drink, plus the guided segments that explain what you are seeing.

Where the value really shows up is in the time structure. You are not just cruising past scenic points. You get multiple stops, with swimming and snorkeling built into the main landmark area at La Sella del Diavolo and the surrounding coves. That is why this tour can feel like better value than slower boats that spend more time traveling and less time in the water.

It is also a good value if you like guided storytelling. The microphone setup and the emphasis on legends add something beyond views, and the Bluetooth music option makes it more of a shared experience rather than a lecture.

Should you book the Cagliari Devil’s Saddle RIB tour?

I’d book this if you want the south Sardinian coast in a hurry, but not the sloppy kind. You get multiple swim windows, easier water access than most boats, and a memorable Devil’s Saddle experience with time in the water twice.

Skip it if you need a totally stable, slow cruise, or if your body or medical needs make a boat day risky. And if you absolutely hate the idea of speedboat turns, quick stops, and potential choppy conditions, you might prefer a calmer format.

If your main goal is turquoise water, snorkeling chances, and a skipper who keeps energy up with stories and songs, this is a strong pick for Cagliari.

FAQ

FAQ

How long is the boat tour?

The duration is 195 minutes.

How much does the tour cost?

The price shown is $62.31 per person.

Where do I meet the skipper?

Meet just in front of the restaurant Bacan.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

What stops are included during the tour?

The tour includes stops in the Cagliari area, including dolphin watching near the Cagliari cruise port, Cala Bernat, Cala Mosca, Cala Fighera, the Devil’s Saddle (La Sella del Diavolo) area, and Poetto.

Is there swimming and snorkeling on this tour?

Yes. The tour includes swimming and snorkeling stops, especially around the Devil’s Saddle area.

Do you have a chance to see dolphins?

Yes. There are dolphin watching moments near the Cagliari cruise port at the start area and again on the way back, and dolphins are sometimes spotted during the tour.

What is included in the price?

Included are the speedboat tour, fuel, skipper, a microphone for hearing the skipper, and one complimentary pink sangria served onboard.

What languages are the live guides available in?

English, Italian, Spanish, and French.

What should I bring, and what should I avoid?

Bring a towel and a passport or ID card (a copy is accepted). Avoid jeans, shoes, high-heeled shoes, smoking, drones, and weapons or sharp objects.