REVIEW · SARDINIA

Dolphins Rib boat (up 6 people) Private

★ 5.0 · 6 reviews 3 hours (approx.) Operated by Ecosport Sardinia · Bookable on Viator
Book on Viator →

The best part of this private RIB cruise is the mix of wildlife and swimming stops. You sail from the Gulf of Cugnana toward Capo Figari, where dolphins may appear near the fish farm, then continue to Figarolo and Cala Moresca for clear water and snorkeling.

I like the small-group format, which gives your skipper room to adjust the pace. I also like the personal touch reported from skippers Gianpaolo, Corrado, and Tommaso, including local information, snacks, drinks, and help with the snorkeling gear. The main consideration is that dolphin sightings are possible, not guaranteed, and the displayed price of $417 is shown for a group of up to one person, so confirm the final price for your party of up to six.

A few things to know before you book:

  • Dolphin watching near Capo Figari: The boat heads toward an area where groups of dolphins can sometimes be seen.
  • Three hours on the water: This is a compact half-day outing rather than a full-day cruise.
  • Snorkeling at Figarolo and Cala Moresca: Clear Sardinian water and supplied masks and snorkels make swimming easy to add.
  • Private boat for up to six: Your group does not share the RIB with strangers.
  • Personal skipper service: Gianpaolo and Corrado are named as especially friendly and helpful captains.
  • Pickup may be available: Collection is offered if your accommodation is not too far from the starting point.

A private start in the Gulf of Cugnana

Dolphins Rib boat (up 6 people) Private - A private start in the Gulf of Cugnana

This trip begins in the Gulf of Cugnana, with the boat returning to the same meeting point after roughly three hours. The stated meeting location is in the Olbia area, in Sardinia’s Province of Sassari, so you will want to check the exact map position carefully before setting out.

A private RIB is a good fit if you prefer movement and access over the fixed feel of a large sightseeing boat. With only your own party aboard, you can spend more time swimming, ask questions as you go, and keep the outing relaxed. The boat is described as comfortable and well equipped, though the available information does not give a full list of facilities or seating arrangements.

Pickup is offered from accommodation that is not too far from the launch point. Since the exact pickup area is not defined, contact the operator before booking if transport is important to your plans. Otherwise, plan to reach the listed meeting point in Olbia yourself.

Following the Costa Smeralda coastline

Dolphins Rib boat (up 6 people) Private - Following the Costa Smeralda coastline

The route takes you along some of the best-known coastal areas of Costa Smeralda. Here, the pleasure is less about a packed schedule and more about the changing view from the water: rocky headlands, small coves, beaches, and clear swimming spots.

Your skipper also provides information about towns, beaches, and rock formations. Gianpaolo is specifically described as giving explanations in English, which is useful if you want more than a scenic boat ride. The supplied tour language is English, so you can expect the main service to be conducted in English.

The RIB format also lets the captain move between coastal points without the slow pace of a large boat. That makes the three-hour duration feel useful. You are not spending the whole outing getting to one distant stop, although the precise time spent at each location can change with sea conditions and dolphin activity.

Looking for dolphins at Capo Figari

Capo Figari is the wildlife portion of the outing. The area is known on this trip as a place where groups of dolphins can appear, particularly near a fish farm. One family described seeing dorsal fins soon after reaching the area, sometimes in groups and at fairly frequent intervals.

That is encouraging, but you should keep your expectations sensible. Dolphins are wild animals, and no boat trip can promise a close encounter or a specific number of sightings. The captain will look for them, yet the timing and quality of the view depend on where the animals are and how they behave that day.

This stop may suit children especially well because it breaks up the swimming with a simple game of watching the water. The experience is not built around a formal wildlife presentation. It is more natural and flexible: the skipper brings you to a promising area, slows down, and watches for movement.

If seeing dolphins is your main reason for booking, choose this tour for the chance rather than the certainty. The swimming and coastline are the stronger fallback, so the outing still has value if the animals stay out of sight.

Figarolo, where snorkeling becomes the main event

Dolphins Rib boat (up 6 people) Private - Figarolo, where snorkeling becomes the main event

The Island of Figarolo is one of the clearest highlights for anyone who wants time in the water. The stop is described as a beautiful place to swim and snorkel, with clear Sardinian water that makes it easy to see why this part of the coast attracts boat trips.

Masks and snorkels are available onboard, and one family with three children used them during several stops. That means you do not necessarily need to bring your own equipment, although you may prefer your own mask for comfort and fit. The information does not specify the number or sizes of all equipment, so ask ahead if you need children’s gear or a particular fit.

Figarolo is also a practical stop for mixed groups. Strong swimmers can spend longer in the water, while others can stay near the boat and enjoy a short swim. The private setup gives your group more freedom than a crowded excursion, though the captain still controls where the boat can safely stop.

You should bring the usual personal items for a boat day, such as swimwear, a towel, sun protection, and secure storage for small belongings. These items are not specifically listed as supplied, so do not count on the operator to provide them.

Cala Moresca and the swimming break

Dolphins Rib boat (up 6 people) Private - Cala Moresca and the swimming break

Cala Moresca is another attractive stop near Figarolo. The water is described as clear, and the area works well for both swimming and snorkeling. It is also close to a beach, giving you a different view of the coast from the open water.

The stop can be more than a quick swim. Accounts of the outing describe time for snacks and drinks after swimming, with an aperitif served onboard. One family also enjoyed feeding fish and seagulls during this pause. That detail may appeal to children, though feeding wildlife is best done only as directed by the skipper and with care.

The beach nearby does not mean this is a beach excursion. You should expect to remain boat-based, with the possibility of swimming near shore rather than a planned landing. The available details do not confirm a beach walk or a set amount of time on land.

The water stops are valuable because they give the tour balance. If the dolphin search is brief, you still have time for the part many people come to Sardinia for: getting into the sea.

What the skipper adds to the experience

Dolphins Rib boat (up 6 people) Private - What the skipper adds to the experience

A good skipper matters on a private coastal trip. The named captains, Gianpaolo and Corrado, receive repeated praise for being friendly, professional, available, and familiar with the area. Tommaso is also thanked for his service, while one note describes Corrado as especially helpful and pleasant.

That personal service affects the feel of the outing. Instead of simply following a fixed route, you can ask about the coves, beaches, rock formations, and nearby places. Gianpaolo has provided explanations in English, so this is not just a silent transfer between swimming spots.

The boat is described as comfortable and well equipped. The available information does not specify a toilet, shade, music, or a particular seating layout, so ask about those features if they matter to you. A RIB is usually best enjoyed by people who are comfortable with an open boat and a lively ride, but the tour details do not give a formal age or mobility restriction.

Service animals are allowed, and most people can participate. The tour is private, which helps families or small groups who want to keep their own pace. If anyone in your party has a mobility concern, contact Ecosport Sardinia before booking so you can confirm the boarding arrangements.

Snacks, drinks, and the family factor

Dolphins Rib boat (up 6 people) Private - Snacks, drinks, and the family factor

The refreshments add useful comfort to a short boat outing. After swimming, an onboard aperitif with snacks and drinks may be served. That gives you something to enjoy between water stops and means the cruise is not only about racing from one cove to the next.

Families appear to be a strong match for this experience. One outing included children aged 3, 5, and 11, with snorkeling, dolphin watching, refreshments, and fish and seagull viewing all folded into the day. The older child may get the most from snorkeling, while younger children can enjoy the boat ride and wildlife search.

Still, you should judge your own family’s comfort with a RIB. The information confirms that children have taken part, but it does not provide child-seat details, life-jacket sizes, or guidance for infants. Ask the operator directly if you are bringing very young children.

Couples and groups of friends can also use the private format well. You are paying for a boat reserved for your party rather than a shared seat on a large cruise. That privacy is especially useful if you want a quieter swim stop or prefer not to organize your day around strangers.

How the $417 price works for a small group

Dolphins Rib boat (up 6 people) Private - How the $417 price works for a small group

The displayed price is $417 per group, with the booking information showing up to one person. At the same time, the experience is described as a private RIB for up to six people. That creates an important pricing question: confirm how the total changes for two to six participants before you pay.

For a full private boat, the value can be reasonable for a small group, especially when you divide the cost among several people. A party of six gets a more attractive per-person rate than a solo customer, while a couple will be paying more for privacy and flexibility than for a basic shared boat ride.

You are also paying for more than transport. The price covers a private coastal outing with a skipper, dolphin watching, swimming, snorkeling stops, and the personal attention that comes with a small boat. Snacks and drinks are described as part of the experience in the accounts provided, but confirm exactly what is included when you book.

If your main goal is a long beach day, this may not be the best use of your budget. The tour lasts about three hours, and its value lies in variety: wildlife, coastline, swimming, and a private captain in one compact outing.

Timing, pickup, and cancellation details

Dolphins Rib boat (up 6 people) Private - Timing, pickup, and cancellation details

The cruise lasts approximately three hours and ends back at the meeting point. There is one stated starting area, Golfo Aranci, while the meeting point is given in the Olbia area. Check the precise location because the names refer to nearby parts of Sardinia but are not identical places.

Pickup may be available from accommodation close to the starting point. It is not offered universally, so send your lodging details to Ecosport Sardinia before the day of departure if you want to use this option.

Confirmation is provided at booking. The activity is available in English, and it is offered as a private experience for your group only. It is also near public transportation, although the available details do not identify the exact bus or train service.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations made less than 24 hours in advance are not refunded, and late changes are not accepted. That policy is worth noting if your Sardinia plans depend on weather or ferry schedules.

Who should book this RIB cruise

I would consider this a strong choice for a small family, a couple wanting privacy, or friends who want swimming and sightseeing without committing to a full day. It is especially appealing if you like the idea of combining dolphin watching with clear-water snorkeling rather than choosing only one activity.

You will get the most from it if you are comfortable with a flexible outing. The boat may spend more time looking for dolphins if they are nearby, or move on to swimming if the search is quiet. That freedom is part of the appeal, but it also means the exact rhythm is not fixed.

I would be more cautious if you need a guaranteed wildlife sighting, a long time on a sandy beach, or a highly detailed schedule. The tour offers access to coastal coves and beaches, but it does not promise landing at each one.

Should you book the Dolphins RIB boat?

Book it if you want a private three-hour taste of Costa Smeralda with a real chance to see dolphins and time to swim at Figarolo and Cala Moresca. The friendly skippers, onboard refreshments, supplied snorkeling equipment, and flexible small-group setting add more than a basic boat transfer.

Before paying, confirm the final total for your group, the exact meeting point, pickup availability, and equipment for children. If those details work for you, this is a practical way to put several Sardinian highlights into one relaxed morning or afternoon.

FAQ

How long does the Dolphins RIB boat tour last?

The experience lasts approximately three hours.

Where does the tour start?

It starts in the Gulf of Cugnana, with the listed meeting point in the Olbia area of Sardinia.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the meeting point.

Can the boat accommodate a private group?

Yes. It is a private tour, and the RIB is described as accommodating up to six people.

Is hotel pickup available?

Pickup is available if your accommodation is not too far from the starting point. Confirm this with the operator before booking.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes. The tour is offered in English, and Gianpaolo has provided information in English about local towns, beaches, and rock formations.

Will I see dolphins?

The route visits Capo Figari, an area where groups of dolphins can sometimes be seen. Dolphin sightings are possible but are not guaranteed.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Masks and snorkels are available onboard. The tour includes snorkeling opportunities at the swimming stops.

Are food and drinks included?

Snacks and drinks, including an onboard aperitif, are described as part of the experience. Confirm the exact refreshments included when booking.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund.

More Dolphin and Whale Watching Trips in Sardinia

Scroll to Top

Pick a hull, a coast or a cave

Every kind of fast boat on the site, and the water it runs on.