Devil's Saddle Boat Tour with Swim Stops from Cagliari Sardinia

The Devil's Saddle (Sella del Diavolo)

The Sella del Diavolo is the best-known landmark of Cagliari's coast: a long limestone headland whose profile, seen from the water, looks like a saddle. A local legend says that the devil was thrown from the sky, and that his saddle fell to earth here as he was driven out. Travellers who search for a Devil's Saddle boat tour or a boat trip from Cagliari are looking for exactly this view, because the best angle on the cliffs is from the sea.

On the boat you pass below the rock walls, small caves and old watchtowers, while the skipper tells stories about the city and its coast. The headland is a protected area, so the shore is wild and the water is exceptionally clear.

Hidden coves: Cala Fighera, Cala Mosca and Cala Bernat

The swim stops are in the small bays below the headland, such as Cala Fighera, Cala Mosca and Cala Bernat. Many of them have no road access, so you often find yourself alone with turquoise water, pale rock and a seabed full of small fish. People ask whether Cagliari has a good beach near the centre; the answer is yes, but the hidden coves reached by boat are far quieter than the main beaches.

At each stop you can swim, snorkel with the mask and tube provided, or simply float and take photos from the boat. The skipper chooses the four stops on the day according to wind and swell, so the programme may change slightly. A fresh-water shower on board lets you rinse off before the return.

Poetto, Marina Piccola and the Gulf of Angels

Past the headland the coast opens onto the long white arc of Poetto beach, the city's favourite seaside, and the small harbour of Marina Piccola. From the water you see how close the city is to the sea: apartment blocks, the old hill of Castello, the salt marshes behind the bay and, in winter, flocks of birds. The trip also gives you a view of the Gulf of Angels as the ships come in.

If you are wondering about the best time to visit Cagliari for the sea, late May to September is warm enough to swim comfortably, and the morning departure usually has the gentlest water. The afternoon departure is a good choice when you want to see the cliffs in warmer light.

A small-boat experience from the city centre

The boat is a rigid inflatable of eight to nine metres, a type that moves quickly and goes close to the shore, so you spend more of the three hours swimming than sailing. The group is limited to 12 guests, and the skipper-guide speaks Italian and English.

The boarding point is at Molo Dogana, a few minutes' walk from the centre and the cruise terminal, which makes the tour easy for cruise passengers between ship arrival and departure. There is no changing room or toilet on board, so use the public facilities before you come, and wear your swimsuit under your clothes.