Golfo Aranci Kayak and Snorkel Trip with Dolphins Sardinia

Golfo Aranci Coast and Cala Moresca

The coast around Golfo Aranci is one of the prettiest on the north-east side of Sardinia, with pink-grey granite rocks, small coves and shallow sandy bays. Travellers searching for kayaking in Golfo Aranci or a snorkelling trip near Olbia often choose this stretch because the water is calm and very clear, and the sea kayak lets you reach corners that larger boats cannot enter.

Your guide picks the route on the day depending on wind and sea, and the trip usually passes beaches such as Cala Moresca, known for its colours and its natural surroundings. Paddling is relaxed and no experience is needed; the lesson at the start covers how to hold the paddle and steer.

Figarolo Island by kayak

Figarolo is a small uninhabited island facing Golfo Aranci, and a kayak is one of the nicest ways to arrive there. Without engine noise you glide into sheltered water, look down at the seabed and watch for fish moving between the rocks. Many guests ask whether the kayak trip to Figarolo is difficult; the distances are short and your guide stays alongside the group.

The island and the surrounding sea are a place where resident wildlife is often seen, and a fish farm in the open water attracts a group of dolphins. The guide will explain how to keep a respectful distance so the animals come close to you, not the other way round.

Snorkelling and dolphins with a marine biologist

With a marine biologist as your guide, the snorkelling stop becomes a small lesson in the Mediterranean: you learn to recognise sea bream, wrasse, sea urchins and seagrass, and why the meadows of Posidonia matter for the health of the coast. The mask is provided, and you leave your things in the waterproof bag so your hands stay free.

People often search for the best time to see dolphins in Sardinia. They are wild and cannot be promised, but early morning and late afternoon are generally the quietest hours, which is why the sunrise and sunset departures are so popular. If the dolphins appear, you watch from the kayak in silence and let them swim by.

Choosing your departure time

The morning option is the standard trip and suits most visitors. The after-lunch departure has one price for adults and children, the sunset departure paddles in the golden light of late afternoon, and the sunrise departure starts at dawn and adds a breakfast stop on a beach.

Whichever you choose, bring a swimsuit, a towel, a hat, water shoes and sunscreen, and keep luggage and large bags at your hotel. The trip is not suitable for children under four, for guests over 100 kg or over 70 years.