Trip Itinerary
Kayaking Wild Sardinia
Arrival in Olbia
Explore the historic center of this town that dates back to the Carthaginians and was a significant port in Roman times. After a trip orientation over a glass of the region’s excellent Vermentino white wine, we’ll go out for our first dinner of classic Sardinian cuisine.
Overnight: Hotel Panorama Olbia
Meals: Dinner
Gulf of Orosei
Departing early, we drive by van through an ever-steepening pastoral landscape toward the Supramonte Mountains. Passing through scenic Oliena, we’ll stop for an espresso before carrying on to our kayak launch site at Cala Conone on the Gulf of Orosei. The gulf is a stunningly beautiful arc of clear turquoise blue that abuts the steep land mass of the Supramonte. We’ll plunge into the singular experience of kayaking in Sardinia and spend the balance of the day exploring beaches, sea caves, and grottos only accessible from the sea. Tonight we’ll have a wonderful farm-to-table dinner at an agriturismo. We’ll have entered a distinctively different wine-growing region and we’ll sample some of the local Cannonau, a robust red wine.
Overnight: Agriturismo Guthiddai
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Hiking the Supramonte
After breakfast we’ll meet our local guides for a Land Rover ride into the heart of the Supramonte. The Supramonte was once the haunt and hideout of infamous Sardinian bandits. We’ll enjoy a guided hike and rustic lunch of local cheese, meat and bread in the splendor of the mountains. On the way back to the agriturismo we’ll visit a small production winery (or maybe two).
Overnight: Agriturismo Guthiddai
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Journey to Alghero
Today we cross the heart of Sardinia, passing through an ever changing landscape and stop at one of the most impressive Bronze Age Nuragic sites. The number (over 6000) and complexity of the Nuragic sites points to a distant past when Sardinia was a significant place in the ancient world. We rejoin the Mediterranean at Bosa, a colorful town built on a hillside topped by a Spanish castle. Here we'll launch our kayaks and paddle the River Temo through town and on to the seashore for a picnic lunch. Following the coast road, we reach the town of Alghero whose residents still speak Catalan as the result of several hundred years of Spanish colonization. After touring this attractive seaside town, we’ll move to our agriturismo for the evening.
Overnight: Agriturismo Sa Mandra
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Kayaking Capo Caccia
Up early for a paddle to Capo Caccia. After launching at a small cove, the approach paddle to this imposing limestone headland is marked by a distinctive Genoese tower that predates the Aragonese (Spanish) colonization. In the morning sun, the nearly 600-foot high cliffs of the cape glow with golden light. Conditions permitting, we’ll kayak to the sea mouth of Neptune’s Grotto, a limestone cave that extends for 2 ½ miles. Dinner is a classic Sardinian farm-style dinner at our agriturismo.
Overnight: Agriturismo Sa Mandra
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Castelsardo and La Maddalena
Journeying northward along the coast, we’ll be treated with vistas of blue water, pastoral hills, and ancient ruins. We’ll stop and explore the medieval town of Castelsardo. Built on a headland, the castle dates back to 1102 AD. Further along, we arrive at a hilltop overlook of Punta Sardegna, from which we’ll have a sweeping view La Maddalena National Park archipelago. Even from a distance, it’s clear to see why this area is regarded as offering the best kayaking in the Mediterranean. We’ll launch at the town Palau and paddle a coastline adorned by whimsically fantastic rock formations to Capo D'orso. A short ferry ride takes us to the town of La Maddalena, our base for the next two days.
Overnight: B&B Via del Centro
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Paddling Isola Caprera – La Maddalena
With crystal clear water, remarkable rock formations, and white sand beaches, Isola Caprera epitomizes the best of Sardinian kayaking destinations. Strategically significant for centuries, the island is dotted with fortresses – some ancient and some more recent. Returning to town, there is time to relax before heading out to dinner at one of La Maddalena’s fine restaurants.
Overnight: B&B Via del Centro
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Isola Maddalena
Today we’ll kayak the northwest coast of Isola Maddalena, stopping to swim at small beaches. Taking a short hike, we’ll have a view of the coastline, smaller islands of the archipelago, and the mountains of Corsica visible in the distance across the Bonifacio Strait. Wrapping up another great paddling day, we’ll return to the comfort of our B&B in La Maddalena’s historic center before dinner out.
Overnight: B&B Via del Centro
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Nuraghe La Prisgonia and Olbia
In the morning, we’ll take the ferry from La Maddalena to Palau then drive into the hills to Arzachena, located in the northeastern part of Sardinia. Here we will visit and explore several nuraghes, which are ancient megalithic edifices built during the Nuragic Age between 1900 and 730 BCE. These structures are unique to Sardinia and are a significant part of the island's prehistoric heritage, offering insights into the island's ancient history and culture. One of the most notable and one we will visit is Nuraghe La Prisgiona. More than 90 stone huts and a well-preserved central tower offer a glimpse into Nuragic life. Returning to Olbria, there is time to refresh and prepare for tomorrow's departure. Our celebratory dinner ends our evening together.
Overnight: Hotel Panorama Olbia
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Olbria - Departure
After breakfast, we say Arrivederci! Transportation to the airport from the hotel is easily arranged.
Overnight: NA
Meals: Breakfast
Testimonial
I had a wonderful time and I’m so glad I decided to go! All three of my kayak excursions with Tofino Expeditions have been more than vacations, they have been life enriching and educational. A joy, thank you!!Jo Frey, WA View Trips
National Geographic Award
Tofino Expeditions was the highest rated sea kayaking adventure travel company in a National Geographic Adventure survey of international outfitters based on:
- Quality of Service
- Education
- Sustainability
- Spirit of Adventure