· 6 min read · by Salimar Boat Tour
The Molara Pools: what they really are and how to visit them
They are the photo everyone tries to bring home from north-eastern Sardinia: tropical-lagoon water, pale granite, fish under your feet. But the Molara Pools come with precise rules and a story almost nobody tells. Here are both.
What they really are
On the side of the island facing the coast, the granite slopes gently and forms light-bottomed basins where the water stays shallow and still: the white sand reflects the light and the sea takes on that postcard turquoise. It is one of the most loved snorkelling spots in the Marine Protected Area: bream and salema circle you a metre from the ladder.
An island with an incredible story
Molara is Tavolara’s opposite even in its rock: granite instead of limestone, soft hills instead of the vertical wall. And in three square kilometres it packs centuries of history: tradition says Pope Pontian died here in exile in 235 AD, and the island still keeps the ruins of the Romanesque church dedicated to him, of the medieval village of Gurguray and of a lookout castle on Monte Casteddu, built against pirate raids. In the 15th century it even housed a convent of nuns.
Today the island is the private property of an Olbia family, and more animals than people live there: wild mouflons, goats and cows, peregrine falcons and cormorants. From the sea you can also spot the “dinosaur rock”, carved by wind and waves.
How to visit (the real rules)
You arrive only by boat, in about 20 minutes from Porto San Paolo. You do not land on the island: being private and inside the park, visiting is allowed only along the coasts, from the water. Anchoring and stops in the Pools are regulated by the park authority: that is why it pays to go with someone who knows the buoys, the timings and the permitted zones — and why the Pools have stayed this beautiful.
Dinghy or tour?
Two good options. If you like being at the helm, rent a dinghy at Capo Coda Cavallo and build your own day. If you would rather just enjoy the sea, our tour from Olbia makes its swim stop right at the Pools, with masks on board, a skipper who picks the hour with the best sea — plus the stop on Tavolara island (when the day’s rules allow) and the aperitif on the way back.
| Tavolara & Molara islands tour | €70 per person | Book now Details › | |
| Dolphin watching | €70 per person | Book now Details › |
When the water is at its best
Early morning, almost always: still sea, low light, colours at their peak and fewer boats. A strong mistral lowers the visibility; June and September give you the Pools half empty.
Quick answers
Can you land on Molara? No: private property inside the protected area. The beauty, though, is all in the water.
Do I need to be a strong swimmer? No: the water in the basins is shallow and still, and you climb down the boat ladder. Life jackets and masks on board.
Are the Pools always accessible? They depend on the sea and the park rules: with strong wind the skipper picks equally beautiful sheltered spots. The sea is in charge.
Facts checked on 1 August 2026. Rules and mooring zones depend on the Tavolara – Punta Coda Cavallo Marine Protected Area and can change: on board, the skipper’s call prevails.