Dolphins at Tavolara: watching tour

Searching for bottlenose dolphins between Tavolara and San Teodoro

The dolphins' sea

The stretch of sea between Olbia, Tavolara and San Teodoro is among the best in the Mediterranean to meet bottlenose dolphins: resident pods live here, and our skippers know and respect them. The tour departs from Marina di Olbia and lasts about three and a half hours: an ethical-distance search for sightings, then swim and snorkel stops in the Marine Protected Area, masks and drinks on board. Sightings can't be guaranteed — they are wild animals — but the encounter rate is very high.

What our guests say

4.5/5
232 reviews
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★★★★★GetYourGuide

super sortie on aurait souhaiter qu il parle un peu plus le français mais il a fait beaucoup d effort et je recommande a 100% cette excursion merci

GetYourGuide traveler30/09/2026Tavolara
★★★★★GetYourGuide

Un grand merci à Andrea qui est très gentil, qui a donné des explications sur l’environnement, il a su guider le bateau parfaitement entre les vagues afin de nous ménager, il a adapté les lieux de baignade afin que l’on…

GetYourGuide traveler27/09/2026Tavolara
★★★★★GetYourGuide

Andréa notre guide a été super, je recommande cette activité au top 👍🤩

GetYourGuide traveler27/09/2026Tavolara
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Departure times

TourDurationDeparturesPrice
Small group Tavolara & Molara tour · prosecco and snacks0 hours09:3014:00€72 per person
Small group dolphin watching · prosecco and snacks0 hours09:3014:00€54 per person

Departures every day, all year round, at the same times.

Compare: which tour to choose

FormatPricePrice perOn board
Small group Tavolara & Molara tour · prosecco and snacks€72per personProfessional skipper, Fuel, Life jackets
Small group dolphin watching · prosecco and snacks€54per personProfessional skipper, Fuel, Life jackets

Dolphins and the Tavolara sea

Dolphins swimming ahead of the boat in the Tavolara sea
Bottlenose dolphin surfacing during the tour from Olbia
Pod of dolphins spotted from the Salimar boat
Swim stop in the Marine Protected Area waters
Guests on board during the dolphin watching
The sea between Tavolara and San Teodoro during the tour

What you'll experience

Bottlenose dolphins up close

Slow, respectful approach, engine at idle: the dolphins decide.

Tavolara as a backdrop

The island's 565-metre wall frames the sightings.

Swim and snorkel

Stops in the MPA's coves, masks included.

Prosecco and drinks

A toast on board on the way back.

Why Salimar

Expert skippers

They know the pods' feeding and play areas: more eyes, more encounters.

Respect for wildlife

Code-of-conduct distances and speeds: dolphins first, photos second.

Small groups

Few guests on board: everyone sees, nobody pushes.

Frequently asked questions

How long is the dolphin tour?
About 3.5 hours, cruising and stops included.
Are dolphins always seen?
They are wild animals: no guarantee, but the sighting rate in this area is very high.
How much does it cost?
€72 per person, with skipper, snorkel masks, prosecco and drinks.
Where do we depart from?
From Marina di Olbia, Via Piovene 8.
Is it suitable for kids?
Yes: life jackets in all sizes and swim stops in calm waters.

Another question?

Ask Emma, our assistant: it answers straight away, at any hour, about times, availability, prices and the meeting point. It hands over to a person when needed.