Island of Tavolara

Tavolara and its beaches

Tavolara Island with its beaches is an island in the Tyrrhenian Sea, located off the coast of Olbia, in the northeast of Sardinia, Italy.

It is an important landmark that is clearly visible from the surrounding fishing villages, including Golfo Aranci, Porto Istana, San Teodoro, and the promontories of Capo Coda Cavallo. The island is about 5 kilometers (3 miles) long and 1 kilometer (0.6 miles) wide, with steep limestone and granite cliffs.

Punta Cannone

The iconic Punta Cannone, its highest point, is 564 meters (1,854 feet) above sea level. From the summit, you will enjoy panoramic views of all of Gallura, Monte Limbara, Monte Nieddu, Montalbo, as well as Caprera, the Bonifacio Straits, and Corsica. Few places compare to the uniqueness of this spot.

Bertoleoni Family

The Romans called this island Insula Hermaea, and in the Middle Ages, it was used for military defense purposes. Around the end of the year 1000, a group of pirates settled on the island. However, by the late 18th century, Genoese settlers arrived on this land, and thanks to the fishermen from Ponza searching for lobsters and marine life, the local population settled, reaching up to 60 people, but it was soon abandoned again, around 1760. At the end of the 18th century, the Bertoleoni family arrived on this beautiful, uninhabited island. It is believed that these people worked hard, settled there, and made a living by breeding wild goats.

Royal Cemetery of Tavolara

Giuseppe Bertoleoni, the head of the family, was visited by the King of Sardinia, who named him King of Tavolara. Thus, by the end of the 19th century, Tavolara Island was officially recognized as a kingdom. Even recently, a collection of royal portraits of this family, along with many other famous photos of the royal family, can be found in the museum at Buckingham Palace in London. Tavolara was thus recognized as one of the smallest kingdoms in the world. Today, around 20 people live on this island, along with the descendants of the Bertoleoni family. In fact, they are no longer the owners of the land but are treated as guardians, committed to protecting and preserving this great island.

Tavolara Island has Spalmatore di Terra Beach, one of the best beaches on the island, where you can glimpse the breathtaking beauty of this wonderful beach with golden sand. The unique feature of this beach is a sandbar that separates the northern and southern seas. You can also explore the royal cemetery, and with a walk, visit the nature trail with occasional informative signs about the island’s flora and fauna.

To visit Tavolara’s beaches, you can book a boat rental. Alternatively, we organize boat excursions from Capo Coda Cavallo, where you can also visit the Molara Pools and Sassi Piatti.

Tavolara Island

Tavolara Island

Sunset skipper tour

Skipper Tour Uriele Lucini

Winter boat tour
A February day at Baia Salinedda

Skipper tour from La Cinta

4-hour tour to Tavolara and Molara islands
Dolphins at Proratora

BSC 500