Tavolara Island
Porto San Paolo, Sardinia, Italy
Tavolara is a dramatic limestone island off Sardinia's northeast coast, Italy, a 15 minute boat ride from Porto San Paolo and mostly protected as a marine reserve with restricted access beyond its main beach. Spalmatore di Terra, the island's largest beach, sits in the only flat stretch of an otherwise mountainous island, with a bar and sunbed rentals right on the sand.
A striking island with real marine protection behind it, but the single accessible beach means it can feel crowded once several boatloads of day trippers arrive at once.
Book the boat over in the morning if you want beach time before the afternoon crowds arrive from Porto San Paolo and San Teodoro, since the island's flat beach area is limited.
Ferries and small boats run from Porto San Paolo throughout summer, with parking available in the village near the harbor before the crossing.
The main beach at Spalmatore di Terra is flat and easy from the boat landing, though most of the rest of the island is steep, protected terrain with restricted access.
June through September brings the warm, clear water and reliable boat schedule that make the island easy to visit, with July and August the busiest months for the short ferry crossing.
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