No-Licence Dinghy Round the Gulf, from Cala Gonone to Cala Sisine

What it is

You hire an inflatable boat, a gommone, and drive it yourself around the Gulf of Orosei for the whole day, with no guide and no boat timetables. With a 40 hp engine you do not need a boating licence. You stop where you like: in a cove for a swim, in front of a cave or in the middle of the water for lunch. It is the freest way of exploring this coast, where the coves can only be reached by sea or long trails.

The hire is offered by the Nuovo Consorzio Trasporti Marittimi Cala Gonone, the same consortium as the scheduled boats to the coves, from Cala Gonone harbour.

How far you can go

The consortium suggests as destinations Cala Luna, Cala Sisine, Cala Biriola, Cala Mariolu and Cala dei Gabbiani, and the entrance to the Grotta del Bue Marino and the Grotta del Fico. A reasonable plan for a day:

1. Early departure from Cala Gonone, when the sea is usually calmest.
2. Grotta del Bue Marino and Cala Luna, the closest, south of the harbour.
3. Cala Sisine, further south, at the mouth of another gully.
4. Cala Biriola and Cala Mariolu, with very clear water, already in the municipality of Baunei.
5. Return to the north with time to reach the harbour at the handback time.

At Cala Goloritzé, the southernmost of the famous ones, motorboats cannot come within 200 metres or land: it is a natural monument. Respect also the buoys and the access lanes to the beaches, where sailing among bathers is forbidden.

Price and booking

The hire page does not publish prices or give details of handback times, deposit, fuel or the skipper's minimum age. Book on their website or by phone and ask everything when you do, especially whether fuel is included and what time you must return the boat. In July and August the boats sell out: book several days ahead.

Safety

Even if no licence is required, you will be driving a boat on the open sea. Before setting out:

• Ask them to explain the engine, the anchor and the safety equipment, and ask about the day's forecast.
• Set out early: the wind usually picks up as the day goes on.
• Always anchor on sand, never on posidonia, and at a distance from the shore in coves with bathers.
• Carry your phone charged in a waterproof bag. The consortium says there are support boats around the gulf for assistance.

If the sea is rough or a strong wind is blowing, do not go out even if you have a reservation: ask at the harbour whether they will change the date.

What to bring

Plenty of water, food for the whole day, sun protection, cap, sunglasses and a long-sleeved T-shirt: there is no shade on a boat. Mask and snorkel, water shoes for the pebble coves and a waterproof bag for phone and documents.

With children

If the children have already been on boats and are comfortable in the water, it is a great family day: stops whenever needed and swims in different coves. Ask for life jackets in their size when you collect the boat. With very small children, the boat to the Grotta del Bue Marino and Cala Luna is simpler.

If you do not want to take the helm

The mini-cruise to Cala Goloritzé does a similar route with a skipper. By paddle, the kayak from Cala Gonone reaches Cala Luna.