Chia: kayak tour to Tuerredda with snorkeling

Tuerredda’s best views are often found away from the main beach, and this tour gets you there under your own power. You paddle from Capo Malfatano through clear water, past sea caves and cliffs, then stop at Perda Longa and a quiet cove near Tuerredda. I especially like the small group of eight and the chance to reach places that cannot be visited easily from land.

I also like that the tour gives you real time to swim, snorkel, and sit on the beach rather than racing from one photo stop to the next. Guides Simone and Simon have been praised for patient kayak instruction and strong English. The catch is simple: you need to swim, manage a kayak, and cope with four hours on the water, and the route can change in rough marine weather.

Key points at a glance

• Capo Malfatano launch: Start from the car park at Ittiturismo Antica Pescheria and paddle toward Tuerredda Island.
• Perda Longa break: Spend about 25 to 30 minutes at the beach for swimming, snorkeling, or a rest.
• Ferraglione Islands: Pass rocky islets with natural pools and sea urchin colonies, without touching the marine life.
• Sea-only access: Reach a secluded cove near Tuerredda that is accessible only from the water.
• Small English and Italian group: The maximum group size is eight, with specialized guides such as Simone and Simon.
• Useful gear included: You receive a kayak, lifejacket, equipment, mask, and waterproof bag, but bring your own water, food, and towel.

Why this stretch of Sardinia works so well by kayak

The coast around Chia and Tuerredda is made for a low, slow view from the water. From a kayak, you are close to the cliffs, coves, and changing seabeds. You can look into clear shallows, steer toward a cave, and stop where a larger boat or road vehicle cannot reach.

This is not a white-knuckle sea expedition. It is a guided coastal outing built around scenery and swimming. Still, you are doing the work. Four hours is long enough to feel active, especially if you have never paddled before, so the guide’s instruction matters.

Simone and Simon have both received particularly strong praise for their patient help. That is useful if you are new to kayaking. Simon has been singled out for calmly teaching first-timers how to handle the boat, while Simone has been praised for clear English and for responding to the group’s wishes. You should expect guidance rather than a quick safety speech followed by a race.

The small group also makes a difference. With no more than eight participants, the guide can keep an eye on paddling technique and help the group stay together. You are not likely to get the same personal attention on a large boat excursion.

Setting out from Capo Malfatano

The meeting point is the car park at Ittiturismo Antica Pescheria. You need to arrange your own way to this starting point, since transport is not listed as part of the outing. Arrive ready for the water, with swimwear under your clothes if that makes changing easier.

At the start, your guide supplies the kayak, lifejacket, and other equipment. A mask and waterproof bag are included too, so ask the guide about them before setting off. The bag is handy for small items that must stay dry, but pack lightly. Bring only what you need on the water.

The opening paddle heads toward Tuerredda Island. This first section gives you time to get comfortable with the kayak and the rhythm of paddling. If you are new to it, do not worry about looking polished right away. Follow the guide’s instructions, keep your strokes steady, and let the boat move at its own pace.

You will be close to the coast for much of the route, passing clear water, cliffs, caves, and small inlets. The exact route depends on sea conditions. That is not a minor detail in Sardinia: wind and waves can change which coves are safe and pleasant to visit.

Perda Longa, the first proper pause

The first main stop is Perda Longa beach, where you spend about 25 to 30 minutes. This is a useful break early in the trip, since it gives your arms a rest before the route continues toward Ferraglione and Tuerredda.

Use the time in the way that suits you. You can swim, snorkel, sit on the sand, or simply enjoy the view. The clear water is the main attraction, and this is one of the best points in the schedule for seeing what lies below the surface without having to rush back into the kayak.

I like the balance here. The tour is active, but the beach stop prevents it from becoming four straight hours of paddling. If you are booking mainly for snorkeling, remember that this is a timed pause, not an open-ended beach visit. You should be ready to leave when the group continues.

Bring your own towel, sunscreen, hat, and water. Food and drinks are not included, so carry any snack you need. Flip-flops are also on the recommended packing list, although you should keep your footwear secure when moving around the kayak and shore.

Cliffs, caves, and the Ferraglione Islands

After Perda Longa, the route follows sheer cliffs toward the Ferraglione Islands. This rocky group is one of the more distinctive parts of the outing because the scenery changes from beach to exposed rock and water-cut formations.

The guide points out natural pools and colonies of sea urchins. You may get a good look at marine life in the clear shallows, but the rules are firm: do not touch or catch the urchins or any other sea life. That protects the animals and your hands. Sea urchin spines are not something you want to discover through carelessness.

Kayaking is especially useful here because you can approach the rock formations at a gentle pace. The guide can explain what you are seeing while keeping the group moving safely. You may pass openings and small water-level spaces that are difficult to appreciate from a road or crowded beach.

The caves and coves are weather-dependent. If the sea is unsettled, the guide may adjust the route rather than force a particular passage. Consider that a benefit, not a failure to follow a fixed plan. The coast is most enjoyable when conditions are calm enough for you to pay attention to the scenery instead of battling the water.

Tuerredda Island and a cove reached only by sea

The route continues to Tuerredda, one of the area’s main scenic draws. The tour does not simply take you to a viewpoint and turn around. You paddle along the coast and make a second stop at a secluded cove accessible only from the water.

That cove is the kind of place this tour is designed to find. It gives you another chance to swim, snorkel, or rest away from the road-access areas. Do not expect a long private beach day, though. The stop is part of a moving four-hour itinerary, and the guide must allow time for the return route.

The water is the star here. The tour description focuses on crystal-clear shallows, turquoise water, and unusual seabeds, while the planned stops let you see those features from both above and below. Bring a good attitude toward simple pleasures: a swim, a quiet cove, and a slow look into the water can be the highlight of the day.

The trip then turns back toward Capo Malfatano. Along the way, you visit the fishermen’s lagoon, adding another coastal setting before the final return. The lagoon visit helps break up the return paddle and gives the route a different character from the open coast and rocky islands.

What the $77 price really covers

At $77 per person, the outing is not just a rental. Your price covers the guided kayak tour, specialized guide, insurance, lifejacket, kayak equipment, mask, and waterproof bag. You are paying for instruction, route planning, safety oversight, and access to coastal places you would have trouble reaching alone.

That is good value if you want a half-day on the water and would otherwise need to rent equipment and find your own route. A self-guided rental might give you more freedom, but it would not provide the same help for beginners or the same organized sequence of Perda Longa, Ferraglione, Tuerredda, and the lagoon.

The value is less obvious if you mainly want to lie on a beach. In that case, a beach day costs less effort and gives you more control over your time. This tour makes sense when you want to combine scenery, exercise, snorkeling, and a guide in one outing.

Food and drinks are extra. Pack water and a snack, since the provided gear does not include refreshments. The waterproof bag should help protect essentials, but do not assume it replaces careful packing.

Who should book, and who should skip it

I would recommend this for adults and children aged 12 and over who can swim, are comfortable around open water, and want an active way to see the coast. It is also a good choice for first-time kayakers if you appreciate patient instruction. Simone and Simon’s calm teaching style is especially useful for people who need a few minutes to get their paddle strokes working.

The tour is not suitable for children under 12, non-swimmers, or people with mobility impairments. Participants over 243 pounds, or 110 kilograms, are also excluded according to the activity rules. Minors aged 12 to 17 must be accompanied by a parent.

You should also think about your comfort with four hours outdoors. Sun, salt water, and steady paddling can be tiring. A hat, sunscreen, swimsuit, towel, dry clothes, and water are not optional extras in practice. They make the day much easier.

If you have only one free day in the Chia area, this outing gives you a broad sample of the coast. If the weather is poor, the route may change, so do not book it expecting every named stop to be guaranteed in every condition.

Practical preparation for the morning

Wear swimwear and clothes that can get wet. Pack a change of clothes for the end, along with a towel, sunscreen, hat, water, and flip-flops. Food is not provided, so bring something small if you need more than a drink.

Leave pets at home. The activity does not allow them, and the small kayaks and marine setting are not suitable for animals.

English and Italian are the available tour languages. If you need detailed instruction in English, the guides named Simone and Simon have been praised for speaking it clearly. The group cap of eight is another reason the outing works well for people who value direct communication.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start for a full refund, and you can reserve now while paying later. Starting times vary, so check availability for the date you want rather than assuming a fixed departure.

The overall rating is 4.8 from 24 ratings, with repeated praise for the guides, calm-water outings, clear sea, swimming stops, and small beautiful beaches. The practical lesson is more useful than the number itself: guide quality is a major part of this trip, especially if you are new to kayaking.

Should you book the Tuerredda kayak tour?

Book it if you want to see the Chia coast from the water, not just from a beach chair. The combination of Capo Malfatano, Perda Longa, Ferraglione’s rocky islands, Tuerredda, a sea-only cove, and the fishermen’s lagoon gives you plenty of variety in four hours.

I would be most likely to choose it for a small group, a first kayak outing, or a day when clear water and snorkeling matter as much as the paddling. I would skip it if you cannot swim, dislike active outings, need full mobility access, or want a completely flexible beach day.

At $77, it offers solid value when you use the guide, equipment, instruction, and access to the coast. Pack properly, accept that weather can alter the route, and you get a focused half-day that shows off Tuerredda from several different angles.

FAQ

Where does the kayak tour meet?

The meeting point is the car park at Ittiturismo Antica Pescheria.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts four hours.

How much does the experience cost?

The listed price is $77 per person.

Which languages are available?

The live tour is available in Italian and English.

How many people are in the group?

The group is limited to eight participants.

What equipment is included?

The tour includes the kayak, lifejacket, equipment, mask, waterproof bag, and insurance.

Is snorkeling included?

Yes. The itinerary includes snorkeling stops, including a 25 to 30 minute break at Perda Longa and another stop at a secluded cove near Tuerredda.

Can children join the tour?

Children under 12 cannot join. Minors aged 12 to 17 must be accompanied by a parent.

What happens if the marine weather is poor?

The itinerary may change due to adverse marine weather conditions.