Magical Islands Adventure...

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Sea Kayaking Excursions in Sardinia...

I love being a sea kayaker! It lets me do things that other people can only dream of, if of course they dream of paddling around secluded islands? Just having a sea kayak gives you an incredible sense of freedom that I love making the very most of! And where I live is an extraordinary place for a sea kayaker as the northwest of Sardinia has many secluded islands and rocks that invite the adventurous person to go and explore!

For this trip I had planned on a leisurly paddle around Isola di Molara & Molarotto, but as often happens I got carried away in my joy at just being on the sea in an Iconic kayak and made my journey a bit more interesting with a diversion across to Isola di Tavolara :)

I did say above that I was in an iconic kayak and thats because I'm paddling a Valley Nordkapp, a design that set the foundations for all modern sea kayaks and a kayak that has been in production since 1975 and is still going strong! It's such a pleasure to paddle and think of the history and adventures that these kayaks have had.

The paddle from the car to the start of the crossing to Molara is spectacular, with beautiful views all around.

The sea seems abound with Icebergs of the Mediterranean.

Though these Icebergs are made of Granite.

A very happy view for me! In my kayak heading out to my favourite Island, Isola di Molara. It's a lovely island and much quieter than the tourist traps of the Maddalena islands further north. It feels more exposed to the sea too as beyond it there is nothing but open sea till you reach mainland Italy. A long way off!

No other way to put it! Posing :)

The view from Molara back to the mountainous mainland.

The rock gardens of Molara.

From Molara I head to Scoglio Cerri, the tiny bump on the horizon directly ahead of my bow. Will take 20 minutes to reach them.

From Scoglio i Cerri I sight Molarotto in the distance, another 20 minutes.

The view back from Scoglio i Cerri to Molara on the left and Tavolara on the right is absolutely stunning!!!

I'm very happy to be out there in my kayak! The other name I use for these rocks is Tinkys Teeth as they look like two canines protruding from the sea when viewed from a distance.

This is Tinky, also known as Horton Antoneddu.

Approaching Molarotto. It was about here I starting thinking of extending my route!

From Molarotto (right) it is a 50 minute crossing to Tavolara (left). How could I resist in these conditions!

So after a lovely 50 minutes of the serenity that the open sea gives I find myself on the southern side of Tavolara, with it's extraordinary view stretching out for three miles before me.

Distracted by a strange animal noise I look up to see Goats on the almost sheer cliffs!

After three and a half hours of kayaking since landing on Molara, as there was nowhere to land. I finally reach the beach on the landward side of Isola di Tavolara. Tired and hungary but still posing!

This view of Tavolara shows how a long spit of land extends out from the main chunk of the island. A spit generous with both beaches and views.

I take time to look back at Molarotto in the far distance. Seen here between the islands of Tavolara and Molara.

I stop at the shipwreck for a classic pic of Tavolara.

And a final view of the island from my car after an epic days kayaking!

Here's the route of my paddle in this lovely part of Sardinia :)

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Sea Kayaking Excursions in Sardinia...

The Southern Maddalena Islands...

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Sea Kayaking Excursions in Sardinia...

Sometimes the best adventures are right on your doorstep. I felt this back when I lived in Wales and I fell it here too! Sardinia is an amazing place to live and I'm very lucky to have such stunning locations to paddle so close to home. The start point for this trip is just ten minutes from home and the trip itself is quite an adventure!

I launch from a place called the Cozza, which translates as Mussels and there is a shallow Bay here where they are harvested. The Cozza is also the place where me and Melissa started and finished our kayak circumvavigation of Sardinia two years ago. Its a special place for us.

The conditions were lovely for early January! It's quite mild in Winter here but not always. As I write this now a few days later it is colder and I can see snow in the mountains. A big change from the 40 degree heat that I have experienced here in Summer!

As the islands come into sight we settle into our thoughts, chatting intermittently during the one hour crossing.

First landfall on Isola di Soffi with a view of mainland Sardinia in the distance.

The Jellyfish were everywhere today and a pleasure to see. They are known as Mauve Stingers Pelagia Noctiluca. Their pretty harmless but do give an uncomfortable sting!

The islands form a chain for Island hopping and from the Northern side of Soffi the view of the islands opens up.

As we approach Isola di Mortorio we take time to look at the wonderful view of the Golfo Aranci in the distance.

Here we can see the furthest point of the trip, Rocce Mortorio, some 5 miles offshore from the mainland using our route though only 2½ miles if we paddled further north.

It's small and split into two rocks and feels like a very special place to me.

This is the view back from Rocce Mortorio to the main Island of Mortorio.

We stopped for a quick beach clean on the Eastern end of Mortorio.

Time for lunch and we stop at Roley Poley Bay, (Our name for it) on the island of Le Camere. We named it this as Milly did her first Eskimo roll here a few years back :)

It's quite a spot!

After a good long rest in the lovely Roley Poley Bay we begin the long paddle back to the mainland with smiles on our faces :)

We run this trip as one of our kayak excursions when the weather is good. Get in touch and come join us!

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Sea kayaking Excursions in Sardinia...

Maddalena Islands Camping Adventure...

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Sea Kayaking Excursions in Sardinia...

I love winter here in Sardinia! I work as a kayak guide on this extraordinary coastline but I tend to only get work from April to October. So in the winter I have to opportunity to kayak just for myself and explore the places I love best! This is what led me to Palau on the 27th of December for a paddle around the Maddalena Islands on the North East of Sardinia.

Despite being late December the weather was extraordinary! I have been working here in Sardinia for three years now but this is my first winter here and I'm loving how good the weather is as opposed to my native Wales!

From Palau I follow the coast to the lighthouse at Punta Sardegna before heading offshore to the Island of Spargi.

On arrival I'm immediately surrounded by the amazing rock formations that make this such a special place for me!

I stop on a lovely beach that I know after paddling an hour and twenty minutes from Palau.

Amazingly I'm greeted by a Cinghiale, a very rare and privileged experience!

From Isola di Spargi I paddle North and head for the Island of Budelli for my first nights camp.

In the morning I (above) I look towards Corsica and see beautiful cloud formations over the mountains in the pre dawn light.

My camp spot is a little piece of Paradise!

I'm up early as I plan to kayak around both Budelli and Isola di Razzoli today, as well as the small islands East of Santa Maria. There's a map at the end of this post :)

Isola di Razzoli has some quite incredible rock formations that are a joy to see! And from the lighthouse (above) your only about two hours kayaking from the Corsican Island of Lavezzi and from there close to mainland Corsica.

I climb a hill on Isola di Razzoli to look at view and where my route will take me next. Above, I'm looking East towards Isola Santa Maria and behind that Isolotti Barrettinelli di Fuori, Isolotti Corcelli, Isola Piana, Isola Barrettinelli, Isolotti Barrettinelli and in the far distance Isola La Maddalena. Its a playground out here, it really is!!!

Looking down at my parked kayak :)

Here I have reached the tiny rock of Isolotti Barrettinelli di Fuori.

Later that day I reach the stunning Isola Giardinelli. It's actually part of the main island of La Maddalena, joined by a very short bridge.

It's a spectacular place to camp with views of Isola di Caprera just over a kilometre away.

I had a peaceful night but found it strange as I could see the lights of Maddalena n the distance. I also saw footprints in the sand that told me that a Cinghiale came very close to my tent as I slept!

I packed very early, keen to get back in my kayak and paddle the calm sea's.

From my camp I paddled across to Caprera and along the Island to Punta Coda to start my crossing back to the mainland at Capo Dorso (Above).

Capo Dorso has some very striking rock formation that are wonderful to explore in a kayak. From the lighthouse it is just a short paddle back to Palau and my car but I take my time and make the most of it!

So here is a map of my route. It's not a huge trip but I started at midday on the 27th of December and finished at midday on the 29th. Not to mention had a wonderful time which is the point after all :)

Till next time!

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Sea Kayaking Excursions in Sardinia...