Ferry company
Delcomar
The ferry operator for Sardinia's small islands - routes, fleet, check-in, pets and fares in profile
- Sardinian operator since 1985, nine ships, around 200 staff
- Palau - La Maddalena in 15 minutes, even in winter
- Porto Torres - Asinara: the only scheduled ferry into the national park
About Delcomar
Table of Contents
About Delcomar
Delcomar Compagnia di Navigazione was founded in 1985 by the Sardinian entrepreneur Franco Del Giudice and specialises in transport to Sardinia's small islands. In 1998 it introduced the first night connections at Carloforte, which hadn't existed before. Today Delcomar serves Sardinia's three largest secondary islands - partly on behalf of the region, partly on the open market - and employs around 200 people on board and ashore, by its own account exclusively Sardinian staff. Its offices are in Cagliari, Carloforte and La Maddalena; the company is certified to ISO 9001 and ISO 14001.
Fleet
Delcomar operates nine ferries: Enzo D., Isola di Caprera, Isola di Santo Stefano, Sara D., GB Conte, Anna Mur, Nando Murrau, I. Maddalena and Arbatax. These are small car ferries for short crossings - without cabins or a restaurant, with a passenger lounge and deck. Which ship runs which route changes with the season and demand.
Routes to Sardinia
In the northeast, Delcomar sails La Maddalena - Palau in 15 minutes at a dense frequency, including through winter, when Maddalena Lines pauses. In the northwest, it runs the national park ferry Porto Torres - Asinara, marketed under the name Ensamar: from the Molo Segni, daily from May to September, three times a day at the height of summer, and only on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from October to April. In southern Sardinia, the company connects Carloforte on the island of San Pietro with Calasetta and Portovesme.
Check-in, vehicle and pet
The boarding deadline is printed on your ticket; missing it forfeits your right to travel. Loading staff determine the order of vehicles, and drivers board and disembark their own vehicle. LPG vehicles must be declared at booking, otherwise carriage is forfeited and a fee equal to the vehicle fare applies; if the booked dimensions don't match, the operator may refuse boarding. Cars, motorhomes and motorbikes travel to La Maddalena; only bicycles and electric vehicles to Asinara - private motor vehicles are banned in the national park, and pets are not allowed ashore there. More in the guides Taking a motorhome on the ferry and Taking your dog on the ferry.
Tickets
Tickets are available online and at the ticket offices in the ports. Residents of the departure and destination municipalities pay special fares; on the Asinara line, children aged 4 to 12, people with disabilities and over-70s travel at half price. Multiple discounts cannot be combined, and anyone travelling at a discount without entitlement pays the full fare plus a surcharge. Current prices are shown in the booking window of the route, and a comparison in the price overview.
FAQ Delcomar
Frequently asked questions
Questions and answers about Delcomar and the ferries to Sardinia's islands
Which routes does Delcomar run?+
Covered on this site: La Maddalena - Palau at a dense frequency, and the national park ferry Porto Torres - Asinara. Delcomar also runs Carloforte - Calasetta and Carloforte - Portovesme to the island of San Pietro in southern Sardinia.
Does Delcomar sail in winter too?+
Yes. Delcomar sails to La Maddalena year-round, while Maddalena Lines only operates from April to October. To Asinara, there are only departures on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from October to April. Dates are shown in the timetable.
What ships does Delcomar have?+
Nine ferries: Enzo D., Isola di Caprera, Isola di Santo Stefano, Sara D., GB Conte, Anna Mur, Nando Murrau, I. Maddalena and Arbatax - small car ferries for short crossings, without cabins.
Can I bring my car?+
To La Maddalena, yes - cars, motorhomes and motorbikes; LPG gas must be declared at booking, otherwise carriage is forfeited. Private motor vehicles are not allowed on Asinara - only bicycles and electric vehicles. More at Taking a motorhome on the ferry.
Can my dog come along?+
To La Maddalena, yes. Not to Asinara: dogs, cats and other pets are banned in the national park, and the ferry does not carry them. Rules and documents at Taking your dog on the ferry.
Are there discounts, and where can I find the prices?+
Residents of the departure and destination municipalities pay special fares, and children and over-70s travel at a discount; discounts cannot be combined. Prices are shown in the booking window of the route, and a comparison in the price overview.