Operator
Moby Lines
The whale ferries to Olbia and across the Strait of Bonifacio - routes, fleet, check-in, pets and fares in profile
- Operator owned by the Onorato family, founded in 1959 as NAVARMA on La Maddalena
- Genoa - Olbia, Livorno - Olbia and the Corsica ferry Bonifacio - Santa Teresa
- Check-in in Olbia, Livorno and Santa Teresa: 60 minutes on foot in summer, 90 minutes with a vehicle
About Moby Lines
Table of Contents
About Moby Lines
Moby Lines belongs to the Onorato family, who now run the company in its fifth generation; the owner is Vincenzo Onorato. The operator was founded in 1959 on La Maddalena as Navigazione Arcipelago Maddalenino (NAVARMA) and initially sailed between Sardinia and its outlying islands, adding Corsica from 1966 and later the Italian mainland. The blue whale on the hull became its trademark, joined since the 2000s by Warner Bros' Looney Tunes characters. On 2 January 2012 Moby took over the Tuscan operator Toremar, and in July 2015 acquired one hundred percent of Tirrenia; together, the three companies of the Onorato group say they connect Sardinia, Sicily, Corsica, Elba and the Tuscan archipelago with 38 ships, around 41,000 departures and 33 ports.
Fleet
The large ferries in the fleet sail to Sardinia - Moby Fantasy and Moby Legacy as the newest ships, alongside Moby Orli, Moby Aki, Moby Wonder, Moby Kiss and Moby Giraglia - with cabins, restaurants and play areas. Across the Strait of Bonifacio, the Bunifazziu shuttles back and forth: 71 metres long, 15 knots, carrying 692 passengers and 60 cars in summer, with a seated lounge, sun deck and bar. The fast catamaran Schiopparello Jet sails to Elba.
Routes to Sardinia
Moby Lines runs Genoa - Olbia as an overnight crossing and Livorno - Olbia from Tuscany - both taking cars, motorhomes and motorbikes. From Corsica, the Bunifazziu gets you across in 50 minutes via Bonifacio - Santa Teresa di Gallura. Sister operator Tirrenia rounds out the network with Civitavecchia - Olbia and Genoa - Porto Torres; depending on the departure, you'll book with one brand or the other.
Check-in, vehicles and pets
In Olbia, Porto Torres, Livorno, Piombino, Civitavecchia, Bonifacio and Santa Teresa, without a vehicle you need to be at check-in 60 minutes before departure from 1 June to 30 September and 30 minutes otherwise, and 90 minutes with a vehicle; in Genoa, two hours applies with a vehicle. Check-in runs electronically at a desk before the ship. Vehicles over 2.20 m in height must be booked with the exact overall height, with bike racks and tow bars counted towards the length; gas- and methane-powered vehicles must be declared at booking and boarding, with the tank at most half full. Only the driver is allowed on the vehicle deck, which stays closed during the crossing. Pets travel with their own ticket, muzzle and lead; the large ships have pet cabins with two or four berths and linoleum flooring. For the crossing to Corsica, French entry rules for dogs apply, and certain breeds are banned there. More in the guides Motorhomes on the ferry and Travelling with a dog on the ferry.
Tickets
Prices depend on date, departure time and demand; Moby offers fares for cars and motorbikes as well as discounts for residents of Sardinia and Corsica. Current prices are shown in each route's booking window, and a comparison of all Sardinia routes is on the price overview.
FAQ Moby Lines
Frequently asked questions
Questions and answers about Moby Lines and the ferries to Sardinia
Which routes does Moby Lines operate to Sardinia?+
From the mainland, Genoa - Olbia and Livorno - Olbia; from Corsica, the short crossing Bonifacio - Santa Teresa di Gallura. Sister operator Tirrenia covers Civitavecchia - Olbia and Genoa - Porto Torres.
How early do I need to be at the port with Moby Lines?+
In Olbia, Porto Torres, Livorno, Piombino, Civitavecchia, Bonifacio and Santa Teresa: without a vehicle, 60 minutes from June to September and 30 minutes from October to May; with a vehicle, always 90 minutes. In Genoa, two hours applies with a vehicle.
Which ships does Moby Lines use?+
The large ferries Moby Fantasy, Moby Legacy, Moby Orli, Moby Aki, Moby Wonder, Moby Kiss and Moby Giraglia, plus the small Bunifazziu for the Strait of Bonifacio and the fast catamaran Schiopparello Jet to Elba.
Can I bring my motorhome?+
Yes. Vehicles over 2.20 m in height must be booked with the exact overall height, with bike racks and tow bars counted towards the length; gas-powered vehicles must be registered with a half-full tank. More on Motorhomes on the ferry.
Does Moby Lines carry pets?+
Yes, with their own ticket, muzzle and lead. On the large ships there are pet cabins with two or four berths and linoleum flooring. Documents and rules are on Travelling with a dog on the ferry.
Where can I find the timetable and prices?+
Departures are listed in the timetable. Prices depend on date, demand and vehicle, and are shown live in each route's booking window; the price overview gives a comparison.