The Tavolara - Punta Coda Cavallo Marine Protected Area was created by decree of the Minister for the Environment in December 1997 at the suggestion of the neighbouring municipalities (San Teodoro, Loiri Porto San Paolo and Olbia), which are now responsible for its management. The entire area, divided into Zone A (integral reserve), Zone B (general reserve) and Zone C (partial reserve), stretches from the tip of Capo Ceraso near Olbia in the north to beyond the tip of Isuledda in the south, including the islands of Tavolara, Molara and Molarotto (classified as Z.P.S., or Special Protection Areas).

The main aim of creating the Marine Park is to protect the biodiversity and balance of the marine environmental heritage of this part of the north-east coast of Sardinia, one of the most charming on the Tyrrhenian coast, by promoting policies of tourist, cultural, educational and recreational use in ways that are compatible with the protection of nature and the landscape. The activities of the management body are mainly focused on the scientific study of the marine system, its flora and fauna and their biological stability.