- 4.9 ★2,300+ reviews
- Lunchwith wine & prosecco
- From $142per person
- Palau~7-hour catamaran day
- Freecancellation up to 24h
La Maddalena Archipelago Boat Tours: See Sardinia's 7 Protected Islands in One Day
The La Maddalena Archipelago is a protected national park off the northeast coast of Sardinia, made up of seven main islands — La Maddalena, Caprera, Spargi, Budelli, Santa Maria, Razzoli and Santo Stefano — ringed by clear turquoise water, white-sand beaches and wind-sculpted pink granite that travel writers compare to the Caribbean and the Seychelles. Only La Maddalena, Caprera and Santo Stefano have roads, so a full-day boat tour is the one way to reach the rest in a single day.
A boat day is the only way to swim the archipelago's best beaches and coves, snorkel its clear water and reach beaches with no road access — all in one trip, while a guide handles the national park permit and adjusts the route for the wind. The one rule to know: Spiaggia Rosa, the famous Pink Beach on Budelli, is strictly protected, so every tour views it from the water rather than landing on the sand.
For most travellers we recommend a small-group catamaran day from Palau, rated 4.9 across 2,300+ reviews. The captain picks three island stops for the day's wind, you swim and snorkel between a Sardinian aperitif and a pasta lunch with white wine and prosecco, and the National Park fee and a snorkel kit are in the price. If budget comes first, the big group boats start around $62.
What you'll see
- Three island stops chosen by the captain for the day's wind
- Coves around Spargi, Budelli, Santa Maria and Razzoli
- The Pink Beach (Spiaggia Rosa), viewed from the water
- Sheltered turquoise water for swimming and snorkelling
- The archipelago from a shaded twin-hull sun deck
What the catamaran day includes
- La Maddalena National Park access
- A local captain with live commentary
- Snorkel kit at every swim stop
- Sardinian aperitif and pasta lunch with wine and prosecco
- Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
La Maddalena Boat Tour Itinerary:
A Typical 7-Hour Day, 3–4 Island Stops
From Palau's Stazione Marittima to Spargi, Budelli's natural pools, Santa Maria and La Maddalena town — the classic route most full-day tours follow. Exact stops and timings vary by boat and wind.
Meet at the harbour and board
Check in at Palau — most boats board near the Stazione Marittima or Pier 5 — around 9:00–9:30, or step on at La Maddalena town if you're staying on the island. Leave a 30-minute buffer: Palau traffic and parking get busy, and boats don't wait for latecomers.
Cruise to Spargi and swim at Cala Corsara
Sail roughly an hour to uninhabited Spargi for the first long swim stop at Cala Corsara, with its white sand, the famous Witch Rock and clear water for snorkelling. Most tours allow 60–90 minutes here to swim, sunbathe or paddle.
Budelli's natural pools and the Pink Beach
Drift into the Porto della Madonna lagoon between Budelli, Santa Maria and Razzoli — the shallow natural pools the archipelago is famous for. The boat then passes Spiaggia Rosa, the protected Pink Beach, which you view from about 70 metres: no landing, no swimming, photos only.
Beach stop and lunch at Santa Maria
Anchor off Santa Maria for another swim and a stretch on the sand. This is where lunch happens — a cooked Sardinian meal with wine on the catamaran and sailing tours, or your own packed lunch and the onboard bar on the group boats.
La Maddalena town, then back to port
Many full-day routes finish with free time in La Maddalena town for a walk and gelato before the cruise back, passing Santo Stefano, Caprera and Palau's Bear Rock. Expect to be back at the harbour around 17:30–18:00, about seven hours after departure.
The Best La Maddalena Boat Tours, from Big Group Boats to Small Sailboats
What mostly sets one tour apart from another is group size — from 150-passenger motorboats down to 10-guest sailboats — which drives both the price and the pace. Here are the highest-rated options we recommend, grouped by the kind of boat, starting with our top pick.
Catamaran Day Cruises
The most comfortable way to spend the day on the water. Stable twin-hulls trade speed for room and shade, almost always with a cooked lunch, drinks and sun-deck lounging. Groups are mid-sized — typically 12–14 guests, with small-group versions capped around 8 — making this the sweet spot for couples and families who want a relaxed, not-crowded day with seating and toilets on board. Roughly $81–185 per person, with consistently strong ratings.
From Palau: La Maddalena Archipelago Catamaran Tour with Lunch
Why it's our top pick: it's the most-reviewed small-group day on this page — 4.9 stars across 2,300+ reviews — with lunch and wine, a snorkel kit and National Park access all included, for well under the price of the other catamarans.
Sail from Palau's Pier 5 to three island stops chosen by the captain for the day's wind and sea, swimming and snorkelling in glittering coves between a Sardinian aperitif and a gnocchi-and-pecorino lunch with white wine and prosecco. Take the helm for a few minutes if you're feeling brave.
- 3 island swim stops chosen by the captain
- Sardinian lunch with wine, prosecco and snacks
- Snorkel kit and National Park access included
- Live history commentary from a local captain
- Small group — shade, seating and toilets on board
Meet at Palau, boarding No. 5 by the Stazione Marittima. Read what to know before you book this catamaran, including how the captain picks the three stops. Check live dates and book below.
From Palau: Maddalena Archipelago Catamaran Tour with Lunch
A calm twin-hull from Palau's Porto Turistico with a rooftop sun-deck, snorkel masks, the National Park permit included and a Sardinian pasta-and-Vermentino lunch — two or three island stops chosen by the skipper for safe, sheltered water.
Classic Full-Day Group Boat Tours
The cheapest and most popular way to see the archipelago — the option most first-time visitors book. Large shared motorboats run the standard full-day route — Spargi, the Budelli and Santa Maria natural pools, a Pink Beach drive-by and La Maddalena town — with swim and beach stops along the way. The budget boats carry up to 140–150 passengers (a few 'exclusive group' versions cap at 9–13), so they're the most crowded but hold by far the highest review volumes. The safe, affordable default — roughly $57–70, up to $130–230 for smaller-group versions.
Palau: La Maddalena Archipelago Boat Tour with 4 Stops
Why we recommend it: a big three-deck boat leaving Palau every day at 10:30, with four stops, 4.5 stars across 2,600+ reviews and free cancellation.
Board at Palau at 10:30, then swim and snorkel at Spargi, Budelli's natural pools and Santa Maria, with a Pink Beach photo stop and an hour in La Maddalena town before the 5:30 pm return. Food and drinks are on sale on board.
- Spargi, Budelli and Santa Maria with swim and snorkel stops
- Free audioguide app and onboard food and drinks to buy
- An hour in La Maddalena's historic centre
- Passenger insurance included
- Departs Palau at 10:30 am
Landing fee (€2.50–€5, cash) paid at check-in. Check live dates and book below.
Sardinia: La Maddalena Archipelago Full-Day Trip by Boat
Newer, ISO-14001-certified boats with a smartphone audio guide instead of loudspeakers and a Sardinian bar-restaurant on board — a calmer take on the group-boat day, visiting Spargi, Budelli, Santa Maria and La Maddalena town.
Sailing Ship & Sailboat Tours
The most intimate and atmospheric option. Traditional sailboats, vintage tall ships and mono-hull yachts for travellers who want the romance of moving under sail rather than engine. Groups stay small — generally a maximum of 10–12 guests — for a slower, quieter, often lunch-inclusive day with a more experiential feel than a standard motor tour. Best for mood and exclusivity over covering maximum ground. Roughly $104–232 per person.
Maddalena Archipelago: Island-Hopping Sailing Tour with Lunch
Why we recommend it: a 4.9-star day across 1,700+ reviews on a comfortable yacht, with lunch and drinks included and stops at Spargi, Budelli and the Budelli natural pools.
Leave La Maddalena or Palau and relax as the boat sails out to Isola Spargi, Isola Budelli and the Piscine di Budelli, dropping anchor in the white-sand natural pools to swim and snorkel. Lunch on board is pasta, bruschetta, local sausage and cheese with a glass of wine, plus an afternoon aperitif.
- Stops at Spargi, Budelli and the Budelli natural pools
- Lunch, aperitif and drinks included on board
- Small group on a comfortable yacht
- National Park entry included
- Departs La Maddalena or Palau
Multilingual crew; six languages across departures. Check live dates and book below.
La Maddalena Arcipelago: Sailing boat tour with lunch
A six-hour sailing-yacht day from Palau with a captain, stops at Cala Santa Maria, Budelli and Spargi, and a pasta lunch with wine, beer and soft drinks on board — park entry permit and insurance included.
Other Experiences You Might Enjoy
Beyond the three tour categories above, here's how travellers round out a trip to the archipelago.
Most first-time visitors build their day around one of the tours above, cruising from Palau to Spargi's Cala Corsara, the Budelli natural pools and a Pink Beach viewing, with a swim stop at Santa Maria. If the wilder north is calling, a small-group RIB is the best way to also reach Razzoli and the Porto della Madonna natural pools, while a private charter or sunset cruise off Spargi suits a slower, more flexible day.
Staying more than a day? Add time on foot in La Maddalena town and a drive across to Caprera — Garibaldi's island — and check our season guide to time the trip for warm water and thinner crowds. Travelling in the shoulder season? See our guide to La Maddalena in October for what's still running and what's already closed.
Why Book a La Maddalena Boat Tour: Boat-Only Coves, Group Size, and Sell-Outs
Access, group size, the Pink Beach rule and summer sell-outs — four things that decide which boat you should book.
The best beaches need a boat
Spargi, Budelli and Santa Maria have no roads — the only way to swim Cala Corsara or the Budelli natural pools is from the water, which is why a tour beats a DIY day for the famous coves.
From 150 passengers to 10
Classic group boats carry roughly 50–150 people for the lowest price; catamarans take about 12–14 with lunch and shade; sailing tours about 10–12 for the quietest day. You're choosing crowd level as much as price.
Spiaggia Rosa is a photo stop
Budelli has been closed to landing since 2020 and the Pink Beach is viewed from roughly 70 metres. No tour can land there, and stepping on the sand carries fines of €500–€3,500 — so a guided boat keeps you on the right side of the rules.
The small boats sell out
In July and August the best catamarans and sailing tours fill up fast. Free cancellation up to 24 hours before means you can lock a date now and change plans later if the wind turns.
Inside the National Park: 60+ Islands, 180 km of Coast, Protected Since 1994
Italy's first marine national park, on UNESCO's tentative World Heritage list since 2006 — the numbers behind the archipelago you'll cruise.
- 60+islands & islets in the archipelago
- 1994Sardinia's first national park
- 180 kmof protected coastline
- 20,000+ haof land & sea protected
La Maddalena Boat Tour Photos: Coves, Pink Granite and Turquoise Water
Spargi, Budelli, Santa Maria and the harbour towns — scroll or drag to browse.
What's Included on a La Maddalena Boat Tour (and What Costs Extra)
Inclusions vary by tour type — here's the typical picture for group boats, catamarans and sailing trips.
Typically included
- Boat transport and an island-hopping cruise
- Multilingual guide or smartphone audio guide
- Swimming and snorkelling stops at several coves
- National Park access (most catamaran & sailing tours)
- Cooked lunch with wine (catamaran & sailing tours)
- Passenger insurance
Usually extra
- Park landing fee — about €5 (€2.50 off-season), cash at check-in
- Food and drinks on group boats — buy on board, cash
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Snorkel gear on some boats — bring your own to be safe
- Palau parking — roughly €2/hr or €10/day, coins
- Landing on the Pink Beach — not possible on any tour
Why a Guided Boat Tour Beats a DIY La Maddalena Day: Access, Permits, Time
Boat-only islands, park permits, the mistral wind and one short day — four things a tour handles for you.
No permit, no parking stress
Private boats need a paid park permit and a place to launch; a tour folds Park access into the ticket and leaves the Palau parking scramble to someone else.
Less transit, more swimming
Tours from Palau and La Maddalena sit minutes from the islands, so you spend the day in the coves rather than crossing open water from Olbia or Santa Teresa.
The mistral is the skipper's job
The wind regularly reshapes routes here. Crews shelter on lee shores and swap stops to keep the day safe and smooth — no wind app required.
Park rules done right
Guides hold the legal distance from Spiaggia Rosa and anchor only on sand, not protected seagrass — so you enjoy the Pink Beach view without risking a €500–€3,500 fine.
Which La Maddalena Boat Tour Is Right for You? Group, Catamaran or Sailing
Passengers, price, pace, lunch and best-for — the main boat tour types side by side.
| Criterion | Classic group boat | Catamaran | Sailing tour |
|---|---|---|---|
| Passengers | ≈50–150 | ≈12–14 | ≈10–12 |
| Price (per person) | From $62 | $142–185 | $104–145 |
| Pace & space | Fast, busy, multi-deck | Relaxed, shaded, seated | Slow, quiet, intimate |
| Lunch | Buy onboard or BYO | Cooked lunch + wine | Lunch + drinks included |
| Best for | Budget & first-timers | Couples & families | Romance & a calm day |
Short version: book a group boat for value, a catamaran for comfort and lunch, and a sailboat for the quietest, slowest day on the water.
What Travellers Say After a La Maddalena Boat Tour
4.5–4.9 stars across 10,000+ verified GetYourGuide reviews, June 2025–June 2026.
"The most perfect day to spend in Sardinia! We had so much fun, the crew were lovely and there was lots of food and wine. The views were amazing and swimming — unforgettable!"
PaigeAustralia · Catamaran · June 2026"The crew and fellow guests on this boat trip made this day one to remember. The crew was helpful, knowledgeable, and took safety seriously, while encouraging everyone to have fun too. Highly recommend."
MichaelUnited States · Sailing · June 2026"It was the most beautiful tour and boat experience in Sardinia. Everything was perfect and the staff was incredibly organised. The bathroom and boat floors were spotless. Definitely worth it."
LuizaSwitzerland · Group boat · May 2026"Very organized and the boat was very clean and more modern/updated than those I saw with other tour operators. Lunch and drinks selection was very nice also! Would definitely recommend!"
JeanUnited States · Group boat · October 2025La Maddalena Boat Tour Logistics: Departures, Timing, Languages, Access, Families, Packing
Palau vs La Maddalena departures, seven-hour days, multilingual guides, accessibility limits, family tips and what to bring.
Duration & route
Full-day tours run about seven hours with three or four swim stops. The exact route shifts with the wind and Park rules — on Mondays the Santa Maria stop is sometimes swapped for Cala Garibaldi on Caprera.
Departure points
Most boats leave from Palau — boarding near the Stazione Marittima or Pier 5, about a 45-minute drive from Olbia airport. Several also depart from La Maddalena town, ideal if you're staying on the island — see things to do in La Maddalena and what to do in Palau for the days either side, and our Sardinia sailing guide if you would rather be under sail than under engine. Arrive 30 minutes early. See our guide to boat tours from Palau, our Palau ferry guide and our guide to boat trips from Olbia for the full logistics.
Languages
Guides and commentary cover English, Italian, French, Spanish and, on some boats, German and Dutch. A few tours use a smartphone audio guide instead of loudspeakers — bring earphones.
Accessibility
Most boats are not wheelchair accessible, and some exclude travellers with mobility impairments or who are pregnant. If access matters, contact the operator before booking to confirm boarding and facilities.
Families & kids
Catamarans and larger group boats are easiest with children — shade, toilets, seating and calm swim stops. Minimum ages vary: some sailing boats require age 10+, and a few catamarans age 5+, so check each tour.
What to bring
Swimwear under your clothes, a towel, reef-safe sunscreen, a sun hat and sunglasses, plus cash for the €5 landing fee, the onboard bar and Palau parking. A windbreaker helps in spring and autumn.
Before You Book: The Pink Beach Rule, the Wind, the Crowds and the Cash
Honest expectations on what isn't guaranteed and what isn't in the headline price — what we wish more sites said upfront.
You can't set foot on the Pink Beach
Spiaggia Rosa is viewed from about 70 metres and Budelli has been closed to landing since 2020. Stepping on the sand carries fines of €500–€3,500. Treat the Pink Beach as a photo from the boat, not a swim stop — any operator implying otherwise is wrong.
The route can change with the wind
The mistral regularly reshapes itineraries; skippers shelter on lee shores and may swap stops for safety. Your exact islands aren't guaranteed, so book for the archipelago itself rather than one specific cove.
The cheapest boats are crowded
Budget group boats carry roughly 50–150 passengers, so expect a busy deck and fixed stops. If space and quiet matter more than price, a catamaran (≈12–14) or sailing tour (≈10–12) is the better-value choice.
Budget for the extras
The booked price often excludes the €5 landing fee, food and drinks on group boats, and Palau parking — frequently cash only. Card payments on the islands can fail, so carry euros for the day.
Lunch isn't always included
Catamaran and sailing tours include a cooked lunch with wine; the classic group boats don't — you bring your own or buy pasta and snacks from the onboard bar. Check the inclusions before you assume a meal is covered.
June and September beat peak summer
The sea is a swimmable 24–25°C and the islands far less crowded than in July and August. Whenever you go, book ahead in peak season — the best small boats sell out, and free cancellation lets you change plans.
La Maddalena Boat Tours: Frequently Asked Questions
The Pink Beach rule, choosing a tour, departures and costs — answered.
Can you walk on the Pink Beach (Spiaggia Rosa)?
No. Spiaggia Rosa on Budelli has been a strictly protected reserve since 1998 and the whole island has been closed to landing since 2020. Boats may approach to about 70 metres for photos, but you cannot land, swim or take sand — fines run from €500 up to €3,500. Every tour on this page views it from the water only. Read our full guide to the Pink Beach for the science, the history and the fines, or see our guide to the best beaches in Sardinia and the archipelago for the full picture.
How many islands does a La Maddalena boat tour visit?
A typical full-day tour stops at three or four islands and cruises past several more. The classic route covers Spargi (Cala Corsara), Budelli with its natural pools and a Pink Beach viewing, and Santa Maria, passing Santo Stefano, Caprera and Palau's Bear Rock — about five of the archipelago's main islands in one day. Our complete guide to the 7 islands covers each one in detail.
Do you need a boat to see La Maddalena?
To reach the best beaches, yes. Only La Maddalena, Caprera and Santo Stefano have roads; Spargi, Budelli, Santa Maria and Razzoli are uninhabited and reachable only by sea. You can ferry to La Maddalena town and drive to Caprera, but the famous coves need a boat.
Is a La Maddalena boat tour worth it?
Yes, if you want to swim several boat-only coves in one day. The signature beaches sit on protected, road-less islands, so a tour is the easiest way to see Spargi, Budelli's natural pools and Santa Maria without a permit or a rental. Group boats start around $62, and the highest-rated tours hold 4.6 to 4.9 stars across thousands of reviews.
Which is best — a group boat, a catamaran, or a sailing tour?
It comes down to group size and pace. Classic group motorboats (around 50 to 150 passengers, from about $62) are the cheapest and cover the most ground; catamarans (around 12 to 14 guests, about $142–185 with lunch) trade speed for shade, seating and a cooked meal; sailing tours (around 10 to 12 guests, about $104–145) are the slowest and most intimate. Budget travellers pick the group boat, couples and families the catamaran, and mood-seekers the sailboat. See our full catamaran tours guide for the details.
Is a La Maddalena boat tour good for families and kids?
Catamarans and larger group boats are best with children — they have shade, toilets, seating and calm, shallow swim stops like Spargi's Cala Granara. Minimum ages vary: some sailing boats set a floor of 10 and a few catamarans 5, so check each tour's details before booking.
When is the best time to take a boat tour?
June and September are the sweet spot — sea around 24–25°C, reliable sun and thinner crowds than July and August. The season runs roughly May to October. Book ahead for July–August, when the best small-group catamarans and sailing tours sell out. See our full month-by-month guide for sea temperatures, prices and getting to Palau.
Where do the tours depart — Palau or La Maddalena town?
Most depart from Palau, the ferry hub a 45-minute drive from Olbia airport; some also leave from La Maddalena town, which is best if you are staying on the island. Both sit close to the archipelago, so you spend less time transiting and more time swimming than tours from Olbia, Santa Teresa or Baja Sardinia. Our guide to boat tours from Palau covers the marina, the parking and the three formats that depart there, and our 7-day Sardinia itinerary shows where the boat day fits in a full week.
Is the park landing fee included in the price?
Usually not. Organised-tour passengers pay a separate landing fee of about €5 per adult in summer (€2.50 in shoulder months; under-6s free), in cash at check-in. Some catamarans bundle the National Park permit — check each tour's inclusions. Bring cash, as island card payments can be unreliable.
What should you bring on the boat tour?
Swimwear worn under your clothes, a towel, reef-safe sunscreen, a sun hat, sunglasses and cash for the landing fee, the onboard bar and Palau parking. A windbreaker helps in shoulder season. Lunch is included on the catamaran and sailing tours and is bring-your-own or buy-onboard on the group boats.
Other La Maddalena Boat Tours: Private Charters, RIBs and Sunset Cruises
Beyond the main full-day options above, these formats suit specific trips — browse them all on GetYourGuide.
Private & flexible
Private charters
Full-day skippered boats and yachts with a custom itinerary and timing — best for families, groups and honeymoons that want the archipelago to themselves. From around €500 per group.
Check availability
Fast & nimble
RIB & speedboat tours
Fast zodiacs that reach the smallest coves the big boats can't and maximise swim time — half-days or full days. Best for active travellers and keen snorkellers who don't mind a bumpier ride.
Check availability
Golden hour
Sunset & aperitif cruises
Around two hours of golden-hour cruising off Spargi with prosecco and local snacks — a relaxed evening alternative to a full day, and an easy add-on if you're staying in Palau or La Maddalena.
Check availability
From the mainland
Tours from Olbia & Costa Smeralda
Departures from Olbia, Cannigione, Baja Sardinia and Porto Cervo if you're not based near Palau — a longer day with more transit, but no need to relocate for the archipelago.
Check availabilityRazzoli & the Porto della Madonna Natural Pools
One island worth singling out — Sardinia's wildest, and the turquoise pools at the edge of Corsica.
Razzoli is the wildest of La Maddalena's seven islands — uninhabited pink-granite cliffs facing the Strait of Bonifacio, cradling the shallow turquoise Porto della Madonna pools with Budelli and Santa Maria. It's reachable only by boat, and most visitors experience it as a swim-and-photo stop rather than a beach landing.
Because the exposed northern coast is wind-dependent and big boats often only cruise the shared pools, a small, flexible boat is the surest way to actually reach it.
Top pick: Palau or La Maddalena 4-hour RIB tour · ★ 4.8 (800+ reviews) · from $55
Plan the Rest of Your Sardinian Trip
Where the boats leave from, what the week around them looks like, the islands they reach, and what to do on land at either end.
La Maddalena boat tours from Palau
Palau is the closest mainland departure — about 35 minutes to the first anchorage. The three formats that leave the marina, what the park fee costs, and where a full day actually takes you.
Sardinia 7-day itinerary
Two bases from Olbia — Palau and La Maddalena for Days 1–4, Cala Gonone and the Gulf of Orosei for Days 5–7 — with the booking order for the two permits that sell out.
Things to do in La Maddalena
The 18th-century town around Cala Gavetta, the 45 km panoramic road and its beaches, and the free bridge to Caprera — everything the island itself gives you, and the one thing it cannot.
What to do in Palau, Sardinia
Bear Rock, the Fortezza di Monte Altura, the Blue Flag beaches and the Porto Pollo windsurfing bay — how to fill the days either side of your boat day in the town most tours leave from.
Sailing in Sardinia
The Maestrale, the Strait of Bonifacio and the anchorages the archipelago is built for — plus the park permit rules, charter options, and the day tours that need no experience at all.
The complete guide to the 7 islands
La Maddalena, Caprera, Spargi, Budelli, Santa Maria, Razzoli and Santo Stefano — what each one is for, and which tours reach them.
Best beaches in Sardinia and the archipelago
The boat-only coves alongside the mainland beaches you can drive to, and an honest note on which ones need booking.
La Maddalena in October
Boat tours still run, but on a shrinking, wind-dependent schedule — what's still open, what the sea and wind actually do, and why early October is a different trip from late October.