- 8-12passengers on a shared catamaran
- ~1.15 mdraft — reaches shallower coves
- 7-8 hrstypical full-day duration
- 40%park-fee discount over motorboats
- From $188full-day catamaran with lunch
Why a Catamaran Tour Is the Comfort-Meets-Sailing Choice
There is no better vessel for the La Maddalena Archipelago than a catamaran, and a catamaran tour of La Maddalena is the single most comfortable, intimate and enjoyable way to experience these islands. If you have been comparing boat options for a La Maddalena trip, here is the short answer: a catamaran combines the stability and space of a large vessel with the small-group intimacy of a private charter, and unlike a motorboat tour, it actually sails.
A shared full-day catamaran tour costs roughly €80-€150 per person and includes a Sardinian lunch, wine, snorkelling gear and multiple swim stops; a sunset catamaran tour (about 2.5 hours) is ideal for couples and honeymooners. Both depart from Palau Marina, about 45 minutes from Olbia airport.
From Palau: La Maddalena Archipelago Catamaran Tour with Lunch
Why we recommend it: 4.9 stars across 2,200+ reviews, a captain-led route among Razzoli, Budelli, Santa Maria, Spargi, Caprera and Santo Stefano, and a full Sardinian lunch with wine on board.
The captain's route varies daily by wind and sea conditions. Check live dates and book below.
A Full-Day Catamaran Tour, by the Numbers
Departure time, duration and the fleet you'll actually sail on.
- 9:00-10:30 amtypical departure from Palau Marina
- 38-46 fttypical Lagoon-model catamaran size
- ~1,000Lagoon 380s built 1999-2019, the best-selling cruising cat ever
- €2.50-€5national park fee per person
Other Experiences You Might Enjoy
If a catamaran day is the centrepiece of your trip, here's what pairs well with it.
Most catamaran days already cover the archipelago's headline stops — a viewing of Budelli's Pink Beach, a swim at the Porto della Madonna natural pools, and time at Cala Corsara on Spargi or Santa Maria. If you want to explore further, dedicate a separate day to La Maddalena town and Caprera — Garibaldi's island — or compare a small-group RIB tour for the wilder coves around Razzoli.
See our full guide to the archipelago's 7 islands and our guide to the best beaches for the complete rundown of stops a catamaran day can include.
Why Choose a Catamaran
Stability, space, draft, quiet, intimacy, real sailing and a proper lunch — what actually sets it apart.
Stability
The twin-hull design creates an extremely broad stance on the water — far less rolling and pitching than a monohull. The low centre of gravity and broad stance control side-to-side movement, with the beam acting as a built-in lever against rolling forces. There's no heavy keel: catamarans rely on beam and buoyancy for stability.
Deck space
A huge usable area: forward trampolines (nets) where you lie suspended above the water, a shaded cockpit, and broad sunbathing areas. Reviewers consistently single out "the nets and deck in the front."
Draft
Shallow — about 1.15 m for a Lagoon 380 — which lets the boat slip into coves that deeper-keeled vessels cannot enter. That's particularly valuable for the Porto della Madonna natural pools, where the seabed is extremely shallow.
Noise
Under sail, engines off — instead of constant motor noise, wind and water. "When the sails go up and the engines turn off, you'll experience a level of peace and relaxation that motorboats simply can't offer."
Intimacy
A typical shared catamaran carries 8-12 passengers, versus 50-300 on the large motorships. As one reviewer put it: "there were only 10 people on board so it was very comfortable."
Sailing experience
You actually sail. Many tours invite guests to take the helm — an added dimension of being part of the passage that motorboat tours simply cannot offer.
Food
A proper Sardinian lunch is cooked and served on board: antipasti, seafood pasta or gnocchi, Vermentino di Gallura, Prosecco, fresh fruit, seadas and a Mirto digestif.
What a Full-Day Catamaran Tour Includes
Departure is typically 9:00-10:30 am from Palau Marina, for a route of roughly 7-8 hours that varies daily by wind and conditions.
Cala Corsara (Spargi)
White sand, the Witch's Rock granite formation, and a Roman shipwreck offshore from around 120 BC. See our full Cala Corsara guide.
Budelli — Pink Beach
Viewed from the buoy line about 70 m offshore — no landing. See our full Pink Beach guide.
Porto della Madonna / Natural Pools
A shallow turquoise lagoon enclosed by Budelli, Razzoli and Santa Maria — the catamaran can anchor where deep-keeled boats cannot go.
Santa Maria
Over 200 m of white sand and a gentle sandy seabed, with excellent anchoring in 5-6 m of water.
Razzoli — Cala Lunga
Wild and crystal-clear. See our full Razzoli guide.
On board: Sardinian antipasti and a seafood lunch at anchor, chilled Vermentino or local white wine, beer, Prosecco with the aperitivo, fresh fruit, Sardinian sweets and a Mirto digestif. Snorkelling gear is included.
National Park fee: €2.50 per person in the shoulder months (May, September, October) or €5.00 from June to August, usually paid in cash on board. Sailing boats and catamarans receive a 40% permit discount over motorboats — a deliberate park incentive for eco-friendly navigation.
By mid-afternoon, the Maestrale sea breeze fills in at 15-25 knots. The skipper cuts the engines and the sails go up, while guests lie on the trampolines or sit in the shaded cockpit watching the islands go by.
The Catamaran Sunset Tour
A shorter, golden-hour alternative to the full-day route.
About 2.5 hours, departing late afternoon from Palau. The route runs along the western coves of Spargi at golden hour — Cala Soraya, Cala Corsara, Cala Granara — with a Sardinian aperitivo on board: Prosecco or Vermentino with local cheeses, charcuterie and bread. Groups are small and the atmosphere intimate.
Ideal for couples, honeymooners, anniversaries and marriage proposals. As one reviewer summed it up: "Good vibes, good views... very relaxing."
Catamaran vs Motorboat vs Sailing Yacht
The "comfort meets authentic sailing" sweet spot, and how it stacks up against the alternatives.
| Vessel | Group size | Ride | Lunch | Price/person | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Catamaran | 8-12 | Very stable, quiet under sail | Full Sardinian lunch | ~€80-€150 | Couples, families, small groups wanting comfort + sailing |
| Large motorboat | 50-300 | Fast, bumpier, can feel crowded | Paid bar | ~€40-€70 | Budget travellers, first overview of the islands |
| RIB / speedboat | Small | Exciting, wet, noisy | Usually none | Varies | Adrenaline seekers |
| Sailing monohull | Small-medium | Authentic, heels; deeper draft | Often included | ~€90-€180 | Sailing purists |
Verdict: the catamaran is the "comfort meets authentic sailing" sweet spot for couples and small groups. See our RIB tour guide if speed and flexibility matter more than comfort.
What to Expect On Board
The boat, the crew, the facilities and what happens if the weather turns.
The boat
Most day-charter catamarans are 38-46 foot Lagoon models (380, 400, 40, 42, 46) — the Lagoon 380 is the best-selling cruising catamaran ever built, with roughly 1,000 produced between 1999 and 2019. Some operators use Fountaine Pajot, Bali or Nautitech.
Crew
A skipper plus one or two crew or hosts. Local knowledge is the single biggest variable in how good your day turns out to be.
Facilities
Proper marine toilets (heads) inside the hulls; a freshwater outdoor shower on many boats; stern ladders and swim steps for easy water entry.
Children
Suitable — catamarans are stable and safe, and life jackets are provided. The minimum age is often around 5; check when booking.
Bad weather
The itinerary is adapted to wind conditions; if genuinely unsafe, the trip is rescheduled or refunded. The standard policy is free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure.
How to Choose the Right Tour
Five things worth checking before you pick a specific catamaran tour.
- Group size: check the maximum passenger count — 8-12 is the catamaran sweet spot.
- Inclusions: verify the park fee, snorkelling gear and a full lunch are included; many budget tours charge for everything separately.
- The skipper: reviews that name the skipper's local knowledge are the best signal of quality.
- Departure point: Palau Marina means the shortest crossing to the outer islands and the most swimming time.
- Full-day vs half-day: full-day is recommended for first-timers; half-day (about 3.5-4.5 hours) suits limited time.
The Best Catamaran & Sailing Tours from Palau
Our top catamaran pick, a second Palau catamaran option, and a sailing-yacht alternative.
A Second Palau Catamaran, Smaller-Group Route
This route normally stops at 2 or 3 islands among Spargi, Budelli or Santa Maria, chosen on the day based on the weather forecast — from $182, with a Sardinian pasta lunch, bread and Vermentino wine included.
From Palau: Maddalena Archipelago Catamaran Tour with Lunch
The skipper suggests the best possible route based on the weather forecast rather than a fixed itinerary, with appetizer and lunch, wine and drinking water included. No gluten-free menu is offered due to cross-contamination in the galley.
Maddalena Archipelago: Island-Hopping Sailing Tour and Lunch
A sailing-yacht option visiting Spargi, Budelli and the Piscine di Budelli, with the Spiaggia Rosa viewed from the water and Cala Granara as a swim stop — lunch, aperitif and drinks included at a lower price point than a catamaran.
Booking Practical Guide
What the market actually charges, and the logistics worth knowing before you book.
When to book
July-August: weeks to months ahead. June-September: one to two weeks ahead. The best small-group catamarans fill up fast.
Price benchmarks
Across the wider market, a 12-passenger catamaran from Palau with lunch included has been listed around $119 per person (rated 5.0/5 from 147 reviews), and a larger-group catamaran around $109 per person (rated 4.6/5 from 915 reviews) — a useful sense-check alongside the tours featured on this page.
Cancellation
Typically free up to 24-48 hours before departure, with a full refund for weather cancellations.
What to bring
Swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, hat, sunglasses, a light jacket for the sail back, water shoes, cash for the park fee if not included, and ID.
Where to meet
Palau Marina, Via Riva dei Lestrigoni, near the large blue boat-lift. Check in 30-45 minutes before departure. Paid parking near the marina runs €1-2/hour via the EasyPark app; free parking is about a 10-minute walk away.
Getting to Palau
Airport, island, Costa Smeralda or public bus — the routes that get you to the marina.
From Olbia airport
About 40-45 minutes by car via the SS125 (roughly 40 km).
From La Maddalena island
The Palau-La Maddalena ferry (15-20 minute crossing, about €10-12 return), then a short walk to the marina.
From Costa Smeralda
About 20-35 minutes by car, depending on which resort area you're staying in.
By bus
ARST line 601 runs from Olbia city to Palau port in about 57 minutes; Turmo Travel runs a direct airport-to-Palau service in summer for about €3.10.
A Note on History
These islands have drawn remarkable visitors for centuries. Napoleon Bonaparte tried — and failed — to take La Maddalena in 1793. Admiral Nelson used the archipelago as a Royal Navy base. Giuseppe Garibaldi spent his last 26 years on Caprera. Sailing here, under sail on a catamaran, you follow in legendary wakes.
Catamaran Tours: Frequently Asked Questions
Prices, inclusions, kids on board and how far ahead to book — answered.
How much does a catamaran tour of La Maddalena cost?
A shared full-day catamaran tour costs roughly €80-€150 per person and typically includes a Sardinian lunch, wine, snorkelling gear and multiple swim stops. A sunset catamaran tour, around 2.5 hours, is priced lower and suits couples and honeymooners.
What is the difference between a catamaran tour and a motorboat tour?
A catamaran carries far fewer passengers (typically 8-12 versus 50-300 on a large motorboat), sails under wind power for part of the day with the engines off, and includes a proper Sardinian lunch cooked on board rather than a paid bar. Its twin-hull design and shallow draft (about 1.15 m) also let it anchor in coves a deeper-keeled motorboat cannot reach.
Is a catamaran tour suitable for children?
Yes. Catamarans are stable and safe, life jackets are provided, and most operators welcome children from around age 5 — check the minimum age when booking a specific tour.
What is included in a full-day catamaran tour?
Typically: transport by catamaran, a local skipper, the National Park entry permit, snorkelling gear, and a full Sardinian lunch with antipasti, pasta or gnocchi, Vermentino wine, Prosecco and fruit. The National Park fee itself (€2.50-€5 per person) is usually paid separately in cash on board, and sailing vessels including catamarans receive a 40% discount on that fee over motorboats.
How far in advance should I book a catamaran tour?
In July and August, book weeks to months ahead — the best small-group catamarans sell out. In June and September, one to two weeks ahead is usually enough. Most operators offer free cancellation up to 24-48 hours before departure.
What should I bring on a catamaran tour?
Swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, hat, sunglasses, a light jacket for the sail back, water shoes, cash for the park fee if it isn't included, and ID.