- 15–20 mincrossing time
- €4–€8.50foot-passenger fare, one way
- Every 15–30 minpeak-season frequency
- 2 operatorsDelcomar & Maddalena Lines
- From $58boat tours to the outer islands
One Short Crossing, Then the Real Decision
Palau sits directly opposite La Maddalena island across a narrow strait, and two ferry operators — Delcomar and Maddalena Lines — run the crossing constantly through the day. It's a genuinely simple piece of logistics: buy a ticket at the port, wait 15–20 minutes, and you're standing in La Maddalena town. Most visitors overthink this part — including the drive in. If you're flying into Olbia, see our guide to boat trips from Olbia for the honest comparison between driving yourself to Palau and booking a tour that collects you there.
The decision that actually shapes your trip comes next. The car ferry only reaches La Maddalena town and, via the bridge, Caprera — it does not reach Spargi, Budelli, Santa Maria or Razzoli, the uninhabited islands with the archipelago's best coves and the famous Pink Beach. Those are sea-only, reachable exclusively by a guided boat tour from Palau or La Maddalena. So the real planning question isn't "how do I cross the strait" — it's "do I even need to," since most boat tours depart directly from Palau Marina without ever boarding the car ferry.
How the Palau–La Maddalena Ferry Works
Two operators, one short crossing, and a couple of timing tips that save real hassle in July and August.
Pick an operator
Delcomar (delcomar.it) and Maddalena Lines (part of Caronte & Tourist, carontetourist.it) run essentially the same route between the Port of Palau and Cala Gavetta. Combined, they sail roughly every 15–30 minutes from around 6am to midnight or later in high season (June–October); frequency drops to hourly or less from November to March.
Check the fare
A foot passenger pays roughly €4–€8.50 one way, including the municipal disembarkation fee. A standard car costs about €10–€16 one way; a motorcycle from around €5. Children under 3 travel free and under-11s get a discount; small pets are allowed for a small surcharge. Round-trip discounts exist on both operators' sites.
Book ahead, or don't
Foot passengers can almost always buy a ticket at the port booth on the day. If you're bringing a car in July or August, book online in advance — vehicle queues on summer weekend mornings can mean missing a sailing or two, especially on Friday afternoons and Sunday evenings.
Time your arrival at the port
The Port of Palau sits in the centre of town, an easy walk from the seafront. Arrive at least 30 minutes early if you're bringing a car (to queue for boarding), or 15 minutes if you're on foot. Free parking is a short walk inland on Via Nazionale; metered parking sits closer to the terminal.
Arrive at Cala Gavetta
Ferries dock at Cala Gavetta, La Maddalena's historic inner harbour. It's a two-minute walk to Piazza Umberto I, the seafront promenade, restaurants and scooter-rental points — the compact old town is entirely walkable from the dock.
Other Experiences You Might Enjoy
A short crossing opens up a lot more than the ferry timetable suggests.
Once you've reached La Maddalena or parked in Palau, most travellers head straight for a full-day archipelago boat tour — swimming at the Budelli natural pools, sunbathing at Santa Maria, snorkelling at Spargi's Cala Corsara and viewing the Pink Beach from the water. A small-group RIB tour is the most flexible way to also reach Razzoli and the Porto della Madonna natural pools, while catamaran and sailing tours add a Sardinian lunch on board.
If you're staying more than a day, dedicate time on foot or by scooter to La Maddalena town's old centre and a drive across to Caprera — Garibaldi's island — before deciding whether your dates suit a June, September or shoulder-season visit.
Should You Bring a Car to La Maddalena?
The answer depends entirely on what kind of day you're planning.
| Your plan | Bring a car? | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Day trip to La Maddalena town / Caprera | No | Cross on foot; hire a scooter, e-bike or taxi on the island. Saves the car-ferry fare and the boarding queue. |
| Staying overnight, exploring at your own pace | Optional | Useful for the 45 km perimeter road and Caprera, but only worth it if your accommodation has parking — otherwise rent a scooter locally. |
| Visiting the outer islands (Spargi, Budelli, Razzoli) | Irrelevant | No roads or car ferries reach them. You need a boat tour from Palau Marina or La Maddalena, and most depart without you ever boarding the car ferry. |
Short version: most day-trippers don't need the car ferry at all — park in Palau and board your archipelago boat tour directly from Palau Marina.
The Boat Tours That Reach the Outer Islands
Both of these depart from Palau or La Maddalena town, so you can book one whichever side of the strait you're on.
The Tour We Recommend After You Cross
The most-reviewed La Maddalena tour on the platform boards at either Palau or La Maddalena town, so it fits your plan whichever way you're arranging the day — from $58, with free cancellation.
From Sardinia: La Maddalena Archipelago Full-Day Boat Tour
Why we recommend it: 4.6 stars across 5,100+ reviews, and it boards at both Palau and La Maddalena town — useful if your ferry timing or accommodation makes one side more convenient.
Cruise to Budelli's natural pools and a Pink Beach viewing, swim at Santa Maria, and snorkel at Spargi's Cala Granara, with free time in La Maddalena's historic centre before you head back.
- Boards at Palau or La Maddalena town
- Swim & snorkel stops at three islands
- Pink Beach viewed from the water
- Multilingual guide commentary on board
- Free cancellation up to 24 hours ahead
National Park 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 and an onboard bar-restaurant — a calmer take on the group-boat day, also boarding from Palau or La Maddalena town.
Palau or La Maddalena: 4-Hour RIB Tour of the Archipelago
A fast, flexible dinghy that also boards at either port, reaching quieter coves when the wind allows. Read more in our Razzoli & natural pools guide.
The Palau Ferry: Frequently Asked Questions
Crossing times, prices, the car question and how it connects to the boat tours — answered.
How long is the Palau to La Maddalena ferry?
The crossing takes 15–20 minutes. Two operators, Delcomar and Maddalena Lines, run the route between the Port of Palau and Cala Gavetta, La Maddalena's historic harbour, with combined departures roughly every 15–30 minutes in high season and hourly or less from November to March.
Do I need a car on La Maddalena?
Not for a day trip. Cross on foot and hire a scooter, bike or taxi on the island, or take a boat tour directly from Palau Marina without crossing at all. Bring a car only if you're staying overnight and want to drive La Maddalena's perimeter road or cross the bridge to Caprera at your own pace. For the uninhabited islands — Spargi, Budelli, Razzoli — a car is irrelevant, since there's no road or car ferry to any of them.
Do I need to book the Palau ferry in advance?
Rarely for foot passengers outside July and August. For car crossings in peak summer, book online in advance — queues at the port can mean missing a sailing or two. Foot passengers can generally buy a ticket at the port booth on the day.
Can I see the Pink Beach from the Palau ferry?
No. The car ferry runs only between Palau and La Maddalena town and doesn't pass Budelli. The Pink Beach (Spiaggia Rosa) is a protected area you can only see from a dedicated archipelago boat tour, viewed from the water at the legal buoy line.
Is the Palau ferry ever cancelled by wind?
Rarely — the crossing is short and sheltered, so the car ferry keeps running in all but the worst conditions. Archipelago boat tours to the outer islands are more exposed and can change route or pause in strong Mistral wind; a good operator tells you before you board.