Private Boat Tour of the Archipelago of La Maddalena West Side

The best part of this private boat trip is the freedom to enjoy La Maddalena’s coves without being packed onto a large excursion boat. Captain Carlo adjusts the route to the wind, finds calm water, and gives you time to swim, snorkel, paddleboard, or simply stretch out on a comfortable boat.

I like the small private group, which means the day can suit your pace. I also like the practical touches: a bimini for shade, a restroom, lunch and drinks, and a captain who knows how to keep the ride comfortable when the wind picks up. The main consideration is price. At $1,693.12 for up to six people, this makes the most sense when you can fill the boat or place a high value on privacy.

Key points at a glance

• Spargi changes with the wind: You may stop at Cala Corsara, Cala Soraya, Cala Granara, Cala Connari, or Cala Degli Innamorati, depending on sea conditions.
• Budelli is for viewing, not beach walking: Pink Beach is protected, and both walking on it and swimming there are forbidden.
• Le Piscine Naturali brings the brightest water: The natural pools near Spiaggia del Cavaliere are the visual high point of the Budelli stop.
• Captain Carlo shapes the day: He speaks excellent English, explains the area, and adjusts navigation to help you stay comfortable.
• Lunch is part of the experience: A prepared meal, drinks, and local wine are included, with no extra charges reported in the tour details.
• The boat suits small groups: Up to six people share a private boat with shade, a restroom, and access to a paddleboard.

A private day through western La Maddalena

You meet Boating Sardinia at Via Riva dei Lestrigoni in Palau at 9:00 a.m. From there, the boat heads into the La Maddalena archipelago for roughly seven hours.

The timing works well. You get a full day on the water without a pre-dawn start, and leaving in the morning gives Carlo a chance to reach popular swimming spots before the day becomes crowded. The schedule includes about one hour at Spargi, two and a half hours around Budelli, and one hour at Santa Maria. The remaining time allows for cruising between islands, anchoring, eating, and changing locations.

I would think of this less as a rigid sightseeing circuit and more as a private sea day with three main island stops. The route has a plan, but the wind matters. That flexibility is useful in this part of Sardinia, where a cove can feel calm and inviting on one side of an island while the other side takes more wind and chop.

Spargi and its coves

The first stop is Isola di Spargi, known for small coves with clear water and pale sand. The possible stops include Cala Corsara, Cala Soraya, Cala Granara, Cala Connari, and Cala Degli Innamorati.

You should not expect to visit every cove. Carlo chooses the better set according to the wind, which is a sensible approach rather than a disappointment. A captain who sticks to a fixed route can offer a neat schedule but a rougher ride. Here, the choice of cove helps protect the comfort of the group and gives you a better chance at calm water.

The planned stop lasts about an hour. That is enough for a good swim and a look around, but it is not a long beach afternoon. If you want to spend most of your day on land, this may feel brief. If you prefer moving between several beautiful spots, the pace works well.

Spargi is also where you begin to see the value of a private boat. You can swim from the boat, relax under the shade, or use the paddleboard without waiting for a large group to finish. The exact mix of swimming, beach time, and paddling depends on the chosen cove and sea conditions.

Budelli, the protected Pink Beach, and natural pools

Budelli receives the longest stop, about two and a half hours. That extra time makes sense because this is the most carefully managed part of the day.

Budelli is famous for Spiaggia Rosa, or Pink Beach. The important fact is easy to miss in glossy photographs: the beach has been an integral reserve since 1994. You cannot walk on it, and bathing there is prohibited. The beach may no longer show the strong pink color many old images suggest, so do not book this trip expecting to stroll across rosy sand.

You can still appreciate the protected shore from the water. The restriction is not a flaw in the tour. It is the reason the place remains protected. If your goal is to stand on Pink Beach, this excursion is not the right choice. If you want to see a famous protected site while respecting the rules, the boat gives you a good viewpoint.

The more active part of the Budelli stop is near Spiaggia del Cavaliere. The water in front of the beach is called Le Piscine Naturali, or the Natural Pools, because of its bright turquoise color. This is the place to swim, snorkel, or use the paddleboard when conditions allow.

Two and a half hours gives you room to enjoy the water without rushing. You can swim, dry off, eat lunch, and get back in for another round. The reviews of the experience repeatedly praise the combination of long swimming stops, paddleboarding, and an unhurried pace. That matters because a quick photo stop does not do justice to this part of Sardinia.

The sea is the star here, but the rules and the weather shape the experience. Access to the protected beach is limited, and the captain may choose a nearby area if wind or sea conditions make another position more comfortable.

Santa Maria and its quiet settlement

The final listed stop is Santa Maria, an island with a small settlement of 19 houses and a hotel. Its cove has white sand and unusually clear water, with the pale bottom helping create the bright color you see from the boat.

This stop lasts about an hour and offers a different feel from Budelli. Budelli is known for conservation rules and the Natural Pools. Santa Maria gives you a broad cove, a small human presence, and another chance to swim in calm-looking water.

The beach time here is short enough that you will want to be ready when the boat anchors. Bring your mask and snorkel within easy reach, and do not leave your towel or dry clothes buried under other gear. The day includes several changes of place, so a little organization saves time.

The island settlement also adds a modest sense of place. You are not visiting an empty postcard. There are 19 houses and a hotel, but the setting remains small and low-key. That balance suits the tour well: enough human presence to make the island feel lived in, but not a city-style stop that pulls you away from the water.

Carlo, the boat, and the feel of the day

Captain Carlo is central to the experience. He speaks excellent English, explains the area, and is described as friendly, patient, professional, and particularly good with children. That combination matters on a private tour, since you spend the whole day with one captain rather than moving through a large crew.

The boat is described as clean, comfortable, and well maintained. It has a bimini cover for shade and a restroom. Those details can seem minor until you spend seven hours in strong Mediterranean sun. The shade gives you a place to cool down, and the restroom makes the day easier for families and anyone who does not want to depend on beach facilities.

A paddleboard is available, and the group can swim and snorkel at several locations. The exact equipment for snorkeling is not specified, so I would confirm what is supplied if you do not plan to bring your own mask and fins.

The captain also handles changing sea conditions. One group was concerned by a windy morning, but Carlo adjusted his navigation and kept the ride comfortable. That is one of the strongest reasons to choose a private boat with an experienced captain. You are not simply following a route. You are relying on someone to read the water and pick the better side of an island.

Music is also part of the atmosphere, according to the tour details, and lunch is prepared onboard. The meal comes with drinks and, in the strongest descriptions, local wine served in attractive bottles. You should still tell the provider about dietary needs before departure, since the supplied information does not spell out menu choices.

What the $1,693 price really buys

The price is $1,693.12 per group of up to six people. Split six ways, that works out to about $282 per person. For four people, it is about $423 each. For two, it becomes about $847 each, making the private format much harder to justify unless privacy and personal service are your top priorities.

The value comes from the whole boat, not just transportation between islands. You receive a private setting, a full day on the water, a captain who can alter the route, a shaded boat with a restroom, paddleboard use, lunch, drinks, and no extra charges according to the supplied tour information.

A public boat can cost less per person, but it may use a fixed route and give you less control over stops. This experience is best value for a family or group of friends who can share the cost. A group of six gets the clearest financial advantage and enough room to enjoy the boat without feeling crowded.

I would not choose it solely to see Pink Beach. Since you cannot walk or swim there, that single attraction does not justify the price. I would choose it for a full day of swimming, coves, local food, and personal attention across three islands.

Who will enjoy this boat trip most

This is a strong match for families, couples traveling with friends, and small groups that want an easy day on the water. Children aged 10, 15, and 16 were specifically accommodated well, and the captain is described as good with kids.

It also suits first-time visitors to this part of Sardinia. You do not need to work out which cove is sheltered or how to fit several islands into one day. Carlo handles the route while you focus on swimming and the scenery.

The tour may be less suitable for you if:

• You want long walks on the islands.
• You expect to walk on Pink Beach or swim directly at that protected beach.
• You dislike boat travel or are uncomfortable with changing sea conditions.
• You are traveling alone or as a pair and find the private-group price too high.
• You need a highly specific menu or equipment package that has not been confirmed in advance.

Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed. The activity requires good weather. If poor weather causes cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.

Practical details before you reserve

The tour starts at 9:00 a.m. at Via Riva dei Lestrigoni in Palau and returns to the same meeting point. Confirmation arrives within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability, and the trip is often reserved about 33 days ahead. If your Sardinia schedule is fixed, booking early is sensible.

Wear swimwear under light clothing and bring sun protection. The bimini provides shade, but you will still spend much of the day around bright water. Keep a dry layer handy for the boat ride back, and pack any personal snorkel equipment you prefer.

The route depends on wind, so avoid treating the named coves as guaranteed individual stops. Spargi may mean one group of coves or another. The point is not to collect every name. The point is to spend time in the best available water that day.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund. The local time cut-off applies.

Should you book it?

I would book this tour if you have four to six people, want a relaxed day on the water, and care more about swimming and comfort than checking off every beach. The private format, Carlo’s flexible route, lunch, drinks, shade, restroom, and paddleboard make the cost easier to defend for a full group.

I would skip it if your main goal is walking on Pink Beach, spending hours ashore, or finding the lowest-cost way to see La Maddalena. For everyone else, this is a well-shaped day around Spargi, Budelli, and Santa Maria, with enough freedom to feel personal rather than programmed.

FAQ

Where does the boat tour start and finish?

The tour starts at Boating Sardinia, Via Riva dei Lestrigoni, 07020 Palau SS, Italy. It ends back at the same meeting point.

What time does the tour begin?

The start time is 9:00 a.m.

How long does the experience last?

The boat tour lasts approximately seven hours.

How many people can join the private tour?

The private boat accommodates one group of up to six people.

Can I walk on Pink Beach at Budelli?

No. Pink Beach has been an integral reserve since 1994, and walking on the beach is prohibited.

Can I swim at Pink Beach?

No. Bathing at Pink Beach is prohibited. You can view the protected beach from the boat.

Is lunch included?

Yes. The experience includes a prepared lunch and drinks. The tour details also mention local wine.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you can choose a different date or receive a full refund.