La Maddalena Archipelago: private all inclusive boat tour

The best part of this private boat day is the mix of beautiful swimming spots and unhurried time on the water. You move through the La Maddalena Archipelago by fast motorboat, then pause to swim, snorkel, eat, and enjoy the sea without sharing the boat with a large tour group.

I like the all-inclusive food and drink, especially the Sardinian sausage, pecorino, pasta, wine, sweets, fruit, and mirto. I also like the small-group setup: up to 10 people means you can use the shaded seating, sundeck, toilet, shower, and swim ladder without the feel of a floating bus. One consideration is the price, and the sea conditions can affect the route. People prone to seasickness should think carefully before booking.

Key points to know

• Four main stops: Spargi, Budelli’s Pink Beach area, the natural pools at Porto della Madonna, and La Maddalena, with Caprera or Santo Stefano added according to conditions.
• A real private boat: The Apreamare 10 is 10 meters long, 3.5 meters wide, and powered by two 300-horsepower engines.
• Food is part of the experience: Expect a Sardinian aperitif, pasta lunch, white wine, soft drinks, fruit, sweets, and mirto.
• A strong swimming day: Snorkeling equipment and a SUP are provided, along with a ladder for easy access to the water.
• Departure and return: The boat leaves Palau at 9:30 and returns around 17:00.
• Important price detail: The advertised price covers a private group of up to 10, but departures from Poltu Quatu carry an extra €150 fuel charge.

Why this private Sardinian boat day works

La Maddalena is best appreciated from the water. The archipelago is a scatter of islands and small coves, and a boat lets you reach the clear water around Spargi, Budelli, Caprera, and the nearby islets in one day.

This is not just a ride from one photo stop to the next. The plan gives you time to swim and snorkel, then return to the boat for food and shade. That balance matters in Sardinia, where a full day in the sun can become tiring if every minute is spent moving.

The boat is private for your group, with a maximum of 10 passengers. That makes this a sensible choice for a family, a group of friends, or a small celebration. You do not have to adjust every swim or meal to a large crowd. The skipper handles the route, while you choose how much time to spend in the water or on the sundeck.

The crew has more than 30 years of experience in the sector. Nicola is the skipper named in the supplied details, and his role is not only to drive the boat. He leads you to the planned locations, manages the route, and adjusts the day when weather, marine traffic, or group requests require it.

Leaving Palau at 9:30

The main departure point is pier number 5 at the port of Palau. Other listed pickup and drop-off points include Piazza del Molo, Poltu Quatu, and Port Cala Mangiavolpe in La Maddalena.

The boat leaves at 9:30 and returns at about 17:00, giving you roughly seven and a half hours on the water. That is enough time for several stops without turning the day into a rushed island checklist.

Pay attention to the departure point when booking. The fuel for departures from Poltu Quatu is not included in the advertised price and adds €150, payable before boarding. Hotel pickup and drop-off are also not included, so you need to arrange your own way to the port.

The boat itself is an Apreamare 10, measuring 10 meters long and 3.5 meters wide. Two 300-horsepower engines make it both fast and quiet, according to the tour details. On board, you have padded sundeck cushions, an awning for shade, a toilet, a shower room, a refrigerator, a stereo system, and a swim ladder.

These details sound modest, but they shape the day. The shade gives you a break from the sun. The toilet removes one common worry on a full-day boat trip. The ladder is useful if you are not comfortable climbing out of the sea onto a high-sided boat.

Spargi and Cala Soraya for the first swim

The first major stop is Spargi, at Cala Soraya. This is the point where the day shifts from cruising to swimming.

You can get into the water, snorkel, or stay on the boat and enjoy the view. The stop is scheduled for about an hour and a half, so you have time to swim without treating the sea as a quick photo break. Snorkeling equipment is included, which saves you from packing your own mask and fins.

Spargi is a good opening stop because it gets you into the rhythm of the excursion early. Bring your swimsuit under your clothes and keep your towel close. The boat has a shower room, but you should not count on having a private changing cabin.

The main limitation is that the entire day depends on the sea. A route that looks perfect on paper may change because of wind, traffic, or requests from the group. That flexibility is useful, but it means you should think of the listed places as the intended plan rather than a guarantee.

Budelli and the view of Spiaggia Rosa

From Spargi, the boat heads toward Budelli. The route passes in front of Spiaggia Rosa, or Pink Beach, at Cala di Roto.

This is primarily a scenic and photo stop, scheduled for around 15 minutes. You should not expect to land on the beach or swim there. The short pause is about seeing the famous shoreline from the water and taking pictures.

Spiaggia Rosa is protected, so the brief viewing stop is part of responsible access to the area. The tour includes the La Maddalena National Park entrance fee, so you do not need to arrange that separately.

Keep your camera ready before the boat reaches the beach. Fifteen minutes passes quickly, and the boat may not linger if conditions or marine traffic make it impractical. This is one of those moments where the value is in the setting and the view, not in spending an hour ashore.

Lunch and swimming at Porto della Madonna

The Natural Swimming Pools at Porto della Madonna are the heart of the day. Here, the water is famously clear and the boat stops for swimming and snorkeling for about an hour and a half.

The published stop details connect lunch with the Spargi portion of the route, while the fuller schedule places lunch at the Natural Swimming Pools. In practical terms, expect the skipper to serve lunch during the main swimming pause, most likely around Porto della Madonna, with the exact timing guided by the day’s route and sea conditions.

The food is a strong part of this excursion. The aperitif includes a cutting board with typical Sardinian sausage, pecorino cheese, and crackers. Lunch includes a first course of spring pasta, white wine, water, fruit, sweets, and Sardinian mirto. Soft drinks and snacks are also included.

The pasta has received especially warm praise, and that makes sense: a simple meal served on a boat can be more memorable than a formal restaurant stop when the sea is the view. Still, expectations should stay practical. This is onboard catering, not a restaurant kitchen, and the menu is set rather than chosen from a list.

The natural pools are also where the SUP becomes useful. You can paddle, snorkel, or simply float near the boat. If you prefer not to swim, the sundeck and shaded awning give you somewhere comfortable to wait.

A short visit to La Maddalena town

The boat then stops in the center of La Maddalena for about an hour. This is the day’s chance to leave the boat and see the main town of the island.

An hour is enough for a short walk, a coffee, a look at the waterfront, or a few small purchases. It is not enough for a full town visit, a museum, and a long meal, since your lunch is already part of the boat service.

I like this stop because it breaks up the swimming schedule. A full day on the water can begin to feel repetitive, even in beautiful surroundings. A short town visit gives you solid ground, streets, and a different view of the archipelago.

Keep your visit focused. The schedule has one hour, and the boat will not wait for an extended wander. If you want a long look at La Maddalena town, plan a separate visit on another day.

Caprera or Santo Stefano to finish

The final stop depends on the weather. The boat may continue to Caprera for a swim in the clear water at Porto Palma, or it may go to Santo Stefano.

Caprera gives you another chance to swim and snorkel in a quieter natural setting. Porto Palma is listed as a one-hour stop, which should be enough for a final swim before the return journey. Santo Stefano is the alternative when conditions make Caprera less suitable.

This flexible ending is sensible. A skipper with local experience should adjust the route instead of forcing a fixed itinerary through poor conditions. The trade-off is that you cannot plan every photograph or stop in advance.

The boat returns to one of the listed drop-off points around 17:00. Confirm the exact return location when arranging your day, especially if you are staying away from Palau.

What the $1,242 group price really means

The private group price is $1,242.16 for up to 10 people. At the full capacity, that works out to roughly $124 per person, before any Poltu Quatu fuel supplement.

That is a reasonable value if you can fill the boat. The price includes fuel for the standard departure, the skipper, National Park fee, snorkeling equipment, SUP use, food, wine, water, soft drinks, snacks, and fruit. You are paying not only for transport but also for a private boat and a full day of service.

The value drops if only two or three people book the entire boat. That is not a criticism of the tour, just the math of a private charter. For a group of friends or a family of eight to 10, the cost becomes much easier to justify.

The extra €150 from Poltu Quatu matters. Check your pickup point and total cost before booking. The tour allows you to reserve now and pay later, and cancellation is free up to 24 hours in advance, which gives you some protection if your plans remain uncertain.

Who should book this excursion

I would choose this tour if you want a full day at sea with plenty of swimming, a private setting, and food already handled. It suits people who prefer a relaxed boat day to a packed schedule of historic sights.

It is especially practical for groups of up to 10. You can share the cost, control the mood of the day, and make use of the boat’s seating and shade without being surrounded by a large crowd.

You should be comfortable with open-water travel. The tour is not suitable for wheelchair users, and it is specifically not recommended for people prone to seasickness or motion sickness. If that sounds like you, a land-based day around the islands may be a better choice.

Bring sunglasses, a sun hat, swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, flip-flops, beachwear, and a camera. Fireworks, explosive substances, and making fires are not allowed, and littering is prohibited. Pack lightly, since the boat already provides food, drinks, snorkeling equipment, and a SUP.

The final call

I would book this private boat day if your group can share the cost and your main goal is to swim in the La Maddalena Archipelago while enjoying a comfortable, food-filled day on the water. The strongest points are the small group, the capable local skipper, the choice of swimming stops, and the generous Sardinian meal service.

I would hesitate only if you are sensitive to motion, need guaranteed access for a wheelchair, or want a fixed route with long visits on land. For everyone else, this is a well-rounded way to see several islands without arranging boats, food, park fees, and equipment separately.

FAQ

Where does the boat tour depart from?

The main departure point is pier number 5 at the port of Palau. Pickup and drop-off options also include Piazza del Molo, Poltu Quatu, and Port Cala Mangiavolpe in La Maddalena.

What time does the tour leave and return?

The boat departs at 9:30 and is scheduled to return around 17:00.

How many people can join the private boat?

The boat can accommodate up to 10 passengers.

Is fuel included in the price?

Fuel is included for the standard departure. Departures from Poltu Quatu require an additional €150 fuel payment before boarding.

What food and drinks are included?

The aperitif includes Sardinian sausage, pecorino cheese, and crackers. Lunch includes spring pasta, white wine, water, fruit, sweets, and mirto. Soft drinks and snacks are also provided.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included, and a SUP is available on board.

Which islands and places does the tour visit?

The intended route includes Spargi, Budelli and the Spiaggia Rosa area, the Natural Swimming Pools at Porto della Madonna, La Maddalena town, and either Caprera or Santo Stefano. The route can change because of weather, marine traffic, or group requests.

Is the tour suitable for people with limited mobility or seasickness?

The tour is not suitable for wheelchair users or for people prone to seasickness or motion sickness.