Catamaran: Day trips in La Maddalena’s Archipelago

The most appealing part of this day is the boat itself. Scatto is a lightweight 10 by 7 meter prototype catamaran built to sail, not simply motor from one bay to the next. You get a small-group day on the water, with a young local crew of two and plenty of room to sit, stretch out, and watch the islands slide by.

I like the wind-powered focus, which gives the outing a quieter and more natural pace. I also like the three separate island stops at Budelli, Santa Maria, and Spargi, since you are not confined to one swimming cove. The main drawback is practical: there is no restroom onboard, and you must bring your own food and drinks.

Key points at a glance

• A true sailing boat: Scatto is a high-performance 10 by 7 meter catamaran, with sailing given priority when conditions allow.
• Three island stops: You get about an hour at Piscine di Budelli, Santa Maria, and Spargi.
• Small-group setting: The advertised group limit is six participants, with two local crew members.
• Bring your own lunch: Food and drinks are not provided, so pack for a full day in the sun.
• Park access included: Entry to La Maddalena Archipelago National Park is covered in the price.
• Important comfort note: There are no toilets onboard, and the outing is best for young, reasonably fit people who enjoy an active boat day.

Why Scatto makes this sailing day different

Many boat trips around La Maddalena are really transport services with a few stops added. This one puts the sailing first. Scatto is a lightweight prototype catamaran, 10 meters long and 7 meters wide, with the shape and space to make the ride part of the attraction.

That matters because you are not simply being delivered to the next beach. You spend long stretches moving through La Maddalena Archipelago National Park under sail. The itinerary includes four separate sailing sections, each listed at about an hour. Depending on the wind, you may hear more water and canvas than engine noise, which changes the feel of the day.

The catamaran also gives you more room than a small open boat. A 10 by 7 meter platform offers space to sit and watch the sea, though this is still a sporty vessel rather than a floating lounge. The boat is designed for comfort and safety, but the trip remains adventurous. If you want a polished cruise with formal service, music, and every facility onboard, this is probably not your best match.

The crew is made up of two young local sailors. Their local connection is useful in a place where weather, currents, and anchorage conditions shape the day. The crew speaks Italian, English, Spanish, and French, so you can ask questions and follow the safety and timing instructions in one of those languages.

Meeting in Palau at 9:20

The day begins in Palau, at Piazza del Molo 4, near the corner with Bar del Porto. Check in at the office by 9:20 a.m. The sailing itself is scheduled to start at 10:00 a.m., with a return around 5:00 p.m.

That early check-in is worth taking seriously. Do not plan to stroll up at the scheduled departure time with a sandwich still to buy. You need time to find the office, check in, organize your belongings, and board without rushing.

Palau is the practical starting point for reaching the archipelago. The activity begins and ends at the same meeting point, so you do not need to arrange a separate pickup or figure out a return transfer from another island. The price is listed at $113.29 per person, and park entry is included.

The first hour: sailing into the national park

Once aboard, the first sailing section takes you into La Maddalena Archipelago National Park. The park protects a spread of islands and small islets between northeastern Sardinia and Corsica, with shallow water, rocky shores, and sheltered bays.

The first hour helps set the rhythm. This is not a rushed checklist of famous viewpoints. The point is to enjoy the movement of the boat and the open water before reaching the first stop. If the wind is favorable, Scatto can show why a performance catamaran is more interesting than a standard motorboat.

You will want sun protection from the start. Bring a hat or sun hat, sunscreen, swimwear, a towel, and beachwear. The wide catamaran deck may feel pleasantly open, but it also leaves you exposed to the sun for much of the day.

Piscine di Budelli: the first hour in clear water

The first free-time stop is Piscine di Budelli, scheduled for about one hour. The name refers to the natural pools formed by shallow, clear water around Budelli. This is the kind of stop that makes the archipelago famous: pale water, rocky edges, and a strong sense that the sea itself is the main attraction.

Use the hour for a swim, a quiet rest, or simply a close look at the water from the boat. You should not expect a long land excursion here. The schedule is built around time on the water, and the stop is a chance to enjoy the setting rather than tour an island village or monument.

An hour is enough for a refreshing swim but not enough for a slow beach day. That is a useful distinction when planning. Bring a towel that dries reasonably fast, keep your belongings together, and do not expect food or drinks to appear during the stop. Your lunch and beverages come from you.

Santa Maria: a second change of scene

After another sailing section through the park, the catamaran reaches Santa Maria for roughly one hour of free time. This gives the day a welcome change from the first stop. You are not spending the entire excursion anchored in one familiar cove.

Santa Maria is another chance to swim in clear water and enjoy the island setting at a slower pace. The exact balance between sailing, anchoring, and swimming can depend on conditions, but the planned structure gives you about an hour here before moving on.

I like this middle stop because it breaks up the day. A full seven hours on a boat can feel long if every hour looks the same. Three separate stops make the outing feel more varied, while the sailing sections give you time to settle back into the boat between swims.

Still, keep your expectations measured. The available details do not promise a guided walk, a meal, beach equipment, or a particular beach service at Santa Maria. Think of it as a water stop in a beautiful national park, not a full island visit.

Lunch on your own, with no onboard restroom

Lunch is not included. You need to bring your own packed meal, along with enough water and any other drinks you want for seven hours in the sun.

This arrangement has two advantages. You can bring exactly what you like, and the day avoids a fixed meal service that might interrupt the sailing rhythm. A simple lunch is usually easier to manage on a catamaran than anything messy or elaborate. Pack food securely and keep it easy to eat while seated.

The tradeoff is that you must plan ahead. There is no onboard shop, and drinks are not included. The boat also has no restroom. That is the most important practical limitation of the trip. If you are uncomfortable going several hours without toilet facilities, choose a different boat excursion.

The lack of a restroom also makes the outing less suitable for very young children and anyone who needs frequent facilities. The activity is not suitable for children under six, babies under one, or people over 70 according to the stated restrictions. It is also described as unsuitable for people over 95, which is a redundant but clear sign that the operator wants a reasonably fit group.

Spargi: the final island stop

Spargi is the last scheduled stop, with about an hour of free time. By this point, the three-part format works in your favor. You have had time to swim at two earlier locations, and the final stop gives you one more chance to get in the water before the return sail.

Spargi is known for its rocky coastline and clear surrounding water, which make it a natural fit for a catamaran day. The stop is not presented as a long shore excursion. You should plan on swimming, relaxing, and enjoying the view rather than exploring inland.

The timing also helps prevent the final stop from becoming an afterthought. You still have a full hour, followed by another sailing section back toward Palau. If you prefer a day with one long anchorage and no repeated boarding or moving, the three-stop format may feel a bit structured. If you like variety, it keeps the outing moving.

Four hours of sailing, not just island stops

The itinerary allows about four hours of sailing in total, split into sections between the stops. That is a major part of the value here. You are paying for a sailing experience, not only for access to three swimming areas.

The wind-powered approach is also a more peaceful way to see the archipelago. The boat is designed to perform, so the experience may feel active and sporty rather than sedate. You may enjoy the sensation of the catamaran working across the water, but anyone prone to discomfort on boats should think carefully about spending a full day aboard.

The catamaran’s width helps provide a stable, spacious platform, though no boat can remove the effects of wind and waves. Wear practical swimwear and beach clothing, and bring a towel for sitting or drying off. Avoid bringing bulky items, since the activity is intended for a compact group and a day spent moving between deck and water.

What $113.29 gets you

At $113.29 per person, this is not the cheapest way to reach the archipelago. But the price includes a seven-hour excursion, the catamaran itself, local crew, guided sailing in several languages, the swimming stops, and entry to the national park.

The value depends on what you want from the day. If you only need transport to a beach, a basic ferry or larger group boat may cost less. If you want a small-group sailing experience with time built in for three island stops, the price is easier to justify.

The advertised group limit of six participants is especially important. A small group gives the crew more chance to interact with each person and makes the boat feel less crowded than a large excursion vessel. One published account describes eight people enjoying the space onboard, so group arrangements may not always feel exactly the same, but the stated booking information presents this as a small-group outing.

Park entry is already covered, which removes one extra cost. Lunch and drinks are not covered, but bringing your own supplies can keep the total spend predictable.

Who should book this catamaran day

I would recommend this trip to someone who wants the journey itself to matter. You should enjoy being on a sailboat, swimming in open natural settings, and spending most of a day outside. The outing suits active adults and older children above the stated minimum age who can manage a full day without a restroom onboard.

It is also a good choice if you prefer a small, personal setting to a large excursion boat. Two local sailors and a limited group can make it easier to ask questions, hear the sailing plan, and get a more direct sense of the area.

I would be cautious about booking it if you need a toilet onboard, dislike packing your own lunch, or want a heavily guided shore program. You will not get extensive time in island towns, a provided meal, or a comfort-focused cruise. The day is built around wind, water, swimming, and movement.

The outing is described as adventurous and best for young, reasonably fit people. That does not mean you need to be an athlete, but you should be comfortable boarding a catamaran, moving around a deck, climbing in and out for a swim, and managing a long day in the sun.

Practical preparation for seven hours at sea

Pack more carefully than you might for a short boat ride. At minimum, bring:

• A packed lunch and enough drinks
• Swimwear and beachwear
• A towel
• Sunscreen
• A hat or sun hat
• Any personal items you need for a full day outdoors

Keep your packing compact and water-conscious. The supplied information does not mention storage arrangements, so avoid bringing large bags or unnecessary gear. Baby strollers, bicycles, and baby carriages are not allowed.

The cancellation policy is forgiving if your plans change: you can cancel up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which is useful if you are still arranging your Sardinia schedule.

My verdict on Petag Sailing Sardinia

Book this catamaran if your idea of a perfect Sardinia day is a sleek sailing boat, clear water, three island stops, and a small crew that keeps the focus on the sea. The strongest features are the purpose-built catamaran, the amount of actual sailing, and the chance to swim at Budelli, Santa Maria, and Spargi in one day.

Skip it if a restroom, included lunch, or a gentle cruise matters more to you than the sailing itself. At $113.29, the trip earns its price through the boat, the park access, the seven-hour schedule, and the small-group format. Bring your own food, prepare for sun and motion, and you get a focused day around the best part of La Maddalena: the water.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran tour start?

Meet at the operator’s office at Piazza del Molo 4 in Palau, at the corner with Bar del Porto. Check in by 9:20 a.m.

What time does the excursion leave and return?

The excursion starts at 10:00 a.m. and returns around 5:00 p.m. The total duration is about seven hours.

Which places does the catamaran visit?

The planned stops are Piscine di Budelli, Santa Maria, and Spargi. Each stop includes about one hour of free time.

Is lunch included?

No. You need to bring your own packed lunch, food, and drinks.

Is there a restroom on the catamaran?

No. There are no toilets onboard.

Is park entry included in the price?

Yes. Entry to La Maddalena Archipelago National Park is included.

What languages does the crew speak?

The live tour is available in Italian, English, Spanish, and French.

Is the tour suitable for children?

The activity is not suitable for children under six or babies under one. It is described as adventurous and recommended for young, reasonably fit people.