From Palau or La Maddalena: Maddalena Archipelago Boat Tour

The best part of this boat day is the variety: you get four swimming stops and a scenic cruise through the islands instead of spending the whole day at one beach. Cala Granara on Spargi gives you the longest break, while Caprera adds two very different bays and the route passes the small Paduleddi islets.

I like the generous time at Cala Granara and the modern boat with toilets, a bar, restaurant area, indoor lounges, and a large sun deck. I also like that you can board at Palau or La Maddalena. The main drawback is crowding, especially in August, when getting into and out of the water can feel awkward. The sound system may also be hard to understand from the lower deck.

Key points to know

• Cala Granara gets the longest stop: Plan on about two and a half hours around Spargi, including lunch.
• The route covers several islands: You visit Spargi, pass Budelli and the Paduleddi islets, then reach Caprera.
• Lunch is served onboard but costs extra: Bring money for food, drinks, and the landing fee.
• Cala Coticcio is the final swim: Its cliffs shelter a striking blue-green bay filled with fish.
• The boat has useful facilities: You will find two bathrooms, indoor seating, a restaurant bar, and a large solarium.
• Sea conditions can change the day: The route and return time may shift with wind, waves, and cruising speed.

Why this boat day works well

At $88 per person, this is a full-day way to see several of Sardinia’s most famous island beaches without arranging separate ferries or hiring a boat. Your transport from the marina and back is included, along with a live guide in Italian, English, or Spanish.

The value depends on what you want from the day. If you want a broad look at the archipelago, the price is reasonable because you are paying for a long route, several stops, crew, and a boat with proper facilities. If your ideal beach day means quiet coves and plenty of personal space, the cost matters less than the summer crowds.

The boat is operated by Flotta del Parco and leaves from dock number 4 at the Marina of Palau, directly in front of the maritime station. There is also a short stop at Medaglie d’Oro on Via Amendola in La Maddalena. That makes the tour practical if you are staying on either side of the water.

The advertised rating is 3.9 out of 5 from 128 bookings, which fits the nature of the trip. The scenery and route earn strong praise, while the weaker points center on food, crowding, delayed departure, and announcements. Go in expecting a busy shared boat, not a private cruise.

Boarding at Palau or La Maddalena

If you begin in Palau, arrive at the marina, dock 4, in front of the Stazione Marittima. The departure time shown for the tour should be treated as a guide, so arrive early and allow time for boarding.

From Palau, the boat goes to La Maddalena for a roughly 15-minute stop at Medaglie d’Oro on Via Amendola. After boarding is complete, the boat heads toward Spargi. At the end of the day, the first return stop is Palau, followed about 15 minutes later by La Maddalena.

The schedule matters because this is a packed day on the water. One booking recorded an 11 a.m. departure after a stated 10:30 start, despite passengers being asked to arrive 30 minutes early. That kind of delay is frustrating, particularly when every swimming stop is timed. Give yourself extra time at the meeting point and keep the rest of your evening flexible.

Spargi’s Cala Granara gives you the longest break

The first major stop is Cala Granara on the southern coast of Spargi. It can only be reached from the sea, which helps explain why the approach by boat is part of the appeal. The bay includes four small beaches with low dunes and rare native plants. A rock formation on the western side is known as Testa della Strega.

This is where you get the most time out of the boat, about two and a half hours in the detailed schedule. That includes roughly 90 minutes for free time and swimming, followed by about 30 minutes for lunch, though the overall description allows a longer stop. Exact timing can change with sea conditions and the captain’s decisions.

The water is the star here. You can swim, sit on the beach, and take in the pale sand and natural setting. If you want a proper swim rather than a quick jump overboard, this is your best chance.

Lunch is served onboard during the Cala Granara stop. The cost of lunch, snacks, and drinks is not included, so check what you want to buy and bring cash. The information about the tour does not give a set menu, so do not book this day assuming a meal is included in the $88 price.

Budelli and the Paduleddi islets

After Spargi, the boat continues through the northern part of the archipelago. The route passes Punta Presa Cavalli, Cala Santa Maria, Barrettini, and Corcelli, a small island east of Santa Maria with a black light on its highest point.

The next scheduled pause is near Budelli, at Cala Liò, with about 30 minutes for swimming. The main description also mentions Pink Beach among the places associated with the cruise. The detailed stop information names Cala Liò rather than a confirmed landing at Pink Beach, so you should not assume you will walk onto Pink Beach or spend a long period there.

This shorter stop is best treated as a quick swim and a chance to enjoy the changing views from the boat. Thirty minutes passes quickly once you account for getting ready, entering the water, and climbing back aboard. Keep your towel, shoes, and sunscreen easy to reach.

The route through the islets is valuable even when you are not ashore. It breaks up the swimming stops and gives you a sense of how scattered the Maddalena islands are. You are not simply traveling from one beach to another in a straight line.

Caprera’s Cala Garibaldi

The boat then reaches Caprera and pauses at Cala Garibaldi on the western coast. This beach has fine white sand and clear water that forms what the tour describes as a natural pool.

The Caprera stop lasts about 70 minutes in the schedule. That is long enough for a comfortable swim, though shorter than your time at Cala Granara. The bay is a good contrast to Spargi: Caprera feels more enclosed, with the water and shoreline creating a calm-looking setting when conditions cooperate.

The boat may remain offshore, so be ready for a swim from the vessel rather than assuming every stop means a beach landing. The supplied schedule calls the stop free time and swimming, but it does not promise a particular method of reaching shore.

If you are not swimming, this is a good time to use the boat’s indoor seating or sun deck. There is a double living room, a kitchen, a restaurant bar, and two bathrooms. Those details matter on a full day at sea. You can get out of direct sun, use the facilities, and avoid having to spend every hour squeezed into a beach towel.

Cala Coticcio finishes the day

The final swimming stop is Cala Coticcio, on the northern part of Caprera’s eastern side. The bay is pressed between steep cliffs and nearby heights, which helps protect it from west winds. Its blue-green water and fish make it one of the more memorable stops on the route.

The scheduled break is about 30 minutes. That is enough for a brisk swim and a look below the surface, but not enough for a slow beach afternoon. Get changed before the boat arrives, keep your mask or swimming gear ready if you use one, and listen for the boarding call.

This stop may be the most scenic, but it is also the least forgiving if the boat is crowded. A packed deck means more people trying to use the same ladders at once. One particularly negative booking described the water access as difficult because there was no floating aid and the ladder became the main way in and out. If you are not a confident swimmer, ask the crew about the safest boarding point before entering the water.

What the boat is like for a full day

The vessel is described as modern and fitted with current equipment, with experienced staff responsible for safety. Its facilities are better than what you would find on a basic open boat: two bathrooms, a restaurant bar, indoor lounges, a kitchen, and a large solarium.

That setup makes the tour more manageable for mixed groups. Strong swimmers can spend most of the day outside, while anyone needing shade can retreat indoors. Families and older passengers may also appreciate having bathrooms and seating available during the long cruise.

The tradeoff is capacity. A large boat lets more people take the route at a lower price, but it also means less personal space. In August, the swimming stops can feel crowded, especially when many people enter the sea at once. The boat’s size is therefore both a benefit and a limitation.

Announcements are another practical concern. The tour uses a public address system, with Italian, English, and Spanish available. Sound quality may be weaker on the lower deck, where announcements can be audible but difficult to understand. If you want clear instructions, remain where you can see or hear the crew directly.

Food, fees, and what to carry

The $88 price does not include lunch, snacks, or drinks. Lunch is served onboard, but you pay for it separately. You also need cash for the landing fee, collected on the boat on the day of the trip.

The landing fee is listed as €2.50 in June and September, and €5 in July and August. It is cash only. Bring small notes or coins so this charge does not become a nuisance while the crew is collecting it.

Pack the basics:

• Swimsuit and a towel
• Sunscreen
• Cash for lunch, drinks, and the landing fee
• Any personal swimming gear you prefer

Fishing, feeding animals, and touching animals are not allowed. Alcohol and drugs are also prohibited. These rules protect the water and make the shared boat safer for everyone.

Weather can change the schedule

The route is not fixed in every detail. Wind, waves, and sea conditions may change the order of stops or remove a stop altogether. The return time can also shift according to conditions and cruising speed.

That flexibility is normal for a boat day around exposed islands, but it affects your planning. Do not book a tight dinner reservation, airport transfer, or evening ferry immediately after the scheduled return. Palau is the first drop-off, followed by La Maddalena about 15 minutes later, but the actual arrival can vary.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those policies are useful if the forecast is uncertain, but they do not guarantee the same route once you are on the water.

Who should book this tour?

I would choose this trip if you want a wide introduction to the Maddalena archipelago in one day. It suits people who value several beaches, scenic cruising, and a boat with bathrooms and indoor areas more than private space.

It is also a sensible choice if you do not have your own boat and want to reach places that are accessible from the sea. The route gives you Spargi, Budelli, and Caprera in one outing, with enough time to swim at the major stops.

I would think twice if you dislike crowds, need a quiet beach setting, or are uncomfortable using a ladder to enter and leave the sea. August is the busiest period, and the boat may feel full during the swim breaks. If clear spoken instructions are important to you, stay near the upper areas or crew during announcements.

Should you book the Maddalena boat tour?

Book it if your priority is seeing several beautiful bays in one organized day for $88, with transport, a guide, and useful onboard facilities included. Cala Granara’s long stop and Cala Coticcio’s sheltered setting are the strongest reasons to go.

Skip it if you want a private, slow-paced outing or do not want to pay extra for lunch, drinks, and landing fees. Bring cash, prepare for a full shared boat, and allow the sea to set the schedule. With those expectations, this is a practical way to sample the archipelago from Palau or La Maddalena.

FAQ

Where does the tour depart from?

The main meeting point is Marina of Palau, dock number 4, directly in front of the Stazione Marittima. The boat also makes a 15-minute boarding stop at Medaglie d’Oro on Via Amendola in La Maddalena.

Which islands does the boat visit?

The route includes Spargi, Budelli, and Caprera. It also passes the Paduleddi islets, including Punta Presa Cavalli, Cala Santa Maria, Barrettini, and Corcelli.

How long is the tour?

The activity is valid for one day. The precise departure and return times depend on the selected start time, sea conditions, and cruising speed.

Is lunch included in the price?

No. Lunch is served onboard, but the cost of lunch, snacks, and drinks is not included in the $88 price.

How much is the landing fee?

The fee is €2.50 in June and September, or €5 in July and August. It is collected onboard and must be paid in cash.

Which beaches and bays are included?

The route includes Cala Granara on Spargi, Cala Liò near Budelli, Cala Garibaldi on Caprera, and Cala Coticcio. The tour information also mentions Pink Beach among the archipelago sights.

Which languages are available?

The live guide service is available in Italian, English, and Spanish.

Can the route change?

Yes. The itinerary may change because of weather and sea conditions. The return time may also vary according to the sea and the boat’s cruising speed.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, sunscreen, and cash. Fishing, feeding animals, touching animals, alcohol, and drugs are not allowed.