From Palau: La Maddalena Islands Full-Day Trip by Boat

The best part of this seven-hour cruise is simple: it gets you into the heart of the La Maddalena archipelago without asking you to arrange several ferries, taxis, and beach transfers. You’ll glide past white coves, stop at Spargi and Santa Maria, photograph Budelli’s famous pink beach, and swim in clear water around Caprera on selected days.

I like the generous beach stops, usually about 90 minutes at Spargi and 75 minutes at Santa Maria. I also like the choice built into the schedule: some days finish with a swim near Cala Coticcio, while others give you time in La Maddalena’s old town. The catch is that this is a popular public boat, not a small private cruise. In July and August, the deck and beaches can feel busy.

The key facts before you book

• Cala Corsara on Spargi gives you a proper beach stop early in the day, with clear water and time to walk around the cove.
• Budelli is a photo stop, not a beach landing. You’ll see Spiaggia Rosa and the natural pools from the boat.
• Santa Maria offers another long beach break, and you can walk toward its old lighthouse if you want more than swimming.
• Cala Coticcio depends on the day. Monday, Tuesday, and Friday departures usually finish with a boat swim near Caprera.
• La Maddalena town replaces the final swim on Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday.
• Food is sold aboard, including pasta, mussels, sandwiches, drinks, and sometimes Nutella pancakes, but bring cash because payment networks can fail.

Starting at Palau Maritime Station

Your day begins inside the Maritime Station on Via Piazza del Molo in Palau. Check-in takes place at boxes 4 and 5 between 9:00 and 10:00 in the morning, with departure at 10:30.

This timing matters. Palau can have heavy traffic, and the walk from a parking area to the boat may take longer than you expect. I would arrive early, complete check-in without rushing, and keep your ticket details handy. Missing boarding time means losing the right to a refund.

The Sea Star is a larger excursion boat with indoor and outdoor seating, public restrooms, and a food service area. That makes the long sailing legs easier, especially if the sea becomes choppy. It also means you should not expect the quiet, personal feel of a small rubber boat or sailing yacht.

The crew provides commentary in English, French, Italian, and Spanish. The quality of the announcements can depend on where you sit and the noise on deck, so listen closely when the guide points out landmarks. Some guests have found the microphone hard to hear, while others praised guides, including Gabriele and Fabio, for their explanations and care.

Spargi and Cala Corsara: the first real taste of the islands

In less than 15 minutes of sailing, the boat reaches Spargi, one of the archipelago’s most attractive islands. The main stop is around Cala Corsara, where you get about an hour and a half of free time.

This is the first point where you can properly leave the boat, reach the sand, and swim at your own pace. The water is clear, the coves are framed by granite rock, and the setting feels far more natural than a developed resort beach. You can sunbathe, snorkel, or walk around the bay to see small historical features and rock formations.

Bring shoes you can walk in comfortably. You need practical footwear for getting off at the dock and moving over uneven ground. The tour calls for comfortable shoes rather than flip-flops alone, and that is sensible advice.

The main drawback is crowding. The same pale sand and clear water that make Cala Corsara appealing also draw many boats. Arriving early in the day helps, but you should still expect other groups on the beach. Keep an eye on the meeting time. The boat will not wait for a late return, and the crew gives a specific pickup time for each stop.

Once everyone is aboard, the boat continues around Spargi’s eastern coast. This is a good time to order food or a snack. The onboard choices have included pasta, mussels, sandwiches, caprese salad, drinks, and crepes or pancakes with Nutella. Prices have generally been considered reasonable, though the food is best viewed as convenient boat lunch rather than a special Sardinian meal.

Budelli: a photo stop for Spiaggia Rosa

The boat then heads toward Budelli, one of the archipelago’s most famous islands. Here, the attraction is Spiaggia Rosa, the pink beach, along with the natural pools of Porto della Madonna.

You view these from the boat rather than walking ashore. That distinction is important. If your dream is to plant your towel on the pink sand, this tour will not provide that experience. The stop is designed for photographs and for seeing the unusual colors of the water from the deck.

The surrounding sea can shift from blue to green as the light changes. The boat’s position gives you a broad view of the coves and rocky islands, and this is one of the strongest parts of the cruise for photography. Keep your camera ready, but also spend a few minutes looking away from the screen. The setting is easy to miss if you treat it only as a quick picture stop.

The archipelago is a protected national park, and access rules shape the route. You may find that the exact order or length of stops changes because of weather, sea conditions, or park regulations. That is normal for this kind of boat day.

Santa Maria: the second beach break

Cala Santa Maria is usually the next substantial stop, with about 75 minutes of free time. You can get off via the dock and walk to the broad beach, where there is room to swim, sit in the sun, or use your own snorkeling mask.

This stop works well after Spargi because it gives you another stretch of sand rather than another short photo break. The two beaches have similar appeal, but the change of setting keeps the day from feeling repetitive. If you prefer walking to sitting, the old lighthouse is about one kilometer away.

Be realistic about that walk. With only around 75 minutes, you may not have time for a relaxed beach visit, the lighthouse, and a long swim. I would pick one priority. Families and swimmers will probably want to stay near the beach, while walkers may prefer to leave the water time shorter.

On Mondays, the Santa Maria beach stop may be replaced by Cala Garibaldi on Caprera because of National Park rules. This is a useful detail to know before you book. The advertised route is not identical every day, and the park can require changes.

Two different endings: Cala Coticcio or La Maddalena town

The last major part of the day depends on your departure date.

On Monday, Tuesday, and Friday, the boat normally heads toward Caprera for a swim from the boat in the bay of Cala Coticcio. The cove is often called Tahiti because of its exotic feel, and the clear water makes this the best stop for snorkeling. Bring your own mask and snorkel if you have them. The tour recommends snorkeling gear, but it is not included.

You do not normally land on the beach at Cala Coticcio. Instead, you swim from the boat for about 30 minutes to an hour, depending on the day’s schedule and conditions. This is a fine choice if you care most about water time and fish. It is less suitable if you want to walk on shore or avoid climbing in and out of the sea.

On Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday, the final stop is usually La Maddalena town. This gives you about an hour to stroll through the characteristic streets, visit the church of Santa Maria Maddalena, or shop.

The town stop creates a different kind of day. You trade the Cala Coticcio swim for a little local culture and a change from beaches. Some people prefer this balance, while others feel the town takes time away from the islands. Check the day of the week before booking, especially if one option matters more to you.

As the boat approaches La Maddalena, the guide may point out Cala Francese’s old granite quarries, the Guardia Vecchia weather station, Villa Webber, where Benito Mussolini was imprisoned, and the historic port of Cala Gavetta. Even when La Maddalena is not your final stop, these sights add context to the cruise.

The return route around Caprera and Santo Stefano

The return journey is not dead time. Depending on the route, you may see Santo Stefano, the former NATO base, Napoleon’s fort, and works connected with the G8 summit. These sights help explain why the islands matter beyond their beaches.

The crew also shares information about the archipelago’s history and landmarks. I would treat the commentary as useful orientation rather than a formal history lesson. Announcements can be difficult to hear over wind, engines, and other passengers, and one of the few consistent criticisms is that the explanations could be clearer or more detailed.

The weather can affect the return. If wind or rough seas make a planned stop unsafe, the crew may change the route or replace a stop. One departure returned about an hour early, while another continued with its original plan after weather spoiled an alternative stop. Flexibility is part of a boat excursion in an exposed island group.

Boat comfort, food, and crowd levels

At $59 per person, this is good value if you want a full day of island scenery and several swimming or beach opportunities without paying for a private boat. The boat, guide, insurance, restrooms, and swimming stops are included. You still need to pay the landing tax in cash, €5 per person from June through August or €2.50 in September.

Food and drinks cost extra. Past menus have included three main choices, sandwiches, drinks, mussels, pasta, caprese salad, and Nutella pancakes. Several people found the food tasty and fairly priced, but older experiences were less positive. I would buy lunch onboard if convenience matters, while carrying a few snacks as insurance.

Bring cash for the landing fee and onboard purchases. Card payments may fail during the crossing or on the islands because of weak network coverage.

The boat can feel crowded in high season. You should still have a seat, but personal space may be limited, especially when everyone returns from a beach stop at once. Smoking on deck has also bothered some passengers, and diesel fumes may be noticeable depending on where you sit. If fresh air matters greatly to you, move away from smoking areas and the rear of the boat when possible.

What to pack for a seven-hour sea day

Pack lightly. Oversize luggage is not allowed, and you need both hands free for boarding and moving around the boat.

Bring:

• Swimwear, towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a sun hat
• Comfortable shoes for docks, sand, and short walks
• Snorkeling gear if you want to make the most of Cala Coticcio
• A camera or phone with enough battery
• Cash and a credit card
• A light rain layer if you sit near the front of the boat

The sun can be strong even when the breeze feels cool. Reapply sunscreen after swimming, and keep your hat secure on deck.

This trip is not suitable for wheelchair users or people with mobility impairments. It is also listed as unsuitable for pregnant women, despite one pregnant passenger taking part after checking the weather with customer service. If that applies to you, ask the operator directly before booking rather than relying on another person’s experience.

Who will get the most from this tour?

I would choose this cruise if you have one day for the archipelago and want variety: two beach stops, a Budelli photo stop, a boat swim or town visit, and views of several islands. It works especially well for first-time visitors who want to see the famous places in one organized outing.

It suits confident swimmers, couples, families with older children, photographers, and anyone who values convenience over privacy. The crew speaks four languages, and the schedule gives enough time at most stops to do more than take a quick photograph.

I would look elsewhere if you want a silent sailing day, a tiny group, long snorkeling sessions, or an uncrowded beach. A small private boat costs more, but it may offer a calmer route and greater control over stops.

Should you book the Sea Star cruise?

Book it if your priority is seeing a lot of La Maddalena in one day for $59. The beaches are the main reward, and the two longer stops make the price worthwhile. The clear-water swim near Cala Coticcio is an excellent bonus on Monday, Tuesday, and Friday.

Check the calendar carefully before paying. Choose a Cala Coticcio day if swimming and snorkeling matter most. Choose a La Maddalena town day if you want streets, a church, shopping, and more time on land.

Accept the crowds, bring cash, arrive early, and return to the boat on time. With those points in mind, this is a practical and reasonably priced way to see Sardinia’s most famous island group.

FAQ

Where does the boat tour start?

The meeting point is inside the Maritime Station in Palau on Via Piazza del Molo. Check-in is at boxes 4 and 5 between 9:00 and 10:00, with departure at 10:30.

How long does the tour last?

The scheduled duration is seven hours, though weather and operating conditions can affect the exact return time.

Which islands does the cruise visit?

The route includes Spargi, Budelli, Santa Maria, and areas around Caprera and La Maddalena. The final stop depends on the day of the week.

Do I get off the boat at Budelli?

No. Budelli is a photo stop from the boat, including views of Spiaggia Rosa and the natural pools of Porto della Madonna.

Is Cala Coticcio included every day?

No. The Cala Coticcio boat swim is normally scheduled on Monday, Tuesday, and Friday. On Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday, the final stop is usually La Maddalena’s historic center.

How much time do I have at the beaches?

The Spargi stop is about 1.5 hours. The Santa Maria stop is about 75 minutes. The exact schedule can change because of weather, park rules, or sea conditions.

Is food available on the boat?

Yes. Food and drinks are available to purchase onboard. Options have included pasta, mussels, sandwiches, drinks, and Nutella pancakes.

Is food included in the ticket price?

No. Food and drinks are not included. You should also bring cash for the landing tax.

How much is the landing fee?

The landing fee is €5 per person from June through August and €2.50 per person in September. It is paid in cash on arrival.

What languages are spoken on the boat?

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