From Palau: La Maddalena Archipelago Day Tour by Boat

The best part of this La Maddalena boat tour is the variety packed into one day. You’ll swim off Spargi and Budelli, see wind-carved granite, photograph the famous Pink Beach, and walk through La Maddalena’s harbor town without arranging several separate trips.

I like the well-planned route and the friendly Petagus crew, who keep departures and return times clear. I also like the onboard snack bar, a useful touch when you’re spending seven hours at sea. The tradeoff is size: this is a popular boat, and in July and August the deck, beaches, and swimming spots can feel crowded.

Key points to know before booking

• Cala Corsara gives you 70 minutes on Spargi, enough time to swim, snorkel, walk, or simply sit beside the granite coast.
• Budelli’s natural pools are for swimming, while Pink Beach is only a brief panoramic photo stop.
• Santa Maria and La Maddalena each offer a different kind of stop, one focused on clear water and beaches, the other on a historic island town.
• The Petagus has an onboard bar, with sandwiches, salads, Sardinian appetizers, coffee, wine, and soft drinks available to buy.
• Arrive early for an outdoor seat, since seating is not allocated and the best open-air places fill quickly.
• The $59 price is good for the coverage, but remember the La Maddalena landing tax is extra and must be paid in cash.

Why this boat trip works for a first visit

The La Maddalena Archipelago is spread across a group of islands north of Sardinia, and the practical problem is seeing it without hiring a private boat or managing several ferry connections. This trip solves that problem in one long outing from Palau.

For $59, you get transport by boat, a multilingual crew, several swimming stops, a scenic pass by one of Sardinia’s most famous beaches, and time in La Maddalena town. That is strong value if your goal is to see as much of the archipelago as possible in one day.

You should think of this as a social sightseeing cruise, not a quiet private sailing trip. The vessel is large enough to carry a good-sized group, but it can feel tight during the busiest months. You’ll have more room if you board early, claim an outside seat, and accept that the trip is about sharing access to famous places.

The crew’s organization is one of the tour’s strongest features. Departure times are announced clearly, and the staff help keep boarding and disembarking orderly. Captain Salvatore has been singled out for handling windy conditions well, an important point in an area known for the mistral wind.

The guide commentary is useful for orientation, but do not expect a long specialist lecture at every stop. Announcements may be repeated in several languages, including English, Italian, French, German, and Spanish on some departures. That helps international groups, though the frequent announcements can feel noisy if you prefer a quiet ride.

Getting to the Petagus in Palau

The meeting point is in front of Bar Pier1, where you show your ticket to the crew before boarding Motonave Petagus. Check-in opens at 9:00 AM and closes at 9:45 AM, even though the boat leaves at 10:30 AM.

That early check-in matters. It gives you time to get aboard and choose a place, but it also means you may wait before departure. If you want an upper-deck seat in the open air, arrive near the start of check-in. Several people who arrived later found the best outdoor places already taken.

The upper deck is the right choice for views and sea air, but it can be very sunny and hot. Some passengers found the inside seating less appealing because it offers weaker views, and one report noted a fish smell in the interior area. Bring sun protection, a hat, water, and something to sit on if you plan to claim a place and leave it while swimming.

The boat has toilets and a bar. The vessel is not new, and comfort is functional rather than polished. A few passengers found the seats uncomfortable or the toilet doors in need of repair, but the boat was generally described as clean and adequately equipped.

Spargi and Cala Corsara: your first real swim

After roughly 30 minutes of sailing, the boat reaches Spargi, a rounded island with a wild coastline shaped by wind and water. Granite cliffs and unusual rock formations give the island a strong sense of place, even before you reach the beach.

The stop at Cala Corsara lasts about 70 minutes. This is one of the most generous breaks of the day, and you can use it in several ways. Swim in the clear water, snorkel near the rocks, walk along the shore, or stay aboard and enjoy the view if you would rather not scramble onto the beach.

Bring your own mask and snorkel if you have them. Snorkeling is especially popular around Spargi, and the clear water makes it a sensible place to look below the surface. The tour is not built around a formal snorkeling lesson, so you’ll need to be comfortable managing your own gear.

Cala Corsara is also a good test of the trip’s pace. You have enough time for a proper swim, but not enough for a slow beach day. If you want long, unhurried stretches on one beach, a smaller private outing may suit you better.

Once you return to the boat, lunch becomes available for purchase. The ticket does not include food, and you can also bring your own sandwiches, fruit, and drinks. The bar serves simple options such as sandwiches, salad, Sardinian appetizers, coffee, wine, and other drinks. Prices have generally been considered reasonable for a boat, though some passengers found the food more expensive than expected.

Santa Maria: clear water and a longer beach break

The next stop is Santa Maria, reached after about 20 minutes of sailing. You have approximately one hour here, making it another proper shore and swimming break rather than a quick picture stop.

Santa Maria is about clear water, white sand, and bright light. If swimming is your priority, this is one of the most rewarding sections of the day. The water is shallow-looking and inviting in the photographs, and the stop gives you time to swim, snorkel, or relax without immediately rushing back to the boat.

Some people wish this stop lasted longer. That is worth considering because Santa Maria can easily absorb more than an hour if you want a swim, a walk, and time to dry off. Still, the schedule has to fit four island stops and the return to Palau, so the limited time is part of the bargain.

The beaches can be crowded, particularly in high season. You’ll share the shoreline with other boats and groups, and finding a private patch of sand may be difficult. The water remains the main attraction, but this is not a secluded beach escape in July or August.

Budelli’s natural pools and the Pink Beach view

From Santa Maria, the boat continues toward Budelli. The stop at Piscine di Budelli lasts about 35 minutes and is set aside for swimming.

The natural pools are one of the tour’s signature moments. These sheltered areas have exceptionally clear, turquoise water and unusual rock surroundings. The short stop is long enough for a refreshing dip, but you’ll want to be ready to swim as soon as the boat arrives.

Budelli is also associated with Spiaggia Rosa, the famous Pink Beach. You do not land there. The beach has been closed since 1993 to protect the ecosystem that gives the sand its distinctive color, so the boat makes a panoramic visit and a photo stop of about five minutes.

Keep your expectations realistic. The famous pink tone may look subtle depending on the light, distance, and season. It may not appear dramatically pink from the boat. The value is understanding why the beach is protected and seeing a place that cannot be visited like an ordinary public beach.

The short stop also illustrates an important point about this excursion: some places are for swimming, some are for walking, and some are viewed from the water. Check the schedule in your head so you do not expect to step ashore at every landmark.

La Maddalena town: one hour on dry land

After the natural pools, the boat sails toward La Maddalena and arrives at Cala Gavetta, the island’s characteristic harbor center. The final land stop lasts about one hour.

This is the day’s change of rhythm. Until now, the focus has been sea, sand, rock, and swimming. In La Maddalena, you can walk through the old center, look around the harbor, and enjoy a little time among buildings and island life.

Cala Gavetta was chosen by the first Corsican shepherd settlers because it offered shelter from the prevailing mistral wind. That small piece of context helps explain the town’s position and gives the stop more meaning than a simple shopping break.

One hour is enough for a short walk and a drink, but it is not enough for a serious town visit. Several passengers wanted more time here, especially because the town provides a welcome contrast to the beach stops. If you are mainly booking for swimming, the hour is fine. If La Maddalena’s history and streets interest you most, you may prefer to return independently on another day.

The boat then sails back to Palau, with arrival scheduled around 6:00 PM. In October, the return is expected around 5:00 PM. Allow some flexibility around the timetable, since wind and sea conditions can affect the pace.

Boat comfort, seating, and the real crowd factor

The Petagus is best understood as a practical excursion boat. It has enough space for a full group, an onboard bar, toilets, and open-air seating, but it is not designed to feel like a private yacht.

Seat selection shapes your day. Seats are not assigned, so the best outdoor spots are claimed early. Arriving at check-in gives you the strongest chance of sitting outside, but you may need to wait onboard until departure. If you arrive later, you may end up inside or in a less comfortable position.

Sun exposure is another issue. The open deck offers the best views, but the upper level can be extremely hot when the sun is strong. The interior gives shade but limits the panorama and may feel less pleasant during a full day at sea.

Wind can change the mood quickly. Several departures have encountered strong wind and waves, and passengers credited the captain and crew with handling the conditions safely. Still, if you are prone to seasickness, the combination of open water, a seven-hour schedule, and a windy day deserves thought.

The stops break up the sailing time well. You are not trapped on the boat for seven straight hours, but there is still a fair amount of transit between islands. Bring a light layer for the ride back, since the wind can feel cooler after swimming.

Food, drinks, and what to pack

The onboard bar is a real convenience. You can buy coffee, wine, soft drinks, sandwiches, salad, Sardinian appetizers, and other snacks without giving up sightseeing time to find food ashore.

I would still pack a basic lunch unless you strongly prefer buying onboard. The food is simple, and while prices are often considered acceptable, some items may cost more than what you would pay on land. Your own water, sandwiches, fruit, and snacks also make it easier to eat when you want.

For the swimming stops, pack:

• Swimsuit and towel
• Sunscreen and a hat
• Water and personal snacks
• Mask and snorkel if you use them
• Dry clothes for the ride back
• Cash for the La Maddalena landing tax

The landing tax is not included and must be paid in cash before boarding. The supplied information does not give the amount, so check the current charge when booking or at check-in.

Strollers are not allowed, and the excursion is not suitable for wheelchair users or people with mobility impairments. The beach stops and boat access require a level of physical ease that is not available to everyone.

Who will get the most from the $59 price

This tour suits you if you want a broad first look at the archipelago without paying for a private boat. Families with older children, couples, groups of friends, and short-stay visitors can all get good use from the format.

It is also a strong choice if you want more than a scenic cruise. You get several chances to swim, some time on shore, and a visit to La Maddalena town. The route covers the major visual highlights efficiently.

You may want another type of trip if your ideal day means quiet coves, flexible timing, or a small group. The most popular bays can be crowded, and you cannot ask the captain to extend Santa Maria or skip La Maddalena. A private or smaller boat should give you more control, though likely at a higher cost.

At $59, the tour’s value comes from access and coverage. You would need to organize several boat movements yourself to see Spargi, Santa Maria, Budelli, and La Maddalena in one day. The extra landing tax and onboard food are minor additions compared with the total cost of a private charter, but they should be included in your budget.

Should you book the Petagus day tour?

Book it if you have one day for La Maddalena and want the simplest way to see its famous islands, swim in clear water, and reach La Maddalena town. The crew is organized, the route is full, and the price is fair for the amount of ground covered.

Go in with the right expectations. This is not a secluded sailing day, the seats can be uncomfortable, and the beaches are shared with many other boats. Arrive early, sit outside if possible, bring lunch and sun protection, and treat the five-minute Pink Beach stop as a viewpoint rather than a beach visit.

For a first visit from Palau, I would book it. The mix of Spargi’s rock coast, Santa Maria’s water, Budelli’s natural pools, and La Maddalena’s town gives you a useful sense of the area in one day.

FAQ

Where does the La Maddalena boat tour begin?

The tour begins at Motonave Petagus in the port of Palau. Check in at the meeting point in front of Bar Pier1 and show your ticket to the crew.

What time should I arrive for check-in?

Check-in opens at 9:00 AM and closes at 9:45 AM. The boat departs at 10:30 AM, and anyone arriving after check-in closes will not be allowed to board.

Is lunch included in the ticket?

No. Lunch and drinks are not included, but you can purchase sandwiches, salad, Sardinian appetizers, coffee, wine, and other drinks onboard. You may also bring your own food.

Can I swim during the tour?

Yes. Swimming is scheduled at Cala Corsara on Spargi, Santa Maria, and the natural pools near Budelli. The Pink Beach stop is for panoramic views and photographs.

Can I walk on Pink Beach?

No. Pink Beach has been closed since 1993 to protect the ecosystem that gives the sand its color. You see it from the boat during a brief photo stop.

Is the boat tour suitable for wheelchair users or strollers?

No. Baby strollers are not allowed, and the activity is not suitable for wheelchair users or people with mobility impairments.