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

La Maddalena is best seen from the water, where granite islands, hidden coves, and bright shallows unfold one after another. This seven-hour Sea Star cruise takes you to Spargi, Budelli, Santa Maria, and either Cala Coticcio on Caprera or the old town of La Maddalena.

I like the generous beach stops, usually about 90 minutes at Spargi and 75 minutes at Santa Maria. I also like the friendly multilingual crew, practical food service, and the chance to swim among fish at Cala Coticcio. The main drawback is crowds: the boat and the famous beaches can feel packed in July and August.

Key points at a glance

• Spargi comes first: You get about 1.5 hours at Cala Corsara, with clear water, pale sand, and time to explore.
• Budelli is a photo stop: You view Spiaggia Rosa and Porto della Madonna from the boat, not from shore.
• The final stop changes: Monday, Tuesday, and Friday usually bring a swim at Cala Coticcio, while Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday finish in La Maddalena town.
• Food is available on board: Pasta, mussels, sandwiches, drinks, and crepes can be purchased, though you should carry cash.
• The boat gets busy: Everyone wants the same famous coves, so expect other boats and limited personal space during high season.
• Plan the Palau arrival carefully: Check-in is at Maritime Station boxes 4 and 5 between 9:00 and 10:00 a.m., with departure at 10:30 a.m.

Why this Palau cruise works so well

The appeal is simple: you see several of Sardinia’s finest islands in one day without arranging separate ferries, taxis, beach transfers, or boat rentals. From Palau, the Sea Star heads toward Spargi in less than 15 minutes, so the first real stop arrives quickly.

I like the balance between time on land and time afloat. You get two proper beach visits, a close look at Budelli, a swimming stop on selected days, and a possible hour in La Maddalena town. The boat ride itself is part of the sightseeing, with views of coves, granite outcrops, old military sites, and the changing colors of the water.

This is not a small private sailing trip. It is a full-size excursion boat carrying a large group, and that matters. You should expect other boats at the beaches, some crowding on deck, and announcements that may be hard to hear when the vessel is busy. Still, at $59 per person, the price is strong for a full day in the national park, especially if you want a broad introduction rather than a quiet, custom route.

Boarding in Palau and settling in

The meeting point is inside the Maritime Station on Via Piazza del Molo. Check-in takes place at boxes 4 and 5 between 9:00 and 10:00 a.m., with the boat leaving at 10:30.

Do not cut this close. Parking and walking to the dock can take much longer than expected, particularly when traffic into Palau is heavy. You may arrive early and still need time to find the office, complete check-in, and reach the correct boarding area.

The boat has public restrooms, seating for everyone, and a bar or galley selling food and drinks. Bring a credit card if you like, but also carry cash. Electronic payments may fail once you are under way or on the islands, and food purchases have at times been cash only.

Leave large suitcases behind. Oversize luggage is not allowed, and a beach bag with swimwear, towel, sunscreen, water, sunglasses, and a hat is much more useful on this outing.

Spargi and Cala Corsara: the first real reward

Spargi is the first major stop, reached after a short cruise from Palau. The usual landing is at Cala Corsara, a beautiful bay with pale sand, transparent water, and rocky surroundings.

You have about 1.5 hours here, which is enough for a swim, sunbathing, and a little exploring. The bay also has historical features in the surrounding area, though the main pleasure is the water and the untouched feel of the island.

The beach can fill quickly as other excursion boats arrive. If you want a quieter patch of sand, move away from the main landing area rather than staying where everyone first steps ashore. Be strict about the return time. The crew gives a pickup time, and missing the boat means losing your own transport back.

After returning to the Sea Star, you can order lunch or a snack while the boat follows Spargi’s eastern coast. The onboard food has improved the practical side of the day for many people. Depending on availability, you may find pasta with tomato sauce, mussels, sandwiches, drinks, and later crepes with Nutella.

I would still pack a small snack. The menu is useful rather than elaborate, and meal service can become busy when a large group orders at once.

Budelli, Spiaggia Rosa, and Porto della Madonna

The cruise continues toward Budelli, one of the archipelago’s most photographed islands. Here, the boat makes a photo stop near Spiaggia Rosa, the famous pink beach, and the natural pools of Porto della Madonna.

The important detail is that you view these places from the boat. You do not walk onto Spiaggia Rosa. That restriction helps protect the delicate beach, but it also means you should have your camera ready and keep expectations realistic.

Porto della Madonna is especially striking from the water. Small islands and rocks shelter the area, creating calm-looking pools with green and blue tones. The boat may pause long enough for photographs and a short explanation, but this is not a swimming or beach stop.

This portion also shows the tradeoff of a group cruise. The captain is trying to give everyone a good view while working around other boats, so the best photo angle may not last long. Keep your phone or camera accessible, and do not wait until the last minute.

Santa Maria: your second beach stop

Cala Santa Maria provides the second substantial chance to get ashore. You can step off via the dock and walk to the broad beach, where you have about 75 minutes.

This is a good point in the day for a proper swim and a slower break. Compared with Cala Corsara, the beach is larger and easier to reach from the landing point. You can also walk about one kilometer to the old lighthouse if you prefer movement to lying on the sand.

I would choose one goal rather than trying to do everything. Seventy-five minutes passes quickly once you disembark, find a place for your things, swim, and allow time to return to the dock. If the lighthouse matters to you, skip a long beach lunch and start walking promptly.

On Mondays, the Santa Maria beach stop may be replaced by Cala Garibaldi on Caprera under national park rules. That change is worth noting if a particular beach is the reason you are booking. The islands remain beautiful, but the exact stop can shift with park regulations and weather.

Two different endings, depending on your day

The schedule splits into two versions, and this is one of the most important details to understand before paying.

On Monday, Tuesday, and Friday, the final major stop is usually Cala Coticcio on Caprera. The boat anchors in the bay for a swim, often for around 30 minutes to an hour depending on the day’s running time and sea conditions.

Cala Coticcio is also called Tahiti because of its exotic appearance. Its clear water and rocky shelter make it a fine place to use a mask and look for fish. You swim from the boat rather than walking onto the beach, so this stop suits confident swimmers more than anyone who wants an easy shore entry.

On Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday, the final stop is usually the historic center of La Maddalena. You can walk the characteristic streets, visit the Church of Santa Maria Maddalena, shop, or sit near the port.

This town visit gives the day a different flavor. Instead of another swim, you get a glimpse of island life and local architecture. The tradeoff is that some people would rather have more time at the beaches, and one hour is enough for a walk and perhaps a coffee, not a full town visit.

During the approach to La Maddalena, the boat passes 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. The guide provides information in English, Italian, French, and Spanish, although sound quality can vary when the boat is crowded or the wind picks up.

The Caprera swim and the final return

On the Caprera version, the route includes views of Santo Stefano, once a NATO base, Napoleon’s fort, and the works connected with the G8 summit. These sights are seen from the boat, so the route works best for you if you enjoy a moving panorama rather than a series of guided land visits.

The water around Cala Coticcio is the day’s final chance to swim. Bring your own snorkeling mask if you have one. Gear is listed among the recommended items, but you should not assume that equipment is supplied.

Some departures finish a little earlier than the advertised seven hours. A six-and-a-half-hour day or an arrival about an hour early can happen when conditions, timing, or the route require it. Treat the duration as an approximate full day rather than a promise that you will return at one exact minute.

Weather can also alter the itinerary. The captain may replace a stop or use an alternative route in rough conditions. That flexibility is sensible in an exposed island chain, but it means you should not book this day expecting every photograph or swim stop to happen exactly as printed.

Food, comfort, and the onboard atmosphere

The Sea Star is more practical than luxurious. You have toilets, seats, food, and drinks, which makes a full day easier, but personal space can be limited when the boat is full.

The food menu may include three main choices, such as mussels and tomato pasta, along with sandwiches and drinks. Crepes with Nutella may appear in the afternoon. Several people have found the food tasty and fairly priced, while older feedback found the meals basic, so I would treat lunch as a convenience rather than a reason to book.

Order early if you want a cooked meal. Service can take time when many people return from the first beach and place orders together. Pack backup snacks, especially if you are traveling with children or have dietary needs that are not covered by the posted choices.

The crew is generally friendly and active throughout the day. Guides including Gabriele and Fabio have been praised for clear explanations and for spotting dolphins along the route. Still, some announcements may be difficult to hear, and the amount of historical detail can feel lighter than the number of sights suggests.

Smoking on deck has also bothered some passengers. If fresh air is important to you, choose your seating carefully and spend part of the day ashore during the beach stops.

Is $59 a fair price?

At $59, this is a good-value way to cover a lot of ground. The fare includes the cruise, swimming stops, multilingual guiding, passenger insurance, and restrooms. You are paying for access to several islands and coves that would be difficult to combine independently in one day.

Budget another €5 in June through August for the landing fee, payable in cash. In September, the fee is €2.50 per person. Food and drinks cost extra, so the realistic total is higher than the headline price, but still reasonable for a seven-hour sea excursion.

The value is strongest if you are staying near Palau, want to see the famous parts of the archipelago, and do not mind joining a large group. A smaller boat may give you more room and a quieter route, but you should expect to pay more.

Who should book this tour?

I would choose this cruise if you have one day for La Maddalena and want variety: two beaches, a protected-water photo stop, island scenery, swimming, and possibly a town visit. It suits couples, families with older children, and first-time visitors who want an organized introduction.

It is less suitable if you dislike crowds, need guaranteed quiet, want long time at one beach, or prefer a private itinerary. It is also not suitable for pregnant women, wheelchair users, or people with mobility impairments according to the activity restrictions.

Wear comfortable shoes because the beach stops involve docks, sand, and possibly a walk to the lighthouse. Bring a towel, hat, sunscreen, swimwear, sunglasses, camera, cash, and a snorkeling mask. Arrive early, keep track of every pickup time, and do not bring oversize luggage.

My verdict: book it for variety, not solitude

I would book this tour for its route and price. The beaches are the main event, the water is remarkably clear, and the chance to see Spargi, Budelli, Santa Maria, Caprera, and La Maddalena in one day is hard to match at $59.

Just know what you are buying. This is a busy, efficient island-hopping day, not a peaceful private cruise. If you accept the crowds, variable schedule, basic onboard food, and occasional sound problems, it offers a rewarding way to see the archipelago without much planning.

FAQ

Where does the La Maddalena boat tour depart from?

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 a.m., and departure is scheduled for 10:30 a.m.

How long does the boat tour last?

The advertised duration is seven hours. Some departures may return around 30 minutes to an hour earlier, depending on the route, weather, and timing.

Which islands does the tour visit?

The route includes Spargi, Budelli, Santa Maria, and parts of the La Maddalena archipelago. Depending on the day, the final stop is either Cala Coticcio on Caprera or the historic center of La Maddalena.

Can I visit Spiaggia Rosa on Budelli?

No. Budelli is a photo stop viewed from the boat. You photograph Spiaggia Rosa and the natural pools of Porto della Madonna from the water.

Is food available on the boat?

Yes. Food and drinks are available to purchase on board. Options can include pasta, mussels, sandwiches, drinks, and crepes. Food is not included in the tour price.

Does the tour include snorkeling equipment?

Snorkeling gear is listed among the items to bring, so you should bring your own mask and equipment. Cala Coticcio is a swimming stop from the boat and is known for clear water and fish.

Can the itinerary change?

Yes. Bad weather can lead to a changed route or replacement stop. On Mondays, the Santa Maria stop may be replaced by Cala Garibaldi, and the final stop depends on the day of the week.