Explore the main islands of the National Park of the La Maddalena Archipelago aboard a hybrid boat, accompanied by an experienced skipper and a small group of passengers. You'll have the chance to swim and snorkel in crystal-clear bays and coves, admire the islands of Spargi, Budelli, Santa Maria and Razzoli, and enjoy traditional Sardinian products on board.
With this tour you help protect the environment
Duration 4/5 hours
Available On scheduled days
Small Group Max 12 people
Meeting point Palau or La Maddalena
Start time
9:00am or 2:30pm
Discover the unparalleled beauty of the La Maddalena Archipelago, one of Sardinia’s most treasured gems, on an exclusive tour aboard a modern hybrid boat. This itinerary not only allows you to explore some of the most stunning islands of the National Park, but also does so in harmony with nature, thanks to a vessel that combines comfort, quiet sailing, and environmental sustainability. Throughout the day, you’ll have the chance to swim and snorkel in crystal-clear bays and coves, admire the islands of Spargi, Budelli, Santa Maria and Razzoli, and enjoy a delicious lunch featuring traditional Sardinian products.
Itinerary – Hybrid boat tour in La Maddalena:
Meet at the Tourist Port of Palau or the Tourist Port of La Maddalena, depending on your selected departure point. Here you’ll meet the crew and board a comfortable, eco-friendly hybrid boat, designed for a smooth and relaxing cruise.
The itinerary through the La Maddalena Archipelago is shaped by sea and weather conditions. The captain takes a flexible, safety-first approach, adapting the route to the day’s conditions to ensure the best possible experience. As you cruise, you’ll admire from the sea three of the archipelago’s most iconic islands: Spargi, Budelli, and Santa Maria.
Your first stop is Spargi Island, the most unspoiled and wild of the archipelago, completely uninhabited and surrounded by crystal-clear waters. Here you’ll reach Cala Corsara, famous for its turquoise sea and natural rock formations—an ideal spot for your first swimming and snorkeling stop.
Budelli Island, one of the most renowned islands in the Mediterranean thanks to its legendary Spiaggia Rosa (Pink Beach), named after the distinctive pink hue of its sand. As this is a protected area, landing is not permitted; instead, you’ll stop offshore to admire this natural wonder directly from the boat.
The journey continues with a light lunch featuring typical Sardinian products, enjoyed on board while cruising towards the Manto della Madonna, also known as the Natural Pools. Accessible only by boat, this breathtaking area is celebrated for its extraordinary clarity and shades of blue.
You’ll then admire the islands of Razzoli and Santa Maria, separated by the narrow Passo degli Asinelli channel. On Santa Maria Island, you’ll stop at Cala Santa Maria, where you can enjoy a final swim, go snorkeling, or simply relax surrounded by pristine nature.
The tour concludes with the return to port, first at the Tourist Port of Palau and then at the Tourist Port of La Maddalena.
*The cruise itinerary is heavily dependent on sea and weather conditions. The captain will remain flexible, planning the best possible route based on the day’s circumstances, and selecting the most important destinations.
**The duration of the tour varies depending on the departure point. The tour departing from Palau lasts approximately 5 hours, while the tour departing from La Maddalena lasts approximately 4 hours.
The price includes: Professional skipper – Onboard assistant – Aperitif with traditional local products – Alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.
The price does not include: Transfers to/from hotel – Snorkelling equipment (guests are advised to bring their own, or it can be purchased before boarding: € 15,00 for the mask, € 9,00 for the snorkel).
Do not forget:Swimsuit – Beach towels – Sunscreen – Sun hat – Camera.
The Maddalena Archipelago in Sardinia is made up of more than 60 islets, both large and small, all composed of granite and schist, which means they fracture along parallel planes, creating the distinctive morphology of the islands in this part of Sardinia. Among the most beautiful islands to visit in the Maddalena Archipelago are Spargi, Santa Maria, Razzoli, Caprera, La Maddalena, and Budelli.
There are several theories about the origin of the name “La Maddalena”. One, particularly connected to the island of Santa Maria, refers to the Christian figure of Mary Magdalene from the New Testament. Another theory, based purely on linguistics, traces the name to the Hebrew word "Migdal," meaning "tower" or, more broadly, an elevated stone platform. This could relate to the archipelago’s strategic location in the Mediterranean, a point of interest for Napoleon Bonaparte and Admiral Nelson, or to the granite formations typical of these islands.
You can reach the islands of the Maddalena Archipelago with various private boats: only La Maddalena and Caprera are accessible by ferry, while for the others, you need to join private tours. The best way to enjoy the stunning transparent waters of the archipelago is by sailing, respecting the surrounding nature and gliding past some of the most beautiful beaches on Earth.
Located in northeastern Sardinia, the Maddalena Archipelago National Park encompasses 180 kilometers of coastline and over 20,000 hectares of land and sea. Established in 1994, it is part of the European network of protected natural areas and is strictly safeguarded: activities like sailing, fishing, and diving are allowed but regulated. Almost a thousand plant species thrive here, around 50 are endemic and many others rare. The noble pen shell (pinna nobilis), the largest Mediterranean bivalve, is native here, and the bottlenose dolphin is frequently spotted, often in groups of up to 30. The loggerhead sea turtle (caretta caretta) is also commonly seen in the park.
The Archipelago of La Maddalena is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in the world: a paradisiacal landscape where small, pristine, and untouched islands form virgin coves with pure colors that are hard to find elsewhere. Among the most stunning beaches of the Archipelago is certainly the Pink Beach on the island of Budelli, world-famous for its pink hue caused by fragments of coral, granite, and mollusk shells which, with the action of the sea, create unique grains of sand with a pinkish color. This is where director Michelangelo Antonioni filmed some scenes of his movie “Red Desert”. Accessible only by sea and sheltered by the triangle formed by the Island of Budelli, Island of Santa Maria, and Island of Razzoli, we then find the Spiaggia del Cavaliere (Knight’s Beach): 190 meters of white sand surrounded by Mediterranean scrub vegetation plunging into emerald-colored sea. Separated from the Island of Razzoli by a narrow stretch of sea called Il Passo degli Asinelli, lies the Island of Santa Maria, which boasts another wonder of the Archipelago of La Maddalena. We’re talking about Cala Santa Maria, known for its crystal-clear waters and ultra-fine white sand. Here stands the house of actor and director Roberto Benigni, Nobel Prize winner in 1999 with the film “Life is Beautiful”. On the island of Spargi, still within the National Park of the Archipelago of La Maddalena, we then find Cala Corsara, a fascinating beach named the most beautiful in Italy in 2016 and included by the American magazine Forbes in 2018 among the seven must-visit beaches in Italy. The only way to reach this cove is by sea, it lies on the southern part of Spargi Island and features four small beaches with ultra-fine white sand and the curious shapes of its granite rocks. Here you can see the famous “witch’s rock” on the western side of the cove. The origin of its name is tied to the legend that Cala Corsara was once a pirate hideout: in the shallows of Cala Corsara also lies the wreck of the Spargi, a 35-meter Roman cargo ship from the 2nd century B.C. Today, Cala Corsara is undoubtedly an irresistible spot for relaxation and stunning photo opportunities. Also on the island of Spargi is Cala Soraya, with its distinctive arch shape, crystal-clear water, and soft fine sand. This island too is accessible only by sea with private boats and is ideal for a swim immersed in an unforgettable landscape.
Finally, Porto della Madonna, also known as the “Natural Pools”, is a crystal-clear stretch of water accessible only by boat.
The cuisine of the Maddalena Archipelago is closely tied to Sardinian tradition. It starts with pane carasau, the thin and crispy disc-shaped bread, and continues with famous Sardinian cheeses like goat and sheep ricotta. Among the first courses, culurgiones are a highlight: ravioli made with flour, eggs, spinach, fresh cheese, saffron, and salt.
Seafood dishes are abundant, as are typical desserts such as seadas (cheese-filled pastries), pabassinas made with raisins, and pardulas, sweet pastries filled with cheese or ricotta. Local wines like Cannonau, Malvasia, and Vermentino complete the experience.
The tour of the Maddalena Archipelago is carried out with a very comfortable hybrid boat that can accommodate up to 12 guests, ensuring both privacy and safety. The hybrid boat is an eco-friendly vessel. Choosing a hybrid boat tour in Sardinia means experiencing the destination differently, in full harmony with nature.
The tour includes a professional skipper and a crew assistant, a wide selection of drinks, and a local aperitif with typical Sardinian products. Weather permitting, the aperitif will be served offshore near Porto della Madonna.
Yes. The captain takes a flexible approach and decides the best route based on the day’s weather conditions, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable experience.
La Maddalena Archipelago hybrid boat tour with aperitif – Eco-Friendly Experience
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Highlights:
Departure from Palau or La Maddalena
Small groups (max. 12 people)
Sail on a hybrid boat in full harmony with nature
Professional skipper and onboard assistant
Explore the La Maddalena Archipelago, swimming and snorkelling in the most beautiful bays
Onboard aperitif featuring traditional local products
The sailing tour revealed the hidden wonders of the Maddalena Archipelago. Each visited island was an earthly paradise, and the onboard lunch elevated the experience. The guide was friendly and full of knowledge.
Sailing Adventure Through Maddalena's Wonders
Oliver T.
The sailing adventure in the Maddalena Archipelago was memorable. The onboard lunch, featuring Sardinian specialties, enhanced our excursion, and the guide delighted us with fascinating tales of the islands.
Unique Sailing Experience Among Maddalena's Isles
Darren M.
Sailing through the Maddalena Archipelago on a sailing boat was a wonderful experience. Each island offered unique emotions, and the onboard lunch was exquisite. The guide provided detailed information about every visited place.
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With this tour you help protect the environment
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Exploring Maddalena's Jewels on a Sailing Boat
Sailing Adventure Through Maddalena's Wonders
Unique Sailing Experience Among Maddalena's Isles