From Santa Teresa Gallura: La Maddalena Full-Day Boat Tour

The best part of this boat trip is the chance to see several protected islands in one day without arranging separate ferries, taxis, or beach transfers. You’ll cruise through the La Maddalena Archipelago National Park, swim from dockside walkways at Santa Maria and Spargi, and get close to the famous Pink Beach, which has been closed since 1992. The water is exceptionally clear, and the scenery is the real star.

I like the simple seafood pasta cooked onboard, and I like the generous beach stops, which last about 1.5 hours each. The crew is generally friendly and the boats are clean, with toilets onboard. The main drawback is the format: this is a popular shared excursion, not a quiet private cruise. In August, you may have trouble finding a seat, and the beaches can be crowded.

Key points to know before you book

• Three main stops: Swim at Santa Maria and Spargi, then walk around La Maddalena town.
• Pink Beach viewing: You can see this protected beach from the boat, but you cannot land there.
• Lunch onboard: Expect pennette with seafood, or plain pasta with oil and Parmesan.
• Bring cash: The municipal landing fee is €2.50 in May, September, and October, and €5 in June, July, and August.
• Allow time for check-in: Arrive about 60 minutes before departure at the port desk near the Coast Guard office and Cafe La Marina.
• Good value at $65: The price covers transport, insurance, multilingual audio service, and lunch, but not drinks, towels, umbrellas, or the landing fee.

Why this archipelago boat trip is worth considering

La Maddalena is a group of islands scattered off Sardinia’s northeastern coast. The protected marine area covers about 20,000 hectares and includes seven main islands: La Maddalena, Caprera, Budelli, Santo Stefano, Santa Maria, Spargi, and Razzoli.

A boat is the sensible way to see this part of Sardinia. Roads can take you only so far, while the best coves and beaches are reached from the water. This trip gives you a broad view of the area in eight hours, with enough time to swim, eat, and walk ashore without turning the day into a complicated transport project.

I especially like that the tour mixes three types of sightseeing. You get open-water views and island scenery from the boat, proper beach time at two stops, and a short visit to a town with cafes and shops. That balance works well if you want more than a single beach but do not want to plan an island-hopping day yourself.

The tradeoff is that you share the boat with a substantial number of other people. This is a practical sightseeing cruise, not a private sailing trip. The experience is best if you care more about seeing the archipelago and swimming in clear water than about having space and silence.

Starting at Santa Teresa Gallura port

The check-in desk is near the Coast Guard office and Cafe La Marina bar. You are asked to arrive 60 minutes before the activity, while the morning meeting information gives an 8:00 to 8:15 check-in window. Give yourself time to find the correct desk, pay the landing fee, and get through boarding.

The €5 summer fee is easy to miss because it is separate from the advertised price. It applies in June, July, and August. In May, September, and October, the fee is €2.50 per person. Bring the exact amount if possible. The fee must be paid in cash, and credit cards are not accepted.

An online reservation does not mean you can walk straight onto the boat. You still join the check-in line, so arriving late is a poor gamble. If you are traveling with friends or several families, make one reservation if you want to ride together. Separate bookings do not guarantee placement on the same boat.

Parking is about 200 meters from the boats. The parking meter accepts coins or credit cards, and you can also use the EasyPark app. It does not accept banknotes.

The boat ride across the protected waters

The Consorzio delle Bocche operates three motorboats for this outing. Each boat has toilets, and a front walkway leads directly to the beach access points. That last detail matters: you are not expected to leap from the side of the boat into the sea.

The cruise itself is part of the attraction. As the boat moves among the islands, you get wide views of rocky shores, pale sand, and coves that are difficult to reach from land. On calmer days, the ride is smooth and easy. Rougher conditions are possible, and one family found the sea tiring for children during their long day.

The multilingual audio service is offered in Italian, English, and French. It can be difficult to hear from inside the boat when the engine is running, so sit where you can hear the announcements if the island explanations matter to you. The scenery remains easy to enjoy even if you miss a few words.

The boat may feel crowded in the busiest summer weeks. Several people found the trip well organized but noted limited seating, especially in August. If you want a good seat, arrive on time and expect the boat to be designed for a full passenger load rather than personal space.

Santa Maria: the first long swimming stop

Santa Maria is one of the two main beach stops. The boat uses a walkway from the dock, so you can reach the sand without getting wet before you choose to swim. You have about 1.5 hours here, which gives you time to walk a little, settle on the beach, and swim in the clear water.

This is the kind of stop where you should keep your plans simple. You will not need a long sightseeing list. Bring your towel, sunglasses, and swimwear, then use the time for the water and views.

The beach is not private. Other boats may be stopping in the same area, particularly in July and August. The sand and water remain beautiful, but you should not expect an empty cove simply because it is reached by boat.

Lunch is served after the first beach stop, according to the timing described by the operator and several guests. The main option is pennette ai frutti di mare, pasta with seafood. A plain version with oil and Parmesan is available for those who do not want seafood.

Lunch cooked onboard

The meal is modest, but it adds real value to the day. You are not stopping to search for a restaurant, and you can eat while the boat continues its route. The seafood pasta has included ingredients such as prawns and crab legs, and some passengers found the portion generous enough for seconds.

Expect a simple boat lunch, not a restaurant meal. Several people enjoyed the pasta and praised the cook, while others found the quality average or the portion small. The plain pasta is useful for children and picky eaters, but bring a snack if you know you need more food.

Drinks are not included. You can buy them onboard, and cash is a good idea. Towels, beach umbrellas, and other personal beach items are also your responsibility.

The lunch works best as a pleasant extra rather than the reason to book. The islands and swimming stops justify the trip. The meal makes the price easier to accept and saves you from carrying a full picnic.

Spargi: the prettiest swimming stop

Spargi is often the visual high point of the route. The island has striking coves and clear water, and the boat reaches the beach by its dockside walkway. You again get about 1.5 hours for swimming and beach time.

Bring your water shoes if you normally prefer them on rocky or uneven shorelines, though the tour information specifically confirms beach access by walkway. You cannot jump from the boat, so all swimming begins after you reach the beach.

Spargi can be crowded. The same qualities that make it beautiful also draw many boats, especially in peak summer. If you want a quiet beach day, this may frustrate you. If you want to see one of the archipelago’s most scenic stops without arranging a private boat, the visit is still worthwhile.

One memorable possibility is seeing wild boars near the beach, as happened during one September trip. That is not a promised part of the itinerary, but it shows how close you may feel to the islands’ natural side. Keep your belongings and food secure, and do not approach wildlife.

The Pink Beach from the water

Budelli’s Pink Beach is one of the symbols of the archipelago. Its unusual color comes from natural material mixed with the sand, and the site became widely known after appearing in Michelangelo Antonioni’s film Red Desert.

The beach has been closed since 1992 to protect it. You view it from the boat rather than walking ashore, swimming there, or collecting sand. This is an important distinction if you are picturing a normal beach stop.

The close-up view is still worthwhile because it shows how the national park protects its most fragile places. You get the photograph and the setting without adding pressure to the beach itself. Keep your expectations realistic: this is a sightseeing pass, not a Pink Beach visit on foot.

La Maddalena town: useful, but short

The tour includes a stop in the historic center of La Maddalena, usually described as about one hour. It gives you time to leave the boat, walk near the port, and buy a coffee or ice cream.

An hour sounds comfortable on paper, but boarding and disembarking take part of it. Some people found they had only about 45 minutes to reach the cobbled streets and return. I would treat this as a quick pause, not a full town tour.

The stop suits you if you want a change from the beach and a chance to stretch your legs. It is also useful for a short cafe visit. If your priority is shopping, museums, or a long meal, you will likely find the time tight.

The order and exact timing can shift with sea conditions and the day’s operation. The listed return to Santa Teresa Gallura is around 5:00 PM, giving you a full day on the water.

What the $65 price really covers

At $65 per person, this is strong value if you would otherwise pay separately for transport, beach access, and lunch. The roundtrip boat ticket, passenger liability insurance, multilingual audio service, and first course are included.

The price does not cover the municipal landing fee, drinks, towels, or a beach umbrella. Add the cash fee to your mental total, especially in the high season. Even with that extra cost, you are paying for access to several islands and two substantial swimming stops in one day.

The value is less convincing if you dislike group excursions. A private boat would offer more control, but this tour gives you a far lower-cost way to see a wide stretch of the archipelago. For a couple, family, or first visit to northern Sardinia, that tradeoff is reasonable.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the activity, and you can reserve without paying immediately. Check the conditions attached to your booking before relying on either option.

Who will enjoy this day most

I would choose this trip for you if you want clear water, several island views, a prepared lunch, and an easy all-day schedule. It suits first-time visitors who want an overview of La Maddalena without renting a boat.

Families can enjoy the beach stops, but eight hours is a long day for young children, particularly if the sea is rough. Small pets are allowed onboard except in August, but pets cannot go onto the beaches.

You should think twice if you need a quiet boat, a long visit in La Maddalena town, or a private stretch of sand. You also need to be comfortable with boarding from a busy port, walking along the beach access points, and spending much of the day around other passengers.

Pack swimwear, a towel, sunglasses, and cash. Keep your phone protected from spray, and bring a snack if the included pasta may not be enough. The boat has toilets, which makes the long schedule easier.

Should you book the La Maddalena boat tour?

Book it if you want a practical, good-value introduction to the archipelago. The two beach stops, clear water, Pink Beach viewpoint, and cooked lunch give the day plenty of substance. The crew is generally described as friendly, punctual, and attentive to sea conditions.

Skip it if you are searching for solitude or a leisurely town visit. Peak-season crowds are part of the deal, and seating can be limited. For most visitors based in Santa Teresa Gallura, though, this is an efficient way to spend one full day seeing the islands from the water.

FAQ

How long is the La Maddalena boat tour?

The tour lasts about eight hours and returns to Santa Teresa Gallura around 5:00 PM.

Where do I check in?

The check-in desk is near the Coast Guard office and Cafe La Marina bar at the port in Santa Teresa Gallura.

How early should I arrive?

Arrive about 60 minutes before the activity begins. The morning meeting information gives an 8:00 to 8:15 AM window.

How much is the landing fee?

The fee is €2.50 per person in May, September, and October, and €5 per person in June, July, and August.

Can I pay the landing fee by card?

No. The landing fee must be paid in cash before boarding. Credit cards are not accepted for this payment.

What food is included?

Lunch includes pennette with seafood cooked onboard, or plain pasta with oil and Parmesan cheese.

Can I bring a pet?

Small pets are allowed onboard except in August. Pets are not allowed on the beaches.

Can I jump from the boat into the water?

No. The swimming stops are reached through walkways from the docks, and jumping from the boat is not permitted.