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

Sardinia saves its best blues for boat days. This seven-hour cruise from Palau visits Spargi, Budelli, and Santa Maria, with time for sand, swimming, and photos. I especially like the long beach stops and the chance to see Cala Coticcio, known as Tahiti, on selected days. The crew also serves reasonably priced food aboard, which is useful when you are away from shore all day. The main drawback is simple: the boat can feel crowded, and the most popular beaches fill quickly.

At $59 per person, this is a strong-value way to see several islands in one day. You get a multilingual guide, swimming stops, public restrooms, and a full route through the national park without arranging separate ferries. I would choose it for a first look at La Maddalena, but I would not expect a quiet sailing trip or much time alone on the beaches.

The essential facts at a glance

• Two proper beach stops: You get about 90 minutes at Cala Corsara on Spargi and 75 minutes at Cala Santa Maria, enough for a swim and a walk without feeling rushed.
• Cala Coticcio depends on the day: Monday, Tuesday, and Friday usually include a boat swimming stop near Caprera. On Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday, the final stop is generally La Maddalena town.
• Budelli is a photo stop: You see Spiaggia Rosa and the natural pools of Porto della Madonna from the boat, not by walking onto the beach.
• Food is sold onboard: Pasta, mussels, sandwiches, drinks, and sometimes Nutella pancakes are available. Carry cash because card payments may fail at sea.
• Allow extra time in Palau: Check-in is at Maritime Station box 4 or 5 between 9:00 and 10:00 a.m., with departure at 10:30. Traffic and the walk from parking can take longer than expected.
• The group is sizable: Everyone should have a seat, but this is a public boat cruise rather than a small private charter.

Starting in Palau and getting aboard

Your morning begins inside the Maritime Station on Via Piazza del Molo in Palau. Check in at box 4 or 5 between 9:00 and 10:00 a.m., then make your way to the Navetta Sea Star for the 10:30 departure.

Do not cut this close. Palau can have heavy traffic, and walking from a parking area to the port may take around half an hour. One useful improvement would be clearer warning about that walk, especially if you arrive with children, beach bags, or elderly relatives.

The boat has public restrooms and indoor and outdoor areas, but space is limited once everyone is aboard. Some people prefer sitting near the front for the view. That can be pleasant in calm weather, though the front is more exposed to spray and wind. A light jacket or raincoat is sensible even on a sunny day.

The multilingual guide speaks English, French, Italian, and Spanish. Information is given over the boat’s sound system, though it may be difficult to hear at times, particularly when the engines are running or the deck is busy. I would treat the commentary as a useful extra rather than the main reason to book.

Spargi and Cala Corsara: the first proper beach stop

After less than 15 minutes of sailing, the boat reaches Spargi, one of the archipelago’s most appealing islands. The usual stop is Cala Corsara, where you get about an hour and a half to walk ashore, swim, or settle on the pale sand.

This is where the trip begins to feel worthwhile. The water is clear, the coves are framed by low rocky hills, and the setting has the clean, open look people hope for from northern Sardinia. You can also look for old military features around the bay, adding a little interest beyond sunbathing.

The timing is generous by boat-tour standards. Ninety minutes gives you enough room to swim and dry off without spending the whole stop watching the clock. Still, follow the crew’s return time closely. If you wander to a quieter part of the cove, remember how long it takes to walk back to the landing point.

Cala Corsara is not a secret corner of Sardinia. Several boats may arrive in the same area, and the beach can become busy quickly, particularly in July and August. The water and scenery remain beautiful, but you should not picture an empty beach from a postcard.

Budelli, Spiaggia Rosa, and the view from the water

Next comes Budelli, famous for Spiaggia Rosa, or Pink Beach, and the natural pools of Porto della Madonna. This is a photography stop from the boat, not a shore visit.

That distinction matters. You will not walk on Spiaggia Rosa, and the boat may pause offshore while other boats are nearby. The color of the beach can be subtle from a distance, but the surrounding water and rock formations still make this one of the most attractive sections of the cruise.

Have your camera ready before the boat arrives. You may also want sunglasses with a strap, since the glare off the water is strong. The guide provides information about the islands and their protected status, but the announcement can be hard to catch from every seat.

This part of the route is valuable because it lets you see protected areas that are not part of the ordinary beach schedule. It is also a reminder that the national park is not simply a collection of swimming spots. Some places are protected precisely because access is limited.

Santa Maria and the second beach break

Cala Santa Maria is usually the second shore stop, with about 75 minutes of free time. You can leave the boat by the dock and reach the broad beach without a difficult landing.

I like the change of pace here. Spargi feels more enclosed by its coves, while Santa Maria gives you a larger stretch of sand and room for a simple walk. If you want more than a swim, the old lighthouse is about one kilometer away. That walk may be too ambitious if you want plenty of time in the water, but it is a good option for anyone who gets restless on a beach.

The park authority can sometimes require a change. On Monday, Tuesday, and Friday, the Santa Maria beach stop may be replaced by Cala Garibaldi on Caprera. Weather, park rules, and sea conditions can alter the route, so do not judge the trip by an exact promise of one particular cove.

As at Spargi, timing is important. A 75-minute stop sounds generous until you include walking from the dock, swimming, drying off, and returning to the boat. I would be back at the meeting point several minutes early.

Choosing between Cala Coticcio and La Maddalena town

The tour follows two different patterns depending on the day you book.

On Monday, Tuesday, and Friday, the final highlight is usually Cala Coticcio on Caprera. The boat anchors near the bay for a swimming stop of about 30 minutes to one hour, depending on the running schedule and conditions. This is a swim from the boat, not a normal beach landing.

Cala Coticcio has earned the nickname Tahiti because of its exotic setting and clear water. It is described as a natural aquarium, so bring your own snorkeling mask if you have one. This is likely the best stop for watching fish and enjoying the water away from a normal beach.

Do not expect to stroll onto Cala Coticcio. The beach area is protected, and the experience is about swimming from the boat and looking into the water. A mask is much more useful here than a beach umbrella.

On Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday, the last stop is generally the historic center of La Maddalena instead. You get about an hour to walk through the streets, visit the Church of Santa Maria Maddalena, or shop.

The town visit gives the day a human finish after all the beaches and open water. You can also see Cala Francese’s old granite quarries, the Guardia Vecchia weather station, Villa Webber, where Benito Mussolini was imprisoned, and the old port of Cala Gavetta as the boat approaches.

Some people will prefer this final stop because it adds history and a chance to buy something cold or practical. Others will feel that an hour in town is not enough and would rather have another swim. If you want Cala Coticcio, choose your departure day carefully. If you want a town walk, avoid the three days assigned to the Caprera swimming route.

Food aboard the Sea Star

Food is not included, but you can buy lunch and snacks on the boat. Available choices have included pasta with tomato sauce, mussels, sandwiches, drinks, and Nutella pancakes. Several people found the food tasty and fairly priced, with pasta and mussels making a more useful lunch than a packet of chips.

The menu can vary, and earlier experiences were less enthusiastic about the food. I would not book this cruise for a gourmet meal. Think of the onboard kitchen as a practical way to avoid carrying a full picnic, with enough choice for a basic lunch.

Bring cash. Card payments may not work because of network problems during the cruise or on the islands. Cash is also needed for the landing fee, which is €5 per person from June through August and €2.50 in September.

You can bring snacks as well, especially if you have a particular diet or need food at a set time. The boat’s service is one of the better parts of the day, but it is still a mass-market excursion menu.

What the price really gets you

At $59 per person, the value is good if you want an efficient first visit to the archipelago. The price covers the boat cruise, guide, passenger insurance, restrooms, and several stops spread across a full day. Organizing the same route with separate public boats would be harder and might not provide the same views from the water.

You are paying for access and convenience, not privacy. The boat can be crowded, especially during peak summer. Everyone should have a seat, but you may not have much room to stretch out, and beaches can become crowded soon after the boat arrives.

That tradeoff is easy to understand. The Maddalena islands are popular because they are beautiful, so the best-known coves attract many boats. A smaller craft might offer a quieter day, but it would likely cost more and may not include such a wide route.

The overall rating of 4.4 from 2,414 reviews supports the same conclusion I reach from the details: this is a well-liked, practical sightseeing day with predictable compromises.

Weather, comfort, and who should skip it

The sea controls the schedule. Bad weather can cancel the cruise or lead to a changed route and substitute stops. Even in good weather, conditions may affect swimming at Cala Coticcio or the order of the islands.

Wear comfortable shoes for the docks and optional walks, plus swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, a sun hat, and sunglasses. A snorkeling mask is strongly worth packing for the Caprera stop. Keep your luggage small because oversized bags are not allowed.

This is not a good choice for wheelchair users or people with mobility impairments. It is also listed as unsuitable for pregnant women, although one pregnant customer was able to join after checking conditions with customer service. The safest approach is to ask before booking and consider the day’s sea forecast.

Arrive early and do not be late for boarding. A no-show or missed departure is not refundable. The tour allows free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance, which is helpful if your plans remain uncertain.

Is this La Maddalena boat tour worth booking?

Book it if you want the best-known islands in one affordable day, especially if you are staying in Palau and do not have time to plan several separate outings. The beach stops are long enough to be useful, Cala Coticcio is a memorable bonus on the right days, and the crew generally receives praise for being friendly and helpful.

Choose your date around your priority. Pick Monday, Tuesday, or Friday for the Caprera and Cala Coticcio swimming stop. Pick Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday, or Sunday if La Maddalena town matters more.

I would skip it if you dislike crowds, need a quiet small-boat atmosphere, or want long, unhurried time at one beach. For most first-time visitors, though, the Sea Star offers a sensible mix of turquoise water, island scenery, swimming, and local history at a fair price. Just arrive early, carry cash, bring a mask, and remember that paradise can have a queue.

FAQ

Where does the boat tour depart from?

Meet at the Maritime Station in Palau on Via Piazza del Molo. Check in at box 4 or 5 between 9:00 and 10:00 a.m. The boat departs at 10:30 a.m.

How long does the La Maddalena boat tour last?

The scheduled duration is seven hours, although the actual return time can vary with weather and the day’s route.

Is food included on the boat?

No. Food and drinks are available to buy onboard. Options can include pasta, mussels, sandwiches, drinks, and Nutella pancakes.

Do I need to pay any extra fees?

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

Does the tour visit Cala Coticcio every day?

No. On Monday, Tuesday, and Friday, the final stop is usually a swimming stop from the boat near Cala Coticcio on Caprera. On Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday, the final stop is generally the historic center of La Maddalena.

Can I walk on Spiaggia Rosa at Budelli?

No. Spiaggia Rosa and the natural pools of Porto della Madonna are viewed and photographed from the boat.