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

The best part of this boat trip is the chance to see several of Sardinia’s most famous islands in one day. You’ll swim from beautiful beaches at Spargi and Santa Maria, photograph Budelli’s pink beach from the water, and, on selected days, stop near Cala Coticcio, nicknamed Tahiti for its clear water and rocky coves.

I like the strong value at $59, especially since the boat covers a lot of ground and includes swimming stops, a multilingual guide, insurance, and restrooms. I also like the friendly crew and the option to buy pasta, mussels, sandwiches, drinks, and Nutella pancakes onboard. The tradeoff is space: this is a popular, fairly large boat, and beaches can feel crowded in July and August.

Key points to know before you book

• Two proper beach stops: You get about 90 minutes at Spargi and 75 minutes at Santa Maria, enough time to swim and settle into the sand.
• Budelli is a photo stop: You view Spiaggia Rosa and the Natural Pools of Porto della Madonna from the boat rather than walking ashore.
• The final stop changes by day: Monday, Tuesday, and Friday usually include swimming near Cala Coticcio on Caprera. Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday include time in La Maddalena town.
• Food is available onboard: Pasta, mussels, sandwiches, drinks, and crepes are sold, but bring cash because card payments can fail at sea.
• Expect a busy outing: The boat gives you a broad taste of the archipelago, not a quiet, private-island experience.
• Arrive early: Check in at box 4 or 5 inside Palau’s Maritime Station between 9:00 and 10:00 a.m. for the 10:30 departure.

Why this Palau boat trip works well

La Maddalena is an archipelago of small islands scattered between Sardinia and Corsica. The water is famous for its bright color, granite rocks, sheltered bays, and pale beaches. Seeing it by boat is the practical way to cover several islands in one day.

This trip lasts about seven hours and costs $59 per person. That is a solid price for a full day on the water, especially since a private boat would cost far more. You are paying for access and variety rather than personal space. The Sea Star carries enough people to make the trip affordable, but the deck may feel crowded during peak season.

The crew provides information in English, French, Italian, and Spanish. Guides Gabriele and Fabio have been singled out for their friendly manner and clear explanations on some departures. You should not expect a long historical lecture at every stop, and announcements can be hard to hear when the boat is full or the engines are running. Still, the guide helps you understand what you are seeing, from old granite quarries to military sites and former residences.

I would choose this outing if you have only one day for the archipelago and want a broad overview. If you prefer silence, empty coves, or long hours on one beach, a smaller boat will suit you better.

Getting to the Sea Star in Palau

The meeting point is inside the Maritime Station on Via Piazza del Molo in Palau. Check-in runs from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m., with departure at 10:30.

Give yourself plenty of time. Palau traffic can be heavy, and the walk from a parking area to the port may take up to half an hour. That matters more than it sounds. Arriving at the town early does not always mean you are safely at the check-in desk.

You must be on time for boarding. A late arrival or no-show means losing the right to a refund. The operator allows free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Sardinia plans are still shifting.

There is also a landing fee paid in cash: €5 per person from June through August, or €2.50 in September. Bring cash for this, for onboard purchases, and as a backup if card payments fail because of weak network coverage.

The trip is not suited to wheelchair users, people with mobility impairments, or pregnant women according to the stated conditions. The boat has public restrooms, but you should still expect steps, docks, and uneven beach access.

Spargi gives you the first real swim

After less than 15 minutes of sailing, the boat reaches Spargi. This is the first major stop and usually lasts about 90 minutes.

Spargi feels like the reward for getting up early. Cala Corsara has pale sand, clear water, and rocky headlands shaped by wind and sea. You can swim, sunbathe, or walk around the bay to look at its natural features and old historical remains.

This is a beach stop, not a guided walk. You decide how to spend the time. I would get off promptly, find a place for your towel, and swim before the beach fills with people from other boats. The water is the main attraction, so pack your mask and snorkel where you can reach them quickly.

The main drawback is timing. Ninety minutes sounds generous, but getting from the boat to shore, finding a spot, swimming, and returning to the dock takes some of it. Listen carefully for the pickup time. The crew is strict about leaving on schedule because the rest of the route depends on it.

Back onboard, you can buy lunch or snacks while the boat follows Spargi’s eastern coast. The route passes coves that are difficult to reach by land, giving you a good sense of why a boat is the right tool here.

Budelli and the famous Spiaggia Rosa

Budelli is a viewing stop rather than a landing. The boat pauses so you can photograph Spiaggia Rosa, the celebrated pink beach, and the Natural Pools of Porto della Madonna.

Do not expect to walk onto the pink sand. The beach is viewed from the water, and the stop is built around photography and scenery. The pools nearby are known for their emerald-colored water and sheltered position among the islands.

This is one of those moments when your camera matters, but so does simply looking up from it. The boat gives you a wide view of the coast, and the guide points out features along the route. If you want the best photos, keep your phone or camera ready before the boat slows down.

Conditions affect the experience. The water may be calm and clear, or the boat may need to alter its route in poor weather. The operator can cancel or change the itinerary during rough conditions, with an alternative route or stop offered when possible.

Santa Maria is the second beach stop

The next landing is Cala Santa Maria on the island of Santa Maria. You have about 75 minutes here, with access from a dock to a broad beach.

I like the change of pace. Spargi gives you a scenic bay, while Santa Maria provides more room to stretch out and enjoy a straightforward beach break. You can swim, sit in the sand, or walk about one kilometer to the old lighthouse if you are willing to spend much of the stop on foot.

The lighthouse walk is best for people who want movement rather than maximum beach time. If your priority is swimming, remain near the shore. If you walk to the lighthouse, watch the clock carefully and return to the dock well before the stated departure.

Monday departures may differ. Because of National Park rules, the Santa Maria beach stop can be replaced by Cala Garibaldi on Caprera. This is worth checking before you book if one particular beach is the reason you are choosing the trip.

As at Spargi, crowds are part of the deal. In high summer, several boats may arrive close together, and a quiet beach can become busy in minutes. The natural setting remains beautiful, but do not picture a private cove.

Choose between Cala Coticcio and La Maddalena town

The final part of the day changes according to the departure date. This is the most important detail to understand before booking.

Monday, Tuesday, and Friday: Cala Coticcio

On these days, the boat heads toward Caprera for a final water stop near Cala Coticcio. The swimming time is listed as about 30 minutes in the schedule, while the fuller description allows up to an hour depending on the day and conditions. In practice, treat it as a swimming stop from the boat rather than a beach landing.

Cala Coticcio is often called Tahiti because of its tropical appearance. The cove has clear water, granite rocks, and the feel of a natural aquarium. Bring your own snorkeling gear if you have it. This is the best part of the outing for seeing fish from the boat and swimming in open water.

There is an important limitation: you may not be able to see the cove clearly from the deck if many boats are gathered in front of it. The experience is still about swimming in the area, not exploring the beach itself.

Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday: La Maddalena town

On these days, the final stop is the historic center of La Maddalena. You can walk its characteristic streets, visit the church of Santa Maria Maddalena, shop, or simply explore around the port.

The boat passes several points before reaching town, including the old granite quarries at Cala Francese, the Guardia Vecchia weather station, Villa Webber, where Benito Mussolini was imprisoned, and the historic port of Cala Gavetta. The route also gives you views of Santo Stefano, a former NATO base, Napoleon’s fort, and sites connected with the G8 works.

This option adds culture and a change from beaches. It also divides opinion. If you want every possible minute in the water, you may find town time less useful. If you have not visited La Maddalena before, the stop gives you a taste of the island’s streets and history without requiring a separate ferry trip.

Food, seating, and life aboard

Food and drinks are not included, but the boat sells them. Available choices have included pasta with tomato sauce, mussels, sandwiches, caprese salad, drinks, and Nutella pancakes. Prices have generally been considered reasonable, and the food is more useful than fancy.

I would order early if you want lunch. The crew may announce what the kitchen is preparing, but popular items can run out or become harder to order when everyone is hungry. Bring snacks of your own if you have dietary needs or want to avoid relying on the onboard menu.

Cash is the safest option. Some departures have had trouble processing electronic payments, and food has not always been payable by card. A credit card is still worth carrying, but do not make it your only payment method.

You will have a seat, though not necessarily a spacious one. Summer departures can feel packed, with people sharing the deck and moving around during the scenic sections. The front of the boat may offer better views, but it can also be wetter and more exposed. A light rain jacket is sensible if you sit forward.

Smoking on deck has bothered some passengers, so consider where you sit if smoke affects your enjoyment. Diesel fumes have also been noticeable on a few departures. These are not guaranteed problems, but they are fair considerations when comparing a large public boat with a smaller private charter.

How to get the most from the day

Wear comfortable shoes for docks, beach paths, and the optional lighthouse walk. Pack swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat. A waterproof bag will protect your phone and camera during boat swimming stops.

Keep your snorkeling mask near you rather than buried in a day bag. The Cala Coticcio stop can be brief, and you will not want to waste time searching for equipment.

Bring a small bag only. Oversize luggage is not allowed, and there is no reason to carry more than beach essentials. A dry change of clothes can make the return ride more pleasant.

Pay attention to every departure announcement. The most common avoidable mistake is wandering too far from the dock or beach and missing the boarding time. The boat cannot wait without disrupting the entire route.

The full day may not always use every advertised minute. Weather, sea conditions, port traffic, and the pace of boarding can shorten or alter the schedule. One departure returned about an hour early, while others took longer between stops. Keep your evening plans flexible.

Is $59 a fair price?

Yes, if your goal is variety. For $59, you get a seven-hour cruise, at least two beach stops, a Budelli photo stop, a multilingual guide, onboard restrooms, insurance, and either Caprera swimming or La Maddalena town. The price makes this a practical way to see a large part of the archipelago without arranging several separate trips.

The price is less attractive if you want privacy. The boat can be crowded, the beaches can be crowded, and the time at each stop is fixed. A smaller boat may cost more but give you quieter coves and more control over the route.

The food is an added convenience rather than a reason to book. Some passengers have enjoyed the pasta and pancakes, while others have found the meal basic. Bring your own snacks if lunch matters to you, and remember that the landing fee is extra.

Should you book this La Maddalena boat trip?

Book it if you have one free day in Palau and want to see the archipelago’s major sights with minimal planning. It suits couples, families, and first-time visitors who value beautiful water and several stops more than a private atmosphere.

Choose Monday, Tuesday, or Friday if swimming near Cala Coticcio is your priority. Choose Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday, or Sunday if you would rather include La Maddalena town and its historic port.

Skip it if you dislike crowds, need full accessibility, or want a quiet boat with long, unhurried beach time. For everyone else, this is a good-value introduction to one of Sardinia’s most striking coastal areas. Arrive early, bring cash, pack a mask, and treat the timetable seriously. Those small choices will make the day much easier.

FAQ

Where does the boat tour depart from?

The meeting point is inside 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 tour last?

The scheduled duration is seven hours. The actual return can vary with weather, sea conditions, boarding times, and route changes.

Does the tour stop at Cala Coticcio every day?

No. Monday, Tuesday, and Friday departures usually include a swim from the boat near Cala Coticcio on Caprera. Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday departures finish with a visit to La Maddalena’s historic center.

Can I walk on Spiaggia Rosa at Budelli?

No. Budelli is a photo stop from the boat. You view Spiaggia Rosa and the Natural Pools of Porto della Madonna from the water.

Is food available during the cruise?

Yes. Food and drinks are available to buy onboard. Options have included pasta, mussels, sandwiches, caprese salad, drinks, and Nutella pancakes. Food is not included in the tour price.

What extra costs should I expect?

You must pay a landing fee in cash, €5 per person from June through August or €2.50 in September. Food and drinks are also extra.