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

The best part of this day is the water. From Santa Teresa Gallura, you cruise through the La Maddalena Archipelago to beaches with startlingly clear blue-green water, then stop long enough to swim and enjoy the shore. I especially like the two 1.5-hour beach stops and the simple seafood pasta cooked onboard. Those details turn a sightseeing cruise into a full day by the sea.

I also like that the route includes both natural scenery and a short stop in La Maddalena’s historic center. The main caution is crowding. In July and August, the boat and beaches can be busy, and the town visit may feel short once you walk from the dock.

Key points at a glance

• Two proper swimming stops: Spend about 1.5 hours at Santa Maria and another 1.5 hours at Spargi.
• Pink Beach from the water: See Budelli’s famous beach, closed to visitors since 1992.
• Lunch cooked onboard: Choose seafood pennette or plain pasta with oil and Parmesan.
• A full eight-hour outing: Leave Santa Teresa in the morning and return around 5:00 PM.
• Popular rather than private: Three motorboats serve the route, so expect a shared excursion with many passengers.
• Bring cash: The municipal landing fee is €2.50 in May, September, and October, and €5 in June, July, and August.

What this boat trip is really like

This is a classic northern Sardinia boat day, not a private sailing trip or a quiet expedition. The Consorzio delle Bocche operates three motorboats, giving you a practical way to cover several islands in one outing without arranging separate ferries, beach transfers, and lunch.

The boats have restrooms and front walkways leading directly to the beaches. That matters because you do not need to swim from the boat to shore. All stops use piers and walkways, and jumping from the boat is not allowed.

The experience works best if you want variety. You get open-water views, two beach visits, a look at one of Sardinia’s most protected coastal areas, lunch at sea, and time in La Maddalena town. You give up privacy and flexibility in return.

The marine park covers about 20,000 hectares and includes seven main islands: La Maddalena, Caprera, Budelli, Santo Stefano, Santa Maria, Spargi, and Razzoli. You will not visit every island, but the route gives you a useful taste of the archipelago’s shorelines and protected waters.

Starting at Santa Teresa Gallura

The meeting point is near the Coast Guard office and the Cafe La Marina bar in Santa Teresa Gallura. Check-in takes place at the port, and the stated meeting window is 8:00 to 8:15 AM. You should arrive 60 minutes before the activity starts, especially in the summer season.

There is a practical reason for arriving early. You must pay the landing fee before boarding, and it is accepted only in cash. The charge is €5 per person in June, July, and August, or €2.50 in May, September, and October. Credit cards are not accepted for this fee.

Booking online does not give you skip-the-line treatment at check-in. Everyone with a reservation still checks in at the port, so arriving early is the sensible move. If you are traveling with friends or several families, make one reservation if possible. Separate bookings do not guarantee that everyone will board the same boat.

Parking is about 200 meters from the boats. You can pay at the meter with coins or a credit card, or use the Easy Park app. The parking meter does not accept banknotes, so sort out parking before you hurry to the port.

Cruising toward Santa Maria

The first major beach stop is Santa Maria, one of the islands in the archipelago. The boat uses a dock and walkway, so you can step ashore rather than swim in from the vessel. You have about 1.5 hours here, enough time to swim, sit on the beach, and take in the pale sand and clear water.

This is one of the strongest parts of the itinerary because the stop is long enough to feel like a real beach visit. You are not simply taking a quick photograph from the deck. Pack swimwear and a towel, and bring sunglasses because there is little reason to stay indoors once the boat reaches the shore.

The water is the star attraction. Its clarity makes these stops particularly appealing for a relaxed swim. The beaches are also popular with other boats, especially during the high season, so do not expect a private cove.

Lunch is served onboard, generally after the first beach stop. The standard dish is pennette with seafood, while plain pasta with oil and Parmesan is available as the simpler option. The seafood pasta has received plenty of praise for its generous portions and good flavor, though some meals have been described as modest or lacking much seafood.

I would treat lunch as a useful included meal, not as a restaurant experience. It saves you from packing a full picnic and fits the easygoing nature of the day. If you have a large appetite, a dietary concern, or children who snack often, bring extra food. Drinks are not included, and you can buy them onboard.

Seeing Budelli’s Pink Beach

The boat also passes close to Pink Beach on Budelli. This is one of the archipelago’s best-known sights, but you need to understand what the stop means. Pink Beach has been closed since 1992 to protect its delicate sand and shoreline, so you view it from the boat rather than walk across it.

The beach became a symbol of the national park and was featured in Michelangelo Antonioni’s film Red Desert. The color comes from natural material mixed into the sand, but the important practical point is that this is a protected place, not another swimming stop.

This short look is valuable because it adds context to the cruise. You are seeing not only beautiful water and beaches, but also an area where access has been restricted to protect the coast. Keep your camera ready, but do not expect a long stop ashore.

The second swim at Spargi

Spargi is usually the other major beach stop, and many people consider it the highlight. You again have about 1.5 hours, giving you time to swim and enjoy the shore without constantly watching the clock.

The water around Spargi is exceptionally clear, and the setting feels more remote than a normal beach reached by road. That said, the same quality draws many boats. In August, the beach can be crowded enough to change the mood from secluded escape to busy shared excursion.

The crew cannot control how many other boats use the beach, so this is a trade-off built into the route. You get access to a beautiful place that is difficult to reach independently, but you share it with many other people.

One unusual detail noted during the trip is the possibility of seeing wild boars near the beach. Treat them as wildlife, keep your distance, and do not feed them. The sighting is not guaranteed, but it is a reminder that these islands are more than swimming stops.

A short walk through La Maddalena town

The itinerary includes about one hour in the center of La Maddalena. This gives you a change of pace after the beach stops. Instead of sun, salt, and boat movement, you get a chance to walk around the port area, see some of the town, and stop for a coffee or ice cream.

The time is useful but tight. After everyone leaves the boat and walks toward the streets, your free time may shrink to roughly 45 minutes. That is enough for a quick stroll and refreshment, but not enough for a leisurely town visit or serious shopping.

I would keep your plans simple here. Get off the boat promptly, stay near the port, and do not count on seeing every corner of the town. The stop works as a pleasant break, not as a full cultural tour.

The audio service is available in Italian, English, and French. It can be harder to hear inside the boat when the motor is running, so sitting outside or near a speaker may help. The recorded commentary adds useful background, but the views are likely to be more memorable than the narration.

Boat comfort, space, and sea conditions

The boats are equipped with toilets, which is important on an eight-hour outing. The front walkway also makes beach access easier. You can remain onboard between stops, sit outside for views, or use the indoor areas when the sun becomes too strong.

Space is the main variable. Some days feel orderly and comfortable, while peak summer departures can feel crowded. A few passengers have found themselves without a seat for much of the day, while others found the boat busy but manageable.

If having a guaranteed personal seat matters to you, this may not be the right format. If you are happy to move around, share space, and spend much of the day outdoors, the crowding is easier to accept.

The sea is not always calm. Rougher conditions can make the eight-hour day tiring, especially for children or anyone prone to motion sickness. The crew adjusts to weather and sea conditions, but you should still consider bringing whatever motion-sickness remedy you normally use. No special remedy is included, so this is something to plan yourself.

Small pets are allowed onboard except in August. They cannot go onto the beach at any time. If you are bringing a pet, this restriction matters because the beach stops are a major part of the outing.

Is $65 good value?

At $65 per person, this is a reasonable price for a full day on the water. The fare includes the round-trip boat ticket, passenger liability insurance, multilingual audio service, two substantial beach stops, the La Maddalena town visit, and lunch.

You also avoid the cost and effort of arranging transport between islands. The boat covers a large area in one day, and the beach access is built into the route. For someone staying in Santa Teresa who wants a straightforward introduction to the archipelago, that convenience carries real value.

The extra cost is modest but easy to miss. Add the landing fee in cash, which is €5 per person in the main summer months. Drinks, towels, and beach umbrellas are also extra. The meal is included, but you may want snacks if you prefer more food than a single pasta dish.

This is good value for a shared boat excursion. It is not good value if you are expecting a private boat, quiet beaches, or a flexible timetable. You are paying for access, transport, and a well-planned route rather than exclusivity.

Who should book this experience?

I would recommend it to first-time visitors who want to see several famous parts of La Maddalena in one day. It suits couples, families, and groups who like swimming but also want a little town time and a meal without organizing everything themselves.

It is particularly useful if you have only a short stay in northern Sardinia. Instead of choosing one beach, you see Santa Maria, Spargi, Pink Beach from the water, and La Maddalena town in a single outing.

Families should think about the length of the day and the sea conditions. Eight hours can feel long for young children, especially if the water is rough. The toilets and walkways help, but the boat schedule does not offer much flexibility.

I would skip it if your ideal day means a quiet beach, a private captain, or plenty of time in town. You may prefer a smaller private charter or a slower beach-focused trip. Those options would likely cost more, but they would give you more control.

What to bring and how to make the day better

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunglasses, and cash. I would also pack sunscreen, a refillable water bottle, and a few snacks, since drinks and extra food are not included.

Wear shoes that are easy to remove and carry. The beaches are reached by walkways from the docks, but you still want simple footwear for moving between boat, pier, and sand.

Keep your cash separate from your phone and cards. You need it for the landing fee, and you may want it for drinks or parking. If you use Easy Park, set up the app before arriving at the port.

For the best chance of finding a comfortable place onboard, arrive early and complete check-in without delay. Sitting outside should give you better views, but an indoor seat may be welcome during the hottest part of the afternoon.

Should you book the La Maddalena boat tour?

Book it if you want a practical, well-priced introduction to the archipelago with two real swimming stops, a cooked lunch, and a short look at La Maddalena town. The clear water, protected coastline, and access to beaches that are difficult to reach by land make the day worthwhile.

Go in with realistic expectations. This is a popular shared boat tour, not a private escape. Summer crowds, a short town stop, occasional rough water, and a basic lunch are all part of the package.

For $65, plus the small cash landing fee, I think it is a strong choice for a first visit. Arrive early, bring snacks and cash, and choose it for the scenery and swimming rather than solitude.

FAQ

How long is the La Maddalena boat tour?

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

Where does the tour meet?

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

What time should I arrive?

The stated meeting window is 8:00 to 8:15 AM, and you should arrive 60 minutes before the activity begins.

Is the landing fee included?

No. The fee must be paid in cash before boarding. It 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 credit card?

No. The landing fee is accepted only in cash.

Which beaches does the boat visit?

The boat stops at Santa Maria and Spargi. Each swimming stop lasts about 1.5 hours and is reached through a walkway from the dock.

Can I walk on Pink Beach?

No. Pink Beach has been closed since 1992. You see it from the boat.

What lunch is included?

Lunch is a first course cooked onboard. The choices are pennette with seafood or plain pasta with oil and Parmesan cheese.

Are drinks included?

No. Drinks are not included, but they can be purchased onboard.

Are pets allowed?

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