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

The best part of this boat trip is the setting: within minutes of leaving Palau, you are moving through clear water and granite islands that look made for swimming. Spargi and Santa Maria give you real beach time, while Budelli and its famous pink beach are seen from the boat. I especially like the 90-minute stop at Cala Corsara and the chance to order pasta, mussels, sandwiches, or Nutella pancakes aboard.

I also like the multilingual guide service and the choice of final stop. On Monday, Tuesday, and Friday, you may swim from the boat near Cala Coticcio, known as Tahiti. On Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday, you visit La Maddalena town instead. The trade-off is size: the Sea Star can feel crowded, and popular beaches fill quickly with other boats.

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 for a swim and a little exploring.
• Budelli is a photo stop: You see Spiaggia Rosa and Porto della Madonna from the boat, not by walking onto the beach.
• The final stop changes by day: Pick your date carefully if Cala Coticcio or La Maddalena town matters to you.
• Food is available aboard: Pasta, mussels, sandwiches, drinks, and crepes can be purchased, but bring cash in case card payments fail.
• Expect a full boat in summer: Everyone gets a seat, but space can be tight and beaches may be crowded.
• The price is strong for a full day: At $59 per person, the cruise covers several islands, swimming stops, a guide, toilets, and passenger insurance.

Why this archipelago cruise works so well

La Maddalena National Park is best understood from the water. The islands are scattered across the strait between northern Sardinia and Corsica, and a boat lets you see coves, granite headlands, old military sites, and beaches in one long day.

From Palau, the Sea Star heads quickly toward Spargi. The first views set the tone: pale sand, low rocky shores, and water that shifts from clear green near the beach to deep blue farther out. You spend about 90 minutes at Cala Corsara, one of the most rewarding parts of the day.

At Spargi, you can swim, sunbathe, or walk around the bay. The stop is long enough to feel like a beach visit rather than a quick photo break. You can also look for the unusual rock shapes and historic features around Cala Corsara, though the main attraction is the water.

I would bring shoes that are easy to walk in, not just flip-flops. You need to get off the boat and move around the beach, and comfortable footwear also helps during the short walks near the coves.

Spargi and Cala Corsara: your first real swim

The first stop arrives in less than 15 minutes of navigation, which is useful if you are eager to get in the water. You are not spending the first hour simply waiting for the scenery to begin.

Cala Corsara is also a good place to test your pace for the day. You can settle on the beach, swim, take photos, or explore nearby rocks. Since the return time is fixed, keep an eye on the clock. Several stops follow, and the boat cannot hold the schedule for late arrivals.

In summer, the calm feel of the bay can change quickly when other boats arrive. The beach is beautiful, but it is not a private cove reserved for this tour. If you want empty sand and solitude, a smaller boat would be a better fit, usually at a higher price.

Budelli and Spiaggia Rosa from the water

After Spargi, the boat cruises along the eastern coast and heads toward Budelli. Here, the point is not to land. The boat pauses so you can photograph Spiaggia Rosa, the famous pink-sand beach, and the natural pools of Porto della Madonna.

This restriction matters. Spiaggia Rosa is protected, so you should not expect to walk on the sand or swim at the beach itself. The view from the boat is still worthwhile, especially when the water is calm and the colors show clearly.

The natural pools are one of the most striking sections of the route. The sea is enclosed by small islands and rocky outcrops, creating sheltered water with changing shades of green and blue. Keep your camera ready, but do not spend the whole time looking through it. The view is better when you take a moment to watch the boat move through the narrow channels.

The guide provides information in English, French, Italian, and Spanish. On some trips, guides such as Gabriele and Fabio have been singled out for clear explanations and good spotting of dolphins. The volume of the onboard announcements can vary, so sitting near the guide or listening carefully is sensible if the island stories matter to you.

Santa Maria gives you another beach hour

The second beach stop is Cala Santa Maria, usually for about 75 minutes. You can leave by the dock and walk to the broad beach, which makes this stop easier than a swim directly from the boat.

The beach is a good contrast with Spargi. It gives you another chance to swim and dry off, but you can also take a walk toward the old lighthouse, about one kilometer away. That walk will use much of your free time, so choose between exploring and a relaxed beach stop rather than trying to do everything.

The schedule is generous by boat-tour standards, though some people would prefer more time at each beach. I think the timing is a fair compromise because the day includes long stretches of cruising and several separate islands.

There is one important Monday change. National Park rules may mean that Santa Maria is replaced by Cala Garibaldi on Caprera. If Santa Maria is the reason you booked, check the operating details for your chosen date.

Choose your final stop carefully

The date you select changes the shape of the afternoon. On Monday, Tuesday, and Friday, the final highlight is a swim from the boat near Cala Coticcio on Caprera. On Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday, the boat visits the historic center of La Maddalena instead.

Cala Coticcio and the Tahiti swim

Cala Coticcio is often called Tahiti because of its exotic appearance. The boat remains offshore, and you swim from the back of the vessel rather than walking onto the beach.

This is the best date choice for you if the main goal is time in the water. Bring your own mask if possible. The bay is described as a natural aquarium, and snorkeling lets you see more than you can from the deck.

The stop is listed at about 30 minutes for swimming in one itinerary description, while the wider schedule allows up to an hour for Cala Coticcio. In practice, the exact time can depend on the day’s route and conditions. Do not treat it like a long beach visit. It is an open-water stop, so it suits confident swimmers more than anyone who needs easy access to shore.

On rough-weather days, the captain may change the route or replace a stop. That is a sensible safety decision, but it means Cala Coticcio is not guaranteed.

La Maddalena town

On the other operating days, the final stop is in La Maddalena’s historic center. You can walk along the characteristic streets, visit the Church of Santa Maria Maddalena, shop, or have a short look around the harbor area.

The route toward town adds several interesting sights. You pass 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.

This option suits you if you want more than beaches. It also gives your legs a break from swimming and lets you see a lived-in Sardinian town rather than only protected coves. The drawback is that some people would rather use the time for another swim, especially after spending much of the day on the boat.

The return route adds military history and coastal views

The cruise back to Palau is not dead time. Depending on the route, you can see Santo Stefano, the former NATO base, Napoleon’s fort, and works connected with the G8 meeting.

These sights are viewed from the boat, so do not expect guided visits or time ashore. Still, they help explain why this small island chain has mattered for trade, defense, military planning, and modern politics.

The trip is as much about moving through the archipelago as it is about the beach stops. Around three hours of a six-and-a-half to seven-hour day may be spent cruising, depending on conditions and the exact route. If you enjoy scenery and photography, that time feels useful. If you want constant swimming, the day may seem slow.

Food aboard the Sea Star

Food and drinks are not included, but you can buy them aboard. The menu may include pasta with tomato sauce, mussels, sandwiches, salads such as caprese, several drinks, and crepes or Nutella pancakes.

The onboard meal is convenient because you do not need to leave the boat during the cruising sections. It also means you can eat while watching the islands pass rather than losing beach time in search of a café.

Bring snacks if you have specific dietary needs or want more choice. The food has been praised as tasty and reasonably priced on some sailings, while other experiences found it basic. Take cash. Network problems can affect card payments both on the boat and on the islands.

A small practical point: smoking on deck has bothered some passengers, and diesel fumes can be noticeable depending on where you sit. If fresh air matters to you, avoid sitting directly near the engine area and move around the open deck when possible.

What the $59 price really buys you

At $59 per person, this is good value if you want to cover several islands in one day. The price includes the cruise, swimming stops, a multilingual guide, passenger insurance, and public restrooms. Organizing Spargi, Budelli, Santa Maria, Caprera, and La Maddalena independently would be difficult without your own boat.

You should budget extra for food, drinks, and the landing tax. The tax is €5 per person from June through August and €2.50 in September, paid in cash on arrival.

The price also reflects the group format. This is not a quiet sailing yacht or an intimate local boat. The Sea Star carries enough people to make the trip affordable, but the deck and beach stops can feel crowded in July and August.

Palau meeting point and the timing that matters

Check in inside the Maritime Station in Palau, at Via Piazza del Molo, between 9:00 and 10:00 am at box 4 or 5. Departure is at 10:30 am.

Allow more time than your map may suggest. Traffic into Palau can be heavy, and walking from a parking area to the boat may take up to half an hour. Arriving early is wise, but remember that you still need to find the office, complete check-in, and reach the correct boarding point.

Do not arrive at the last minute. If you miss boarding or arrive late, you lose the right to a refund. Oversize luggage is not allowed, so bring a compact beach bag instead of full suitcases.

The tour lasts about seven hours, though one sailing returned around an hour earlier than expected. Weather, sea conditions, and the final route can affect the actual timing.

Who should book this boat trip?

I would choose this cruise if you want a practical first look at La Maddalena without renting a boat. It suits couples, families with older children, swimmers, photographers, and anyone who wants beach time mixed with island scenery and a little local history.

It is less suitable if you dislike crowds, need a quiet boat, or want long stretches on one beach. A smaller vessel may give you a more personal day, but you will likely pay more and may not cover as many headline sights.

The official restrictions say the activity is not suitable for pregnant women, people with mobility impairments, or wheelchair users. One pregnant participant did take part after checking conditions, but you should follow the operator’s stated guidance and ask before booking.

Should you book the Sea Star cruise?

Book it if you want strong value and a broad route. The two beach stops are long enough to matter, the water around Spargi and Santa Maria is the star of the day, and the rotating final stop lets you choose between Cala Coticcio and La Maddalena town.

Think twice if your idea of a perfect island day means an uncrowded beach, a small group, and lots of time in one bay. For most visitors with only a short stay in northern Sardinia, though, the Sea Star offers an efficient way to see the archipelago, swim in clear water, and return to Palau without the high cost of a private charter.

FAQ

Where does the boat tour leave from?

The meeting point is inside the Maritime Station in Palau, at Via Piazza del Molo. Check in at box 4 or 5 between 9:00 and 10:00 am, with departure at 10:30 am.

How long does the excursion last?

The planned duration is seven hours. The exact return time can vary because of weather, sea conditions, and route changes.

What languages are spoken on board?

The live guide service is available in English, French, Italian, and Spanish.

Is food included in the ticket?

No. Food and drinks are available to purchase on board. Options can include pasta, mussels, sandwiches, drinks, and crepes.

Can I visit Spiaggia Rosa on Budelli?

No. Budelli is a photo stop from the boat. You can photograph Spiaggia Rosa and the natural pools of Porto della Madonna, but the itinerary does not include landing on the pink beach.

Which days include Cala Coticcio?

The Cala Coticcio swim stop is scheduled for Monday, Tuesday, and Friday. It is a swim from the boat near Caprera, not a landing on the beach.

Which days include La Maddalena town?

The historic center of La Maddalena is scheduled as the final stop on Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday.

Do I need to bring snorkeling equipment?

Snorkeling gear is recommended, especially for the Cala Coticcio stop. You should bring your own mask and other equipment if you have it.

Is there an extra park or landing fee?

Yes. The landing fee is €5 per person from June through August and €2.50 per person in September. It must be paid in cash.