Boat Trips Archipelago La Maddalena
Boat trips in La Maddalena are an incredible experience for anyone wanting to discover the beauty of Sardinia. La Maddalena is an archipelago of islands and islets located in the northeastern part of Sardinia, in the heart of the La Maddalena Archipelago National Park. This park was established in 1994 and its protected area covers about 180 km², of which 150 km² is sea.
The boat trips in La Maddalena offer a wide range of options, from day excursions to multi-day cruises. There are many types of boat trips to choose from, such as sailing trips, motorboat trips, trips with or without a skipper, trips with lunch on board, trips with snorkeling, and many more. The boat trips in La Maddalena cater to all tastes and budgets, and many companies offer these services.
Why take a boat trip in the La Maddalena Archipelago
- La Maddalena is an archipelago of islands and islets located in the northeastern part of Sardinia, in the heart of the La Maddalena Archipelago National Park.
- There are many types of boat trips to choose from, such as sailing trips, motorboat trips, trips with or without a skipper, trips with lunch on board, trips with snorkeling, and many more.
- The boat trips in La Maddalena cater to all tastes and budgets, and many companies offer these services.
Boat Trips La Maddalena: Types
There are different types of boat trips in La Maddalena, each with different characteristics and destinations. Here’s an overview of the main options available
Full Day Trips: full day trips are the most popular choice and perfect for those wanting to explore La Maddalena and the surrounding islands. They last about 7-8 hours and include stops for swimming and lunch on board.
Typically, these day trips are done with motorboats and sailing boats.
Boat Trips La Maddalena: Prices
The cost varies based on the duration of the excursion and the type of boat chosen.
Ferry Motorboat
For a full day trip, the price ranges from 50 to 70 euros
Sailing Boat
The price can vary from 100 to 150 euros
Rental of inflatable boats
It is also possible to rent an inflatable boat in La Maddalena for a full day with and without skipper. The price for a full day starts at 180 euros
Please note that ticket prices usually increase during high season – July and August – and return to lower rates in September.
Motorboats can accommodate many people on board, thus managing to keep prices down and remain more competitive.
There is no fixed tariff for all boats, therefore prices can vary based on certain services: for example, the price for excursions with lunch on board is higher.
Boat Trips La Maddalena: Departures, Times
Boat trips to the La Maddalena Archipelago mainly depart from:
Palau
Santa Teresa Gallura
Cannigione
Baja Sardinia
La Maddalena
What are the best boats
Consorzio delle Bocche
Petagus
Luxury Virginia
Lady Luna
Delfino Tours
are among the main boats that offer tours in the La Maddalena Archipelago.
Boat Trips La Maddalena: Other Information
Boat trips in La Maddalena are one of the most popular activities for tourists visiting northern Sardinia. However, choosing the best time for sailing is essential to fully enjoy the experience.
The boat trip season runs from May to October. During these months, the summer weather makes sailing pleasant, allowing for exploration and enjoyment of the beautiful beaches.
However, it’s important to keep in mind that during high season (July and August), the area can become very crowded, and prices can increase significantly. Therefore, if you want to avoid the crowds and save money, it’s advisable to visit the area during May, June, and September.
Northern Sardinia, in particular, is affected by the Maestrale, a cold wind blowing from the north. During these days, boats typically do not leave the port for the safety of passengers and the boats themselves. So, book a boat trip online with free cancellation.
What is a motorboat?
A motorboat is a large boat capable of accommodating from 150 to 300 people.
They are often referred to as small “ferries” because their capacity is indeed more similar to passenger transport than to a small pleasure boat.
Typically, the motorboat features a deck equipped with tables for dining and large windows to view the landscape, as well as an open upper deck to enjoy the crossing and the sun.
To protect passengers during the hot hours, they are often equipped with large awnings and coverings.
The La Maddalena Islands
During a holiday in Sardinia, a boat trip to the islands is a must: the tour of the La Maddalena Park is one of the excursions you absolutely cannot miss.
The Archipelago is rich in attractions, culture, history, nature, and outdoor activities.
The boat tour to the islands allows you to visit the National Park of the La Maddalena Archipelago with its 7 sisters:
- La Maddalena, the little Paris
- Caprera and Garibaldi
- Santo Stefano and the military base
- Spargi (and Spargiotto) and its coves
- Budelli and the Pink Beach
- Santa Maria with the Madonna's Port
- Razzoli and the lighthouse
Where is the La Maddalena Archipelago located?
The La Maddalena Archipelago is located in the north-eastern area of Sardinia, near the Bocche di Bonifacio. It consists of numerous islands, islets, and rocks, and is dotted with bays and white sandy beaches. These granite outcrops are surrounded by enchanting waters, known worldwide as the wonderful sea of Sardinia.
What are the most beautiful beaches of La Maddalena?
It's hard to say which is the most beautiful beach in the La Maddalena Archipelago: each island is renowned for the incredible beauty of the sea and its bays. Among the most famous beaches, one cannot fail to mention the Pink Beach at Budelli, Cala Granara and Cala Corsara at Spargi, Cala Santa Maria on the island of the same name, and the Mantle of the Madonna, Cala Coticcio, and the Wreck Beach at Caprera, Cala Lunga at Razzoli. Every view is truly picturesque and unique in its own right. Every trip is planned and structured to allow you to appreciate all the places to visit throughout the day.
Is it possible to see the pink beach?
Access to the pink beach has been prohibited since 1998. Learn more about the pink beach
La Maddalena and the Islands of the Archipelago
The island of La Maddalena, from which the park takes its name, is the largest of the over 60 islands and islets that make up the Archipelago.
On the island is the town of La Maddalena known as “The Little Paris,” a fishing village considered among the most beautiful and picturesque in Sardinia due to its architecturally significant elements.
Inhabited since prehistoric times, it began to become more densely populated around the end of the 1700s. The island has historically always had a significant relevance due to its strategic position in the Mediterranean Sea.
In 1973, it was the scene of an attempted invasion by the French army led by Napoleon Bonaparte.
Domenico Millelire, in command of the Sardinian fleet, repelled the French, convincing them to abandon the enterprise.
On the island is Cala Francese, an important granite quarry that remained active until 1930. It seems that the granite extracted from these quarries was used to create numerous works, including the monument of Ismailia, which protects the Suez Canal in Egypt, and the tomb of Clelia, the firstborn of Giuseppe Garibaldi, hero of the two worlds.
History of La Maddalena
La Maddalena is an island located in the north of Sardinia, in front of the Costa Smeralda. The island takes its name from the Maddalena, a Spanish ship that sank off the coast in 1583. Over the centuries, the island has been contested by various European powers, including Spain, France, and the Kingdom of Sardinia.
In the 19th century, La Maddalena became a naval base of the Italian Navy. During World War I, the island was used as a base for naval operations against the Austro-Hungarian Empire. During World War II, La Maddalena was occupied by German forces and used as a base for their submarines.
After the war, the island remained a naval base for the Italian Navy until 2008, when the base was closed and the island was returned to the local community. Today, La Maddalena is a popular tourist destination, with numerous white sandy beaches and crystal-clear waters. The island is also famous for its cuisine, which includes fresh fish dishes and local specialties such as pane carasau and Sardinian pecorino cheese.
National Park of the La Maddalena Archipelago
It was established in 1994 and has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997. It is a geomaritime park created with the intention of implementing significant actions for the protection, safeguarding, and enhancement of the coastal and marine territory.
Its surface consists of land and sea and extends for about 19,000 hectares with over 180 km of coastline. It includes the La Maddalena Archipelago and the northeastern coast of Sardinia.
It is divided into zones with different levels of protection, the zoning of the Park.
The National Park and its islands are characterized by the typical vegetation of the Mediterranean coastal zone, strongly influenced by the presence of wind, scarcity of water, aridity of the substrates, and strong solar radiation: the scrub.
The main representatives found in the park are juniper, strawberry tree, mastic, myrtle, cistus, and spurge.
The land fauna is characterized by the presence of numerous amphibians, reptiles, and small to medium-sized mammals.
The avifauna includes many bird species typical of the central-western Mediterranean islands, both nesting and migratory. Notable mentions are the corsican gull, the royal gull, the storm petrel, the crested cormorant, the cormorant, the tern, the great shearwater, and the Manx shearwater.
Among the marine fauna, it’s worth mentioning the Pinna nobilis (a bivalve mollusk that can reach a meter in height), the brown grouper, the corvina, and the bream. Together with the large cartilaginous fish, the large marine mammals, such as dolphins and fin whales, often appear among the waters of the park.
The Park is characterized by a great variety of landscapes, ranging from white sandy beaches to cliffs overlooking the sea, from forests of oaks to meadows of posidonia. Among the animal species present in the Park, you can find the corsican gull, the sea turtle, the dolphin, and the cormorant.
The Park offers numerous activities for visitors, including boat excursions, hiking, biking, snorkeling, scuba diving, and guided tours of the sites located in the area.
In summary, the La Maddalena Archipelago National Park is a unique place in the world, where nature and culture blend to offer visitors an unforgettable experience.
The 10 Best Boat Tours in La Maddalena
The northern Sardinia is an area rich in activities, and thanks to the diversity of the landscape, you can have fun and try new and different experiences. Among the most sought-after and appreciated activities are the boat excursions in the La Maddalena Archipelago.
Being a National Park means that these vast stretches of sea, the fish swimming in them, and the native vegetation are considered beautiful places to visit and at the same time, natural heritage to protect.
Among the most sought-after and appreciated activities are certainly the boat excursions because it is true that Sardinia is not just sea, but the sea of Sardinia is still fantastic!
Boat excursions in the La Maddalena Archipelago? One of the things you absolutely must do! In this article, we have identified and described the most important companies that conduct these excursions.
Boat Tours from Palau to La Maddalena
1. Petagus
The Petagus motor vessel is the ideal boat to admire the beauties of the La Maddalena Archipelago. The comfort and stability of the boat, combined with onboard services such as the bar and refreshments, will make your trip to the Palau – La Maddalena islands truly unforgettable!
Comfortable and stable, Petagus allows you to admire the natural beauties of the Archipelago from 360 degrees.
> The boat features a rear beach area, a useful and comfortable surface for diving into the water.
Onboard, you can also purchase an aperitif with typical Sardinian products and a fish-based lunch. All utensils are plastic-free.
2. Elena Tour Navigazioni
Elena Tour is a company founded in the 1960s and knows the Archipelago very well! They operate boat tours departing from La Maddalena and Palau. Their motor vessels Elena D. and Delfino Verde have been especially designed for passenger transport and daily excursions.
They are indeed comfortable and equipped with all services such as LED TV, charging sockets for smartphones, and comfortable seating both inside and outside. The external deck also provides a shaded area to protect against the hottest hours.
3. Maggior Leggero
Maggior Leggero is another highly experienced company that organizes tours of the Archipelago with motor vessels, motor yachts, and sailing boats.
The wooden sailing boat Colorado offers a more intimate and romantic experience, accommodating no more than 12 people. It is also distinguished by its large sunbathing areas and maximum comfort.
The motor vessel Maggior Leggero II is a 26-meter boat equipped with an upper deck furnished with tables, seats, and covered.
The new flybridge yacht Edelweiss measures 14 meters in length and 5 meters in width, and can accommodate up to 12 people.
Fast and extremely comfortable, it can be enjoyed in all its very spacious areas, from the flybridge equipped with a sofa to the bow furnished with sunbeds at the stern, also fitted with comfortable cushions. It can also be rented exclusively for special events.
Maggior Leggero also organizes bus transfers to Palau departing from La Caletta, Budoni, Agrustos, Ottiolu, San Teodoro.
4. Delfino Tour
Delfino Tours organizes boat trips in the La Maddalena Archipelago with departures from Palau and La Maddalena. The motor vessel is a bit smaller than the others but is by no means less comfortable or secure. It features a panoramic deck, a lounge, a bar area, and a very convenient ladder for water diving. There are also two restrooms onboard. Maximum capacity is 80 people.
The tour makes 4 stops on the islands of the La Maddalena Archipelago, including passing by the island of Caprera.
Departures also from La Maddalena.
Boat Tours from Cannigione to La Maddalena
5. Luxury Virginia
Luxury Virginia: boat excursion in La Maddalena departing from Cannigione.
Considered one of the most beautiful vessels in Sardinia, the Virginia Luxury Motor Yacht will allow you to visit places of extraordinary beauty within the most famous Archipelago in the Mediterranean, such as the famous pink beach of Budelli or the highly
Santa Teresa Gallura
Parking is not abundant, so we recommend arriving with a fair bit of time in advance to easily find parking and proceed to check-in without rush.
Baja Sardinia
You can find free and paid parking a few hundred meters from the port, in the pine forest.
Always check the details of each activity where you will find the location information always updated.
Is there shade on the boat?
The motorboats are much more than just boats, they are almost mini ferries.
The upper deck is open to enjoy the scenery and beautiful days, but there are large sunshades that the crew opens to protect passengers from the sun during the hottest hours.
What should I bring?
Bring with you:
- swimsuit
- beach towel
- sunscreen
- sunglasses
Some motorboats provide the following for free:
- snorkeling mask
- beach umbrella
Make sure to check if these services are included with the ticket you are purchasing.
We also recommend bringing a long-sleeve shirt, as after a day in the sun, during the return trip, you may suffer from temperature fluctuation. In general, bring whatever you deem necessary for a day at the beach.
Can I bring food from home?
Of course, there is no problem.
You can easily bring any food you prefer from home for lunch or a snack.
On most motorboats, it is also possible to purchase onboard lunch with appetizers, a main course, and coffee.
Is there a bar on board?
Yes, there is a bar onboard with sandwiches, snacks, coffee, and drinks.
Usually, these products are not included in the ticket price. Some motorboats are very environmentally conscious and have abandoned the use of plastic, using only compostable and recyclable products.
Are there restrooms on board?
Yes, there are restrooms on board.
Usually, there is a ladies' restroom and a men's restroom.
Is the trip suitable for everyone?
This excursion is suitable for everyone. It’s perfect for all ages, great for families with children, groups of friends, couples, solo travelers.
You can choose your type of excursion and decide whether you want to book a boat exclusively or book a ticket and share this experience with other travelers.
We suggest checking the “important information” section of each activity to choose the trip and provider that best meet your needs.
Can I swim during the trip?
Of course! It would be a real shame not to swim in this corner of paradise! Each type of excursion includes several swimming stops – usually 3 or 4 – to allow you to relax and fully enjoy a day on the boat in the Maddalena Archipelago.
Some motorboats are equipped with a “stern beach,” so you can swim by diving directly from the boat.
What clothing is recommended for the excursion?
We recommend bringing a swimsuit and a towel, to swim during stops at the most beautiful bays of the Archipelago. If you think it necessary, bring a light sweater, it could be useful for the return trip. Don’t forget sunglasses or a hat! In short, bring what you would take for a day at the beach.
Is it possible to go down to the beach?
Yes, the itineraries always include stops at the beach.
Usually, there are 3-4 stops depending on the departure location and the individual motorboat carrying out the excursion.
Additionally, there will always be a dedicated lunch stop.
How do we get down to the beach?
You can reach the beaches via a special walkway or on a tender (a small rubber boat).
The motorboats are always organized and set up to provide maximum comfort to passengers of all ages.
Can I bring my dog on board?
Generally, yes.
For many operators, pets are welcome on board, as long as they are well-behaved and small-sized.
However, it may happen that in August it’s not allowed to bring your pet because the heat and the many people on board could make them anxious.
We recommend checking the description of each individual activity or using the filters by selecting the “pets allowed” option.