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

La Maddalena is best seen from the water, and this full-day boat trip gives you a broad look at its famous islands without arranging ferries, taxis, and separate beach visits. You’ll swim from walkways at Santa Maria and Spargi, pass close to the protected Pink Beach, and stop in La Maddalena town.

I like the two long swimming stops and the simple hot lunch cooked onboard. The clear water and white sand are the real stars, while the seafood pasta adds welcome value to a $65 day out. The main catch is crowding, especially in July and August, and the town stop can feel short.

• Two 1.5-hour beach stops: Swim and sunbathe at Santa Maria and Spargi, with access from the boat’s front walkways.
• Lunch cooked onboard: Choose pennette with seafood or plain pasta with oil and Parmesan.
• Pink Beach viewing: See Budelli’s famous beach from the boat, since landing has been closed since 1992.
• La Maddalena town stop: Allow about an hour for a quick walk, coffee, or ice cream.
• Cash is essential: Pay the municipal landing fee before boarding, €2.50 in May, September, and October, and €5 in June, July, and August.
• Best for: Swimmers, families, and anyone who wants a full day on the water at a moderate price.

A Full Day Among La Maddalena’s Seven Main Islands

The La Maddalena Archipelago National Park covers about 20,000 hectares of sea and land. Its seven main islands are La Maddalena, Caprera, Budelli, Santo Stefano, Santa Maria, Spargi, and Razzoli.

That scale matters. You are not simply taking a short harbor cruise. You spend most of the day moving through protected waters, with time to swim, look back at the rocky shore, and watch the color of the sea change around each island.

The boat trip is operated by Soc. Coop. Consorzio delle Bocche, using three motorboats. The boats have toilets, a bar for drinks, and front walkways that let you reach the beaches from the docks. You cannot jump from the boat into the water, so this is not the right outing if you want an open-sea leap from the deck.

The format is public and fairly large. That keeps the price down, but it also means you should expect other boats and plenty of people at the popular beaches. The experience works best if you accept that this is a practical island sampler, not a private yacht day.

Starting Early at Santa Teresa Gallura Port

Check-in takes place near the Coast Guard office and Cafe La Marina bar in Santa Teresa Gallura. You should arrive about an hour before departure, with the working meeting window listed as 8:00 to 8:15 AM.

Bring your booking details and cash for the landing fee. The fee is collected before boarding, and credit cards are not accepted. It costs €5 per person in June, July, and August, or €2.50 in May, September, and October.

There is no skip-the-line service, even if you booked online. Everyone with a reservation checks in through the same process, so arriving early is useful. If you are traveling with friends or several families, make one reservation when possible. Separate bookings do not guarantee that everyone will board the same boat.

Parking is available about 200 meters from the boats. The parking meter accepts coins or cards, and you can also use the EasyPark app. It does not accept banknotes, a small detail that can save you an annoying scramble before departure.

Santa Maria: Your First Long Swim Stop

The first major beach stop is Santa Maria, one of the islands in the northern archipelago. The boat uses a walkway to reach the dock, so you step onto the beach rather than swimming from the vessel.

You have about 1.5 hours here. That is enough time to swim, dry off, sit on the sand, and take a few photographs without feeling rushed. The water is the main attraction: clear, calm-looking in many conditions, and a striking shade of blue.

This is also where the tour’s relaxed rhythm begins. You are not being marched from one sight to another. Once the boat is secured, you have a decent stretch of free time.

Still, Santa Maria is a popular stop. In high summer, you may find the beach crowded, with other boats bringing people ashore. Pack a towel and sun protection, and do not expect a quiet private cove. Beach umbrellas and towels are not included.

A Simple Seafood Pasta Lunch on the Boat

Lunch is served onboard after the first beach stop. The standard choice is pennette ai frutti di mare, pasta with seafood, or pasta in bianco with oil and Parmesan cheese.

The seafood pasta has become one of the most appreciated parts of the outing, though you should keep your expectations sensible. It is a straightforward boat lunch, not a restaurant meal. Portions can be generous, and the dish may include items such as prawns and crab, but the amount of seafood can vary.

If you do not eat seafood, the plain pasta option gives you an easy alternative. Drinks are not included, so bring cash for the onboard bar. A few snacks may also be sensible, particularly if you are traveling with children or prefer a larger lunch.

The timing works well. After swimming, you can eat while the boat moves toward the next part of the route. The crew has been praised for friendly service, and the onboard chef adds a bit of character to what could otherwise be a forgettable meal.

Spargi and the Clearest Water of the Day

Spargi is often the visual high point. Its coves and pale beaches are framed by low rocky shores, and the water can look almost transparent near the sand.

The stop lasts about 1.5 hours, again using a dock walkway. You have time for a proper swim rather than the quick photo stop found on some boat tours. If swimming is your main reason for booking, this stretch of the day gives you the best return.

The tradeoff is popularity. Spargi attracts several boat excursions, especially during the busiest summer weeks. You might find the beach crowded, but the water and views remain impressive. Some people prefer to spend more time swimming and less time trying to find a perfect patch of sand.

The boat crew adjusts to sea conditions and weather. On rougher days, the ride can be less comfortable, especially for children or anyone prone to seasickness. The trip has continued even when the sea felt choppy, so consider bringing whatever motion-sickness remedy you normally use.

Passing Pink Beach at Budelli

The boat makes a close-up pass by Pink Beach on Budelli. This is one of the archipelago’s best-known natural sights, but you do not go ashore.

Landing has been closed since 1992 to protect the beach. Its pink coloring comes from the local natural environment, and the beach became especially famous after appearing in Michelangelo Antonioni’s film Red Desert.

This stop is about looking, not lounging. Have your camera ready, but remember that conditions, boat position, and crowding can affect the view. The pass adds an important conservation lesson to the day: some of the archipelago’s most famous places are protected precisely because visitors cannot treat them like ordinary beaches.

La Maddalena Town in About One Hour

The town stop gives the day a change of pace. After several hours of sea and sand, you can walk through the historic center, browse a few streets, or sit down for a coffee and ice cream.

About an hour is scheduled here, though the usable time can feel shorter once everyone gets off the boat and walks from the pier. If you want a full shopping session or a long town visit, this excursion will disappoint you. If you simply want to stretch your legs and see the port area, the stop is enough.

Several practical choices make the most of it. Stay close to the harbor, keep an eye on the return time, and do not wander far into the town unless you are comfortable cutting your visit short. The old streets and waterfront are pleasant, but the beach stops are the stronger part of the itinerary.

This stop also helps break up the day for anyone who does not want eight straight hours on a boat. Families may appreciate the chance to walk around, though younger children can still find the full schedule long.

The Boat, Commentary, and Comfort

The motorboats are built to carry a substantial number of passengers, with indoor and outdoor seating and onboard toilets. On busy departures, seating can become a concern. You may not have the same seat for the whole day, and some parts of the boat can feel crowded.

The recorded audio service is available in Italian, English, and French. It provides useful information about the islands, but engine noise can make it hard to hear from some indoor seats. If learning the facts is important to you, try to sit where the speakers are easy to hear.

The crew speaks Italian, English, and French, and the staff have generally been friendly and attentive. Their handling of changing sea conditions is important on an itinerary that crosses open water between islands.

Small pets are allowed onboard except in August. They are never allowed on the beaches. That rule is worth considering before you book, since a pet can join the cruise but cannot accompany you during the swimming stops.

What the $65 Price Really Covers

At $65 per person, this is a strong-value way to see several parts of the archipelago in one day. Your price includes the return boat ticket, passenger liability insurance, multilingual audio service, two beach stops, the La Maddalena town visit, and lunch.

You still need to add the municipal landing fee. It is a small amount, but it must be paid in cash before boarding. Drinks, towels, and beach umbrellas cost extra or need to be brought from shore.

The price works because this is a shared boat excursion. You are paying for access to a wide route, not privacy. A private charter would offer more control over stops and timing, but it would also cost far more.

The food adds real value. Even if you find the pasta plain or inconsistent, having a cooked meal included means you do not need to organize lunch in town or carry a full picnic. Bring snacks if you have a large appetite.

The Best and Worst Parts of the Timing

The itinerary gives you two long beach visits, which is the right priority for an archipelago tour. You have enough time to swim rather than simply take a picture and climb back aboard.

The weak point is La Maddalena town. The stop can run closer to 45 minutes in practice, and after disembarking, walking, and finding your way to the central streets, there may be time for only a quick drink.

Departure times can also slip slightly, particularly around the first stop. The overall schedule is usually orderly, and the return to Santa Teresa is expected around 5:00 PM, but you should not plan an important evening reservation immediately afterward.

The trip lasts eight hours. That is excellent value for a day devoted to the islands, but it can feel long for young children. Rough water adds to the fatigue, so families should think about the child’s tolerance for a full day at sea.

Who Will Enjoy This Boat Trip Most

I would choose this tour if you want a simple way to see several famous parts of La Maddalena without renting a boat. It suits swimmers, couples, families with older children, and anyone staying in Santa Teresa Gallura who wants one complete day on the water.

It is especially useful for first-time visitors. You get a taste of Santa Maria, Spargi, Budelli, and La Maddalena town in one outing, then you can decide which area deserves a longer visit next time.

I would hesitate if you want solitude, flexible timing, or a quiet beach. The popular coves can be busy, the boat may feel full, and the town stop is short. Visitors who dislike fixed schedules may prefer a smaller private excursion.

Practical Packing for the Eight-Hour Day

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunglasses, and cash. Add sunscreen, a hat, and a small snack if you have room, though the core packing list is simple.

Wear something comfortable for the boat and beach. You move between deck seating, walkways, and sand, so avoid bringing bulky luggage or anything you cannot keep secure.

If you are sensitive to sound, sit where you can hear the audio clearly. If you are prone to motion sickness, rough water can make the crossing uncomfortable, so use the precautions that work for you.

The landing fee is the one item you should not forget. Without cash, check-in becomes unnecessarily difficult.

Should You Book the La Maddalena Boat Tour?

Book it if you want good coverage for a moderate price, two proper swimming stops, and lunch included. The clearest water, the views around Spargi, and the chance to see Pink Beach from the sea make this a memorable introduction to the archipelago.

Skip it if you need an uncrowded beach, a long visit in La Maddalena town, or a private boat atmosphere. For most people staying in Santa Teresa, though, the combination of scenery, swimming time, and straightforward planning makes this an easy day trip to recommend.

FAQ

Where does the La Maddalena boat tour depart?

Check-in is near the Coast Guard office and Cafe La Marina bar at the port in Santa Teresa Gallura.

What time should I arrive?

The meeting window is 8:00 to 8:15 AM, and you should arrive about 60 minutes before the activity begins for check-in and boarding arrangements.

How much is the landing fee?

The fee is €2.50 per person in May, September, and October. It is €5 per person in June, July, and August.

Can I pay the landing fee by card?

No. The landing fee must be paid in cash before boarding. Credit cards are not accepted for this charge.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch includes pennette with seafood or pasta with oil and Parmesan cheese. Drinks are not included.

How long are the beach stops?

The scheduled stops at Santa Maria and Spargi are about 1.5 hours each.

Can I swim directly from the boat?

No. The stops use walkways from the boat to the beaches, and jumping from the boat into the water is not permitted.

Are pets allowed?

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