The Maddalena Archipelago, off the Emerald Coast, is a true dream destination. Characterized by pristine cliffs, crystal-clear waters and fine, clear sandy beaches, it is one of the most popular resorts in northern Sardinia.
Given the coastline and seabed's rich biodiversity, La Maddalena is a marine protected area of great naturalistic value, a paradise for snorkeling and scuba diving lovers. A boat tour is the best choice for visiting the archipelago. Sailing among the islets and stopping at the charming bays for swimming will make a boat trip to La Maddalena an unforgettable experience.
Continue reading
Motorboat tours
29 experiences
Dinghy tours
20 experiences
Dinghy rental
17 experiences
Sailing tours
19 experiences
Catamaran tours
8 experiences
Sailing course
5 experiences
Book the best 93 boat tours in La Maddalena
Why Freedome
Free of charge cancellation
Okay we'll reimburse you, but you don't know what you're missing
Best price guaranteed
The same as the guide: we do not charge fees
Assistance 7 days a week
Contact us anytime. We do not do ghosting
More nearby activities
Boat trips to La Maddalena: departures from Palau, Olbia, Santa Teresa di Gallura and Golfo Aranci
To visit La Maddalena National Park, you can start from the main seaside resorts on the northern Sardinian coast. Palau, Olbia, Santa Teresa di Gallura and Golfo Aranci, for example, are the starting points of countless boat trips. It is best to devote at least one full day to visiting the islands of the archipelago. This will allow one to stop at leisure at the most scenic spots and enjoy wonderful swimming in the crystal clear waters.
There are different types of tours to the Maddalena Archipelago: from group mini-cruises to private tours on smaller boats to super luxury yacht charters with drivers. There are also ad hoc solutions for those who want to spend two or more days at sea or for those who want to hold special events such as weddings and boat parties.
Maddalena Archipelago: the best itineraries for a boat trip
Palau is one of the best starting points for visiting La Maddalena. A classic full-day itinerary includes departure at 10:00 a.m. and the first stop atSpargi Island for swimming at Cala Corsara. Another must-see is theisland of Budelli, with its famous pink beach and natural pools.
The second part of the route includes a stop on theisland of La Maddalena, where you usually have free time to visit the town or relax on the beaches. On the way back, we pass by theisland of Santo Stefano and Caprera and return to the port of Palau around 6 pm.
La Maddalena boat tours: how much does an island tour cost?
Prices for a boat trip to La Maddalena vary depending on the starting location, itinerary, type of boat, and type of trip. To get an idea: a day trip from Palau by motorboat costs 45 to 70 euros per person, depending on the period, with discounts for younger children.
Rates increase if you are talking about private tours. Renting a boat for exclusive use costs between 500 and 1,600 euros per day, depending on the type of boat. In addition to these, boat tours with lunch or dinner or sunset aperitifs are available. In this case the price is about 60 euros per person–and the view is unparalleled!
Give the gift of a boat ride to La Maddalena: sun, sea, relaxation and breathtaking scenery
If you are thinking of a different gift or a way to make your vacation in Sardinia really special, a boat excursion is for you. A boat tour provides excitement and relaxation and offers a chance to see places that can only be reached by sea. Who wouldn’t like that?
If you want to play it safe, treat yourself to alunch or appetizer experience to satisfy those who also think about palate. But if you really want to go big, charter a private boat and give yourself the chance to explore one of the world’s most beautiful seas in total privacy.
Guide to the islands of the Archipelago: Caprera, Spargi, Budelli, Santa Maria and La Maddalena
The Maddalena Archipelago has over 60 islands, of which only 2 are inhabited, each with its own characteristics and historical curiosities that make it particularly interesting.
The main island of the archipelago is La Maddalena. Its town center is a colorful hamlet crisscrossed by cobblestone streets overlooked by stores, cafes and restaurants. Its strategic location has long made it a naval base.
Caprera is located east of the island La Maddalena. Among the most beautiful beaches is Cala Coticcio, characterized by fine white sand and turquoise sea, whose coastline is surrounded by pinkish rock cliffs. The ‘island is famous for being Garibaldi’s last residence for a full 26 years.
To the west, however, lies the island of Spargi, an unspoiled paradise characterized by sandy coves enclosed by steep headlands. As mentioned, Spargi is home to Cala Corsara, which was named Italy’s most beautiful beach in 2016, featuring fine white sand, small dunes and curiously shaped granite rocks.
Above Spargi is the island of Budelli, an earthly paradise that is an important wildlife and landscape reserve. Rosa Beach is the most famous and one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. It owes its name to the color of the sand, which is rich in fragments of coral, granite and shells and to this day is inaccessible to preserve its beauty.
Finally, Santa Maria is the northernmost of the islands in the archipelago with breathtaking coves and historical legacies from medieval times. In Santa Maria you can experience the thrill of “walking on the sea” by walking along the tongue of sand submerged by just half a meter of water.
Can’t decide?
Discover Giftcards, the perfect solution for those looking for a flexible gift
Opinions of our adventurers
General rating
01 Sep 2026 | Tour of the Maddalena Archipelago by dinghy
A wonderful experience!
The tour was wonderful! Our guide, Sarah, was very friendly and explained everything in English as well. The scenery was absolutely worth it—these were some of the most beautiful places I’ve ever swum in. They also gave us plenty of time to swim, relax and enjoy the surroundings. Highly recommended!
Reviewed by
ritta S.30 Aug 2026 | Dinghy tour among the islands of the Maddalena Archipelago with aperitif
Space Voyage
I figured it would be great since we’d get to see more than the people on the big boats, but the way the RIB captain ran the trip was absolutely incredible—8 beaches, with 7 stops for swimming and exploring. Best of all, whenever other boats were around, he’d maneuver us into the absolute best, most beautiful spot for snorkeling. If you want to see more of La Maddalena, this is the guy to go with. 😉
Reviewed by
Marcin J.08 Aug 2026 | Dinghy tour among the islands of the Maddalena Archipelago with aperitif
A wonderful experience that I’ll always remember
Yesterday we went on a rubber dinghy tour of La Maddalena and it was a wonderful experience, which I’d recommend to anyone who wants to discover this little corner of paradise. This was largely down to the camaraderie that developed with the other participants, which made the day even more special, and to Captain Antonello, whose friendly nature, his explanations of the places we passed through and his ability to keep us entertained made everything perfect. It’s a day I’ll remember for a long time to come.
Reviewed by
martina d.27 Aug 2026 | Motorboat tour of the La Maddalena Archipelago with beach stops
the girls
There were five of us girls and we had a brilliant time. The places we visited were well worth it – the water was stunning! The staff were extremely kind and very attentive. We recommend arriving before the specified meeting time as it’s difficult to find a parking space and the boat leaves exactly on time. Thank you for the lovely experience!n(Drinks and sandwiches are available for purchase on board)
Reviewed by
Laura C.26 Aug 2026 | Monohull tour of the La Maddalena Archipelago from Palau with lunch
As light as the sky… As deep as the sea.
Very well-organised and professional, pleasant, and always kind and welcoming. The stops were wonderful, the lunch was well prepared and the service impeccable. You can really tell they’re well-prepared and organised. The boat was perfectly equipped. Definitely worth doing again.
Reviewed by
Lara W.14 Aug 2026 | A day on a vintage gozzo to discover the La Maddalena Archipelago
A fantastic day amidst the colours of La Maddalena
We went on the tour today in a gozzo and it was a truly wonderful experience from start to finish. The sea around La Maddalena needs no introduction, but seeing it from a gozzo has a whole different charm: the colours are breathtaking, particularly at the Piscine di Budelli – a real paradise on earth!nSpecial praise goes to the staff: they were incredibly kind, extremely helpful and really friendly, making us feel right at home all day long.nAlthough there were quite a few people and boats about, the organisation and the relaxed atmosphere on board made everything extremely pleasant, relaxing and thoroughly enjoyable.nHighly recommended to anyone wanting to experience an unforgettable day in Sardinia. Definitely one to repeat!
Reviewed by
Luisa V.Boat Tours: the best places nearby
- Sud Sardegna
- Cagliari
- Villasimius
- Asinara
- Alghero
- Cala Gonone
- Gulf of Orosei
- Palau
- Grotte di Nettuno
- Arbatax
Other activities La Maddalena
- Dinghy rental
- Dinghy tours
- Sailing tours
- Boat rental
- Catamaran tours
- Scuba Diving
- Snorkeling
- ATV Tours
- Canoeing and kayaking
- Sailing course