3-Catamaran from Cannigione to the islands of the Archipelago

The best part of this day is the water. Spargi and Porto della Madonna offer clear, shallow-looking turquoise bays made for swimming, while Budelli’s Pink Beach gives you a rare sight without letting you damage it. You spend about eight hours among the Maddalena islands, with lunch, drinks, snorkel equipment, and a bathroom included.

I especially like the small group of up to 12 people, which should feel more personal than a large excursion boat. I also like the relaxed onboard setup: Francesco, Lorenzo, and Valerio are named crew members, and the day can include local food, prosecco, music, and several swimming stops. The main caution is the strict late-cancellation rule and the limited handling of food allergies or special diets.

Key points to know before you book

• Three major water stops: Swim at Spargi, Porto della Madonna, and designated areas around Razzoli and Santa Maria.
• Budelli’s Pink Beach is protected: You can photograph it, but you cannot walk on the sand or swim at its shore.
• Small boat, small group: The catamaran accepts a maximum of 12 people.
• Lunch and drinks are included: Expect food, bottled water, coffee or tea, soda, and alcoholic drinks.
• Snorkel gear is provided: A beach towel is not included, so bring your own.
• Weather controls the route: The captain can change the plan for safe navigation, and poor weather may lead to a new date or refund.

Why this catamaran day works so well

The Maddalena Archipelago is best understood from the water. Sardinia’s northeast coast breaks into islands, granite rocks, narrow channels, and sheltered coves. From a catamaran, you get the view and the swim in the same outing.

This is not a quick harbor cruise. The schedule runs for about eight hours, beginning at 9:30 a.m. and returning to the same meeting point. That gives the crew time to reach the outer islands, pause for proper swims, serve lunch, and let the day unfold without rushing from one photo stop to the next.

The price is about $131.87 per person. That is not a cheap ferry ride, but the cost includes lunch, bottled water, soft drinks, coffee or tea, alcoholic drinks, snorkel equipment, and use of the bathroom. With a maximum of 12 people, you are also paying for a more intimate boat experience rather than simply buying transportation between islands.

I would judge the price as fair for a full day on the water, provided you plan to swim and make use of the included food and equipment. If you only want to see the islands from a seat, a simpler boat trip may give you better value.

Leaving from the Pontile CNA at 9:30 a.m.

The meeting point is listed as Pontile CNA07021 in Arzachena, in the Cannigione area. Check the exact location carefully before departure, especially if you are arranging your own transport. The activity returns to this same point at the end of the day.

The boat carries no more than 12 people. That number matters. A small group usually means less time waiting for people to board or get into the water, and it gives the crew more room to keep the day social and flexible.

The crew may include Francesco, Lorenzo, or Valerio. Francesco is identified as captain, while Lorenzo and Valerio are also named as part of the onboard team. Their role is not limited to steering. The food, music, drinks, and friendly atmosphere are an important part of the experience.

You will need to board ready for a full day outside. Bring a swimsuit, sunscreen, a cover-up, and a beach towel. The towel is specifically not included. A waterproof bag for your phone is also sensible, although that item is not supplied.

Spargi: your first real swim

After roughly an hour of travel, the catamaran reaches one of the bays of Spargi, the first main stop. Spargi is known for transparent turquoise water and pale beaches framed by granite rock.

This is where the day shifts from sightseeing to swimming. You can use the snorkel equipment, look through the clear water, and swim toward the white beaches. The exact bay can vary, so you should treat the description as a likely setting rather than a promise of one fixed cove.

The stop lasts about an hour. That is enough time for a good swim and a look below the surface, but it is not a long beach afternoon. You may also find that getting ashore is not part of the plan. The emphasis is on stopping in the bay and enjoying the water.

I like this first stop because it gives you an early test of the day. If you want to swim, snorkel, and spend time in the sea, you will quickly know you chose the right kind of excursion. If you prefer dry sightseeing, the first hour may feel less rewarding.

Budelli’s Pink Beach is for looking, not landing

One of the most unusual sights in the archipelago is Budelli’s Pink Beach. The beach gets its color from coral-toned sand, and the effect is strongest when set against the clear water and pale granite around the cove.

The boat stops for photographs rather than a beach visit. The beach is protected within the Maddalena Geomarine National Park, so you cannot walk on the sand or swim at its shore. This is important. Some people arrive expecting to step onto the famous pink strip, but the rules are designed to protect the natural feature that makes it famous.

You may still see the beach clearly from the boat and photograph the contrast between the pink sand, the sea, and the granite. It is a short, quiet kind of sightseeing. The value comes from seeing a fragile natural site responsibly, not from checking off another swimming stop.

Budelli’s beach was also featured in a long sequence of Michelangelo Antonioni’s film Red Desert. That detail adds a bit of film history, but the real reason to pay attention is the unusual color of the beach and the strict protection around it.

Porto della Madonna: the main swimming area

The boat then reaches Porto della Madonna, also called Manto della Madonna. This is one of the strongest parts of the day. The water between Budelli, Razzoli, and Santa Maria forms a sheltered, bright natural pool, with small coves and patches of fine white sand around it.

You spend about two hours here. That longer pause gives you time to swim without feeling that you must climb back aboard after a few minutes. Snorkeling is included, and the clear water makes this the kind of place where simply floating and looking down can be enough.

Not every cove is open for swimming. Some areas are restricted to protect the marine environment. The captain will choose suitable places, and the route can change with weather and sea conditions.

Porto della Madonna is also popular with yachts, so the setting can feel busy on some days. The catamaran’s small size helps, but this is still a well-known part of the archipelago, not a private bay guaranteed to be empty.

The stop is valuable because it gives you time. Many island boat trips offer several beautiful views but only brief swims. Two hours here makes the day feel less like a parade of photo opportunities and more like a proper day at sea.

Razzoli and Santa Maria bring a different view

The route also reaches the waters around Razzoli and Santa Maria, two islands almost joined by the Passo degli Asinelli. Razzoli sits farther north and is more exposed to open water. Its cliffs and sculpted granite shapes give it a rougher character than the sheltered coves.

Santa Maria has Cala Santa Maria, one of the larger beaches in the archipelago. The schedule allows about three hours in the national park area, including time around Porto della Madonna and the return journey through the islands.

This part of the route is not just about swimming. The islands show different sides of the park: open cliffs, granite formations, white beaches, narrow passages, and the emerald-colored lagoon between the islands. You get a wider sense of the archipelago instead of spending the entire day in one bay.

The schedule mentions about an hour and a half for the return. Sea conditions can affect that timing. The captain has permission to change the route for safe navigation, so treat the exact order and length of stops as flexible.

Lunch, drinks, and the mood on board

Lunch is included, along with bottled water, coffee or tea, soda, and alcoholic drinks. The crew also serves local products and snacks, according to the experience details. Prosecco is part of the atmosphere described by the operator, and music may include personal DJ sets.

This makes the excursion feel more like a social day on a boat than a silent nature outing. That can be a real plus if you enjoy meeting people, eating between swims, and listening to music while moving between islands.

It may not suit you if you want a quiet, formal sailing trip. The mood depends partly on the group and the crew, but the presence of music and alcoholic drinks signals a relaxed, sociable style.

Food restrictions deserve careful attention. The crew states that food intolerances and special requests cannot be managed on board in full. Only no-fish or vegetarian options are possible, and a packed lunch is recommended for other needs.

If you have a serious allergy or a strict medical diet, bring your own meal rather than relying on a casual request. Contact the operator before departure if you need clarification. This is one of the few practical weaknesses of an otherwise generous package.

What the small group changes

A maximum of 12 people is one of the clearest advantages here. You are not dealing with a large crowd moving through the same swim ladder, sharing one narrow deck, or waiting for dozens of people to return from the water.

A small group also gives the captain more room to explain the route and respond to conditions. The named crew members, including Francesco, Lorenzo, and Valerio, are praised for being personable, hospitable, and fun. That personal contact is part of what you are paying for.

Still, a small boat means close quarters. You will spend eight hours around the same group, and the experience works best when you are comfortable with a social day at sea. One cancellation account also makes clear that the operator may apply its policy firmly when someone cannot attend at short notice.

For that reason, book only when you are confident about your schedule. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, but changes or cancellations inside that window are not refunded.

Weather, route changes, and practical planning

This experience requires good weather. If poor conditions cancel the trip, you are offered another date or a full refund. The captain can also change the route during the day to keep navigation safe.

That flexibility is necessary in an island setting. Wind and sea conditions can affect the order of stops, the length of a swim, or the choice of bay. You should not book this expecting every minute to follow a fixed script.

The tour is offered in English and confirmation is sent within 48 hours, subject to availability. It is near public transportation, and most people can participate. Private transportation is optional for an extra fee, so confirm your transfer plans if you are not staying close to the departure point.

The activity is booked, on average, 36 days ahead. That is a useful sign to reserve early during the busy season, especially if you want a particular date and are traveling with a small party.

Who will enjoy this day most

I would choose this trip if you want:

• Several chances to swim rather than a short coastal cruise
• A small group instead of a large excursion boat
• Snorkel equipment included
• Lunch and drinks built into the price
• A relaxed atmosphere with music and prosecco
• A full day in the Maddalena Archipelago
• A mix of protected beaches, open cliffs, and sheltered lagoons

I would think twice if you need a highly controlled dietary menu, dislike close social settings, or want to spend time walking on beaches. Budelli’s Pink Beach cannot be visited on foot, and some swimming areas are closed for conservation.

Families and active adults may find the format easy to enjoy, since most participants can take part. The central activity is still swimming, so you should be comfortable getting into the sea and spending a long day outdoors.

Should you book the Cannigione catamaran trip?

Book it if the best part of your Sardinia holiday, in your mind, is clear water, island coves, snorkel time, and a friendly boat atmosphere. The combination of a 12-person limit, three major water areas, lunch, drinks, and equipment gives this outing solid value at $131.87.

The strongest moments are likely to be the long pause at Porto della Madonna, the first swim at Spargi, and the view of Budelli’s protected Pink Beach. The main trade-offs are the firm 24-hour cancellation rule, possible route changes, and limited ability to handle special diets.

Bring your towel, plan to swim, and keep your schedule flexible. If that sounds like your ideal Sardinian day, this is a sensible way to see the Maddalena Archipelago from the water.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran trip start?

It starts at Pontile CNA07021, Arzachena, Province of Sassari, Italy. The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

What time does the tour begin?

The scheduled start time is 9:30 a.m.

How long does the experience last?

The catamaran trip lasts approximately eight hours.

How many people can join the boat?

The maximum group size is 12 people.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included in the experience.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Bottled water, alcoholic drinks, coffee or tea, and soda are included.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included.

Can I swim at Budelli’s Pink Beach?

No. You can photograph the beach, but walking on the beach and swimming at its shore are prohibited to protect it.

Is a beach towel included?

No. You need to bring your own beach towel.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If the trip is canceled because of poor weather, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. The captain may also change the route during the day for safe navigation.