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

The best part of this day is the contrast: quiet blue water and pale beaches one moment, then the small harbor streets of La Maddalena town the next. From Santa Teresa Gallura, you get a full boat day across one of Sardinia’s most striking island groups without arranging several ferries or hiring your own boat.

I especially like the two long swim stops, which give you time to do more than take a quick photo, and the simple hot pasta cooked onboard. The seafood version can include prawns and crab, while pasta with oil and Parmesan is available for anyone who prefers something plain.

The main catch is the format. This is a popular shared boat, not a private sailing trip. In July and August, seats and beach space can feel tight, and the stop in La Maddalena town may be shorter than you hope.

Key points at a glance

• Two 1.5-hour beach stops: Swim from walkways at Santa Maria and Spargi, with no jumping from the boat.
• A hot lunch onboard: Choose pennette with seafood or pasta with oil and Parmesan.
• Pink Beach from the water: See Budelli’s famous beach, closed to visitors since 1992.
• A short town break: Spend about an hour in La Maddalena’s historic center.
• Easy full-day planning: Round-trip boat transport, insurance, toilets, and multilingual audio are included.
• Bring cash: The municipal landing fee costs €5 from June through August and €2.50 in May, September, and October.

Why this boat day works so well

La Maddalena Archipelago National Park covers about 20,000 hectares and includes seven main islands: La Maddalena, Caprera, Budelli, Santo Stefano, Santa Maria, Spargi, and Razzoli. From a boat, you see how varied this protected area can be. One cove may have a smooth white beach, while the next has low rocky shores and water so clear that the boat seems to hover above the seabed.

I like this trip because it removes much of the guesswork. You do not need to compare ferry routes, find a beach reachable by road, or organize lunch. The boat carries you from Santa Teresa Gallura to several of the archipelago’s best-known spots in one day.

The price is $65 per person, before the landing fee and drinks. That is a fair deal if you want a full eight hours on the water, two substantial swimming stops, lunch, and a visit to La Maddalena town. It is less attractive if you want quiet coves, flexible timing, or plenty of time in town. For that, a smaller private boat would suit you better, but it would usually cost much more.

Starting at Santa Teresa Gallura port

The check-in desk is near the Coast Guard office and Cafe La Marina bar. You are asked to arrive about 60 minutes before departure, with the operating instructions giving an 8:00 to 8:15 AM meeting window at the port.

The early arrival matters because you still need to check in, pay the landing fee, and board. Booking online does not give you priority at the desk. Everyone with a reservation checks in through the same process, so do not arrive expecting a skip-the-line service.

Bring cash for the municipal disembarkation fee. It costs €5 per person in June, July, and August, and €2.50 in May, September, and October. Credit cards are not accepted for this payment. The price of the boat ticket also does not include drinks, towels, or a beach umbrella.

Parking is about 200 meters from the boats. The parking meter accepts coins or cards, and you can also use the Easy Park app. It does not accept banknotes, so plan ahead if you have only cash.

A comfortable motorboat, with a few limits

The Consorzio delle Bocche operates three motorboats for this route. The boats have restrooms and front walkways that lead directly to the beaches at the scheduled stops. That walkway arrangement is useful for anyone who wants an easy landing rather than a swim from the boat to shore.

You should expect a shared boat with many passengers. Some departures feel comfortable and well spaced, while busy summer sailings can leave you searching for a seat, especially if you want a particular view. One August report described a boat that felt oversold, while another found it busy but still manageable.

This is not a criticism of the basic setup. The boats are designed for groups, and the route covers a lot of ground in one day. Still, I would choose your expectations carefully. You are buying access to a well-planned route, not personal space.

Audio information is available in Italian, English, and French. It can be difficult to hear from an interior seat when the motor is running, so sit where you can listen clearly if the island information matters to you. The scenery carries much of the day, but the commentary adds useful context about the park and its islands.

Small pets are allowed onboard except in August. Pets cannot go onto the beaches at any time.

Santa Maria: your first real swim

The first major beach stop is Santa Maria, where the boat uses a walkway to reach the shore. You get about 1.5 hours here, enough time to swim, sit on the beach, and take in the water without feeling rushed.

This is an important feature of the route. Many boat trips stop for only 20 or 30 minutes, which gives you time for a quick dip and little else. Here, you can settle into the stop. Take your own towel, swimsuit, sunglasses, and sunscreen, since towels and umbrellas are not supplied.

The beaches can be crowded, especially in the main summer months. Other boats visit the same popular coves, and the appeal of the clear water is no secret. Even so, the long stop gives you room to enjoy the place at your own pace.

Lunch is served after the first beach stop. The main option is pennette ai frutti di mare, pasta with seafood cooked onboard. The seafood may include prawns and crab, and several people found it surprisingly tasty and generous. If you prefer a mild meal, pasta with oil and Parmesan is available.

I would call the meal practical rather than elaborate. Some portions have been generous, while others have felt small or lacked much seafood. If you tend to get hungry after swimming, pack a snack. You can buy drinks onboard, but they are not included.

Spargi: the most scenic beach stop

Spargi is often the visual highlight of the day. The island has clear water, pale sand, and sheltered coves that make it easy to understand why this route is so popular. You again get about 1.5 hours at the beach, giving you time to swim and enjoy the shore.

This stop is also where the crowds can be most noticeable. In August, the beach may be full of other boat groups, which changes the mood from private cove to busy seaside outing. The water remains beautiful, but you should not expect solitude.

A few details make this stop memorable. The clear shallows are excellent for a relaxed swim, and the boat gives you views that are difficult to get from land. On one sailing, wild boars appeared near the beach, an unusual sight that delighted people onboard. That is not something you can count on, but it shows how the islands can offer small surprises beyond the standard beach scene.

The crew may adjust the route to weather and sea conditions. One account praised the captain’s handling in rougher water, while another noted that children found the long day tiring when the sea became choppy. If you are prone to seasickness, the boat ride and weather should be part of your decision.

Pink Beach, seen from the water

The boat passes close to Pink Beach on Budelli, one of the archipelago’s most famous sights. The beach has been closed since 1992 to protect its delicate natural features, so you view it from the boat rather than walking ashore.

That restriction is worth understanding. This is not a missed opportunity caused by the tour. The closure protects the beach from foot traffic and from people taking sand or fragments as souvenirs. You get a close view while respecting the park’s rules.

The beach became widely known through Michelangelo Antonioni’s film Red Desert, and it remains one of the symbols of the national park. Your view depends on the boat’s position, weather, and crowd levels, but the pass-by adds a distinctive moment to the route.

La Maddalena town: useful, but brief

The boat also stops at La Maddalena’s historic center for about an hour. This is enough for a short walk near the port, a coffee, or an ice cream. It is not enough for a serious town visit, museum time, or an unhurried meal.

Some departures allow around 45 minutes once everyone has disembarked and walked into the center. That can make the stop feel especially quick. I would treat it as a chance to stretch your legs and get a glimpse of the town, not as a full cultural visit.

The short timing makes sense within the larger route. The day is built around beaches and water, and every extra hour in town would reduce swimming time or delay the return to Santa Teresa. If the historic center is your main interest, spend a separate half-day in La Maddalena rather than relying on this stop.

Timing, sea conditions, and the return trip

The advertised duration is eight hours, with a return to Santa Teresa Gallura around 5:00 PM. The boat is generally punctual, though departure from the first stop can occasionally run late. The schedule also depends on sea conditions and the practical work of moving a large group on and off the boat.

The sea may be calm and smooth, or it may become rough. The crew has adjusted navigation to weather conditions, and the boat has handled high waves well on some outings. Still, a full day on the water can be tiring, especially for young children.

I would bring a light layer even on a hot day. The boat ride can feel cooler than time on the beach, and you may spend long periods exposed to sun and wind. Keep your cash, phone, and other small items secure, and carry only what you need onto the beach.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve while paying later. If you are traveling with friends or several families, make one reservation together. Separate bookings do not guarantee that everyone will board the same boat.

Who will get the most from this tour?

I would recommend this trip to you if you want to see several famous parts of the archipelago in one day and prefer a set plan. It works particularly well for couples, families with older children, and first-time visitors staying in northern Sardinia.

You will probably like it if you value:

• Two proper beach stops instead of quick photo breaks
• A hot meal without finding a restaurant
• Easy access from Santa Teresa Gallura
• A mix of swimming, sightseeing, and town time
• A boat with restrooms and walkways to the beaches

I would think twice if you dislike crowds, need complete schedule control, or want a quiet day away from organized excursions. The most popular coves can be full, the audio may be hard to hear from some seats, and the town stop is short.

The overall rating is 4.2 out of 5 from 1,123 ratings, which fits the experience well. The strongest points are the scenery, friendly crew, clear water, clean boats, punctual operation, and seafood pasta. The recurring cautions are crowding, occasional rough water, and limited time in La Maddalena town.

Should you book it?

Book this boat day if your priority is seeing the archipelago’s famous beaches and coves with minimal planning. At $65, the combination of transport, two long swim stops, lunch, and town time gives you solid value, even after adding the small cash landing fee.

Skip it if your ideal Sardinian day means an empty beach, a quiet sail, or lingering for hours in one town. For everyone else, this is a sensible introduction to La Maddalena: busy in high season, yes, but scenic, practical, and packed with more water and island views than you could easily arrange on your own.

FAQ

How long does the La Maddalena boat tour last?

The tour lasts about eight hours and returns to Santa Teresa Gallura around 5:00 PM.

Where is the meeting point?

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

How early should I arrive?

Arrive about 60 minutes before the activity begins. The operating instructions specify an 8:00 to 8:15 AM meeting window at the port.

Is the landing fee included?

No. You must pay it in cash during check-in before boarding. It costs €5 per person in June, July, and August, and €2.50 in May, September, and October.

What lunch is included?

You can have pennette with seafood cooked onboard or pasta with oil and Parmesan cheese. Drinks are not included.

Are drinks available on the boat?

Yes, drinks can be purchased onboard, but you should bring cash because drinks are not part of the tour price.

Can I jump from the boat into the water?

No. The beach stops use walkways leading from the boat to shore, and jumping from the boat is not permitted.

Are pets allowed?

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

Is the tour available in English?

Yes. Multilingual audio and tour information are available in Italian, English, and French.