Sailing boat from Santa Teresa di Gallura to the Maddalena Archipelago

The star of this day is the water: clear, bright, and shifting from green to turquoise around the Maddalena islands. You’ll photograph Budelli’s famous Pink Beach, then stop at sheltered coves near Spargi and Santa Maria for swimming and snorkeling. It’s a small-boat trip, not a bus-at-sea excursion.

I like the 12-person limit, which keeps the day more personal, and the steady supply of food and drinks, including lunch, coffee, soft drinks, and alcohol. I also like that the crew gives safety advice before swimming and shares information about the islands. The main caution is the sea itself: rough conditions can mean seasickness, a chilly morning, or a long motor back to port.

Key points at a glance

• Pink Beach is for photographs only: You cannot walk on Spiaggia Rosa or swim from its shore because it is protected.
• Three main water stops: Expect time around Port Madonna and Razzoli, Spargi, and Cala Santa Maria, though the skipper can alter the route.
• Small group sailing: The boat carries no more than 12 people, a far quieter setup than the large island boats.
• Food and drinks are included: Lunch, brunch-style food, snacks, coffee, tea, soda, bottled water, and alcoholic drinks are part of the package.
• Bring a towel and warm layer: Beach towels are not supplied, and mornings can feel cool on the open boat.
• The start is in Santa Teresa di Gallura: The listed activity location may say Olbia, but the meeting point is Marc Yachting on Via Tarra Ecchia in Santa Teresa.

Setting out from Santa Teresa di Gallura

The boat leaves at 9:30 a.m. from Marc Yachting, Via Tarra Ecchia, 07028 Santa Teresa Gallura. Allow extra time to find the marina, parking area, and exact berth. The meeting instructions have caused confusion for some people, and the walk from parking to the boat can take about 15 minutes.

That detail matters. You don’t want to begin a full day at sea by hurrying down the port with bags and towels. Check the final directions carefully, and make sure you have the crew’s phone number if it is supplied before departure.

The day lasts about seven to eight hours. The advertised route is a guide, not a fixed timetable. The captain may change the order of stops or choose different coves if wind and waves make the planned route uncomfortable or unsafe.

This is a sailing boat experience, but you should keep your expectations realistic. The yacht may use its engine for much of the route, especially when the schedule requires long crossings. One recent outing included only a short period under sail, which pleased the keen sailors aboard but might disappoint anyone expecting a full day of silent sailing.

The boat is described as a Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 49, more than 15 metres long and certified for ocean sailing. That is a substantial yacht, but it is still a yacht, not a large ferry. Space can feel tight when everyone gathers in the main seating area, and rough seas will be felt more than they would on a large excursion vessel.

Budelli and the Pink Beach viewpoint

The first visual prize is Spiaggia Rosa on Budelli. The beach gets its coral-pink tone from fragments of coral and other natural material, while the color of the surrounding water and the pale granite make the cove look almost unreal.

The beach is protected within the Maddalena Geomarine National Park. You will stop for photographs from the water, but you cannot walk on the sand or swim from the shore. This is important because some people expect a beach stop when they see Pink Beach in the program. Think of it as a scenic viewing point, not a place to spread out a towel.

The restrictions protect a fragile natural feature that has been damaged by years of foot traffic and removed sand. The beach was also featured in Michelangelo Antonioni’s film Deserto rosso, adding a small piece of cinema history to the view.

I would keep your camera ready as you approach, but don’t judge the whole day by the color of the sand. Light, distance, and weather affect how pink the beach looks. The wider scene, with granite forms and changing sea colors, is the real attraction.

Razzoli, Santa Maria, and Port Madonna

The route then moves into the northern part of the national park, around Razzoli and Santa Maria. Razzoli is exposed to the open sea and is known for its rugged cliffs and unusual granite shapes. The rock formations have a sculptural quality, with rounded and weathered forms that look different from every angle.

Between Razzoli, Budelli, and Santa Maria lies Port Madonna, a sheltered lagoon with emerald water. It is one of the prettiest parts of the park, and the boat may spend up to two hours in this area. The time is used for looking, swimming, snorkeling, and eating rather than for walking around an island.

Santa Maria has one of the archipelago’s longer beaches, along with smaller coves on its western side. Those coves can form natural pools with pale turquoise water, particularly when they are protected from the east. The exact stop depends on conditions, so you may anchor by the long beach or near one of the smaller inlets.

This part of the route is best for people who enjoy changing scenery from the water. If you want a firm walk on land, a café, or time to explore village streets, this is not that kind of excursion. You remain aboard the yacht or swim from it, with the exception of stopping at a beach area as conditions allow. One important practical point is that some departures do not include getting off the boat at all.

Swimming and snorkeling at Spargi

Spargi is usually the day’s main swimming stop. The island has several beautiful bays, with clear water and pale beaches that can look remarkably bright from the boat. The yacht stops in a suitable cove, and you can swim, snorkel, or reach the beach through the water if the crew allows it and conditions are safe.

Snorkeling equipment is included. That saves you from packing fins and a mask, though you should still bring your own beach towel. The crew gives instructions about safe swimming areas, which is useful when wind, currents, or nearby boats affect the anchorage.

The stop is planned for about an hour, but the total time can shift. Spargi is popular, and other boats may be using the same bays. If you need complete solitude, a small-group boat cannot guarantee it in the high season. What it does offer is a quieter experience than a vessel carrying several hundred people.

The water is the main event here. You won’t get a guided underwater lesson or a formal nature talk based on the information provided, so the snorkeling is self-directed. That suits confident swimmers who want time in the sea. If you are nervous in open water, listen closely to the crew and use the boat as your base.

Cala Santa Maria and the final swim

Cala Santa Maria provides another possible swimming stop. It has a long beach, clear turquoise water, and smaller western coves that can feel like natural pools. These areas are particularly useful when the wind makes another bay less comfortable.

The listed stop lasts about an hour, though the captain has the final say. A windy day may send the boat to a more sheltered cove, and a rough day may shorten the swimming time or change the route altogether. The operator has used a sheltered bay at Spargi when the Scirocco was strong, a good reminder that the most attractive name on a schedule is not always the safest anchorage on the day.

You should see this flexibility as part of the experience, not a promise of a specific beach. Still, if your heart is set on one exact island, ask about the weather plan before boarding. A route change can be necessary, but it may feel disappointing if you were expecting every advertised stop.

Lunch, drinks, and life aboard

Food is one of the stronger parts of this outing. The package includes lunch or brunch, snacks, bottled water, coffee, tea, soda, and alcoholic drinks. The crew prepares food on board, and the menu described in the feedback includes items such as meats and cheese, with food served at different points during the day.

Several crew teams operate the boat, including Carlo and Andrea, Marco and Lorenzo, Alessandro and Luca, Leonardo and Massimo, and others. The names may vary by departure, but the pattern is clear: the crew handles safety, explains points of interest, serves food and drinks, and keeps an eye on comfort.

Special diets need careful attention. The boat can manage no-fish or vegetarian options, but the operator says broader food intolerances and special requests cannot reliably be handled in the small galley. If your needs are complex, bring a packed lunch instead of assuming the onboard menu will work for you.

A small yacht creates a social atmosphere. People who arrive as strangers may end up sharing food and conversation in close quarters. That can be one of the best parts of the day, but it also means the main seating area can feel crowded when all 12 people are aboard.

The sea conditions question

The biggest risk here is not poor scenery. It is motion.

One departure encountered rough water on the return journey, and several people became frightened or seasick. Another person, who had never suffered seasickness before, felt ill for most of the day. The crew can choose a safer route, but no captain can remove the movement of the sea from a sailing boat.

If you are prone to motion sickness, ask a doctor or pharmacist about suitable medication before the trip. Eat lightly before departure, stay in fresh air, and tell the crew early if you feel unwell. The operator does not promise calm water, and bad weather can alter or cancel the outing.

The boat is a proper ocean-going yacht, but that does not mean it will feel steady in every swell. Families with small children should think carefully, especially if the forecast is unsettled. If you want the most stable ride possible, a large island boat may suit you better, though it will not offer the same small-group setting or onboard meal service.

Price and what the day is worth

At about $119.72 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see the Maddalena Archipelago. Large boats can cost less, but they usually carry far more people and offer a different style of outing.

Here, your price covers about seven hours on the water, a maximum group of 12, lunch, snacks, drinks, alcohol, and snorkeling equipment. You are also paying for a two-person crew and the use of a sizeable sailing yacht. That makes the price reasonable for someone who values space, food, and a personal atmosphere.

The value is weaker if your main goal is to spend the whole day on one beach. You may stop at several coves, but the time is divided among cruising, photographs, meals, and swimming. You also may spend much of the route under engine power rather than sail.

I see this as a good middle ground between a private charter and a crowded ferry. It is not a fully private boat, but 12 people is small enough for the crew to give direct help and for the day to feel relaxed when conditions cooperate.

Who should book this boat trip?

I would choose this outing if you want to see several parts of the archipelago in one day and enjoy swimming from a yacht. It suits couples, friends, and confident swimmers who like a social setting, good food, and a flexible route.

It is also a strong pick for a first sailing experience, provided you accept that the sea can be rough and that the boat may motor for long stretches. The attentive approach of crew members such as Carlo, Andrea, Marco, and Lorenzo is a useful part of the package, particularly when you need help finding safe water for swimming.

I would hesitate if you dislike boats, suffer badly from motion sickness, need a strict dietary plan, or want long periods on dry land. I would also avoid booking it as a beach-only day. The Pink Beach stop is for viewing, and the schedule moves between several bays rather than settling at one beach all afternoon.

The cancellation terms are practical: you can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. The trip requires suitable weather and a minimum number of participants. If the operator cancels for those reasons, you are offered another date, another experience, or a full refund.

Should you book the Maddalena sailing trip?

Book it if you want a small-group day with swimming, scenery, and food included, and you are happy to let the captain adjust the route. The combination of Port Madonna, Spargi, Santa Maria, and a view of Pink Beach gives you a broad taste of the archipelago without the crowds of a large excursion boat.

Skip it if your ideal day means one quiet beach, no rolling sea, or hours under full sail. For everyone else, this is a well-priced yacht outing with a clear strength: it turns a long day at sea into a shared experience built around beautiful coves, simple onboard meals, and time in the water.

FAQ

Where does the sailing tour begin?

It begins at Marc Yachting, Via Tarra Ecchia, 07028 Santa Teresa Gallura, Italy.

What time does the boat leave?

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

How long does the experience last?

The sailing cruise lasts approximately seven to eight hours.

How many people can join the boat?

The maximum group size is 12 people.

Is Pink Beach open for swimming and walking?

No. Spiaggia Rosa is protected, so you can photograph it from the water but cannot walk on the beach or swim from its shore.

Which places are visited?

The planned route includes the Maddalena National Park around Razzoli, Santa Maria, and Port Madonna, plus a bay at Spargi and Cala Santa Maria. The captain may change the route for safety.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch or brunch, snacks, bottled water, coffee or tea, soft drinks, and alcoholic drinks are included.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included.

What should I bring?

Bring a beach towel, since towels are not provided. A long-sleeved layer is also useful because mornings on the boat can feel cool.