From Palau: Maddalena National Park Boat tour

The best part of this trip is the freedom to cover several islands in one day without sitting on a crowded ferry. A fast 6.5 or 8-meter boat carries no more than 10 people, so your skipper can adjust the route for wind, swimming conditions, and the group’s mood. You get plenty of water time, plus snorkeling gear, a stand-up paddleboard, and a glass of prosecco.

I like the mix of famous places and quieter coves, especially Cala Corsara, Cala Granara, and the Piscine di Budelli. I also like the practical lunch choice: eat in La Maddalena’s old town, or bring food and stay aboard. The main consideration is the ride itself. These are small, open boats, and the trip is not suitable for children under two or people with back problems.

Key points to know before you go

• A small group of up to 10 people means more room and a more personal day than a large excursion boat.
• The skipper chooses the route by wind, so the exact order and stops can change.
• You visit several swimming areas, including Cala Corsara, Soraya Beach, Cala Granara, Piscine di Budelli, and Cala Santa Maria.
• La Maddalena town gives you a one-hour land break, with time for lunch and a walk.
• Snorkeling equipment, SUP access, water, fuel, fees, insurance, and prosecco are included.
• Free parking is available in Palau, with the dock about 100 meters from the meeting point.

Why this small boat trip works so well

La Maddalena National Park is made for a boat day. The islands sit close together, but the most attractive coves are spread across different shores. A boat lets you string several of them into one outing instead of choosing just one beach and staying there.

The small size matters. With up to 10 people, you are not part of a floating crowd. The boat can get close to shore, stop for a quick swim, or linger at a cove if everyone is enjoying it. It also gives the skipper room to make sensible changes when wind or sea conditions affect the plan.

Roberto is the skipper named most often in the information provided, and Casey is also mentioned as helping on one departure. The guiding style described is friendly and attentive, with local knowledge of Sardinia’s beaches and town stops. You should still think of the route as flexible rather than fixed. The skipper’s job is to find the best water and most comfortable conditions that day.

At $124.61 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see the archipelago. But fuel, park fees, insurance, snorkeling gear, water, SUP use, and prosecco are included. For a seven-hour outing with multiple swimming stops and a small group, the price compares well with similar private-feeling boat trips, especially if you value time in the water over a formal sightseeing cruise.

Starting at Cala Casotto in Palau

The meeting point is at the end of Via degli Oleandri in Palau. There is free parking nearby, which is useful if you are staying in the area and have a rental car. The dock is about 100 meters away.

One practical detail is easy to miss: enter through the gate even if it looks as though the dock is just beyond it. On Google Maps, search for BlueIslandSardinia. Arrive ready for the water, since the boat trip begins from this small port rather than from a large terminal with extensive facilities.

Bring a towel and beachwear. You should also bring sun cream, since it is not supplied. Large bags and luggage are not allowed, and shoes are not worn inside the boat. Pack lightly in a small day bag, with anything you need for swimming, sun protection, and lunch.

The trip lasts about seven hours. Starting times depend on the date you choose, so check availability before making other plans for the day.

Cala Corsara begins the swimming day

The first boat ride takes about 20 minutes. That is enough time to settle in, hear the day’s plan, and enjoy the first views of the archipelago before the swimming begins.

Cala Corsara is on Spargi, one of the most scenic islands in the park. The stop lasts about an hour and includes sightseeing, photographs, swimming, and snorkeling. The skipper may guide you around the area and point out the best places to enter the water.

This is a good first stop because it gives you time to test the water and equipment without feeling rushed. You can swim from the boat, use the snorkeling gear, or simply stay aboard and look at the coves. The boat is built for moving quickly between islands, but the schedule still allows several long stops rather than a string of brief photo pauses.

The beach and cove can be attractive from the water, but conditions and access can vary. The skipper controls where the boat stops, and not every listed beach will appear on every departure. Wind is the deciding factor.

Soraya Beach and Cala Granara add variety

After roughly 10 minutes on the boat, you reach Soraya Beach. The stop is shorter, about 40 minutes, with time for photographs, swimming, and sightseeing. This is a useful change of pace after the longer first stop.

You can stay near the boat, swim, or enjoy the view from the water. If you prefer a relaxed day, you do not have to treat every stop as a challenge to get ashore. The point of this outing is to enjoy the coves in several ways, from a quick swim to a quiet spell in the sun.

Another 10-minute ride brings you to Cala Granara for about an hour. Like Cala Corsara, this is one of the main water stops, with time for snorkeling, swimming, and photographs. Having two longer early stops is valuable because the day does not depend on one single beach. If one cove is windier or busier than expected, the next stop can offer a different setting.

The small boat also helps here. It can maneuver close to the shore and reach places that feel less exposed than the main beach areas. Still, remember that you are on an open boat. Bring a towel, use sun cream, and be ready for spray during the faster transfers.

A one-hour break in La Maddalena town

The boat then heads to La Maddalena, the main town of the archipelago. You have about an hour for lunch, a walk, and a look around the town.

This stop makes the trip more than a string of swims. You get a break from the boat and a chance to stretch your legs. Restaurants and bars are available in the historic center, making this the simplest place to buy lunch.

You can also bring your own food and eat aboard, either during this stop or at another suitable point. The tour does not include lunch, so plan ahead. If you want a proper meal in town, keep the one-hour limit in mind. If you prefer to spend every possible minute in the water, bringing a packed lunch is likely the better choice.

The town stop is also useful for companions who are less interested in snorkeling. They can walk around while others enjoy the boat and sea. It gives the day a little balance without turning it into a formal city tour.

Budelli’s Pink Beach and the Piscine di Budelli

After leaving La Maddalena, the boat travels for about 20 minutes to Pink Beach on Budelli. The stop is brief, around 10 minutes, and is mainly for photographs and a guided look.

The name refers to the beach’s distinctive color, but do not expect a long beach visit here. The schedule allows a short viewing stop rather than an extended walk or swim. This is an important distinction for anyone picturing a full afternoon on the sand.

The boat then moves for about five minutes to the Piscine di Budelli. You have roughly an hour for sightseeing, swimming, snorkeling, photographs, and stand-up paddleboarding. This is one of the most flexible stops of the day. You can use the included mask and snorkel, take a turn on the SUP, or simply enjoy the water from the boat.

The clear sea is the main attraction. Snorkeling adds a little more purpose to the swim, but you do not need to be an experienced swimmer to enjoy the stop. If you are less comfortable in the water, staying aboard is perfectly reasonable. The group is small enough that the skipper can help explain the equipment and point out where to enter.

Cala Santa Maria closes the route

A 10-minute ride takes you to Cala Santa Maria for about 40 minutes. This final swim stop gives you another chance to use the snorkeling equipment before the longer return journey.

By this stage, the day has covered several islands and a range of stops: long swims, quick scenic views, a town break, and a paddleboard opportunity. The final cove is a good place to slow down rather than chase another major sight. You can swim, snorkel, take photographs, or rest on the boat.

The return ride takes about 35 minutes. That is longer than some of the earlier transfers, so keep a dry layer or towel handy if wind picks up. The boat returns to the same Palau meeting point.

What is included, and what still costs extra

The package covers the expenses that can quietly add up on a boat day:

• Fuel
• Park entry taxes and fees
• Skipper
• Insurance
• Snorkeling gear
• Stand-up paddleboard access
• Drinking water
• One glass of prosecco

The prosecco is a pleasant finishing touch rather than the reason to book. It gives the day a small celebration, and the drink is paired with the relaxed tone of the trip. Some departures have also included Sardinian snacks or an aperitivo, but those extras should not be treated as guaranteed inclusions.

Lunch is not included. You can buy it in La Maddalena or bring it with you. Beach towels and sun cream are also not provided.

The cost feels fair if you use the included equipment and take advantage of the number of stops. It is less compelling if you want a full beach day in one place, since part of your time is spent moving between islands. The value comes from variety, speed, and the small group.

Who should book this boat day

I would choose this trip if you want to see several famous coves without dealing with a large boat. It suits couples, friends, and solo visitors who enjoy a social but small-group setting. The one-hour town stop also makes it a good choice if you want both swimming and a little time on land.

It works particularly well for people who like flexibility. You can snorkel, paddle, swim, sunbathe, take photographs, or simply enjoy the ride. The skipper can adjust the route to the wind, which is more useful than following a rigid plan on a day at sea.

You should think twice if you have back problems, dislike boat movement, or need a completely predictable itinerary. You should also avoid bringing large luggage. Children under two are not accepted, and anyone who needs shade or extensive onboard space may find the small boat limiting.

The trip is offered in English, Italian, and Spanish. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve without paying immediately if the booking option is offered for your date.

Should you book from Palau?

Book it if your ideal Sardinia day includes clear water, several coves, a few hours of snorkeling, and a small boat rather than a packed cruise. The combination of Cala Corsara, Cala Granara, Budelli, Cala Santa Maria, and La Maddalena town gives you a broad sample of the archipelago in seven hours.

I would especially choose it for the skipper’s local route choices and the ability to avoid spending the whole day in one crowded place. Just bring a towel, sun cream, and lunch if you do not want to eat in town. If you prefer a slower beach day, or if boat motion is a concern, this is not the right fit. For everyone else, it offers a strong mix of swimming, scenery, and practical value from Palau.

FAQ

Where does the boat tour start?

The meeting point is at the end of Via degli Oleandri in Palau, near Cala Casotto. Free parking is available, and the dock is about 100 meters away.

How long does the experience last?

The boat tour lasts seven hours. Starting times vary, so check availability for your chosen date.

How many people can join the boat?

The group is limited to 10 participants.

Which languages are available?

The live guide service is available in English, Italian, and Spanish.

Is lunch included?

No. You can buy lunch at restaurants or bars in La Maddalena’s historic center during the one-hour stop, or bring your own food to eat aboard.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling gear is included, along with access to a stand-up paddleboard.

What else is included?

The price includes fuel, entry taxes and fees, insurance, the skipper, drinking water, and one glass of prosecco.

What should I bring?

Bring a towel and beachwear. Sun cream is not provided, so bring your own. Large bags and luggage are not allowed.

Can children or people with back problems join?

Children under two are not accepted. The activity is also not suitable for people with back problems.