Archipelago di La Maddalena: Catamaran Tour Full day-Lunch

The best part of this Sardinia boat trip is its easy rhythm: sail, swim, eat, then sail again. The new Jalima catamaran carries you through the La Maddalena Archipelago, with time for snorkeling and stand up paddleboarding at Spargi and Budelli. I like the spacious boat and the way the skipper adjusts the route to the sea, rather than forcing a fixed plan.

I also like that lunch, an appetizer, masks, and a SUP are included. The crew, including Alex and Simon, has earned praise for professional service, good food, and a relaxed day even when the weather is not perfect. The main consideration is price: at $269.62 per person, this is a premium full-day outing, and extra drinks cost more.

Key points at a glance

• A full eight hours on the water: You spend the day sailing rather than rushing through a short coastal cruise.
• The new Jalima catamaran: The boat is described as comfortable and spacious, with room for about 10 people.
• Three strong swimming stops: The route includes the La Maddalena Archipelago, Spargi, and Budelli.
• Food is part of the day: An appetizer, lunch, regional food, and coffee are included.
• Water gear comes onboard: You receive a sea mask and can use the stand up paddleboard.
• The route changes with conditions: Your skipper and the group decide the day’s course according to marine weather.

A full day aboard Jalima

Game Sailing runs this trip from Sardinia’s northeastern coast, using the new Jalima catamaran to reach the coves and islands of the La Maddalena Archipelago. This is not simply a ride from one harbor to another. The point is to spend most of the day outside, with long pauses for swimming, snorkeling, food, and views.

You should expect an eight-hour outing, though the exact start time depends on availability. The schedule begins at Game Sailing and includes several stretches under sail or by catamaran between the stops. That matters because you get both the pleasure of moving through the archipelago and enough time in the water to make the trip feel like a proper sea day.

The boat is one of the experience’s strongest features. It is a catamaran, so you have more than one hull and a broad deck rather than the narrow feel of a small motorboat. The boat is also new, and the available feedback describes it as comfortable and spacious for a group of about 10 people. That makes a difference on a long day, especially when you are carrying towels, masks, sunscreen, and lunch gear.

The route is not locked to a single list of stops. The skipper and passengers settle on the day’s plan according to marine weather. You may therefore see a slightly different order or timing than another departure. I consider that a benefit, since sheltered water and safe conditions matter more than checking off every place at precisely the advertised hour.

Leaving Game Sailing and finding your sea legs

The meeting point is at Game Sailing. To find it, face the sea, stay on the left side of the port, walk to the corner, and stop there. This direction is short but a little unusual, so give yourself enough time to get your bearings before departure.

The first catamaran leg lasts about one hour. This is your chance to settle into the boat, meet the crew, and watch the harbor give way to open water. The pace allows the day to begin without immediately throwing you into a swim stop.

The host or greeter can speak Italian, English, Spanish, or French. That language range is useful for a mixed group, especially when the skipper explains safety details, the route, and when to return to the boat. The supplied information does not promise a private tour, so you should expect to share the catamaran with other people.

La Maddalena Archipelago: the first long water stop

The first major stop is in the La Maddalena Archipelago National Park. You have about an hour and a half here for photos, swimming, snorkeling, marine life viewing, an aperitif, food, and stand up paddleboarding.

That list gives you a good sense of the day’s style. You are not being marched from one attraction to another. Instead, you can choose how to use the stop. If the water is calm, you might spend your time with the mask looking for marine life. If you prefer a slower start, take photos, enjoy the aperitif, or sit on the boat and watch the coves.

The national park setting is the visual heart of the excursion. The attraction is the collection of islands, coves, and clear water rather than a single monument. Your skipper’s local judgment matters here, since the best place for swimming can change with wind and sea conditions.

The included mask is helpful because you do not need to rent basic snorkeling gear separately. Still, bring your own if you have a favorite mask that fits well. A towel and sunscreen are not included, so pack both.

Food begins to shape the day at this stop. An appetizer and regional food are included, with lunch served onboard during the outing. This is a practical advantage: you do not lose time going ashore to find a restaurant, and you remain close to the water.

Spargi: two hours for swimming and lunch

After about 40 minutes aboard the catamaran, you reach Spargi for the longest stop of the day. You have roughly two hours for photos, lunch, swimming, snorkeling, and stand up paddleboarding.

This is where the format pays off. Two hours gives you time to eat without squeezing the meal between short swims. You can also use the SUP, then return to the water with the mask, or simply stay aboard if you want a break from the sun.

Lunch is included, but extra drinks are not. Bring cash, as requested by the operator, and plan on paying separately for additional beverages. One useful price reference from the available feedback is about €8 for a spritz. That is a normal bar price, but small extras can add up quickly when the base fare is already $269.62.

Spargi is likely to be the day’s most generous stop for active water time. The two-hour window lets you set your own pace. I like that flexibility, though anyone expecting a tightly guided snorkeling lesson should adjust expectations. The supplied details promise equipment and access to the water, not a formal marine biology talk or coached snorkeling session.

The boat’s capacity also matters here. The catamaran is described as having plenty of space for around 10 people, which should make moving between lunch, swimming, and the deck more comfortable than on a cramped boat. The exact group size for your date is not stated, so do not assume every departure will carry only 10.

Budelli: a shorter final swim

The next catamaran ride lasts another 40 minutes, leading to Budelli. This stop lasts about one hour and includes coffee, swimming, snorkeling, marine life viewing, and stand up paddleboarding.

After lunch and a long stop at Spargi, Budelli gives you one more chance to get in the water. The hour is short enough that you should listen carefully when the crew gives the return time. You will want to leave room for a swim and still get back aboard without a frantic scramble.

Coffee adds a welcome pause, especially if you have spent the day in the sun. Budelli also keeps the focus on the sea rather than turning the trip into a shore excursion. The listed activities do not include a land visit, so you should think of this as a water-based look at the island and its surrounding coves.

The shorter timing is the main tradeoff. If Budelli is the place you most want to explore, one hour may feel limited. On the other hand, the stop gives you variety. You see more than one part of the archipelago instead of spending the whole day at a single cove.

The long ride home

The return catamaran leg is listed at about two hours before you arrive back at Game Sailing. This is a substantial final stretch, so your comfort on the boat matters. It is a good time to dry off, look back at the islands, and let the day slow down.

The long ride also explains why this is an eight-hour activity rather than a short boat transfer. You are paying for a full day of access to the archipelago, but part of that day is spent getting between the stops. I find that worthwhile if you enjoy being on the water. If your main goal is nonstop swimming, the sailing time may feel long.

Your route can change because of the marine forecast. The tour stops if wind is more than 35 knots, so check conditions before you leave and keep cancellation flexibility in mind. You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option lets you hold a place without paying immediately.

What the $269.62 price includes

At $269.62 per person, this is not a budget boat ride. The value comes from the length of the outing and the items bundled into the day:

• Catamaran transport for about eight hours
• Skipper and hostess
• Appetizer
• Lunch and regional food
• Sea mask
• Stand up paddleboard
• Stops for swimming and snorkeling
• An aperitif and coffee during the route

You still pay for extra drinks, and an action camera is not included. The cost makes the most sense if you use the boat, mask, and SUP, eat onboard, and stay for the full day. If you only want a quick view of the islands, a shorter cruise may be better value.

The food is an important part of the calculation. A meal onboard saves you the trouble of arranging lunch during a day in remote coves. Available feedback also points to good food as one of the trip’s strengths. Still, the exact menu is not provided, so do not book this expecting a particular dish.

The crew is another part of the value. Alex and Simon are specifically associated with warm, professional service, and the skipper is described as discreet but available. That combination suits a day when you want help when needed but do not want constant commentary.

Who should book this Sardinia catamaran trip?

I would choose this outing if you want several things in one day: scenic sailing, swimming, a little snorkeling, lunch, and time to relax. It works well for couples, families, and small groups who enjoy a shared boat and want the convenience of included food and equipment.

It is also a good match for people who prefer a flexible sea day. The route is shaped by wind and marine conditions, so you are not buying a rigid promise that every hour will unfold in exactly the same way.

You may want to think twice if you dislike long boat rides, strong sun, or group activities. The day includes a two-hour return journey, and the itinerary has no stated land tour or extended guided talk. Bring sunscreen, a towel, and cash, and expect to pay extra for drinks.

The overall rating is 3.6 from five reviews, which is a small sample and not enough to settle every question. The individual comments available are strongly positive about the guides, boat, food, space, and scenery, but you should still weigh the premium price and weather dependence.

Practical details before you reserve

The meeting instructions are simple: face the sea at the port, stay on the left side, walk to the corner, and stop. The activity ends at the same meeting point, so you do not need to arrange a separate return transfer.

Bring a towel, sunscreen, and cash. You may also want a hat and a dry change of clothes, though those items are not specifically required by the operator. An action camera is not included, so bring your own only if you want underwater footage.

The host or greeter speaks Italian, English, Spanish, and French. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the activity, and the reserve-now, pay-later option keeps your plans flexible. Check the available start times for your date, since the exact departure time is not fixed here.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want a polished, full-day catamaran outing with included lunch, snorkeling gear, SUP access, and several stops in the La Maddalena Archipelago. The new Jalima, spacious layout, professional crew, and flexible route are the strongest reasons to choose it.

Skip it if $269.62 feels high for a day that includes a lot of sailing, or if you want a private boat, a fixed route, or a formal snorkeling lesson. For the right person, this is a comfortable way to see Sardinia from the water, with enough swimming and food to make the long day feel complete.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran tour start?

It starts at Game Sailing in Sardinia. Face the sea, stay on the left side of the port, walk to the corner, and stop there.

Where does the activity end?

The tour ends back at the Game Sailing meeting point.

How long does the tour last?

The activity lasts about eight hours. Check availability for the starting time on your chosen date.

Which islands or areas does the tour visit?

The route includes the La Maddalena Archipelago National Park, Spargi, and Budelli. The exact itinerary can change with marine weather conditions.

Is lunch included?

Yes. An appetizer and lunch are included, along with regional food served onboard.

Are drinks included?

The included items mention an aperitif and coffee, but extra drinks are not included. Bring cash for additional beverages.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. A sea mask is included. Snorkeling time is offered at the La Maddalena Archipelago, Spargi, and Budelli.

Is stand up paddleboarding available?

Yes. A stand up paddleboard is included and can be used at the listed swimming stops.

What languages are available?

The host or greeter can speak Italian, English, Spanish, and French.

What happens if the weather is too windy?

The tour stops if the wind is more than 35 knots. The daily route also changes according to marine weather conditions.

What should I bring?

Bring a towel, sunscreen, and cash. An action camera is not included.