Catamaran tour of the islands of the La Maddalena Archipelago

The best part of this La Maddalena catamaran tour is the mix of famous sights and quiet swimming stops. From Porto Pozzo, you reach Spargi quickly, then spend the day among the blue water of Budelli, Razzoli, and Santa Maria. Lunch, wine, soft drinks, snorkeling gear, and two paddleboards are included.

I especially like the small group of up to 12 people and the spacious boat, with shade and a front net for stretching out while you sail. The crew, including skippers named Luca, Cesario, Caesar, and others on different departures, keeps the mood easy and friendly. The main catch is that the route and beach stops depend on wind and sea conditions, so you cannot count on one exact cove.

Key points at a glance

• Two swimming stops on Spargi: The crew chooses among Cala Corsara, Cala Soraya, Cala Connery, and Cala Granara according to the weather.
• Pink Beach viewed from the water: You pass Cala di Roto, where landing, swimming, anchoring, and transit are prohibited.
• A full day on a small catamaran: The boat carries a maximum of 12 people and includes a restroom, shade, and a front lounging net.
• Lunch with Sardinian flavors: Expect pasta, local cheese, an aperitivo, wine, bottled water, soft drinks, and other drinks.
• Water gear included: Masks, snorkels, and two stand-up paddleboards are available during the stops.
• A weather-dependent route: Poor conditions can lead to a new date or a full refund.

Why this catamaran trip works so well

The La Maddalena Archipelago is best seen from the water. Its islands are scattered across the northern tip of Sardinia, and the sea shifts from pale turquoise near sandy coves to stronger blue in the deeper channels. A boat gives you access to several islands in one day without spending your holiday moving between separate beaches.

This is not a simple ferry ride. You are on a catamaran for about eight hours, with plenty of time to swim, snorkel, paddleboard, eat, and sit in the sun or shade. The pace is leisurely. You move between islands, but the day is built around stopping in the water rather than rushing ashore.

The boat has room to spread out, and the front net is one of its nicest features. You can lie above the water as the catamaran sails, though you may prefer the shaded areas during the hottest part of the day. A restroom on board is another small detail that makes a long day at sea easier.

The group size matters. With a maximum of 12 people, the atmosphere should feel more personal than on a large excursion boat. The crew can keep an eye on the swimming areas, explain the route, and serve lunch without the crowded, assembly-line feel that often comes with larger boats.

Starting at Porto Pozzo at 10:00

The tour begins at Ristorante Sintonia Marina in Porto Pozzo at 10:00 in the morning. Porto Pozzo is described as the closest departure point for reaching the islands, so less of your day is spent simply getting out to the archipelago.

That later morning start works well if you are staying nearby and do not want a dawn departure. It also means you should arrive ready for a full day outdoors. Bring a swimsuit, beach towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a light layer. Towels and sunscreen are not supplied.

The tour ends back at the same meeting point. Since the route takes about eight hours, plan for your return in the early evening. The tour is conducted in English, and confirmation is provided when you book.

Spargi: two beach stops and the clearest water

Spargi is the first major stop, and the boat reaches it quickly from Porto Pozzo. The island is known for rounded granite rocks, small bays, and pale sand. Its nearly circular shape creates several sheltered coves, though the exact stop depends on the weather.

The crew makes two stops around Spargi. Possible locations include Cala Corsara, Cala Soraya, Cala Connery, and Cala Granara. Each has the classic ingredients you came for: white sand, clear water, and rock formations shaped by wind and time.

Two stops here give you useful flexibility. You can swim at one cove, return to the boat for a break, then try snorkeling or paddleboarding at another. If wind makes one side of the island uncomfortable, the crew can choose a better-protected bay.

Do not expect a guided shore walk or a long visit through the island’s interior. This is a water-based stop. The value is in swimming, floating, snorkeling, and seeing the coves from the catamaran.

Pink Beach from the protected side

The boat passes in front of Pink Beach, whose official name is Cala di Roto. The pink tone comes from the sand, and the beach is one of the best-known sights in the archipelago.

You will see it from the water only. Pink Beach lies inside Zone A of the La Maddalena Archipelago National Park, and access, transit, anchoring, and bathing have been forbidden since 1994. That restriction protects the fragile beach, so do not expect to step ashore or swim beside it.

This is an important part of the route because it shows that the archipelago is not simply a collection of open-access beaches. Some places are protected precisely because they are delicate. Have your camera ready as you pass, but treat the view as a look, not a landing.

Budelli and the blue water at Le Piscine

The next substantial stop is near Le Piscine on Budelli. This stretch of sea borders Cavalieri Beach and is known for exceptionally clear blue water.

Le Piscine is the sort of place where the boat itself becomes your beach club. You can swim directly from the catamaran, use a mask and snorkel, or try one of the two stand-up paddleboards. If you prefer not to get wet, the deck gives you a comfortable place to watch the water and the other islands.

The stop lasts about two hours, which is long enough to enjoy the water without feeling hurried. The supplied gear adds real value here. You do not need to pack your own snorkel equipment, though bringing your own mask can still be useful if you are particular about fit.

The beach itself is part of the view, but the day is not structured around going ashore. That may disappoint you if you want to plant your towel on every beach. It is a plus if you would rather avoid carrying beach gear between islands.

Razzoli and the Asinelli Pass

Razzoli brings a change of scenery. The boat stops at the Asinelli Pass, the deep blue channel separating Razzoli from Santa Maria. The pass reaches a depth of 374 meters, and its narrow waterway gives the stop a more dramatic feel than a simple sandy cove.

The scheduled stop here is about one hour. That is enough for a swim or a quiet look around, but less time than you get at Spargi, Budelli, and Santa Maria. If you want to snorkel at every stop, manage your time carefully.

The pass also shows why a catamaran is useful for this area. From the water, you see the islands as a connected chain of channels, coves, and rocky points. The route is not just a run to a beach. It lets you notice how quickly the character of the archipelago changes from one island to the next.

Santa Maria and the Passo del Topo

The final island stop focuses on Santa Maria. The boat follows much of the island’s inner coast, passing small coves and water that shifts from emerald to very pale blue.

A break is scheduled near Passo del Topo, a narrow passage between Santa Maria and the Paduleddi islets. The coast here is jagged, and the clear water makes it another good place for swimming and paddleboarding.

This stop lasts about two hours, so it is a good time to slow down. By this point in the day, you may be happy simply to sit on the catamaran with a drink. The boat offers bottled water and soft drinks, and wine is served with the meal. If you still have energy, this is another chance to snorkel or paddle.

The route covers a lot of water, but it does not feel like a checklist if you use the longer stops well. I would treat each stop as flexible time, not as a demand to swim, snorkel, paddleboard, and sunbathe all at once.

Lunch, drinks, and the Sardinian touch

Lunch is included, and it is more than a token snack. The food served on different departures has included freshly prepared pasta, seafood pasta, local pecorino cheese, and Sardinian-style aperitivo items. White wine is served with the meal, along with bottled water, cola, iced tea, and other soft drinks.

Food on a boat matters because you are out for about eight hours. You do not need to leave the route to find a restaurant, and the meal gives the day a natural pause between swimming stops. The combination of pasta, local cheese, and wine also adds a taste of Sardinia instead of treating the boat as a floating picnic platform.

The exact menu can vary. Do not book this as a formal restaurant lunch with several choices. Think of it as a generous shared meal prepared on board. If you have allergies or strict dietary needs, check with the operator before booking, since the supplied details do not specify special-diet arrangements.

What the crew adds to the day

The crew is central to the experience. Skippers and hosts named on different departures include Luca, Cesario, Caesar, Andrea, Roberto, Beatrice, and Emma. The crew handles the route, watches the conditions, serves lunch, and helps create the relaxed social mood that suits a day on the water.

Several crew members are praised for smooth handling of the catamaran and clear explanations about the islands. That matters when the sea changes or when a popular cove is not the best choice for the day. A good skipper can shift the route without making the change feel like a loss.

The boat also sails when conditions allow. When the wind is right, sailing adds a quiet, pleasant stretch between stops. When it is not, the catamaran uses its engine and continues with the planned outing.

The group is small, but it is still a shared activity. You will spend the day with other people on a boat, sharing food and swimming areas. If you want a private charter or complete control over the schedule, this is not the right format.

Price, practical value, and who should book

At $108.61 per person, the price covers about eight hours on the water, fuel, insurance, lunch, drinks, snorkeling equipment, paddleboards, and use of the catamaran. That is strong value if you would otherwise pay separately for boat transport, meals, and water activities.

The price also reflects the small capacity. You are not paying only to be carried from one island to another. You are paying for a full-day boat experience with a restroom, shaded seating, a front net, and a crew that handles the route and food.

I would recommend it most strongly if you want:

• Several swimming areas in one day
• A relaxed boat setting rather than a large ferry
• Snorkeling and paddleboarding without renting equipment separately
• Sardinian food and wine included in the day
• A scenic outing that requires little planning once you arrive

It may be less suitable if you dislike boats, need a guaranteed beach itinerary, or want extensive time walking on land. The tour is also dependent on good weather. If conditions are poor, the operator offers another date or a full refund.

The activity is suitable for most people, but you should be comfortable boarding and spending much of the day at sea. The provided information does not list specific accessibility arrangements, so ask before booking if you need assistance.

Should you book this La Maddalena tour?

I would book this catamaran trip if your ideal Sardinia day includes clear water, several coves, a good lunch, and a small group rather than a packed excursion boat. The strongest reasons are the four-island route, the included water gear, and the amount of time built into each swimming stop.

Choose it with realistic expectations. Pink Beach is viewed from the water, the exact coves can change, and the day is about swimming and sailing rather than sightseeing on land. Bring your own towel and sunscreen, arrive at Porto Pozzo before the 10:00 start, and leave room in your schedule for weather changes.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure. If the weather is poor or the minimum number is not reached, you can move to another date or receive a full refund.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran tour start?

The tour starts at Ristorante Sintonia Marina, Marina 07028 Porto Pozzo SS, Italy.

What time does the tour begin?

The scheduled start time is 10:00 am.

How long does the excursion last?

The catamaran outing lasts approximately eight hours and returns to the original meeting point.

Which islands does the tour visit?

The route includes Spargi, Budelli, Razzoli, and Santa Maria in the La Maddalena Archipelago.

Can I visit Pink Beach?

No. You pass in front of Pink Beach, also called Cala di Roto, but access, transit, anchoring, and bathing there are prohibited.

Are lunch and drinks included?

Yes. Lunch, bottled water, soda or soft drinks, and wine with the meal are included.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Masks and snorkels are provided, along with two stand-up paddleboards for use during the stops.

What happens if the weather is bad?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor conditions, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.