From Cannigione: Catamaran tour in La Maddalena Archipelago

La Maddalena’s best scenery is viewed from the water, and this small catamaran trip from Cannigione gives you a full day among turquoise coves, pale beaches and rocky islands without the feel of a crowded ferry. The boat carries up to 12 passengers with two crew, leaving plenty of room to sit in the sun or take shelter below.

I like the combination of several possible island stops and a proper lunch cooked onboard. The fish-based pasta, local wine, Sardinian sweets and Mirto make this more than a simple swim stop. The main consideration is that the final route depends on weather and the skipper, so you cannot count on visiting every island named in the program.

Key points to know before booking

• Small 12-passenger catamaran: The boat is 12 meters long and 6.90 meters wide, with two crew members and space for a maximum of 12 passengers.
• A full day on the water: The trip lasts about 7.5 hours, including sailing, swimming stops and lunch.
• Several possible islands: Spargi, Budelli, Santa Maria, Razzoli, Caprera and nearby coves may feature, depending on sea conditions.
• Lunch is a real part of the outing: Expect an aperitif, fish pasta prepared onboard, Vermentino, beer, fresh fruit, Sardinian sweets and Mirto.
• Bring your own snorkeling gear: Snorkeling equipment is not included, though the boat has a tender for reaching beaches and shore spots.
• Useful limits: The tour is not suitable for pregnant women or people with mobility impairments, and food substitutions cannot be guaranteed.

Why this catamaran is a good fit for La Maddalena

The La Maddalena Archipelago is made for a boat day. The islands sit close together, yet each has its own shape and mood: rounded granite rocks, bright sand, low scrub and water that shifts from clear blue to bright turquoise over the shallows.

A catamaran is a comfortable way to see this part of Sardinia because it gives you room to move around. This one has an outdoor shower, an outdoor area for sunbathing, music and a tender with an outboard motor. The wide 6.90-meter beam should feel less cramped than a narrow day boat, particularly when lunch is being served or several people are changing after a swim.

The group size matters, too. With no more than 12 passengers and two crew, the day should feel fairly personal without being a private charter. It is still a shared trip, but you are not packed into a large excursion boat with dozens of other people.

The boat also has four cabins and two bathrooms, although only one bathroom is available during the day trip. That is worth knowing before you book. A single onboard bathroom is manageable for a small group, but it may be less convenient during lunch or while the boat is under way.

Meeting the boat at Cannigione

The departure point is at the CNA pier on Via Isole Le Bisce in Cannigione. From the car park before the pier, you walk down the stairs to the end of the wooden pier.

Give yourself enough time to find the car park and reach the boat calmly. The meeting point involves stairs, and the tour is not suitable for people with mobility impairments. You should also arrive ready for a day outside, since the boat heads out soon after boarding and there is no reason to expect a long settling-in period at the pier.

Cannigione is on Sardinia’s northeast coast, a practical starting point for reaching the archipelago. Once the boat leaves, the day becomes a mix of open-water sailing, island views, short swims and time spent at anchor.

The tour is offered with an Italian, English or Spanish-speaking guide and crew. Since the schedule and stops can change with the weather, listen closely to the morning explanation. The skipper decides where the boat can safely stop and which coves offer the best conditions that day.

Sailing toward Spargi

Spargi is the likely focus of the outward sailing, and it is easy to see why. The island is known for rocky shores, small coves and clear water suited to swimming and snorkeling.

You may anchor near a sandy beach or in a sheltered bay. The stop is less about checking off a named landmark and more about getting into the water. You can swim among colorful fish, use the tender to reach a beach, or stay aboard and watch the water from the catamaran.

Bring a towel, swimsuit, sun hat and sunscreen. The boat has an outdoor shower, which is useful after a saltwater swim, but snorkeling equipment is not included. If snorkeling matters to you, pack your own mask and fins rather than assuming the crew will provide them.

Spargi can be a strong first stop because it gives you the classic archipelago scene quickly: pale sand, clean water and granite island shapes. The drawback is that anchorage conditions vary. A cove may be ideal for swimming one day and less comfortable another, so the skipper may move the boat or choose a different bay.

The changing route through Budelli and the northern islands

The possible route can include Budelli, Santa Maria and Razzoli, as well as Spargi. These names describe a broad area rather than a guaranteed checklist. Wind, waves and the skipper’s judgment determine the actual stops.

Budelli is associated with bright beaches and shallow water, including the famous pink-sand area of Spiaggia Rosa. Do not assume you will land on every beach or swim at every named spot. Protected areas can have access rules, and the supplied details only promise possible stops, not a fixed beach visit.

Santa Maria and Razzoli add variety to the day. You might find quieter coves, rockier shorelines or good places for a short swim. The point of this route is the range of scenery. Instead of spending the entire day at one beach, you get a moving view of the archipelago and several chances to enter the sea.

Caprera is another possible stop. It is more closely linked to the larger northern Sardinian island group than to a single beach stop, so the appeal here is the combination of sea views, coves and island scenery. Again, the skipper may choose Caprera only if conditions make it a sensible choice.

This flexibility is both a strength and a limitation. It allows the crew to select better water and safer anchorages on the day. It also means you should book this as a full archipelago sailing day, not as a guaranteed visit to Spargi, Budelli, Santa Maria, Razzoli and Caprera in one fixed order.

Swimming, snorkeling and tender rides

The water is the main attraction. At the stops, you can swim directly from the catamaran and look for colorful fish in the clear shallows. The boat’s tender can also take you closer to selected beaches.

The tender is particularly useful if the catamaran anchors offshore. It gives you a way to reach a beach without forcing the large boat into shallow water. Still, tender rides depend on the chosen stop and the skipper’s decision, so they are not guaranteed at every anchorage.

You will need to be comfortable getting in and out of the sea and using the boat’s access points. The tour is not suitable for people with mobility impairments, and pregnant women are advised not to book. There is no indication that flotation gear or snorkeling equipment is included, so ask about anything you need before departure and bring your own mask and fins.

The boat has a tender, but that does not turn the tour into a land-based beach day. Most of your time is likely to be spent aboard, in the water, or moving between stops. If you prefer to spend several hours on one broad beach, this may not be the right format.

Lunch with fish pasta, Vermentino and Mirto

Lunch is one of the strongest reasons to choose this outing over a basic boat transfer. The crew serves an aperitif with typical products, followed by a fish-based pasta dish prepared onboard.

The meal also includes Vermentino wine, beer, fresh fruit, Sardinian sweets and Mirto, the island’s classic myrtle liqueur. That makes lunch a pleasant introduction to local flavors, not just a practical break between swims. You can sit back with a plate and a view of the islands instead of searching for a restaurant during the middle of the day.

The meal is fish-centered, so it is important to plan honestly around your dietary needs. Vegetarian food may be possible if you request it through the number on your booking voucher at least 24 hours in advance. Special allergy and intolerance menus are not guaranteed, and alternatives may not be available.

If you have a serious allergy, contact the provider before booking and do not assume that a requested substitution will be safe. The same advice applies to anyone who does not eat fish. A no-fish option may be possible, but it needs to be requested ahead of time.

Lunch also affects the rhythm of the outing. You are not simply buying transport between beaches. Part of the 7.5 hours is dedicated to eating, drinking and relaxing onboard, which is good value if you enjoy a social meal at sea. It is less appealing if you want every minute devoted to swimming.

What the boat setup means in practice

The 12-meter catamaran has four cabins, two bathrooms, an outdoor shower and a music system. During this daytime trip, only one bathroom is available, so keep that in mind when deciding how much to drink and when planning your use of the facilities.

The catamaran’s width should help during the most active parts of the day. You can move between seating areas, find a sunny place, or step away from the main group for a quieter moment. The capacity limit of 12 passengers plus two crew is a major advantage for people who dislike mass-market boat outings.

That said, the boat is still a shared space. If every passenger wants the same shaded corner or the best view at once, you will need to be flexible. The music system may also shape the atmosphere, so this is better for people who enjoy a friendly day with a little onboard activity than for anyone seeking total silence.

The crew’s role is central. They steer, choose the anchorages, prepare lunch and help with tender rides. The crew does not simply transport you from one point to another. The skipper’s decisions directly shape your day, which is why weather flexibility matters so much.

Is the $173.89 price good value?

At $173.89 per person, this is not the cheapest way to get onto the water around Sardinia. It can still be good value because the price includes the catamaran trip, fuel, skipper, entrance to La Maddalena Archipelago National Park and lunch.

You are paying for more than a seat. The package combines a small group, a full 7.5 hours, several possible island stops, a cooked fish lunch, drinks and park access. You also avoid arranging separate transport between islands or finding food during the day.

The value is strongest if you will make use of the whole package: swimming, time aboard, the meal and the chance to see several parts of the archipelago. It is weaker if you do not drink wine or beer, cannot eat the planned lunch, or mainly want one particular beach.

Extra drinks are not included, and snorkeling equipment is also excluded. Bring your own gear if you have it, and budget for any additional beverages. The included Vermentino, beer and meal cover much of the day, but the tour is not an all-inclusive boat charter.

The provider offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and a reserve-now, pay-later option. Those terms are helpful when your Sardinia plans depend on weather or changing schedules.

Who should book this day on the water?

I would choose this catamaran for a couple, small group of friends or family group that wants a relaxed sea day with food included. It suits people who like swimming, island scenery and the social side of eating together onboard.

It is also a good choice if you want a small boat without paying for a private charter. The 12-passenger limit gives you more breathing room than a large excursion vessel, while the crew still handles navigation, fuel, park entry and lunch.

You should think twice if you need a fixed schedule or a guaranteed visit to one exact beach. The route can change. You should also reconsider if you have limited mobility, are pregnant, dislike shared bathrooms or need carefully controlled food for allergies.

Pack lightly but sensibly:

• Swimsuit and towel
• Sun hat and high-protection sunscreen
• Your own snorkeling equipment
• Dry clothing for the ride back
• Any personal medication you need
• Cash or a payment method for extra drinks, if required

Pets are not allowed.

Should you book the Cannigione catamaran?

Book it if you want a polished, small-group day that joins Sardinian food with clear-water swimming. The strongest features are the modest group size, flexible route, tender access to beaches and lunch with fish pasta, Vermentino, sweets and Mirto.

Skip it if you need guaranteed stops, full dietary control or easy step-free access. For everyone else, $173.89 is reasonable for a seven-and-a-half-hour outing that includes park entry, fuel, a skipper and a substantial meal. Keep your expectations focused on the full sailing day rather than a strict list of islands, and the trip should give you a memorable view of La Maddalena from the best possible angle, the sea.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran tour depart from?

The meeting point is at the CNA pier on Via Isole Le Bisce in Cannigione. From the car park before the pier, walk down the stairs to the end of the wooden pier.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts 7.5 hours. Starting times vary, so check availability for the date you want.

Which islands will the boat visit?

Possible stops include Spargi, Budelli, Santa Maria, Razzoli and Caprera. The final route and stops depend on weather conditions and the skipper’s decision.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch includes an aperitif with typical products, fish-based pasta prepared onboard, Vermentino wine, beer, fresh fruit, Sardinian sweets and Mirto.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

No. Snorkeling equipment is not included, so bring your own if you want to snorkel.

Can the crew provide vegetarian or allergy-friendly food?

Vegetarian or no-fish options may be possible if requested at least 24 hours in advance using the number on the booking voucher. Special solutions for allergies and intolerances are not guaranteed.

Is the tour suitable for people with mobility impairments or pregnant women?

No. The tour is not suitable for pregnant women or people with mobility impairments. Pets are also not allowed.