Trips & tickets
A day boat from Palau or La Maddalena to beaches such as Cala Corsara and Santa Maria, the clear water of Cala Coticcio, and time in La Maddalena town.
A catamaran from Palau with swim stops at three islands, commentary from the captain, a look at the Pink Beach, and lunch with wine.
A sailboat from La Maddalena or Palau to Spargi, Budelli and the natural pools of Budelli, with swims, snorkelling, lunch and drinks.
The full GetYourGuide listing for the La Maddalena archipelago — day boat tours, sailing and catamaran trips from Palau and Cannigione, with live prices.
The La Maddalena archipelago is a group of islands off the north-east tip of Sardinia, protected as a national park. Most visitors see it on a day boat tour from Palau or Cannigione that stops at several beaches and coves.
The larger islands are also reached by ferry from Palau, which lets you explore La Maddalena town and Caprera by road. Sailing and catamaran trips offer a smaller-group alternative. These pages compare the options.
Plan it properly
Getting to the La Maddalena archipelago: from Olbia airport (just over 40 km) to Palau, ferries to La Maddalena from 06:30 until late and through the night, the causeway to Caprera, where boat trips leave from, and the national park rules every visitor should know.
A guide to the beaches of the La Maddalena archipelago and the boat trips that reach them: Cala Corsara on Spargi, the Pink Beach of Budelli (closed since 1994 and seen only from the sea), the natural pools, Cala Coticcio on Caprera (guided only, €3.00 park contribution), and how the day trips compare.
Exploring La Maddalena town and Caprera: the church of Santa Maria Maddalena with Nelson's silver candlesticks, a history from the Savoy occupation of 1767 to Napoleon's first battle, and Garibaldi's home on Caprera (€8.00, timed entry of 20 people every 15 minutes) and the Memoriale.
The archipelago
Photographs licensed from Shutterstock.
More than 60 islands and islets.
Mostly from Palau, and also from La Maddalena and Cannigione. Full-day trips take 7–8 hours.
Large day boats carry the most people; catamarans and sailboats include lunch and take smaller groups; the 4-hour RIB tour is the quickest.