From Santa Teresa Gallura: La Maddalena Full-Day Boat Tour

Clear water, simple pleasures, big scenery. This full-day cruise from Santa Teresa Gallura gives you an easy way to see the La Maddalena Archipelago without arranging several ferries or beach transfers. I especially like the two long swim stops and the hot pasta cooked aboard, both welcome touches on an eight-hour outing. The main drawback is space: in July and August, the boat and beaches can feel crowded.

I also like the mix of nature and town time. You get beaches at Santa Maria and Spargi, a look at the closed Pink Beach, and about an hour in La Maddalena’s historic center. Just remember that the €5 landing fee in high season is cash only, and online booking does not let you skip the check-in queue.

Key points at a glance

• Two 1.5-hour beach stops: Swim from walkways at Santa Maria and Spargi rather than jumping from the boat.
• A hot lunch is included: The crew serves pennette with seafood, or plain pasta with oil and Parmesan.
• Pink Beach is viewed from the boat: The famous beach has been closed since 1992.
• Town time is brief: Allow about an hour in La Maddalena, enough for a stroll, coffee, or gelato.
• The boat has restrooms: You can also buy drinks onboard, but bring cash for the landing fee.
• Best value comes from the full day: At $65 per person, the trip covers transport, beach access by boat, insurance, audio service, and lunch.

Why this boat trip makes sense from Santa Teresa Gallura

The La Maddalena Archipelago spreads across roughly 20,000 hectares of protected sea and land in northern Sardinia. Its seven main islands include La Maddalena, Caprera, Budelli, Santo Stefano, Santa Maria, Spargi, and Razzoli.

From Santa Teresa Gallura, this cruise handles the practical work. You board one of three motorboats operated by Soc. Coop. Consorzio delle Bocche, spend the day moving between islands, and return to the port at about 5:00 PM. That makes it a good choice if you want the archipelago experience without renting a boat or planning your own route.

I find the format especially useful for first-time visitors. You see several different parts of the park in one day, including beaches, open water, the famous Pink Beach, and the town of La Maddalena. The tradeoff is that this is a shared excursion, not a quiet private sailing trip.

The boat has a front walkway that leads directly onto the beach piers. This matters because you are not expected to swim from the boat or scramble onto rocks. The operator does not permit jumping from the boat, so bring proper swimwear and plan to enter the water from shore.

Arriving at the port and boarding

The check-in desk is near the Coast Guard office and Cafe La Marina bar in Santa Teresa Gallura. You should arrive 60 minutes before the activity, with the practical meeting window listed as 8:00 to 8:15 AM.

That early arrival is not just a suggestion. You must pay the municipal disembarkation fee before boarding, and the ticket office accepts cash only. The charge is €2.50 per person in May, September, and October, and €5 in June, July, and August.

Online booking does not mean you can walk straight onto the boat. You still join the check-in line with everyone else. Keep your booking confirmation ready, and do not count on mobile data at the port. One traveler had trouble accessing a QR code without Wi-Fi and needed help from the nearby cafe.

If you are traveling with friends or several families, make one reservation if you want to sit and board together. Separate bookings do not guarantee placement on the same boat.

Parking is about 200 meters from the boats. The parking meter accepts coins or credit cards, and you can also use the EasyPark app. It does not accept banknotes, so this is one more reason to carry a few coins and cards.

Santa Maria: your first long swim stop

The first beach stop is Santa Maria, one of the islands in the archipelago. The boat reaches the pier, and you walk onto the beach using the front walkway.

You are scheduled to have about 1.5 hours here. That is enough time to swim, sit on the sand, take photos, and slow down after the morning departure. The water is the star: clear, bright, and well suited to a proper swim rather than a quick photo stop.

This is the kind of stop where a towel matters. Beach umbrellas and towels are not included, so pack your own shade if you need it. You should also bring sunglasses, swimwear, and sunscreen.

The beach will not be empty, especially in the middle of summer. Several boats visit the same popular coves, and the shore can feel busy. Still, the long stop gives you more breathing room than a rushed 20-minute photo break.

The schedule may shift with sea conditions and loading times. One departure was late reaching its first stop, while other days ran closely to schedule. The crew adjusts to weather and waves, but you should not expect every minute to unfold like a train timetable.

Lunch onboard: simple, warm, and better than a packed sandwich

Lunch is served on the boat, usually after the first beach stop. The standard dish is pennette with seafood. If you do not want seafood, you can request pasta with oil and Parmesan.

I see this as a useful part of the price rather than a fine-dining event. The meal is simple, hot, and served without taking you away from the scenery. Several people especially enjoyed the seafood pasta, with crab legs and prawns appearing in some portions. Others found the food plain, small, or inconsistent.

That range tells you what to expect. You may receive a generous helping, and seconds have been available on some trips, but you should not book this boat for a gourmet meal. If you have a large appetite or specific dietary needs beyond the listed pasta choices, bring a snack.

Drinks are not included. You can buy them at the boat bar, and carrying cash makes that easier. A small snack, water, and perhaps fruit will also help if you want something between lunch and the afternoon swim.

The crew’s friendly service is one of the stronger parts of the outing. The onboard cook has helped make lunch feel cheerful rather than purely functional, and the meal gives the day a pleasant rhythm: beach, lunch, more scenery, then another beach.

Spargi: the most memorable beach for many visitors

The second long stop is on Spargi, often the visual high point of the day. The island’s coves, pale sand, and transparent water create the classic northern Sardinia scene you probably came to see.

Again, the scheduled stop lasts about 1.5 hours. You walk from the dock to the beach, swim from shore, and return to the boat when the crew calls everyone back. The water is excellent for cooling off, but you should keep an eye on the time. The boat cannot wait for a leisurely last swim.

Spargi can also be the most crowded stop. Several boats may arrive together, and the beach has limited space. The scenery remains beautiful, but this is not a private-island fantasy. If you prefer quiet coves and personal service, a small private boat would suit you better.

The route has sometimes offered a glimpse of wild boars near the beach. Treat that as an amusing possibility, not a guaranteed part of the excursion. The reliable attractions are the water, the beach, and the views across the protected archipelago.

Sea conditions can change. Most departures have calm, pleasant rides, but rougher water is possible, and the trip may feel long for young children. If you are prone to seasickness, sit where you feel most stable and bring any medication you normally use.

Pink Beach and the protected archipelago

One of the most interesting sights is Pink Beach on Budelli. You do not land there. The beach has been closed since 1992, and the boat passes close enough for you to see this famous protected site from the water.

Its color comes from the unusual natural character of the beach, which has become one of the symbols of the national park. It was also featured in Michelangelo Antonioni’s film Red Desert. The important point for your visit is that the beach is protected, not a place for swimming, walking, or collecting sand.

Seeing it from the boat also explains why the park rules matter. The archipelago is not simply a collection of pretty beaches for public use. The sea and islands are managed to protect their natural condition, and the closed beach is a clear example of that policy.

The multilingual audio service is available in Italian, English, and French. It adds context as the boat moves between islands, though the motor noise can make the recording hard to hear from interior seats. If the commentary matters to you, try to sit where you have a clear speaker and less engine noise.

La Maddalena town: a short break from the water

The itinerary includes a stop of about an hour in the historic center of La Maddalena. This gives you a chance to walk, buy a coffee or gelato, and see a little of island life beyond the beaches.

Do not expect a full town tour. With passengers getting off and back on, the usable time can feel closer to 45 minutes. You have enough time for a short stroll near the port, but not enough for a long meal, museum visit, or ambitious shopping circuit.

I like this stop because it breaks up the day. Eight hours on a boat can become repetitive, even with beautiful water, and a walk on solid ground helps. The setting also gives you a glimpse of the main island’s everyday side, rather than only its postcard coves.

If your main goal is shopping or exploring La Maddalena’s streets, this tour gives you too little time. If you mainly want beaches and sea views, the brief town visit is a useful extra rather than the centerpiece.

Boat comfort, crowds, and the real group experience

The motorboats are equipped with restrooms, which is important on an eight-hour trip. You also have seating indoors and outdoors, though the best seats can go quickly.

Capacity is the biggest practical concern. On some departures, the boat felt crowded enough that not everyone had a seat for much of the day. Other departures had enough room for everyone and felt busy but comfortable.

The difference may depend on the date, boat assignment, and season. July and August bring the heaviest demand. If you dislike organized group excursions, avoid expecting a quiet deck and personal attention. This is a large shared boat with a fixed route.

On the positive side, a larger motorboat can feel more secure when the sea is choppy than a tiny open craft. The crew has handled rough conditions carefully, and the itinerary can be adjusted to the weather. Families may appreciate the toilets and easy beach access, though younger children could find the full day tiring.

Small pets are allowed onboard outside August. They cannot go onto the beaches at any time, so check that rule carefully before bringing one.

What the $65 price really covers

At $65 per person, this is a strong value if you want a full day on the water. The price includes the return boat ticket, passenger liability insurance, multilingual audio service, and lunch.

You still need to add the landing fee, which brings the real cost to $67.50 in May, September, and October, or $70 in June, July, and August. Drinks, towels, and beach umbrellas cost extra.

The value comes from the route. Booking separate transport to Santa Maria, Spargi, and La Maddalena would be more complicated and could cost more once you add transfers and meals. Here, one ticket gives you two substantial beach stops, town time, and a cooked lunch.

The price is less appealing if you want privacy, a flexible schedule, or long time in La Maddalena town. You are paying for convenience and coverage, not a custom day at sea.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve without paying immediately. Check the current departure availability before planning around a particular sailing.

Who should book this Sardinia excursion?

I would recommend this boat trip to you if you want to see several islands in one day, swim in clear water, and keep the planning simple. It works especially well for first-time visitors staying near Santa Teresa Gallura.

It is also a good fit for people who value a complete day at a fair price. The included lunch, onboard toilets, walkways to the beaches, and multilingual service remove several small travel headaches.

You may want another option if you need a quiet boat, more time in town, or a private beach experience. Summer crowds are real, and the popular stops can feel shared with many other boats.

Pack light but smart: swimsuit, towel, sunglasses, sunscreen, water, cash, and a snack. Leave room for wet clothing, and arrive early enough to deal with the check-in line and cash fee without stress.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if the sea and beaches are your priority. You get striking scenery, two proper swim stops, a warm onboard meal, and a broad look at the archipelago for a reasonable price.

Skip it if you want solitude or a detailed visit to La Maddalena town. For most visitors who accept the group format, this is an efficient and enjoyable way to spend a full Sardinian day, especially outside the busiest summer weeks.

FAQ

How long is the La Maddalena boat tour?

The activity lasts about eight hours. Departure is scheduled in the morning, with return to Santa Teresa Gallura around 5:00 PM.

Where is the meeting point?

The check-in desk is near the Coast Guard office and Cafe La Marina bar in Santa Teresa Gallura.

What time should I arrive?

You should arrive 60 minutes before the activity. The meeting window at the port is listed as 8:00 to 8:15 AM.

How much is the landing fee?

The fee is €2.50 per person in May, September, and October. It is €5 per person in June, July, and August.

Can I pay the landing fee by credit card?

No. The landing fee must be paid in cash before boarding. Credit cards are not accepted for this charge.

Which beaches does the boat visit?

The boat can dock at the beaches of Santa Maria and Spargi using walkways from the piers. Each beach stop is scheduled for about 1.5 hours.

Can I jump from the boat into the sea?

No. Jumping from the boat is not permitted. All beach stops are reached using walkways from the docks.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch includes pennette with seafood, or plain pasta with oil and Parmesan cheese.

Are drinks included?

No. Drinks are not included. Drinks can be purchased onboard, and you should carry cash.

Are pets allowed?

Small pets are allowed onboard except in August. Pets are not allowed on the beaches under any circumstances.