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

Crystal-clear water is only the beginning. This eight-hour boat trip from Santa Teresa Gallura gives you a simple way to see several protected islands without arranging ferries, beach transfers, or a private charter. I especially like the two long swimming stops, the easy access from dock walkways, and the seafood pasta cooked onboard.

The main trade-off is space. In July and August, the boat and beaches can feel crowded, and the stop in La Maddalena town may feel short if you want time for shopping or a proper meal. Still, at $65 per person, this is a strong value for a full day at sea, especially if your goal is clear water, pretty coves, and a relaxed boat ride rather than solitude.

Quick take: what matters most

• Two 1.5-hour beach stops: You get real time to swim and sit on the sand at Santa Maria and Spargi, not just a quick photo stop.
• Seafood pasta cooked onboard: The meal is simple, but many people enjoy the generous portions and fresh, easygoing setting.
• La Maddalena town for about an hour: Enough for a short walk, coffee, or ice cream, but not enough for a thorough town visit.
• Pink Beach viewed from the boat: The famous beach has been closed since 1992, so you cannot land there.
• Cash is essential: The municipal landing fee costs €2.50 in May, September, and October, or €5 in June, July, and August.
• A large shared boat experience: You get good value and onboard toilets, but not the quiet or flexibility of a private excursion.

Setting out from Santa Teresa Gallura

The check-in desk is near the Coast Guard office and Cafe La Marina at Santa Teresa’s port. The published meeting window is 8:00 to 8:15 AM, and you should plan to arrive about an hour before departure. That early arrival matters because you must pay the landing fee in cash before boarding, and an online booking does not give you priority in the check-in line.

Bring €5 per person during the June through August high season. In May, September, and October, the fee is €2.50. The ticket office does not accept cards for this charge, so do not assume your phone or bank card will save the morning.

Parking is about 200 meters from the boats. You can pay by coins or card at the parking area, or use the Easy Park app. The meter does not accept banknotes, a small detail that can cause an unnecessary scramble before an early departure.

The operator uses three motorboats. The exact boat assignment can vary, and the experience is designed for a sizeable shared group rather than a tiny sailing party. The boats have toilets and a front walkway leading directly to the beach access points, which makes getting ashore easier than scrambling over rocks or using a small tender.

The first hours: open water and island views

Once the boat leaves Santa Teresa, the ride itself becomes part of the day. The route crosses the protected waters of the La Maddalena Archipelago National Park, a marine area of about 20,000 hectares. Seven main islands make up the park: La Maddalena, Caprera, Budelli, Santo Stefano, Santa Maria, Spargi, and Razzoli.

You get broad views of rocky islands, pale beaches, and coves that are hard to reach by land. The water is the real star. Clear turquoise shallows make the swimming stops worthwhile even if you are not interested in a long day of sightseeing.

A multilingual audio service is available in Italian, English, and French. Its usefulness depends on where you sit. The boat engine can make the recording difficult to hear from interior seats, so I would treat the commentary as a helpful extra rather than the main reason to book.

The crew receives strong marks for being friendly, punctual, and attentive to weather conditions. That last point matters in northern Sardinia, where the sea can turn rough. The trip has been comfortable for many people, but some families have found eight hours tiring when the water is choppy. If you are prone to motion sickness, bring whatever remedies you normally use.

Santa Maria: your first proper swim

The boat can reach the beach at Santa Maria by using a walkway from the dock. You get about 1.5 hours here, which is long enough to swim, dry off, sit on the beach, and take in the setting without constantly watching the clock.

This is one of the tour’s strongest features. Many boat trips offer a quick ten-minute photo stop. Here, you get a genuine beach break. The water is clear and inviting, and the long pause gives you room to set your own pace.

The stop is not a private beach experience. In the summer months, several boats may be using the same popular area, so the sand can be busy. The tour cannot control the number of people arriving from elsewhere, but the scenery and water remain the main reward.

Pack your own towel, swimwear, sunglasses, and sunscreen. Umbrellas and towels are not included. Also remember that you must use the walkway to reach the beach. Jumping from the boat is not allowed, so this is not the right outing if you are looking for a free-form swim directly off the stern.

Lunch onboard: simple, filling, and worth understanding

Lunch usually features pennette ai frutti di mare, a seafood pasta cooked onboard. A plain version with oil and Parmesan is available for anyone who does not want seafood. Drinks are not included, though you can buy them at the onboard bar.

The food is best understood as a practical boat lunch, not a restaurant meal. Many people find the seafood pasta tasty, and some describe generous portions with crab legs and prawns. Others find the quality ordinary, the serving small, or the seafood sparse. Your experience may depend on the batch being served and your expectations.

I like the fact that lunch is included because it keeps the day moving. You do not have to search for food at a beach stop or give up swimming time to find a cafe. The meal also adds a pleasant social rhythm to the trip, with everyone eating together after the first swim.

If you have a large appetite, dietary needs, or children who snack often, bring extra food. The tour includes one first course, not a full menu. You can also purchase drinks onboard, so carry cash if you want something beyond the included meal.

Spargi: the most memorable beach stop

Spargi is often the highlight of the route. Its beaches have bright sand, clear water, and the kind of uncluttered coastal views that make northern Sardinia famous. The boat again reaches the beach through a dock walkway, giving you another long stop of about 1.5 hours.

The extra time is useful. You can swim, walk along the shore, or simply sit under the sun. Some visitors have even spotted wild boars near the beach, an unusual bit of island wildlife that can add surprise to the stop. Do not count on seeing them, but keep food packed away and give any animals plenty of space.

Spargi is also where the crowd issue can be most noticeable. In August, the beach may be terribly busy, with several boats arriving at once. The tour can still deliver a beautiful swim, but you should not picture an empty cove reserved for your group.

One practical advantage is the boat’s punctual structure. You are told when to return, and the crew keeps the day moving. That helps you see more of the archipelago, though it also means you cannot linger if the beach is especially appealing.

Pink Beach: a view, not a landing

The boat passes close to Pink Beach on Budelli, one of the park’s best-known natural features. The beach has been closed since 1992 to protect its delicate pink sand, so you view it from the water rather than walk onto it.

That restriction is important. Do not book this excursion expecting a beach visit there. The appeal is seeing a protected site that has become a symbol of the national park, along with hearing about its connection to Michelangelo Antonioni’s film Red Desert.

The stop is more about appreciation than activity. You get a close-up view of a place that cannot be accessed in the ordinary way, while the boat continues through the surrounding waters. It adds context to the day and shows that the park is not simply a collection of beaches for public use.

La Maddalena town: useful, but tightly timed

The itinerary includes about an hour in the historic center of La Maddalena. This gives you time to leave the boat, walk near the port, and get a coffee or ice cream. It is a pleasant change after several hours around beaches and open water.

The limitation is obvious: one hour passes quickly. By the time everyone disembarks and you walk toward the cobbled streets, you may have only enough time for a short stroll and a drink. If you want to browse shops, visit museums, or have a leisurely lunch in town, this schedule will feel rushed.

I would treat this as a brief orientation stop rather than a full town visit. It works well for someone who wants a look at La Maddalena’s harbor-side atmosphere without giving up the beach time. It works less well if the town is your main interest.

The schedule also seems to favor the beaches over the town. Some people would prefer more time in La Maddalena and less time on a crowded beach. That is a matter of priorities, not a flaw in the basic plan.

How crowded is the boat?

The boat is designed to carry a large number of passengers, and the tour can feel busy in peak season. One practical complaint is that some people have struggled to find a seat for much of the day, particularly during August. Others have found the boat busy but still comfortable, with enough seats for everyone.

Your best approach is to set realistic expectations. This is a shared sightseeing cruise at a moderate price, not a private yacht charter. You may sit inside or outside, and the engine can make recorded announcements harder to hear from some positions.

The benefit of the larger boat is stability, onboard toilets, a proper dock walkway, and a predictable route. The cost is less personal space and less freedom to change the itinerary. I would choose it for convenience and value, not privacy.

If you are traveling with friends or several families, make one reservation for the whole group. Separate bookings do not guarantee that everyone will board the same boat. Small pets are allowed onboard except in August, but pets cannot go onto the beach.

Is $65 a fair price?

At $65 per person, the price is attractive for an eight-hour outing that includes round-trip boat transportation, passenger liability insurance, multilingual audio service, and lunch. You also get two extended beach stops, a visit to La Maddalena town, and a pass near Pink Beach.

The value becomes even clearer if you compare it with arranging separate transport between islands. You would otherwise need to manage boat schedules, beach access, meals, and parking yourself. Here, the day is packaged into one route.

The extra landing fee slightly changes the final cost. Add €5 per person in June, July, and August, or €2.50 in May, September, and October. Drinks, towels, and umbrellas cost extra or must be brought from Santa Teresa.

I would call the tour good value for a first look at the archipelago. It is less compelling if you already have a private boat, strongly dislike crowds, or want full control over where and how long you stop.

Who will enjoy this day most?

I would recommend this trip to you if you want to see the northern islands with minimal planning. It suits couples, families, and first-time visitors who value clear water, several scenic stops, and a fixed schedule.

It is also a good choice for swimmers who want substantial beach time. The two 1.5-hour pauses are long enough to make the day feel more than a boat ride with quick photo stops.

Families should consider the full eight-hour length. Children may find the ride long, especially if the sea is rough. Older visitors should also note that the beach stops use walkways from the dock, and the boat can be crowded at busy times.

I would look elsewhere if your ideal day means quiet coves, a flexible route, or plenty of time in town. A private charter would offer more control, but it would also cost far more.

Practical advice before you go

Arrive early, carry the exact landing fee in cash, and do not count on online booking to shorten the check-in line. Keep your ticket or booking code ready, and allow extra time if you need to access it through an app.

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunglasses, sunscreen, and a small amount of cash for drinks. Add snacks if you have children or prefer more than one included course.

For the most comfortable day, expect a shared boat, popular beaches, and a short town visit. If you accept that format, the tour gives you a well-organized way to see a remarkable part of Sardinia without spending private-charter money.

Should you book the La Maddalena boat tour?

I would book it if you want excellent water, two real swim stops, and a full day of island scenery for a moderate price. The seafood pasta is a welcome bonus, and the crew’s punctual, friendly approach helps the day run smoothly.

I would skip it if crowds, limited seating, or a short stop in La Maddalena town would frustrate you. For everyone else, this is a practical introduction to the archipelago, with enough time in the water to make the eight-hour schedule worthwhile.

FAQ

How long does the La Maddalena boat tour last?

The tour lasts about eight hours and returns to Santa Teresa Gallura at around 5:00 PM.

Where is the meeting point?

Check in at the port in Santa Teresa Gallura, near the Coast Guard office and Cafe La Marina. The meeting window is listed as 8:00 to 8:15 AM, and you should arrive about 60 minutes before the activity.

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. You must pay it in cash before boarding, and credit cards are not accepted.

What food is included?

Lunch includes pennette ai frutti di mare, seafood pasta cooked onboard. A plain pasta option with oil and Parmesan is available. Drinks are not included.

Can I swim directly from the boat?

No. The beach stops are reached using walkways from the docks, and jumping from the boat is not permitted.

Are pets allowed?

Small pets are allowed onboard except in August. Pets are not allowed on the beach at any time.