La Maddalena boat tour from Baia Sardinia: islands and beaches

Swim at four islands in one morning without the hassle of renting a boat

A daily boat tour of the La Maddalena Archipelago leaves Baia Sardinia at 9:15 a.m. (or La Maddalena dock at 11 a.m.) and spends the day island-hopping with swimming breaks at Spargi, Budelli and Santa Maria, plus a photo stop at the protected Spiaggia Rosa. The boat carries an English or Italian-speaking guide, a bar, a sun deck and shaded seating; transport and VAT are included. Weekend departures visit Cala Coticcio instead of Santa Maria.

Step-by-step itinerary

Boat tour of La Maddalena Archipelago

• Depart from Baia Sardinia or La Maddalena dock
• Stop at Cala Coticcio on weekends
• Stop at Cala Lioni on weekends
• Stop at Cala Connari on weekends
• Visit historic center of La Maddalena
• Swim at Port of Madonna on Budelli Island
• Photo stop at Spiaggia Rosa nature reserve
• Bathing break on Spargi Island beach
• Stop at Santa Maria Island beach (no Fri/Sat)

The Experience

The boat leaves Baia Sardinia at 9:15 a.m. and heads straight into the archipelago. Your first stop is the historic center of La Maddalena town for an hour on foot, then the day becomes a sequence of beaches and water. Spargi gets an hour and a half for swimming; Budelli offers a 30-minute swim directly from the boat at the Port of Madonna. Between stops, the boat approaches Spiaggia Rosa, a nature reserve since 1994 with distinctive pink sand, for a short photo break. Santa Maria Island rounds out the day with another hour and 15 minutes on the beach (this stop runs Monday to Friday; weekends swap it for Cala Coticcio on Caprera and Cala Lioni on Budelli instead).

The boat is called Paradiso and carries all the basics for a full day at sea: a bar for drinks and snacks, a toilet, a sun deck for those who want direct heat, and shaded seating for the rest. The guide speaks English and Italian and steers the timing so the stops fit the day without rushing. Transport from your departure point is included; you just show up at the dock.

The tour runs seven hours total. Weekday departures leave from Baia Sardinia at 9:15 a.m., and an alternative 11 a.m. departure starts from La Maddalena dock itself if that suits your morning better. Weekends follow the same schedule but visit different islands, so the route changes depending on when you go.

What’s included

• Seven hours on the water with an English or Italian-speaking guide.
• swimming breaks at Spargi, Budelli and Santa Maria (or weekend alternatives).
• a photo stop at Spiaggia Rosa nature reserve.
• an hour walking the historic center of La Maddalena town.
• bar service on board.
• sun deck and shaded seating.
• toilet facilities.
• transport and VAT.

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyPublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelers

Operated by Consorzio Meraviglie dell’Arcipelago

Is this one for you?Choose the 9:15 departure from Baia Sardinia if you want the full day and don't mind an early start, or pick the 11 a.m. boat from La Maddalena dock if you'd rather sleep in and still catch the afternoon swimming stops. Weekend dates visit different islands, so book the day that matches which beaches you want to see.

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Top questions

What's the difference between the weekday and weekend boat tours?

Weekday tours (Monday to Friday) include a full hour and 15 minutes at Santa Maria Island, while weekend tours replace that stop with Cala Coticcio on Caprera and Cala Lioni on Budelli, giving you a different set of beaches and coves to explore.

Can I swim at all the stops, or are some just photo breaks?

Most stops include swimming time: Spargi has an hour and a half, Budelli offers 30 minutes directly from the boat, and Santa Maria (weekdays) or the weekend island stops give you another hour and 15 minutes. Spiaggia Rosa is a photo stop only because it's a protected nature reserve.

What's included in the tour price?

Transport on the boat and VAT are included; the bar on board sells drinks and snacks separately. Food and beverages beyond what you bring are not part of the package.

Do I need to speak Italian to join this tour?

No — the guide speaks both English and Italian throughout the day, so you can follow along in whichever language you prefer.

Where do I board, and what time should I arrive?

Daily departures leave from Baia Sardinia Molo la Bisaccia at 9:15 a.m., or you can join the 11 a.m. departure from La Maddalena dock instead. Arrive a few minutes early to board.