La Maddalena Archipelago Catamaran Day Tour: Sailing or Comfort

Sail past Pink Beach and Bear Rock, then anchor to swim and snorkel in emerald waters

A full-day catamaran tour through the La Maddalena Archipelago in Sardinia, departing each morning to visit Spargi island, the Pink Beach, Bear Rock and Porto Rafael, with swimming and snorkeling stops, lunch, and a choice between a smaller sailing catamaran or a larger comfort vessel with more on-deck space.

Step-by-step itinerary

Sailing tour of La Maddalena Archipelago

• Sail to Spargi Island
• Explore Spargi's beaches and cliffs
• Admire Porto della Madonna waters
• Pass by Pink Beach for photos
• View Bear Rock natural monument
• Contemplate Porto Rafael village

The experience

The boat leaves each morning to navigate the granite islands and shallow bays of La Maddalena, stopping at four main points across six to seven hours. Spargi island, the third largest in the archipelago, opens up beaches on its southern and eastern shores backed by rugged cliffs to the north. The route then passes Porto della Madonna and its shallow turquoise water. The clarity comes from oceanic posidonia, a seagrass that shelters thousands of marine organisms and colors the sea in shades from transparent blue to emerald green. You get as close as the boat can go to the Pink Beach for photos, then continue toward Bear Rock, a natural monument since 1993 and a granite formation that scholars link to Homer's Odyssey. The final stop is Porto Rafael, a small village built in the 1960s on a rocky peninsula with pristine beaches nearby.

Swimming and snorkeling happen at designated stops along the route. The boat carries snorkeling gear and SUP boards for anyone who wants them. A tender service brings you to the beach when the water is too shallow for the catamaran to anchor close. Fresh water showers are available on board to rinse off salt water. Lunch arrives in the afternoon (Sardinian pasta, an aperitif, dessert or fruit, plus water, wine, coffee and a digestive), so you eat after the morning's water time rather than before.

You choose between two boats at checkout. The Classic is a sailing catamaran, smaller and more responsive, built for anyone who wants to feel the sail and the sea directly. The Comfort is a larger catamaran with more generous deck space to move around, relax and spread out. The services and stops are identical, only the boat changes. Both carry a live guide who speaks English and Italian throughout the day.

What’s included

• Snorkeling equipment and SUP boards.
• fresh water shower service.
• Sardinian aperitif, pasta, dessert or fruit served in the afternoon.
• water, wine, coffee and digestive throughout the day.
• tender service for beach access.
• restroom on board.
• live guide in English or Italian.

Options for this experience

2 options

Catamaran "Classic"Guide in English or Italian · 10:00 and 10:05

Catamaran "Comfort"Guide in English or Italian · 10:00

You pick the guide language when booking.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesThursday to SaturdayDepartures at 10:00 and 10:05Last departure this season: 31 Oct

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (11 and older) · Child (2 to 10 years) · Infant (under 2): free

GroupUp to 12

Live guideEnglish and Italian

Audio guideSpanish, French and German

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 12 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPets welcome

Operated by Zefiro escursioni in catamarano nell'arcipelago di La Maddalena

Is this one for you?Pick the Classic if you want to feel the sail and the sea directly. Choose the Comfort if your group values extra deck space to spread out and relax between swims. Both boats visit the same islands and stops. The difference is purely the vessel and how much room you have to move around.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Italian.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (2 to 10 years); Infant (under 2): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is the Pink Beach and why does the tour go there?

The Pink Beach is a famous strand on Budelli island, named for the pale rose color of its sand caused by crushed coral and granite fragments. The catamaran approaches as close as possible so you can photograph it and see it from the water, though landing is restricted to protect the beach.

Can I swim and snorkel on this tour, and is the equipment included?

Yes, the tour includes multiple swimming and snorkeling stops in the shallow bays around the islands. Snorkeling gear and SUP boards are provided on board at no extra cost. A tender takes you to the beach when needed, and fresh water showers let you rinse off afterward.

What's the difference between the Classic and Comfort catamaran?

The Classic is a smaller sailing catamaran, ideal if you want a closer connection with the sea and responsive navigation. The Comfort is a larger boat with more deck space to move around and relax. The stops, guide, meals and services are exactly the same, only the vessel size differs.

How long is the tour and when does it start?

The tour runs six to seven hours and departs each morning. Lunch is served in the afternoon after the morning swimming stops, so you eat once the water activities are done.

What does lunch include?

Lunch includes a Sardinian aperitif, pasta, dessert or fruit, plus water by the glass all day, wine, coffee and a digestive. The meal is served on board in the afternoon.

Is Bear Rock just a rock formation, or is there a story behind it?

Bear Rock is a granite promontory that has been a protected natural monument since 1993. Scholars of ancient Greek texts link it to the "Land of the Lestrigoni" from Homer's Odyssey: the cannibal giants who attacked Odysseus when he landed in search of food, forcing him to flee.