La Maddalena Private Boat Tour with Skipper: Customizable

You choose which islands to visit and where to stop for a swim.

A private boat tour of La Maddalena Archipelago in Northern Sardinia, led by an experienced local skipper who tailors the route to your group's interests. The boat carries up to 12 guests and includes safety equipment, snorkeling masks, a stand-up paddle board, fresh fruit, soft drinks, and a light Sardinian aperitif with Prosecco or white wine. National Park entrance is covered. You set the pace and the stops—Pink Beach, the Natural Pools, Spargi's bays, or the historic center of La Maddalena village itself, depending on what appeals to your group that day.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore La Maddalena Archipelago by boat

• Stop at Spargi Island bay
• Photo pass at Pink Beach, Budelli Island
• Visit Natural Pools on Budelli Island
• Sail past Santa Maria Island
• Optional swim at Santa Maria Island
• Explore La Maddalena historic center
• Lunch at local restaurant (not included)
• Stop at Caprera Island bay

The Experience

What beaches matter most to your group? That's the question that shapes this tour. You're not following a fixed route; instead, the skipper works with you to build a day around the islands and bays you want to see. Spargi Island's bays, the iconic Pink Beach on Budelli with its Natural Pools, Santa Maria Island, Caprera's sheltered waters, or the historic center of La Maddalena village—the boat stops where your group wants to spend time. Snorkeling masks and a stand-up paddle board are on board if you want to get in the water, and plush towels are there when you climb back on.

The boat itself is a comfortable rigid inflatable that holds up to 12 people, which means the group stays small enough to move between islands without the noise and crowd of a larger vessel. An experienced local skipper runs the boat and knows the archipelago well enough to read the conditions and suggest stops that work for the day. Throughout the tour, you get seasonal fresh fruit, sweets, soft drinks, and a light aperitif with Sardinian gourmet products—one bottle of Prosecco or fine white wine shared among the group. The National Park entrance fee is included, so there's no separate ticket to buy when you arrive at each island.

The tour runs for about seven and a half hours, which gives you time to linger at a bay, explore the narrow streets of La Maddalena's historic center if you choose to stop there, or simply drift between islands at a pace that suits your group. Lunch is not included, but if you do visit the village, you can eat at one of the island's traditional restaurants. Water shoes are available on board if you want them. A restroom is on the boat, and the skipper can arrange pickup from various boarding points around the area—confirm your starting location when you book.

What’s included

• Safety equipment and an experienced local skipper.
• snorkeling masks and a stand-up paddle board.
• plush beach towels.
• seasonal fresh fruit, sweets and chips.
• soft drinks and a light Sardinian aperitif with Prosecco or white wine.
• National Park entrance fee.
• onboard restroom.

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Emerald Freedom La Maddalena Private Boat

Is this one for you?Book this tour if your group wants to set the pace and choose which islands to visit, rather than follow a fixed schedule—the skipper's local knowledge and the boat's flexibility mean you can spend a full day exploring only the bays and beaches that matter to you.

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Top questions

Can we customize the route to visit only the islands we care about?

Yes. The skipper works with your group to build the itinerary around your preferences. You can focus on the beaches and bays that appeal to you, skip stops that don't, and spend more time where you want to linger.

What is Pink Beach on Budelli Island, and can we swim there?

Pink Beach is the archipelago's most iconic beach, named for the pale rose color of its sand. The tour includes a photo pass in front of it and a stop at the Natural Pools nearby, where you can swim and snorkel with the masks provided on board.

How many people can fit on the boat, and is it comfortable for a full day?

The boat accommodates up to 12 guests, which keeps the group intimate and maneuverable between islands. It's a well-equipped rigid inflatable with plush towels, a restroom on board, and shade where you need it during a seven-and-a-half-hour day at sea.

What food and drinks are included?

The tour includes seasonal fresh fruit, sweets, chips, soft drinks (water, beer, Coca-Cola), and a light Sardinian aperitif with one bottle of Prosecco or fine white wine for the group to share. Lunch is not included, but you can eat at a restaurant if you stop at La Maddalena village.

Where does the boat pick us up?

Boarding points are customizable and can be arranged from various locations around La Maddalena. Confirm your preferred pickup location when you book, and note that fuel surcharges apply from certain marinas (€350 from Poltu Quatu, €200 from La Maddalena or Palau).

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling masks and a stand-up paddle board are available on board for your use at no extra cost, along with plush beach towels and safety equipment.