La Maddalena Boat Tour: Caprera, Spargi & Budelli Swim Day

Summary

Swim wild coves and taste Sardinian flavors on the Maddalena islands

You’ll swim in hidden coves around La Maddalena, snack on Sardinian treats offered by your skipper, and relax on beaches like Cala Santa Maria during this full-day boat tour. With snorkeling gear included and plenty of time for swims or sunbathing, you’ll get a real taste of these islands’ wild side — plus stories you’ll want to tell later.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Full day boat tour in La Maddalena

• Arrive in Caprera at 10:20 am
• Swim at Cala Brigantino beach
• Swim at Cala Coticcio protected area
• Skirt Caprera island's northern ravines
• Anchor at Budelli natural pools
• Aperitif with Sardinian products on board
• Lunch stop at Cala Santa Maria beach
• Visit and photograph Rosa beach
• Swim near Spargi island beaches
• Beach stop at Cala Corsara for one hour
• Return route admiring La Maddalena and Santo Stefano
• View the bear rock near Palau
• Return to Cannigione departure point

Top questions

How long is the La Maddalena boat tour?

The full-day tour lasts approximately 7-8 hours.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes, use of snorkeling gear is included in the tour.

Where does the boat depart from?

The main departure point is Cannigione; pickup from Palau is available on request.

Are food or drinks included?

An aperitif with typical Sardinian products is offered by the captain during the tour.

What islands are visited during the day trip?

You’ll visit Caprera, Budelli, Spargi and see parts of La Maddalena island.

Is lunch included?

No set lunch is provided but there’s a long beach stop at Cala Santa Maria for your own picnic or snacks.

Can infants join this boat tour?

Infants are allowed but must sit on an adult’s lap during navigation.

Is this suitable for people with limited mobility?

The tour isn’t recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health; moderate mobility is needed for boarding and swimming stops.

What’s included

Your day includes pickup from Cannigione (or Palau if requested), all entrance fees to La Maddalena archipelago, use of snorkeling equipment for every swim stop, plus an onboard aperitif with Sardinian specialties served by your captain before returning in the late afternoon.

What’s the experience like?

Ever wonder if those turquoise coves in photos are really that blue? I did, until we zipped out from Cannigione on this La Maddalena boat tour. Our skipper Paolo grinned as he handed out snorkels — “First swim, Cala Brigantino!” The air smelled faintly of salt and sunscreen, and honestly, I was nervous about the water being cold. But it was perfect — cool at first, then just right. There were only us and the sound of Paolo’s radio crackling softly in the background. I remember thinking: so this is what wild means here.

We drifted along Caprera’s jagged edge toward Cala Coticcio, where the rocks look pinkish against the sea. Paolo pointed to a buoy line — “No boats past here,” he said, which meant we could float without worrying about engines or crowds. He told us locals call it ‘Tahiti’ for a reason. And yeah, I tried to say it in Italian (“Cala Coticcio?”), but my accent got a laugh from him and his friend Li on board.

The real surprise was Budelli’s natural pools. We anchored near Cavaliere beach and Paolo pulled out a tray — pane carasau, pecorino, some olives — “Aperitivo sardo!” he announced. The cheese tasted salty and sharp; I still think about that bite with the sun warming my back. Later at Cala Santa Maria we had time to just sprawl on sand (I dozed off for ten minutes). After that came quick stops: photographing Rosa beach (you can’t land there), then swimming off Spargi where the water felt silkier somehow.

Last stop was Cala Corsara — an hour on shore, shells crunching underfoot, wind picking up a little but not enough to chase us away. On the way back Paolo slowed so we could see Palau’s bear rock — honestly looks more like a bear than I expected. By then my hair was stiff with salt and everyone looked half asleep from sun. It didn’t feel like a tour; more like being let in on something locals do when no one’s watching.