La Maddalena boat tour from Sardinia: Pink Beach, lunch & guide

Anchor at three islands and swim in waters so clear you see the seabed.

A full-day boat tour of the La Maddalena Archipelago in Sardinia with a local guide, departing from port and anchoring at four named islands: Budelli's Pink Beach and Natural Pools, Santa Maria, and Spargi. You swim in the clearest Mediterranean waters, explore hidden coves and rock formations, and eat Sardinian food on board (fresh mussels with myrtle, local cheeses, homemade sweets and Mirto liqueur) with snorkeling masks provided.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore La Maddalena Archipelago by Boat

• Admire Pink Beach from boat
• Swim at Natural Pools
• Visit Cavalieri Beach by boat
• Enjoy Sardinian aperitif on board
• Stop at Santa Maria Island
• Eat mussels with myrtle and crostini
• Learn history of local straits
• Visit Spargi Island coves by boat
• Swim and photograph rock formations
• Enjoy Mirto liqueur and sweets

The experience

How do you get to the islands without a boat of your own? Captain Luca's tour departs from La Maddalena port and handles the route entirely: no car needed, no navigation required. The boat carries small groups, and the pace is built around anchoring rather than rushing: you spend roughly two hours at the Natural Pools alone, swimming and floating in turquoise water so transparent that the seabed stays visible. The guide shares the history and legends of each stop as you relax on board between swims.

The food arrives as you move between islands. At the first stop, a Sardinian aperitif comes on a traditional cork tray: cured meats, cheeses, Pane Guttiau flatbread with olive oil, and prosecco. At Santa Maria Island, the boat serves sautéed mussels cooked with myrtle, crostini, and a glass of Vermentino di Sardegna wine. The final stop at Spargi includes homemade Mirto liqueur, traditional sweets, and coffee. Snorkeling masks and swim accessories stay on board for anyone who wants to explore underwater. Water and WiFi are available throughout the day.

Spargi's rock formations are the visual anchor of the afternoon: the boat passes Cala Granara, Cala Connari, Cala Soraja, and Cala Corsara, where the rocks shape themselves into a witch's head, a bulldog, and the boot of Italy. The waters here are deep and clear enough for photography. An optional fourth stop at La Maddalena town and Santo Stefano Island (the "Fish Island") can be added on request if you want to walk the harbor and browse local shops before a final swim.

What’s included

• Bottled water throughout the day.
• Sardinian aperitif with cured meats, cheeses, and prosecco at the Natural Pools.
• sautéed mussels with myrtle, crostini and Vermentino wine at Santa Maria Island.
• homemade Mirto liqueur, traditional Sardinian sweets and Italian coffee at Spargi.
• snorkeling masks and swim accessories.
• WiFi on board.
• entrance fees to the islands.
• a live guide in English or Italian.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 10:00

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Italian

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. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 16 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by La Maddalena Boat Tour with Captain Luca – Lunch Included

Is this one for you?The boat leaves from La Maddalena port, so you don't need a car or your own transport to reach the islands. Just show up at the harbor. The full day (seven hours) anchors you at each island long enough to swim, eat, and absorb the place without the rush of a speedboat tour, which suits anyone who wants to move slowly through the archipelago and actually spend time in the water.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Italian.

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 of Budelli, and why can't you walk on it?

The Pink Beach (Spiaggia Rosa) is a protected natural wonder on Budelli Island, famous for its sand tinted pink by crushed coral and shells. It is a protected site, so the boat admires it from the water and anchors instead at the nearby Natural Pools, where you swim for two hours in Cavalieri Beach's turquoise shallows.

How long do you actually spend swimming, and where?

The Natural Pools stop lasts roughly two hours, and that is where most swimmers spend their time in the water. You also have opportunities to swim at Santa Maria Island during the mussels course and at Spargi's coves during the final stop, so the day includes multiple swimming windows across different islands.

What happens if the sea is rough or the weather turns?

The boat adjusts its anchoring points based on sea conditions and crowd levels to keep you comfortable, for example, choosing between Passo degli Asinelli or Passo del Topo at Santa Maria depending on the day's conditions. The optional La Maddalena town stop is also subject to sea conditions and timing, so it may not always be possible.

Is the food included, or do you pay extra for the meals on board?

All food and drinks are included: the Sardinian aperitif at the Natural Pools, the mussels with myrtle and wine at Santa Maria, and the Mirto liqueur, sweets and coffee at Spargi. Bottled water is also provided throughout the day.

Do you need to bring your own snorkeling gear, or is it supplied?

Snorkeling masks and swim accessories are available on board at no extra cost. You can use them to explore the underwater life around the islands, or simply swim without gear if you prefer.

Can you visit La Maddalena town during this tour?

La Maddalena town is an optional fourth stop available on request before departure. If added, the boat takes you to the historic center where you can walk, shop at artisan stores, and have coffee by the harbor, then heads to nearby Santo Stefano Island for a final swim before returning to port.