La Maddalena Catamaran Tour: Spargi, Budelli & Santa Maria

Summary

Swim in turquoise coves, see Budelli’s pink sands, relax on white beaches

You’ll board a catamaran in Palau and sail through La Maddalena’s islands—swimming at Spargi’s hidden coves, glimpsing Budelli’s pink sand from the water, and relaxing on Santa Maria’s long white beach. With snorkeling gear included and a local guide sharing stories along the way, you’ll feel both welcomed and free to soak up Sardinia’s wild beauty.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Catamaran tour of La Maddalena islands

• Depart from Palau by catamaran
• Stop at Spargi island for swimming and relaxing
• Admire Spiaggia Rosa di Budelli from the sea
• Swim and snorkel in Mantle of the Madonna natural pool
• Visit Santa Maria island for beach and swimming

Top questions

How long is the La Maddalena catamaran tour?

The day trip lasts several hours with multiple island stops before returning to Palau.

Does this tour include snorkeling equipment?

Yes, masks and snorkels are provided for swimming stops.

Can you swim at Spiaggia Rosa on Budelli?

No, swimming or landing is not allowed to protect its unique environment—you admire it from the boat.

Is lunch included during this day trip?

No lunch is mentioned; bringing snacks or checking with your guide is recommended.

Are stand-up paddleboards available?

Yes, SUP boards are included for guest use during stops.

Is this tour suitable for children or infants?

Yes, infants can join but must sit on an adult's lap; strollers are allowed onboard.

Where does the catamaran depart from?

The tour starts at Palau port in northern Sardinia.

Are public transport options nearby?

Yes, public transportation is available near Palau port.

What’s included

Your day includes departure from Palau aboard a 12-metre Lagoon 38 catamaran with all snorkeling masks and mouthpieces provided—plus stand-up paddleboards to use during swimming stops at Spargi and Santa Maria before sailing back in the afternoon.

What’s the experience like?

I almost missed the dock in Palau because I got distracted by a dog chasing pigeons. That’s how the day started—me fumbling with my bag and our guide Matteo waving from the catamaran like he’d seen it all before. The boat was bigger than I pictured, and honestly, I was a little nervous about my sea legs. But Matteo handed out coffee (strong enough to wake up a stone) and everyone loosened up as we pulled away from shore, sun already sharp on the water.

The first stop was Spargi. Matteo called it “the wild one” and I get why—no crowds, just these weirdly soft white coves tucked between granite rocks that looked sculpted by someone with a lot of time on their hands. The water was so clear you could see your toes even if you swam out deep. I tried snorkeling for the first time here—mask kept fogging up but I didn’t care, there were tiny silver fish everywhere and that salty Sardinian smell in the air. My partner said it reminded him of summers as a kid, which made me oddly nostalgic for something I never had.

We drifted past Budelli next. You can’t actually set foot on Spiaggia Rosa because of how protected it is (Matteo explained it’s famous from some old Italian film), but seeing that pale pink sand from the boat with everyone quietly taking photos—it felt kind of sacred. There was this hush over us for a minute, except for someone’s phone pinging with bad timing. After that we anchored at Mantle of the Madonna—a name Matteo said locals use—and swam in what looked like liquid emeralds. The water was so bright it almost hurt my eyes.

Santa Maria island came last. Long white beach, shallow sea perfect for just floating around or lying in the sand until your skin smells like salt and sunscreen mixed together. Some people paddled around on SUP boards; I just sat near an old couple who’d been coming here every summer since the ’80s (they told me all about it—mostly in rapid Italian). On the way back to Palau the wind picked up and everyone went quiet for a bit, watching gulls chase our wake. I still think about that silence sometimes—you know?