La Maddalena Archipelago: Private Boat Tour & Snorkeling, Max 6 Guests

Six People, Three Islands, One Boat: La Maddalena Without the Crowds

You board a six-person boat with snorkeling gear and a SUP board already loaded, then spend the day anchored at three islands (Spargi, Budelli and Santa Maria) swimming and snorkeling in coves the bigger tours can't reach. The captain adjusts stops based on wind and conditions, and wine, beer and snacks are included throughout. You're back by early afternoon, having skipped the crowds and the logistics of renting gear or finding lunch.

Step-by-step itinerary

Private boat tour of La Maddalena

• Stop at Spargi Island coves
• Visit Budelli Island and Pink Beach
• See Spiaggia del Cavaliere's turquoise waters
• Explore Santa Maria Island settlement

The experience

The captain was running about ten minutes late when we arrived at the pier (something about another group's luggage taking longer to load), and honestly, that's when I realized this wasn't going to be one of those cattle-boat situations. Once he showed up, it was clear the whole day would move at a different pace. The boat itself is small enough that you notice the difference immediately: six passengers maximum, which means no jostling for a spot on the bow, no shouting over an engine that's trying to drown out a microphone. The captain stays with you the whole time, not barking orders from a wheelhouse but actually part of the group, adjusting the route based on wind and what you want to see.

We stopped first at Spargi, where the coves have names like Cala Degli Innamorati, Lovers' Cove, and the water shifts from deep blue to something almost unreal near the shallows. The captain chose which beach based on the wind that day, which meant we weren't fighting conditions or following a fixed itinerary that didn't care about the weather. Snorkeling gear was already on board, so there was no rental desk, no deposit, no extra transaction. You just put it on and went in. The water was cold enough that it took a breath, but clear enough that you could see the bottom from twenty meters out. After an hour there, we motored over to Budelli, where the famous Pink Beach sits behind a rope (it's been a protected reserve since 1994, so you can't walk on it), but the water in front, called Le Piscine Naturali, is so bright turquoise it looks photoshopped. We anchored and swam there instead, and it was just as good.

Santa Maria was the last stop, the only island in the archipelago with actual buildings on it. Just nineteen houses and a small hotel, which somehow makes it feel less like a tourist destination and more like a place where people actually live. The cove there has white sand that makes the water turn a color you don't see anywhere else, and by that point in the day you're tired enough that sitting in the shallows with a glass of local wine and a small snack feels like the only reasonable thing to do. The captain had brought aperitif snacks and wine on board, plus beer and coffee, so there was no need to hunt for a beach bar or worry about timing a lunch reservation. It was all there, included, which meant the day stayed unhurried.

If you're thinking about a boat tour of La Maddalena, the size of the group is what changes everything. Six people means the captain can actually hear what you want, the boat can slip into coves that the bigger tours skip, and you're not spending half the day waiting for someone else to finish their photo. The whole thing runs on the captain's knowledge of the conditions that day, not on a laminated schedule, which is why the wind that made us slightly late at the start ended up being the thing that made the route better. Book through the morning if you can. The water's calmer, and you'll have the islands mostly to yourself.

What’s included

Your day includes snorkeling equipment, a stand-up paddle board, bottled water, a small aperitif snack, local wine and beer, coffee, and access to the onboard restroom. The captain remains with the group throughout and adjusts the itinerary based on wind and sea conditions.

Before you book

Days and timesNext departure: 1 Jun 2027

Book up to11h before

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish 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.

ConfirmationConfirmation within 48 h

Prices and times updated 11 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Boating Sardinia

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to snorkel and swim in La Maddalena without fighting crowds or renting gear separately: the small group size and included equipment mean the captain can take you to quieter coves and the day stays flexible instead of locked to a schedule.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish 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's included in the La Maddalena private boat tour?

Snorkeling equipment, stand-up paddle board, bottled water, small aperitif snacks, local wine and beer, coffee, and onboard restroom access.

How many people fit on the boat?

Maximum 6 passengers, which keeps the group small and allows the captain to approach less crowded coves.

Which islands do you visit?

Spargi (with multiple coves including Cala Degli Innamorati), Budelli (known for its turquoise waters called Le Piscine Naturali), and Santa Maria (the only inhabited island, with white sand beaches).

Can you swim and snorkel on all the islands?

Yes, except Budelli's Pink Beach is a protected reserve and off-limits to walking or swimming. You snorkel in the water in front of it instead.

Is the tour suitable for people with mobility concerns?

The tour is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries or poor cardiovascular health. It is suitable for all other fitness levels.

What happens if the weather is bad?

The captain chooses which coves to visit based on daily wind conditions, so the route adapts to the weather rather than following a fixed schedule.

Do you need to bring your own snorkeling gear?

No, snorkeling equipment and a stand-up paddle board are provided on board.