La Maddalena: Private West Side Boat Tour & Secluded Coves

Summary

Private boat trip to Spargi Budelli Santa Maria coves and turquoise pools

You’ll board a small private boat with just six guests and your captain in La Maddalena Archipelago—exploring quiet coves on Spargi island, floating in Budelli’s turquoise Piscine Naturali, tasting local wine with snacks on deck, and swimming off Santa Maria’s white sands. Every stop feels unhurried and real—you might find yourself wishing you could stay longer.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I noticed was the color—the water off Spargi looked almost fake, like someone had turned up the saturation just for us. We climbed aboard this little white boat at La Maddalena’s harbor, only six of us plus the captain, Marco. He handed out espressos (tiny cups, strong as anything) while we drifted away from the docks. The wind was soft that morning but Marco still checked it twice before picking our first cove. He said something about “Cala Soraya or maybe Cala Granara, depends how she feels today,” meaning the sea. Sardinians really do talk to nature like it’s an old friend.

I’d expected crowds but there weren’t any—just silence broken by gulls and the slap of water against rock. At Cala Connari, I tried snorkeling for the first time in years (mask a bit too tight on my face, but whatever). The water was cold enough to make me gasp but so clear I could see tiny silver fish darting around my toes. Lunch was a simple aperitif—cheese, bread, olives—and Marco poured us local Vermentino that tasted salty and bright. He told stories about smugglers hiding here ages ago; I half-listened, half-watched sunlight flicker on the sand below.

We stopped near Budelli’s Pink Beach next. It isn’t really pink anymore—Marco shrugged and said tourists used to steal handfuls of sand back in the day, so now nobody’s allowed to set foot there. Still, those “Piscine Naturali” were unreal: shallow turquoise pools where we floated quietly for what felt like forever. Someone tried stand-up paddleboarding and fell off immediately; everyone laughed—even Marco couldn’t help it. By Santa Maria island we saw just a handful of old houses tucked behind dunes. There was this weird hush over everything except for cicadas buzzing somewhere out of sight.

I keep thinking about that last swim—white sand underfoot, sky wide open overhead, salt drying on my skin while I sipped cold beer from a plastic cup. I didn’t want to leave yet somehow it felt right when Marco pointed us back toward La Maddalena as afternoon shadows stretched across the deck. If you want a private boat tour of La Maddalena Archipelago that actually feels personal (and not like some Instagram circus), this is it.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore La Maddalena Archipelago islands

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

Top questions

How many people are on the private La Maddalena boat tour?

The boat takes a maximum of 6 passengers plus the captain.

Which islands do you visit during this west side tour?

You’ll stop at Spargi, Budelli (by Pink Beach), and Santa Maria islands.

Can you walk or swim at Budelli’s Pink Beach?

No, walking or swimming at Pink Beach is not allowed due to environmental protection since 1994.

Is lunch included on the tour?

A small aperitif snack is served onboard along with local wine and beer.

Are snorkeling equipment and paddle boards provided?

Yes, snorkeling gear and a stand-up paddle board are included for guest use.

Is there a restroom on board?

Yes, there is a restroom available on the boat.

What language does the guide speak?

The captain is local; main language is Italian but basic English is usually spoken.

Is pickup from hotels included?

No hotel pickup is mentioned; guests board at La Maddalena harbor.

What’s included

Your day includes bottled water throughout the trip, use of snorkelling equipment and stand-up paddle board whenever you feel like diving in, all fuel costs covered so you don’t have to think about logistics, a simple aperitif snack with local wine or beer served onboard (plus coffee if you need it), and even a restroom on board for comfort between swims before returning to port in La Maddalena later that afternoon.