La Maddalena Sailboat Tour: Swim, Snorkel & Sardinian Lunch

Summary

Sail through la maddalena’s turquoise bays with local flavors and laughter

You’ll set sail from La Maddalena or Palau aboard a spacious 15m yacht, gliding through turquoise bays with time for swimming and snorkeling at Spargi and Cala Santa Maria. Enjoy Sardinian wine, Mirto liquor, and a fresh seafood lunch prepared on board as you pass legendary spots like Pink Beach—plus plenty of laughter with your local crew.

What’s the experience like?

I nearly lost my hat right after we left Marina di Cala Mangiavolpe — the wind just whipped it up as soon as the sail caught. Our captain, Paolo, grinned and shrugged like this was normal. The boat itself felt bigger than I expected (15 meters is no joke), with enough space to sprawl out or lean over the rails. There was this salty tang in the air that stuck to my lips. I could hear someone’s kid giggling every time the hull tilted. We were off toward Spargi first — Paolo said it’s his favorite spot for swimming in the whole Maddalena archipelago day trip. He pointed out little coves where he used to fish as a teenager. I tried to imagine growing up here; hard not to feel jealous.

The water near Spargi was so clear you could see every ripple of sand below—almost made me nervous to drop anything overboard. We jumped in anyway, snorkels on, and honestly I forgot about everything else for a bit. My friend tried to swim ashore but got distracted by some silvery fish darting around her toes. When we sailed past Budelli, Paolo slowed down so we could all stare at the Pink Beach — he told us it’s protected now, so no one can walk on it anymore. There was this hush on deck while everyone just watched the colors shift in the light; even the kids went quiet for a minute.

Lunch came out sometime after Razzoli — pasta with fish (I think Paolo called it fregola?) and an aperitif with these tiny local cheeses and salami. Sardinian wine too, which tasted way better than anything I’ve had back home, though maybe that was just the sea air talking. Someone spilled their Mirto liquor trying to take a photo of their plate; nobody cared much. The sun felt heavy by then but there was always some breeze moving across the deck, so you never really overheated.

By late afternoon we drifted into Port Madonna — three islands all around us and water glowing emerald like something out of a storybook (I know that sounds dramatic but it really did). People kept jumping in for “one last swim” until Paolo finally laughed and said we’d have to sleep on board if we didn’t get moving. I still think about that silence near Budelli sometimes — how rare it is to find a place where everyone just… stops talking for once.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Sailing and exploring Maddalena bays

• Board sailboat at La Maddalena
• Sail to Spargi island bay
• Swim and snorkel in turquoise water
• Visit and photograph Pink Beach from boat
• Explore Razzoli and Santa Maria islands
• Stop at Cala Santa Maria beach
• Enjoy aperitif with Sardinian products
• Have fish pasta lunch on board

Top questions

Where does the La Maddalena sailboat tour start?

You can board at Marina di Cala Mangiavolpe in La Maddalena or at Palau maritime station.

Is lunch included during the day trip?

Yes, lunch is served on board and features pasta with fish plus typical Sardinian products.

Can I swim during this tour?

Yes, there are several stops for swimming and snorkeling in clear waters like Spargi and Cala Santa Maria.

Are drinks provided on the sailboat tour?

The tour includes bottled water, soda, white wine tasting, beer, coffee/tea, and Mirto liquor.

Is snorkeling equipment available?

Yes, use of snorkeling equipment is included in your tour.

Are vegetarian or special meal options possible?

No-fish or vegetarian options are possible if requested in advance; other dietary needs may not be accommodated onboard.

How long does it take to reach Spargi from La Maddalena?

It takes about one hour by sailboat from La Maddalena to Spargi island.

Can you walk or swim at Pink Beach (Spiaggia Rosa)?

No, Pink Beach is protected; you can only observe from the boat without landing or swimming ashore.

What’s included

Your day includes boarding from either La Maddalena or Palau with all drinks—bottled water, soda, wine tasting, beer—and an aperitif of Sardinian specialties before enjoying a fresh seafood pasta lunch on deck. Snorkeling gear is provided so you can dive into those turquoise bays whenever we stop along the route.