La Maddalena Sailing: Island Hopping, Snorkeling & Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★ 4.71 (104 reviews) 88% rated it 5 stars

Free cancellation

1/15

Duration7h

GroupUp to 8

LanguagesEN · IT +2

Mobile ticketAccepted

Sailing through la maddalena’s wild colors with local food stops

You’ll sail through La Maddalena’s dazzling waters on a small-group boat tour, stopping to swim or snorkel in hidden coves and taste Sardinian snacks and homemade pasta for lunch. With local drinks flowing and time to relax on deck or try paddle boarding, you’ll soak up both sunshine and stories—a day that lingers long after you’re back on land.

Step-by-step itinerary

Sailing tour of La Maddalena islands

Board sailing boat
Visit Santa Maria island
Enjoy aperitif with drinks
Snorkel and admire marine life
Visit Spargi island
Have first course meal with drinks
Visit Budelli island
Swim and play with SUP board
Visit Santo Stefano island
Relax and sunbathe on boat
Visit Maddalena island
Enjoy snack with drinks
Return to departure point

The Experience

The first thing I remember is the color—like someone dropped every shade of blue into the sea around La Maddalena. We’d barely left Palau when our captain, Matteo, handed out coffee (strong enough to wake up anyone) and pointed out Spargi island ahead. The wind was salty and a bit wild that morning. There was this older couple from Milan who kept laughing at my attempts to pronounce “Budelli”—I still don’t think I got it right.

Our first stop was Santa Maria, where the sand felt almost powdery underfoot. Matteo set out an aperitif—cheese that tasted like grass and sun, some olives, pane carasau so thin it crunched like autumn leaves. I tried snorkeling but mostly floated, watching tiny silver fish flicker in the light. The water was cold at first but then you just… forget about it because of how clear everything looks below. Someone played music quietly from their phone—old Italian songs—and for a while nobody talked much.

Lunch was pasta (Matteo said his sister made the sauce), with wine that tasted better than anything I’ve had back home. We drifted near Budelli after that, and I tried paddle boarding for maybe three minutes before falling in—which got a round of applause from everyone on deck. There’s something about sharing food on a boat with strangers that makes you feel like you’ve known them longer than a few hours. The day trip around La Maddalena archipelago wasn’t what I expected—less rushed, more real somehow.

I still think about those last moments stretched out on the warm wood of the deck as we sailed back—the sun burning off any worries I’d brought with me. If you’re thinking about booking this sailing tour from Palau or Maddalena, just go for it. You might come back smelling like salt and sunscreen, but honestly? It’s worth it.

What’s included

Your day includes departure by sailing boat from Palau or Maddalena with a small group (usually 8–9 guests), three scenic island stops for swimming or snorkeling with provided gear and paddle board access. You’ll be served an aperitif of local products followed by a chef-inspired pasta lunch with drinks like prosecco or wine included throughout the journey before returning in the afternoon.

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by vale boat e travel