La Maddalena Archipelago Sailing Tour from Palau: Swim & Lunch

Anchor in turquoise water, swim from the deck, walk a pink-sand beach, sail home with wine

A seven-hour sailing tour from Palau through the La Maddalena Archipelago with a professional captain, three island stops, lunch with wine, and time to swim and snorkel. The boat has a platform for deck swimming and carries all food, drinks and water. You choose between English, Italian, Polish or Dutch as your guide language. Minimum age is 12. Travelers over 90 kg should confirm with the operator before booking.

Step-by-step itinerary

Sailing and island activities in Maddalena

• Start from Porto Turistico Palau
• Sail to Santa Maria island
• Anchor at Cala di Santa Maria
• Swim in turquoise water
• Enjoy aperitif with snacks
• Visit Spiaggia Rosa at Isola Budelli
• Tour Isola Budelli by dinghy
• Walk at Spiaggia Rosa beach
• Have lunch with wine, beer, drinks
• Sail to Cala Granara at Isola Spargi
• Swim and snorkel from the deck

The experience

The boat leaves Porto Turistico Palau and sails for just over an hour to reach Santa Maria island, where you drop anchor in Cala di Santa Maria and swim in the water. After swimming comes an aperitif with snacks, the first break before the day moves on. The captain handles the sailing. Your job is to decide when to jump in and when to stay on deck.

The second stop is Spiaggia Rosa on Isola Budelli, where you have two hours to explore. A dinghy takes you to the island so you can walk the pink sand beach itself, then return to the boat for lunch with wine, beer and cold drinks included. The meal is the anchor of the day: time to sit, eat and let the archipelago settle around you before moving again.

The final stop is Cala Granara on Isola Spargi, where free time means you choose: swim from the platform, snorkel, or stay on deck. The boat carries bottled water, soda and coffee throughout the day, so thirst is not a problem. The return to Palau closes the loop, and you arrive back at the port after seven hours on the water.

What’s included

• Lunch with wine, beer and cold drinks.
• bottled water and soda throughout the day.
• snacks and an aperitif at the first stop.
• coffee and tea.
• swimming from the boat platform.
• dinghy access to Spiaggia Rosa beach.
• a professional captain and guide in your choice of English, Italian, Polish or Dutch.

Before you book

Days and timesNext departure: 22 Jun 2027

Book up to1h before

AgesAdult (12 to 75 years) · Under 12: can't be booked

GroupUp to 14

Live guideEnglish, Italian, Dutch and Polish

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.

Prices and times updated 4 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by SailingTours

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you want a real sailing day, not a motorboat shuttle between beaches, and you are comfortable on the water for seven hours. The two-hour stop at Spiaggia Rosa is the longest on land, so if you prefer more time walking islands than sailing between them, a different itinerary may suit you better. Minimum age is 12. If you weigh over 90 kg, confirm with the operator that the boat and platform are right for you before you commit.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Italian, Polish and Dutch.

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 does a real sailing experience mean on this tour? Do I help sail the boat?

The captain is a professional with extensive sailing experience and handles the boat. The tour description emphasizes it is a real sail trip with the opportunity to learn basic sailing if you are interested, so you can ask the captain to show you how the boat works or simply watch and enjoy the passage between islands.

Can I swim at all three stops, or only at certain ones?

Santa Maria has swimming in the turquoise water after you arrive; Spiaggia Rosa is a two-hour stop where you walk the pink beach on the island itself; Cala Granara offers free time for swimming from the deck and snorkeling. So yes, swimming is possible at the first and third stops, and the second stop is for exploring the island on foot.

How long is the boat ride from Palau to the first island?

The sail from Porto Turistico Palau to Santa Maria island takes just over one hour, so you are on the water but not for an exhausting stretch before the first swim.

Is this tour suitable if I have never sailed before?

Yes, the tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels and is designed for people interested in a sailing experience, whether or not you have sailed before. The captain can teach you basic sailing if you want to learn, or you can simply enjoy the islands and the water.