Snorkeling in Palau: 8-guest sailing trip
A captain with 25 years of sailing experience runs this boat at half the passenger limit of competitors.
A full-day sailing trip from Palau through La Maddalena Archipelago with snorkeling stops at 2–3 coves including Piscine di Budelli, Razzoli, and Santa Maria. You board a 12-meter boat (maximum 8 passengers) at 9:30am, sail to protected anchorages where you swim and snorkel, and return around 5pm. The captain holds both US and Italian commercial licenses and has sailed worldwide for over 25 years. A high-quality aperitif with prosecco, local cheese and salami is served on board; you can bring your own lunch and use the onboard ice box.
The Experience
You meet at Palau harbor at 9:30am and take a 3–5 minute dinghy ride out to the boat, anchored just outside the marina. Once aboard, the captain sets sail into the national park, choosing which 2–3 coves to anchor in based on wind direction that day—usually Cala Corsara on Spargi, Piscine di Budelli, Razzoli, or Santa Maria. These are the spots hard to reach without a boat, and the captain introduces you to the Mediterranean as you go, talking through the sailing itself and the local history of the water you're in.
At each anchorage, you swim and snorkel in clear water. The boat carries bottled water so you don't need to bring your own, and an ice box is available if you want to store lunch or drinks you've brought. Around midday, a high-quality aperitif comes out on deck—prosecco, local salami, cheese and chips—enough to hold you through the afternoon. The captain keeps the group to 8 passengers maximum, which is half the capacity of other boats running the same route, and that space matters when you're anchored in a cove and everyone is in the water at once.
The boat itself is a 12-meter USA-built sailing vessel, and the captain is a US resident licensed by both the US Coast Guard (OUPV) and the Italian maritime authority (UD2C). The trip includes the national park pass, fuel, tender service, and insurance. You're back at Palau harbor by 5pm.
What’s included
- National park pass and sailing permit.
- fuel, tender service and insurance.
- high-quality aperitif with prosecco, local salami, cheese and chips.
- bottled water.
- ice box to store your lunch and drinks.
Operated by Cortomaltesevela s.r.l.s.
Is this one for you?The boat leaves at 9:30am and you're back by 5pm, so plan for a full day on the water. The smaller 8-passenger limit means less crowding at the snorkeling stops, which matters if you want room to move in the coves without jostling other swimmers.
Traveler reviews
Compare the 4 similar options
Snorkeling in Palau: 8-guest sailing trip★ 4.78 (82)7h 30m€ 170
La Maddalena boat tour from Baia Sardinia: islands and beachesBoat tour of the La Maddalena Archipelago departing daily from Baia Sardinia with swimming stops at Spargi, Budelli and Santa Maria islands★ 3.99 (137)7hEN · IT€ 50View ›
La Maddalena Sailing Tour: Swim, Island Lunch & SnorkelingFeel the salt breeze as you sail from Palau to La Maddalena, swim in turquoise coves, walk Budelli’s pink beach, and share a Sardinian lunch on deck—includes drinks.★ 4.70 (172)7hEN · IT +2€ 90View ›
Costa Smeralda Boat Tour: Hybrid Boat, Swim Stops & AperitifHalf-day cruise from Palau on eco-friendly hybrid boat. Swim at Grande Pevero and Liscia Ruja, see Bear Rock and Cala di Volpe, Sardinian aperitif included. Groups up to 12.★ 4.92 (193)5hEN · IT€ 119View › 
Top questions
What are Piscine di Budelli and the other coves like when you get there?
Piscine di Budelli is a shallow lagoon with white sand and clear water sheltered by rock formations; Razzoli and Santa Maria are open-water anchorages with white sand beaches and snorkeling access. All three are inside the La Maddalena National Park and reachable only by boat. The captain chooses which 2–3 to visit based on wind and sea conditions that day.
Is lunch included, and what if I get hungry?
Lunch is not included, but a high-quality aperitif with prosecco, salami, local cheese and chips is served on board around midday. You can bring your own lunch and store it in the onboard ice box; bottled water is provided.
How many people will be on the boat?
Maximum 8 guests on board, which is half the passenger limit of competing boats on the same route. The smaller group size means more space and easier access to the water at each anchorage.
What time do we leave and return?
You meet at 9:30am at Palau harbor (in front of the bar Benthos at Piazza del molo) and return around 5:00pm. The dinghy transfer to the boat takes 3–5 minutes.
Is the captain experienced?
The captain is a US resident with over 25 years of sailing experience worldwide and holds both OUPV (US Coast Guard) and UD2C (Italian) professional commercial licenses.
