Maddalena Archipelago Catamaran Tour from Palau with Lunch

Turquoise shallows between uninhabited islands, lunch of Sardinian fish pasta on deck.

A full-day catamaran tour from Palau visits the Maddalena Archipelago's most protected islands and beaches, with swimming and snorkeling stops, a morning aperitif of local products, and lunch cooked on board. The boat departs around 9:45am and returns around 5:30pm. The itinerary shifts with weather and sea conditions to keep navigation safe, and a live guide speaks English, Spanish or Italian. No-fish and vegetarian lunch options are available if requested at booking.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Maddalena Archipelago by catamaran

• Pass by pink Rosa Beach
• Stop at Spargi Island for swim
• Visit Pools area between islands
• Admire coves of Santa Maria Island
• Enjoy typical Sardinian aperitif on board
• Have lunch with pasta and fish
• End meal with sweets and liqueur

The experience

The catamaran leaves Palau in the morning and heads into the Maddalena Archipelago, passing the pink beach first: a protected wonder you see from the water but cannot land on, though the photographs from the boat are the point. Weather permitting, the boat stops at Spargi, an uninhabited island where turquoise water meets white sand and wild scrub, or at the Pools, a calm body of water between Budelli, Santa Maria and Razzoli where the color shifts between turquoise and emerald depending on the light and depth. You swim and snorkel in these stops. The water is clear enough that the seabed stays visible.

Lunch happens on board: pasta with fish in the Sardinian style, cooked in the galley while you are in the water or resting on deck. A morning aperitif of local products, white wine (Vermentino), beer and soft drinks arrive first. At the end of the meal, coffee and a typical Sardinian liqueur. If you have a fish intolerance or prefer vegetarian food, request it when you book. The boat cannot manage other dietary needs at sea. Water, wine, beer and soft drinks flow throughout the day, and snacks appear between stops.

The route is not fixed: the captain adjusts it for weather and sea state to keep the boat safe, so the exact islands and coves shift from one departure to another. Spargi and the Pools are the most common stops, but Santa Maria's coves and the area called Manto della Madonna (named for the color of its water) may replace them. The day runs about seven and a half hours from start to finish. A guide in English, Spanish or Italian travels with the boat and speaks throughout.

What’s included

• Morning aperitif with typical Sardinian products, white wine and soft drinks.
• lunch cooked on board with pasta and fish in the Sardinian style (no-fish or vegetarian option available upon request at booking).
• white wine, beer and soft drinks throughout the day.
• coffee and Sardinian liqueur after lunch.
• live guide in English, Spanish or Italian.

Before you book

Days and timesFriday and SaturdayDeparts at 09:30Last departure this season: 10 Nov

Book up to1h before

AgesAdult (10 and older) · Child (3 to 9 years) · Infant (under 3)

GroupUp to 12

Live guideEnglish, Spanish and Italian

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 or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Sardinia Sailing Tour

Is this one for you?The boat leaves from Palau harbor in the morning, so if you are staying in Palau or can reach it by 9:45am without a rental car, the tour handles the rest. Transport, lunch, drinks and the route all settle on the boat. If you are based elsewhere on the island and do not have a car, you will need to arrange your own way to Palau or book a separate transfer.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish and Italian.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 9 years); Infant (under 3).

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 is the pink beach I keep seeing in photos of Sardinia?

Rosa Beach, one of the most photographed beaches in the world, sits in the Maddalena Archipelago and gets its color from fragments of coral and shells in the sand. It is now completely protected and closed to landing, so you see it from the water: the boat passes close enough for photographs but does not stop ashore.

Can I snorkel on this tour, or just swim?

You can do both. The boat stops at islands and in shallow bays where the water is clear and calm, and snorkeling gear is available. The Pools and Spargi are the most common snorkel stops because the seabed stays visible and the water is protected from waves.

Is lunch really cooked on the boat?

Yes, the lunch is pasta with fish in the Sardinian style, prepared in the galley while you are swimming or resting on deck. It arrives with white wine, beer and soft drinks. A morning aperitif of local products and a Sardinian liqueur after the meal are also included.

What happens if the weather is bad on the day of my tour?

The captain adjusts the route to keep the boat safe, so you may visit different islands or coves than the standard itinerary lists. The tour runs unless conditions make it unsafe to leave port. If that happens, the operator will reschedule or refund you.

Do I need to bring a towel or swimsuit?

Bring your own swimsuit and a towel: neither is provided on board. Sunscreen, a hat and water shoes for rocky entries are also useful. The boat has fresh water for rinsing off salt.

How do I get from my hotel to the boat in Palau?

The tour departs from Palau, a small port town on the north coast of Sardinia. If you are staying in Palau, the boat leaves from the harbor. If you are elsewhere on the island, you will need to arrange your own transport to Palau or book a separate transfer service.