Snorkeling in Sardinia: Private boat, four islands, no crowds

Relax on deck or dive into hidden coves far from the crowds in Sardinia

A private snorkeling trip from Palau on a 10-meter boat with a dedicated skipper covers Spargi, Budelli, Razzoli and Santa Maria in the La Maddalena Archipelago. You choose the stops together based on wind and sea conditions, swimming and snorkeling at each cove. The boat carries snorkeling masks, a shower with fresh water, and a Sardinian aperitif. Departure is 9:00 AM from Pier C at Palau Tourist Port, returning around 4:00 PM to 4:15 PM.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore La Maddalena Archipelago by boat

• Meet at Palau Marina, Pier C
• Discover Spargi Island and swim
• Swim and dive at Stramanari Islands
• Swim at Topo Pass near Santa Maria
• Navigate and snorkel at Asinelli Pass
• Visit and swim in Budelli Natural Pools

The experience

The boat is a 10-meter Top Marine with a large sunbathing area, an awning for shade, and a semicircular sofa: built for a small group to spread out without crowding. You meet your skipper at Palau Marina at 8:30 AM, and the boat leaves at 9:00 AM. The route is not fixed: the skipper reads the wind and the sea each morning and decides together with you where to stop, so you're always chasing the clearest water and the calmest coves. That flexibility is what makes a private boat different from a scheduled departure.

Spargi Island opens the day with Cala dell'Amore, Cala Granara, Cala Soraya and Cala Corsara: each one a different shade of turquoise, each one a place to jump in and snorkel or swim. At Cala Soraya you can wade to the beach. At Cala Corsara, rocks invite you to dive if the sea is calm enough. Between islands you cross the Enchanted Pass, where the water shifts to emerald, and stop at Stramanari to swim in open water. Topo Pass near Santa Maria and Asinelli Pass between Razzoli and Santa Maria are navigation points where you break to snorkel again, watching the sea floor shift from sand to rock. The day ends at Budelli's natural pools: shallow, transparent water where you can walk and float in shades of turquoise so vivid they look unreal.

Snorkeling masks are on board. Fuel, park fees and the skipper's expertise are included. A Sardinian aperitif (Pecorino cheese, sausage, Guttiau bread, Vermentino di Gallura wine, coffee and Mirto liqueur) arrives mid-morning. The boat has a shower with fresh water and a bathroom. Bring a towel, water, and rock shoes if you plan to climb the rocks at Cala Corsara. The skipper speaks English and Italian.

What’s included

• Private 10-meter boat with dedicated skipper for your group only.
• snorkeling masks.
• fuel and La Maddalena Archipelago park fees.
• shower with fresh water and onboard bathroom.
• Sardinian aperitif with Pecorino, sausage, Guttiau bread, Vermentino di Gallura, coffee and Mirto liqueur.
• port access at Palau Tourist Port.

Before you book

Days and timesNext departure: 15 Apr 2027

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish 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. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 3 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Maxiribexcursions

Is this one for you?Book this private dinghy if your group wants to explore four islands and multiple coves together without sharing the boat with other passengers, or choose the shared tour if you prefer lower cost and don't mind joining other travelers.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Italian.

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 are the natural pools at Budelli like when we get there?

Budelli's natural pools sit in front of Cavaliere Beach and are famous for water so transparent it looks like a giant pool. The sandy bottom is shallow, so you walk and swim gently in incredible shades of turquoise and emerald. It's a postcard landscape where you can snorkel or float without depth beneath you.

Can we choose which islands and coves to visit, or is the route set?

The route is decided together with your skipper each morning based on wind and sea conditions. You visit Spargi, Budelli, Razzoli and Santa Maria, but which coves you stop at (Cala dell'Amore, Cala Corsara, Topo Pass, Asinelli Pass and the others) depends on what the sea offers that day.

What's included in the Sardinian aperitif?

The aperitif includes Pecorino cheese, sausage, Guttiau bread, Vermentino di Gallura wine, coffee and Sardinian Mirto liqueur. It arrives mid-morning while you're on the water.

How long is the full day on the boat?

You meet at 8:30 AM and depart at 9:00 AM. The boat returns between 4:00 PM and 4:15 PM, making it a seven-hour day on the water with multiple stops for snorkeling and swimming.

Do I need to bring my own snorkeling mask?

No, snorkeling masks are provided on board. Bring a towel, water, and rock shoes if you want to climb the rocks at Cala Corsara. A windbreaker is recommended in early spring and late autumn.