Exploring La Maddalena National Park: A Guide to Boat Tours 23/01/2024 – Posted in: Discover Sardinia – Tags: Boat Tours La Maddalena, Budelli, Emerald Coast, La Maddalena, Natural Swimming Pools, Pink Beach, porto cervo, Sardinia, Spargi
The Archipelago of La Maddalena boasts around 60 islands, with the prominent ones being La Maddalena and Caprera. Other minor yet captivating islands include Spargi, Budelli, Razzoli, Santa Maria, and Santo Stefano, while the remaining are quaint islets.
Being very close to the Archipelago, the best place to start your tour to the islands is Palau:
LA MADDALENA
Contrary to popular belief, La Maddalena is not just a starting point for boat tours—it is the central island with a bustling city and infrastructure, setting it apart from the uninhabited others.
To reach La Maddalena, simply take a ferry from Palau, and within 15 minutes, you’ll find yourself in the heart of the city. Here, you can indulge in shopping, unwind at bars, savor diverse culinary delights in numerous restaurants, explore an ancient church, and marvel at intriguing architecture.
While La Maddalena features beautiful beaches, transportation is necessary to access most of them, particularly those in the northern part of the island.
CAPRERA
Connected to La Maddalena by a bridge, Caprera Island, located 7 to 10 km from the city center, offers a serene environment. Renting a bicycle or scooter allows you to explore World War I and II fortresses, providing breathtaking views of the sea and pristine beaches scattered across the island.
This type of tour you can do on your own and don’t need to join a boat tour!
THE BOAT TOURS
Being so easily reachable by ferry, boat tours often bypass La Maddalena and Caprera. Instead, they focus on the alluring destinations of Spargi with its powdery sandy beaches, Budelli and its renowned Pink Beach, Santa Maria with natural swimming pools, and Razzoli, an island adorned with natural rock sculptures.
To explore these minor islands, a boat is essential, and various options are available:
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Big Tour Boats:
These can accommodate up to 300 passengers, offering an economical choice with tickets ranging from 40€ to 70€ per person. However, their fewer fixed stops may limit flexibility in choosing the best ones of the day (subject to weather conditions).
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Sailboats:
Ideal for those who enjoy a leisurely sail, prices range from 90€ to 180€ per person. Although they provide a unique experience, they may make fewer stops for longer time and stay in deeper waters due to their long keel.
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Motorboats, particularly RIB Boats:
Characterized by inflatable tubes attached to the fiberglass body they are peculiar for stability, RIB boats are faster, safer, and offer small group tours. Prices vary from 90€ to 110€ per person, providing a more personalized and adaptable experience compared to big tour boats.
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Renting Your Own RIB Boat:
A good option if you have experience navigating in these waters. Prices for renting a small RIB boat range from 150€ to 280€, but caution is advised due to potential navigational challenges due to the multitude of underwater rocks, currents, and the need for anchoring skills.
Ultimately, the choice of boat depends on your preferences, budget, and level of experience, ensuring an unforgettable exploration of La Maddalena National Park.
The big group tours boats
Sailboat tours of La Maddalena
Sailboat tours of La Maddalena
Maxi Rib Boat tour of the islands of La Maddalena
Drone view on Rib Boat tour
Snorkeling stop on Rib Boat La Maddalena National Park
Close to shore anchoring with Rib in La Maddalena National Park
Further Readings about Sardinia:
Alghero, a Catalan City in Sardinia
Castelsardo: Sardinian Medieval Town
Cagliari, the Capital of Sardinia
Tavolara, the smallest Kingdom in the World
Dos and Don’ts when in Sardinia