That turquoise water hits fast. This full-day boat ride from Palau is a quick hit of the La Maddalena Archipelago—with stops on multiple islands plus time to swim where the water looks unreal. I also like that the tour is structured so you get both photo moments and real beach time, not just cruising past viewpoints. The one thing to keep in mind: some stops mean getting off, walking a bit, and sun/shade is limited.

You’ll depart at 10:30 and spend most of the day in and around places like Spargi, Santa Maria, and either the historic town of La Maddalena or the swimming-famous area near Cala Coticcio. It’s not a private boat—this is a max-90-person tour—so if you hate crowds, you’ll want to manage your expectations and choose your timing carefully.

Key highlights to know before you go

• 10:30 sharp departure from Palau means you should arrive early for smooth check-in
• Spargi beaches first with an easy, get-off-and-go feel once the boat arrives
• Spiaggia Rosa (Pink Beach) is a photo stop along the way to set up those legendary views
• Santa Maria includes a walk option to an old lighthouse, plus time to swim or relax
• Final stop depends on the day: La Maddalena town or Caprera’s Cala Coticcio area
• Food and drinks are available aboard (cash for on-board purchases), which helps during a long day

Why this La Maddalena day boat feels like good value

This tour works because it compresses a lot of the archipelago into one day. You’re not stuck choosing between beaches, photo stops, and swimming coves. Instead, you get a sequence: first island beaches, then famous-water highlights, then more beach time, and finally a choice of ending—either the town of La Maddalena or the Caprera swim area.

At around $60.34 per person for roughly 7 hours, it also makes sense compared with the hassle of piecing together ferries, local boats, and schedules. Even better: the boat includes a live onboard commentary, a restroom, and fuel—so you’re paying mostly for time on the water and access to the key stops.

Do watch the “small extra” math: there’s a €5 per person landing fee that’s payable in cash at check-in. That turns your true price into something closer to the cost of a solid restaurant meal plus a day of boating.

Palau check-in and parking: the part that can steal your day if you rush

The tour checks you in inside the ferry station in the commercial port of Palau, at box 4 and 5. Check-in opens at 9:00am and closes at 10:15, and the boat leaves at 10:30 sharp.

If you’re driving, plan for Palau traffic. The parking area is in Via Fonte Vecchia, and it’s €2 per hour, with a machine that takes coins only. This is one of those moments where being late isn’t “a little annoying”—it’s a missed departure.

If you’re not driving, you can rely on being near public transportation and still keep things simple. Either way, I’d treat arrival like a beach start: get there early, relax, then walk right onto the boat.

Spargi first: beaches, quick landings, and why arriving early pays off

Your first major island stop is Isola di Spargi, reached soon after the 10:30am departure. When the boat arrives, you can use the boat’s doorway openings to move with your things onto the island—so you’re not wasting the best part of the day figuring out logistics.

The timing is also smart: you get about 1 hour 30 minutes here. That’s long enough to pick a beach spot, swim, and still have time to wander a bit without feeling rushed.

One practical tip from real-world boat behavior: if you want to enjoy the views on the water outside, arrive early so you can get a better seating position. On boats like this, the window between getting aboard and leaving can be the difference between “great sightlines” and “stuck where you can only see sky.”

Budelli’s Pink Beach photo stop and Porto Della Madonna’s swimming pool

After Spargi, the route continues along the coast toward Budelli. You’ll do a photographic stop at the famous Spiaggia Rosa—the Pink Beach area. It’s not described as a full beach walk stop, more like a chance to stop the boat long enough for photos and to catch what makes it famous.

Then comes the water-moment payoff: you enter Porto Della Madonna, a natural swimming pool where the water looks dramatically clear. Think of this as the “start swimming for real” segment of the day. The itinerary doesn’t rush you past it, and the emerald color is exactly the kind of payoff that makes archipelago trips worth planning around.

If you like to swim, this is where you’ll feel the day shift from sightseeing to full relaxation.

Santa Maria: best mix of beach time and a lighthouse walk option

Next up is Isola di Santa Maria for about 1 hour. This is where you get a classic La Maddalena island rhythm: sunbathing, a swim option, and a walk that you can choose to do or skip.

There’s a lovely added touch here—the ability to walk to an old lighthouse. Even if you don’t do the full walk, it helps to know it’s there so you can match your energy level to the terrain.

This stop also tends to feel well-balanced: it’s not so short you only look at the shoreline, and it’s not so long you get bored waiting for the next transfer.

One caution: there are no promises of shade or chair comfort at every stop. If you burn easily, treat it like a beach day and bring what you’d bring for a long sun session.

Cala Coticcio (Tahiti) vs La Maddalena town: your ending depends on the day

Here’s the key decision built into the schedule: your final stop depends on the day of week.

• On Wednesday/Thursday/Saturday/Sunday, after Santa Maria you’ll go to La Maddalena, the main island town. This is about shopping and exploring in the historic center, and you return to Palau at around 17:30.
• On Mondays/Tuesdays/Fridays, after Santa Maria you head to Caprera for a swim at Cala Coticcio—often described as a natural aquarium area (sometimes referred to as Tahiti in tour wording). This stop is shorter, about 30 minutes, but it’s directly from the boat.

If you want seaside time and snorkeling-style water, choose a day that leads you to Cala Coticcio. If you’d rather walk, browse, and eat in town, pick the day that ends in La Maddalena.

Personally, I like having both options in the trip—because the archipelago can feel repetitive if you only chase beaches. The town ending gives you a different tempo, and the swim ending gives you the big water payoff.

What’s on the boat: commentary, restroom, and cash meals

You get live commentary onboard, in English (with the possibility of a multi-lingual guide). In some sailings, you may hear guidance from staff who clearly emphasize safety and respect for the territory. I’ve also seen tour commentary associated with guides such as Stefania and Walter, both mentioned for being patient and informative.

There’s also a restroom on board, which matters more than you think on a 7-hour outing.

Food-wise, drinks and snacks are available to purchase, but they’re not included in the price. That said, people report on-board food offerings like pasta and other meal options, and there are mentions of lunch being available for around €8 (cash). Some describe on-board snacks like sandwiches and even crepes. If you have a sensitive stomach, eating earlier in the day can help, since you’re spending time outdoors and moving between stops.

Crowds, seating, and why the boat “feels full”

This is a popular route in a gorgeous place, so yes—it can feel busy. The tour is capped at 90 travelers, and the boat does not market itself as private.

The most common practical complaints are about crowding and comfort: if you want a seat and a calm ride, don’t assume you can stroll in late and still get the best location. One tip that shows up again and again is to get outside seating early.

There’s also a specific operational point: you generally can’t stay on the boat during stops. You’ll need to get off when it’s time at islands, even if you just want to watch. That’s part of how these stops work.

Safety questions come up in a few comments too. The tour is described as having safety measures onboard, including life jackets.

If you’re sensitive to heat, plan your gear like a beach day: towel, water, hat, and maybe goggles if you like seeing fish. Even when swimming time is short, the water clarity is the point.

Accessibility and walking: doable for some, tough for others

The tour isn’t listed as suitable for people with motor difficulties. In practice, some stops can involve walking trails to reach beaches, and you have to get off the boat each time.

If you or your travel partner has a bad knee or limited mobility, treat this as a “prepare and decide” activity, not a guaranteed smooth experience. You’ll want to pick the day that matches your comfort level—Cala Coticcio days can feel different because the emphasis is swimming from the boat, while Santa Maria can include a walk option.

When in doubt, choose calm stops and go slow on transitions. This is a sea day, but it still has land movement.

Price check: how the €5 landing fee changes the real cost

Your base price is listed around $60.34. But the tour also notes a €5 per person landing fee payable in cash at check-in, to the town hall of La Maddalena.

So the real “what you’ll pay on the day” number matters. Still, even with that extra fee, the value holds if you care about seeing multiple islands without spending your whole trip figuring out schedules. You also get:

• time on multiple islands and coves
• photo time at Spiaggia Rosa
• swimming options, including a boat-based swim moment at Cala Coticcio
• onboard live commentary
• a restroom on the boat

If your goal is only one beach and you hate boat days, you might do better going more independent. But if you want a fast, well-paced sampler of the archipelago, this is priced like an organized day should be.

Should you book this La Maddalena Archipelago boat tour from Palau?

Book it if you want a structured full-day that hits the archipelago highlights without you juggling transport. I’d especially recommend it if you like swimming, want at least one big-photo moment like Pink Beach, and you don’t mind that the boat can feel busy with up to 90 people.

Skip or think twice if you need an itinerary with minimal walking and maximum comfort at each stop. The tour can involve trails and getting off at stops, and the tour description flags mobility as a concern.

If you’re the kind of person who plans around water and sun—towel, sunscreen, and a good attitude—this trip is a very efficient way to see La Maddalena’s best colors in one day.

FAQ

How long is the boat tour?

The tour lasts about 7 hours.

What’s included in the ticket price?

The ticket includes live commentary on board, a restroom on board, and a fuel surcharge. Drinks and snacks are not included.

Is there an extra fee for landing in La Maddalena?

Yes. There is a €5.00 per person landing and facility fee, payable in cash at check-in.

What time does the boat depart from Palau?

The boat leaves Palau at 10:30am sharp. Check-in opens at 9:00am and closes at 10:15am.

Can I choose between visiting La Maddalena town and Cala Coticcio?

You’ll get one or the other depending on the day of the week. Some days end in La Maddalena (town center), while others include the swim stop at Caprera/Cala Coticcio.

Is the tour suitable for people with mobility issues?

It’s noted as not suitable for people with difficulty walking or motor challenges.