Sardinia’s islands look better from deck. On Motonave Lady Luna 3, you get a tight, scenic loop through Palau, the Budelli Pink Beach area, Santa Maria, and Spargi, with time built in for actual swimming and photos off the boat. I like that the day isn’t just sightseeing from a distance—you get breaks in the water.

The crew approach is another big win. Explanations tend to be clear, and the staff keep things running smoothly and help when you need it. My only caution: the boat can feel crowded, so if you care about views during sailing, you’ll want to choose your spot early and stay flexible.

Key points before you go

• Swim stops with real entry options: at anchor, plus a stern platform with ladders for comfortable sea entry.
• Budelli’s Pink Beach is protected: you won’t land there, and you’ll keep distance from the buoys.
• Spargi mixes photos and water time: caves, coves, and a proper beach stop for swimming.
• La Maddalena town time includes the Santa Maria Maddalena church and shopping/ice-cream breaks.
• Max 150 people means you should expect a lively deck, especially in high season.
• Lunch is optional on board with set menu prices, so you can plan your budget.

Why this La Maddalena archipelago day feels worth your time

This is the kind of trip that works because it’s designed around movement. You’re not stuck in one place for hours. Instead, you bounce between Palau and a string of island settings—Budelli/Budelli-area waters, Santa Maria’s beach bay, then Spargi’s coves—before finishing in La Maddalena.

I also like that the route targets variety. You’ll see cliffs and coastal viewpoints while sailing, then switch to swim time where it matters. It’s a good fit if you want Sardinia’s “water day” without needing to rent a car.

Getting to Palau and settling in on Lady Luna 3

Check-in is at 9:45 a.m., and the boat departs at 10:30 a.m. The meeting point is Giteinbarca.it (Escursioni La Maddalena) at Palaumolo 4, in front of the Palau maritime station/terminal ferries, Piazza del Molo, 07020 Palau SS, Italy.

The practical stuff matters here. The day runs about 7 hours, so you’ll want to show up ready to board, then plan around the fact that swim stops take priority once you’re underway. The tour uses a mobile ticket, and the boat has restrooms, which is a big quality-of-life detail for a long half-day.

A “heads up” from the experience pattern: with up to 150 people, you’ll likely want to be deliberate about where you stand for views. If you’re the type who cares about framing photos, pick a deck spot early and move when sailing begins rather than waiting until a busy moment.

Palau coastline cruising: Punta Sardegna and Porto Faro from the sea

Right after departure, you sail along Palau’s coast and pass places like Punta Sardegna and Porto Faro. Porto Faro is described as being known for its small beach and residences—exactly the kind of coastline segment that looks calmer and prettier than it sounds from a map.

This first sailing stretch is your warm-up. It sets the tone: you’re out on the water, the coast is close, and you can start ticking off views before the swim stops begin. If you’re prone to motion sickness, this is also the part where it helps to be settled and not chasing viewpoints around the boat.

Budelli and the Pink Beach area: the rules are strict, and that’s why it’s special

Budelli is famous for the Pink Beach story—and the reason isn’t just color. The pink tone is linked to a pink micro-organism living inside shells in the posidonia meadows. When shells wash ashore and break apart from wave action, the sand can show that distinctive hue.

Here’s the important part: you won’t land on the beach. The area has had regulations in place since 1998 to protect it—closing it to landing and restricting anchoring to avoid sand damage and looting. During your stop, you get a short break from the boat, and you keep a distance from the buoys marking the protected spot.

Then you switch from theory to water time. This stop includes swimming for about 20 minutes. You anchor, and there’s a stern platform with ladders for a comfortable descent into the sea. In plain terms: this is one of the easiest entry setups you’ll get on a day like this, especially if you want to swim without turning it into a gear wrestling match.

Santa Maria beach stop: swim time, a disused monastery, and a lunch choice

Next comes Santa Maria, where you moor at the island’s beach bay and have a 2-hour window. This is straightforward in the best way: swim in the blue water, hang out near the shore, and then head back on board with time to spare.

The island also has the Benedictine Monastery, now disused, plus a few houses that are described as summer-only residences—including the summer home of Italian actor Roberto Benigni. You’re not going there for a walking tour here, but it’s a nice background detail that gives the island more than just postcard vibes.

Food planning is simple. Lunch isn’t included, but you can buy it on board during the time back. Options and prices listed are:

• Pasta with shrimp sauce: €10.00
• Cold main course: €12.00
• Caprese salad: €10.00

I like that you’re not forced into one option. If you’re trying to manage costs, you can keep it light. If you want a hot meal without hunting for a restaurant, the on-board menu is there.

Spargi: wild coves, named photo rocks, and time to swim again

Spargi is described as one of the last corners of paradise on earth—and the description matches what this kind of stop delivers in real life: wild coastline, coves carved by wind, and fine-sand beach areas. The tour continues with a panoramic sail around Spargi’s coast, passing names like Cala Connari, Cala dell’amore, Cala Corsara, and Cala Soraya.

Then you reach Cala Granara, where you make the third beach stop. You get about 1 hour for swimming and photographing the bay. If you like taking pictures, this is a better setup than the longer sailing stretches because you’re actually staying in one place long enough to frame shots without racing the schedule.

Between views, you’ll also hear/see references to famous rock formations: Testa della Strega, Bulldog Dog, and Italy in miniature. Those names may sound like clever tourist labels, but they help you point your camera at the right features while you’re in motion.

There’s also a hint of outdoor history here. Spargi is noted as having nature trails and military forts for hikers and walkers—so even if you won’t walk far in this format, it gives you a reason to come back on a different day if you’re the trekking type.

One more island story pops up in the info for this section: Santo Stefano. It’s described as small (about 3 square kilometres), with a NATO military base until 2002, including mooring of American nuclear-powered submarines, and it’s awaiting redevelopment. You likely won’t have a landing experience on Santo Stefano in this tour, but it’s one of those details that makes the archipelago feel more layered than “just beaches.”

La Maddalena town time: Santa Maria Maddalena and a real break from salt water

After the island stops, you finish with La Maddalena, the largest island in the archipelago. You get about 1 hour to visit the beautiful town center, including the church of Santa Maria Maddalena.

This is the part that makes the day feel balanced. You’ve had multiple swim moments and boat time, and now you can walk around for a bit, browse shops, and—this matters—grab ice cream from places that are described as consistently open. When your shirt smells like sea spray, ice cream is basically a travel hygiene product.

La Maddalena is also known for a perimeter road with panoramic views and a mix of cliffs and gentle bays along about 45 km of coastline. The interior is described as Mediterranean macchia, rising to a maximum height of 146 metres. You won’t cover the whole island today, but the town stop is the easiest way to feel like you’ve arrived somewhere real, not just passed through.

Price and logistics: what $66.54 really buys you (and what it won’t)

The listed price is $66.54 per person, and the tour is about 7 hours. That price makes sense when you look at what’s included versus what’s optional.

Included:

• Restroom on board
• Gratuities
• Admission ticket is free for some segments (Palau and Santa Maria are described that way; Spargi and La Maddalena are also described as free)

Not included:

• Bottled water
• Lunch (with on-board prices listed)
• Landing and facility fees

There’s also a key extra you should plan for: a landing fee cash only €5.00 per person. If you’re the type who forgets cash in your travel pouch, fix that before you arrive, because this is the one cost that can’t be waved away.

On value: you’re paying for an efficient “best-of” day that combines sailing viewpoints with multiple water moments. You’re not paying for a private boat or a slow, quiet experience—this is a shared day on a working excursion vessel—so the best value comes if you’re flexible on crowding and focused on the sea stops.

Who should book this and who should think twice

This tour fits best if you want:

• A full day’s worth of archipelago scenery without complicated planning
• Multiple swim chances, including an easier entry setup (stern platform with ladders)
• A mix of nature time and a town break in La Maddalena

Think twice if you:

• Hate crowds. With up to 150 people, some deck areas can get tight, and your view may depend on where you stand.
• Need very calm, quiet photo moments during sailing. You can still get great shots, but the timing and crowd flow can affect how “clear” things look.

If you’re traveling with service animals, the tour notes service animals are allowed, which is useful to know for planning.

English is offered, which helps a lot if you don’t read Italian signage quickly.

Should you book the Lady Luna 3 La Maddalena excursion?

I’d book it if you’re chasing the core Sardinia dream: boat time, protected-coast rules you can learn from, and at least two beach/swim moments that actually feel like a vacation, not a checklist. The combination of Budelli-area color legend, Santa Maria’s calm beach bay, and Spargi’s coves makes this a strong “one day” sampler.

I’d skip or choose a smaller-boat alternative if you’re extremely sensitive to crowding or you want guaranteed unobstructed views from the start of every sailing segment. On a packed day, that’s the main friction point.

If you go, do it with a simple mindset: plan to move with the flow, bring swim-ready gear, and spend your attention where the tour gives you the best payoff—at the water stops and the La Maddalena town break.

FAQ

How long is the boat excursion?

It runs for about 7 hours (approx.).

Where do I meet the boat in Palau?

Meet at Giteinbarca.it – Escursioni La Maddalena da Palaumolo 4, in front of the Palau maritime station/terminal ferries, Piazza del Molo, 07020 Palau SS, Italy.

What are the main stops during the day?

You sail from Palau and stop for swimming/visiting around Budelli (Pink Beach area), Santa Maria, Spargi (including a beach stop at Cala Granara), and then you spend about 1 hour in La Maddalena town.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is available to purchase on board during the Santa Maria time, with options like pasta with shrimp sauce (€10), cold main course (€12), or Caprese salad (€10).

Do I need cash for any extra fees?

Yes. A landing fee is listed as cash only at €5.00 per person.

Is bottled water included?

No, bottled water is not included.

What language is the tour offered in?

The tour is offered in English.

What happens if the weather is bad?

This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.