La Maddalena Catamaran Day Trip with Lunch from Palau Sardinia

Palau and the departure for La Maddalena

Palau is the small port in the north-east corner of Sardinia from which boats, ferries and excursions leave for the islands, only a short drive from Olbia airport and the Costa Smeralda. Travellers who search for a La Maddalena boat trip from Palau or a day trip from Olbia to La Maddalena usually find that a catamaran is the most comfortable choice, with wide decks for shade, sunbathing and swimming.

The catamaran leaves in the morning, around ten o'clock, so you have the whole day for the islands. The exact boarding point is shown in your booking confirmation. If you are staying on the Costa Smeralda, allow time for the drive and for parking in Palau in July and August.

The La Maddalena archipelago and National Park

The Arcipelago di La Maddalena is a marine national park made of granite islands such as Maddalena, Caprera, Santo Stefano, Spargi, Budelli, Razzoli and Santa Maria. Wind and the sea have carved the rock into smooth shapes, and the shallows are some of the clearest in the Mediterranean. The question many visitors ask is whether La Maddalena is worth visiting; most agree that seeing it by boat is the best way, because many bays are not reachable by road.

Your captain decides which three stops to make according to the wind, the sea and the number of boats, and in July and August the busiest places are avoided when possible. Park access is included, so there are no extra permits to organise.

Budelli's Pink Beach and the island coves

The Spiaggia Rosa on Budelli is among the most photographed beaches in Italy, coloured pink by fragments of coral and shells. Landing on the beach is not allowed in order to protect it, but from the water you can see the pale sand, the clear shallows and the contrast with the green maquis. Depending on the day, the catamaran may pass by it on its route around the islands.

At the swimming stops the water is shallow and calm enough for snorkelling, and the kit provided lets you look at the fish and the seagrass. The captain will point out the best spots, and you can also sunbathe on deck or swim straight from the boat.

Lunch on board and the choice of catamaran

Lunch is a typical Sardinian pasta dish served on board, with snacks and fruit during the day, and water and soft drinks available throughout. Tell us about any dietary needs when you book so the crew can prepare.

The Classic catamaran is the standard choice. The Premium catamaran is a newer vessel with modern lines and refined design, and the Comfort catamaran has particularly generous open-plan spaces for moving around and relaxing. The itinerary is the same on all three, and the booking panel shows the current price of each. Hotel pickup is not included, and wheelchair users cannot be accommodated.