From Palau: Speedboat tour in La Maddalena Archipelago

The best Sardinian color comes from the sea. This seven-hour speedboat trip from Palau pairs the natural pools of Budelli with the coves of Spargi, giving you clear water, rocky bays, and time to swim rather than simply stare from shore. I like the small group size, with up to 12 passengers and two crew, and I especially like that lunch and fuel are included in the $148.40 price.

I also like the friendly, personal feel created by skipper Andrea and crew member Francesco, whose onboard cooking earned warm praise. The main drawback is route choice: this trip focuses on Budelli and Spargi, so you may not see La Maddalena or Caprera up close. If those islands are your priority, ask about the route before booking.

Key points at a glance

• Two hours at Budelli: Swim in the natural pools formed between Budelli, Razzoli, and Santa Maria.
• Pink Beach from the water: You can admire Budelli’s famous beach from a distance, but the itinerary does not include landing there.
• A proper Sardinian lunch: The crew serves an aperitif and a meal built around local land and sea products.
• Two Spargi stops: Cala Soraja and Cala Corsara each receive about an hour, giving you time to enjoy different coves.
• Small speedboat group: The Tredas Open Ilver 36 carries up to 12 passengers, plus two crew members.
• Flexible departure point: The boat leaves from Palau, but La Maddalena boarding can be requested at no extra cost at least 24 hours ahead.

What this Palau boat trip is really like

This is not a quick sightseeing cruise with a long list of islands and brief photo stops. You spend much of the day in the water and at a few carefully chosen bays. For me, that makes the trip best suited to someone who wants a relaxed sea day, a swim, a meal, and time to enjoy the scenery without rushing from place to place.

The boat leaves from the entrance to Pier No. 5 in Palau. Look for the name Tredas. Paid parking is available nearby, which is useful if you are driving to the port, though you should allow enough time to find a space and reach the pier before departure.

The route begins with about 50 minutes of navigation toward Budelli. That first stretch gives you time to settle in, watch the coast recede, and find your preferred spot on the boat. The vessel has a sunbathing net at the bow, an awning for shade, a freshwater shower, a bathroom, and a boarding ladder.

The Tredas Open Ilver 36 was built in 1990 and measures 12 meters long by 3.40 meters wide. Two inboard engines provide 220 horsepower each. This is a proper speedboat, but it is still a compact boat rather than a large ferry, so the day feels more personal and exposed to the sea.

Budelli and its natural pools

The first major stop is the natural pool area between Budelli, Razzoli, and Santa Maria. You get about two hours here, which is the most generous single stop of the day. That matters because the appeal is not just the view. You have time to swim, climb back aboard, dry off, and enjoy the place without watching the clock every few minutes.

The water here is the main event. Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, a hat, and drinking water. The boat has a freshwater shower, so you can rinse away salt after swimming. The ladder makes getting back aboard easier, but you should still expect a boat-based swim stop rather than a conventional beach visit.

Budelli is also known for its Pink Beach, or Spiaggia Rosa. From this trip, you admire the beach from a distance. That is an important detail. The itinerary does not promise a landing on the sand, and the natural pools are the place for swimming.

If Pink Beach is the one sight you most want to experience on foot, this may not be the right excursion. If you mainly want clear water and a long swim stop, the Budelli section is likely to be the strongest part of your day.

The surrounding islands give this stop a fine sense of scale. Budelli, Razzoli, and Santa Maria sit close together, creating sheltered-looking water and a striking mix of pale rock, open sea, and small island shores. The skipper may adjust the exact position according to sea conditions, so the final swimming area can change.

Lunch with Andrea and Francesco

Lunch is served on board after time in the water, and it is included along with an aperitif. The meal features local products from both land and sea. That is a pleasant change from bringing a sandwich and buying nothing but a drink at a crowded beach stop.

Andrea and Francesco receive particular praise for the food and their warm manner. Their cooking is one of the parts that gives the excursion its character. You are not simply being carried from one bay to another. The crew also sets the tone for the meal and the general mood on board.

The exact dishes are not specified, so I would not book this expecting a particular menu. One comment also expressed a wish for a different kind of meal. That is a useful warning for picky eaters: the food is part of the local experience, but personal preferences will vary.

If you have food intolerances, notify the guide using the number on your reservation voucher at least one day before departure. A minibar service is available for an extra charge if you request it by phone at least 24 hours ahead. Otherwise, bring your own water and any snacks you know you will need.

Spargi: Cala Soraja and Cala Corsara

After lunch and a rest, the boat heads toward Spargi. The plan includes stops at Cala Soraja and Cala Corsara, with about one hour at each. These are not rushed drive-bys. You get enough time at each cove to swim, relax, and take in the setting from the water.

Cala Corsara is the better-known name of the two, but Cala Soraja gives you another setting on the same island. I like this pairing because it breaks up the afternoon and lets you see more than one side of Spargi. You are not spending the whole day at a single bay after Budelli.

The coves are best enjoyed at an unhurried pace. Use the awning if you need shade, or take a place on the forward sunbathing net if the weather allows. The stereo system is available on board, though the character of the day will depend on the crew, the group, and the conditions at sea.

This is also where route expectations matter. The excursion does not include close stops at La Maddalena and Caprera. Two people who enjoyed the trip still wished they had seen La Maddalena and had a different meal. I would treat that as helpful planning advice, not a flaw in the entire outing: the tour has a clear focus on Budelli and Spargi, not a full tour of every major island.

Why the 12-person limit matters

The boat carries 12 passengers and two crew members. That is a small group for a day on the archipelago, and it helps explain the price. You are paying for a limited-capacity boat, fuel, crew, lunch, and seven hours on the water rather than for a seat on a large vessel.

A small boat also makes it easier to ask questions, find help with the ladder, or speak directly with the skipper. The crew speaks Italian and English. Andrea and Francesco are named as the people who help create the warm atmosphere, so this is a good fit if you enjoy a social boat day rather than a silent private charter.

The tradeoff is space. A 12-meter boat has useful facilities, but it is not a floating resort. There is one bathroom, one cabin, an awning, and a bow sunbathing net. You should pack lightly and keep your belongings secure and compact.

There is no mention of a pet-friendly policy, and pets are not allowed. The boat also has standard safety equipment and a first-aid kit, which are sensible features for a full day around open water.

Is $148.40 good value?

At $148.40 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see the archipelago. The value comes from what is bundled into the day: a seven-hour outing, a small speedboat, two crew members, fuel, an aperitif, and lunch.

A cheaper ferry or large-group cruise may work better if you only want transportation or a broad view of the islands. This trip makes more sense if you want long swimming stops, a smaller group, and a meal prepared by the crew. The 50-minute run to Budelli and the two substantial Spargi stops give you a full day rather than a short harbor ride.

I would also compare the price against what you might spend arranging food, fuel, and several separate stops on your own. The included meal and fuel remove two common extra costs. The best value comes if you use the stops fully and enjoy swimming, not if you prefer to stay dry and collect a long list of island names.

Weather, route changes, and practical planning

The skipper can change the itinerary and stops according to sea conditions. That is normal for a small boat in an island chain, and it is better than forcing a fixed route in poor weather. Still, you should book this with some flexibility in mind.

The tour is confirmed with at least four participants. If your plans are uncertain, free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Check the available starting time when booking because the exact departure hour is not fixed in the general information.

Pack a hat, swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, water, and beachwear. I would keep your bag small and bring only what you can manage around a wet deck. The freshwater shower is useful, but it does not replace carrying enough drinking water for the day.

If you want to board at La Maddalena instead of Palau, contact the skipper through the phone number on your booking voucher at least 24 hours beforehand. This change has no extra charge. Do not simply arrive at a different port without confirming it.

Who should book this excursion?

I would recommend this trip to you if swimming in clear water is a main goal, if you like small-group outings, and if a relaxed meal on board sounds better than a packed sightseeing schedule. Couples, friends, and families who enjoy being at sea should find the format easy to understand and simple to enjoy.

It is also a good choice if you want English or Italian guidance and prefer a crew-led day rather than organizing several connections yourself. The boat has a bathroom, shade, a freshwater shower, and a ladder, all useful on a seven-hour outing.

I would think twice if your top priority is seeing La Maddalena and Caprera close up. You should also consider another option if you need a highly specific menu, want to land at Pink Beach, or prefer a larger boat with more room to move.

Should you book the Tredas speedboat tour?

Book it if you want Budelli’s natural pools, two Spargi coves, and a Sardinian lunch in one compact day. The long Budelli stop, small group, and friendly cooking by Andrea and Francesco give this outing more personality than a simple island transfer.

Skip it if you are choosing mainly for La Maddalena, Caprera, or a walk on Pink Beach. Before paying, confirm your departure port, share any food intolerances, and ask yourself one simple question: do you want to swim and relax, or do you want to collect as many island stops as possible? For the first kind of day, the $148.40 price is reasonable.

FAQ

Where does the speedboat tour start?

The tour starts at the entrance to Pier No. 5 in the port of Palau. Look for the boat named Tredas.

Can I board in La Maddalena instead of Palau?

Yes. You can request boarding from the port of La Maddalena at no extra cost by contacting the skipper at least 24 hours in advance using the number on your booking voucher.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts seven hours. Check availability for the exact starting time.

How many people can ride on the boat?

The Tredas Open Ilver 36 carries up to 14 people in total, including 12 passengers and two crew members.

Which islands and coves does the tour visit?

The route includes Budelli, the natural pools between Budelli, Razzoli, and Santa Maria, and Spargi, with stops at Cala Soraja and Cala Corsara.

Can I swim at Budelli?

Yes. The tour includes about two hours at the natural pools of Budelli, where you can swim in the clear water.

Can I visit Pink Beach?

You can admire Pink Beach from a distance. The stated route does not include landing on the beach.

Is lunch included?

Yes. An aperitif and lunch featuring local land and sea products are included.

Can the crew accommodate food intolerances?

You must notify the guide about food intolerances at least one day before the experience using the telephone number on your reservation voucher.

What should I bring?

Bring a hat, swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, water, and beachwear. Pets are not allowed on the tour.