Private tour, archipelago of La Maddalena

Clear water, wild coves, one long day. This private boat trip packs Caprera, Budelli, Santa Maria, Spargi, and Palau’s Bear Rock into about seven and a half hours. I like the chance to swim at Cala Brigantina and Cala Coticcio, two very different Caprera stops. I also like the Sardinian aperitif served on board, though the boat condition and safety equipment deserve careful confirmation before you pay.

The tour costs $1,323.22 per group of up to 12, not per person, and starts from Cannigione at 10:00 a.m. That can be good value for a full group. Skippers Andrea, Antonio, and Nico have earned praise for friendly service, local information, and small touches such as Sardinian sweets and Vermentino. One serious complaint described a poorly maintained boat and inadequate anchoring, so ask exactly which boat and equipment your group will receive.

Key points at a glance

• Seven island stops in one day: The route covers Caprera, Budelli, Santa Maria, Spargi, La Maddalena, Santo Stefano views, and Bear Rock near Palau.
• Two kinds of swimming: You swim from the boat at wild coves and spend time on beaches at Santa Maria and Cala Corsara.
• A private group of up to 12: You avoid sharing the day with a large mixed party, but the value depends heavily on how many people join your booking.
• Sardinian aperitif included: Expect snacks, soft drinks, and possibly local specialties served by the captain. Lunch is not included.
• Pink Beach is for photographs only: Spiaggia Rosa is protected, so you view it from the water rather than walking ashore or swimming there.
• Check the vessel before departure: Most comments praise the skippers and scenery, but reports about an outdated boat and a small anchor make a pre-trip safety check sensible.

Why this private boat day works

The La Maddalena archipelago is best understood from the water. Islands, coves, rocky headlands, and pale beaches are spread across a wide area, and a boat lets you see several corners in one outing. This is not a slow visit to one beach. It is a fast-moving sampler of the archipelago’s most photogenic places.

The private format matters. Your group alone takes part, with a maximum of 12 people. You are not tied to strangers’ plans, and a skipper can focus on your party. The schedule is still fairly fixed, though. Seven main stops plus the return run leave little room for long delays.

I would choose this trip for a group that wants scenery and swimming more than a formal sightseeing talk. It also suits families or friends who want to share the cost of a private boat. It is less suitable if you want a quiet, unhurried beach day or a full meal included.

The price looks high for two people, at $661.61 each if split evenly. For four people, it works out to about $330.81 per person. With six people, it is about $220.54 each, and a full group of 12 pays roughly $110.27 each. Those figures make the tour far more attractive for a family or large group.

Leaving Cannigione at 10:00 a.m.

The meeting point is Noleggio Le Isole Cannigione on Via Isola le Bisce in Arzachena. The trip returns to the same place. Since the tour starts at 10:00 a.m. and runs about seven hours and 30 minutes, plan on being away for most of the day.

A mobile ticket is provided, and the tour is offered in English. Public transport is nearby, and service animals are allowed. Most people can participate, but the supplied information does not describe the boat’s exact layout, boarding method, toilet facilities, or shade. If those details matter to you, ask before booking.

The boat itself deserves attention. Positive accounts describe clean boats and towels, while another describes broken and outdated parts. One especially serious account says the boat had no life jackets and could not anchor properly. That is not a minor complaint. Confirm that life jackets are carried for every person, ask about the vessel assigned to your group, and check how weather or rough water will affect the route.

Caprera begins with two very different swims

The first stop is Spiaggia di Cala Brigantina on Caprera, reached at about 10:20 a.m. The boat anchors near a wild, deserted beach for roughly 45 minutes. The appeal is simple: this is the kind of stop where the setting does most of the work. You swim in open water near an undeveloped cove rather than walking into a busy resort beach.

The word deserted should not be treated as a guarantee. Conditions, other boats, and the day’s route can change. Still, the plan is clearly aimed at a quiet first swim.

Soon after, around 10:45 a.m., you reach Cala Coticcio. This stop lasts about an hour and offers another swim from the boat. A buoy field marks the bathing area, helping keep boats away from the swimming zone.

That arrangement can make the water feel less stressful, especially if you are not comfortable swimming near moving vessels. Cala Coticcio is also a good example of how this day mixes protected areas with active cruising. You are not simply stopping at accessible beaches. Some places are seen from the water because landing is restricted.

As the boat skirts Caprera on a northerly route, you see the island’s coves and rocky cuts from offshore. The views are likely to be one of the strongest parts of the morning. A skipper such as Andrea or Antonio may add local information along the way. Several accounts single out their friendliness and explanations, while Nico is also praised for professionalism and good humor.

Budelli and the natural pools

After Caprera, the boat continues north to Budelli. The stop is at anchor near the natural pools in front of Spiaggia del Cavaliere. The water here is the attraction, and the boat remains offshore rather than taking you onto every beach you see.

The captain serves an aperitif with typical Sardinian products. Soft drinks and snacks are included, and some accounts describe sweets and Vermentino being offered on board. Alcohol can be a pleasant addition to a warm afternoon, but drink sensibly if you plan to swim afterward.

This is one of the most appealing details of the trip because it adds a local food moment without turning lunch into a formal restaurant stop. Do not confuse it with a meal. Lunch is not included, and the later beach stop is the main chance to eat anything you bring or arrange yourself.

The natural pools and pale water also make Budelli an excellent photo stop. The boat-based format lets you see fragile coastal areas without treating every beach as a place for landing.

Santa Maria gives you the longest beach break

At about 1:00 p.m., you reach Cala Santa Maria on Isola di Santa Maria. This is the longest beach stop, lasting around an hour and a half. After several swims from the boat, the chance to step onto sand is welcome.

This is where the day’s rhythm changes. You can relax on the beach, walk a little, swim from shore, or simply dry off. Since lunch is not included, this is the practical time to eat the food you bring. The supplied details do not state that food may be purchased here, so do not count on a beach café or restaurant.

The long stop is valuable for families and for anyone who does not want seven hours of constant movement. It also gives you a chance to use a towel, settle into the day, and enjoy the archipelago at a slower pace.

If you prefer to stay on the boat, the schedule may feel less efficient here. An hour and a half is a substantial portion of a seven-hour tour. But for most people, that pause is probably a relief rather than wasted time.

Spiaggia Rosa is a look, not a landing

The boat leaves Santa Maria toward the southwest and passes Spiaggia Rosa, the famous Pink Beach. You get about 15 minutes for photographs.

The key fact is that you cannot access the beach, even by swimming. This is not a missed opportunity caused by poor planning. The restricted access protects a fragile place, and the right way to experience it is from the water.

Set your expectations accordingly. You will not walk on pink sand, snorkel beside the beach, or spend an hour here. Have your camera ready, listen for the skipper’s timing, and treat this as a short scenic pass between longer stops.

Spargi brings back the swimming

Around 3:00 p.m., the boat continues to Isola di Spargi. The route takes in Cala Granara, Cala Soraya, and Cala dell’Amore before stopping near shore for a 45-minute swim.

This is another boat swim rather than a full beach visit. The water and nearby coves provide the setting, while the short stop keeps the tour moving toward Cala Corsara. If your group enjoys snorkeling, this is a good place to use the supplied snorkeling equipment, though no specific marine life or underwater sights are promised.

The snorkeling gear is included, which saves you from bringing your own mask and tube. Still, equipment quality and sizes can vary, so ask whether children’s sizes or alternate gear are available if that matters to your group.

Cala Corsara is the final proper beach stop

At about 4:00 p.m., you reach Cala Corsara for an hour on shore. The skipper considers it a favorite, and the setting gives you one last chance to enjoy a beach rather than view one from the deck.

The timing works well. By late afternoon, you may want a final swim, a walk along the sand, or a quiet break before the return. Cala Corsara also gives the day a more relaxed finish than ending with only a short photo stop.

The drawback is the packed route. If a stop runs late, wind changes the plan, or your group takes extra time boarding, the beach schedule may be shortened. A private tour gives you more personal space, but it does not remove the practical limits of daylight and travel time between islands.

The return route passes Bear Rock

At 5:00 p.m., the boat leaves Cala Corsara for Cannigione. The return route includes views of the western side of La Maddalena and the island of Santo Stefano.

There is one final stop at Roccia dell’Orso, or Bear Rock, near Palau. The boat pauses for about five minutes so you can see and photograph the famous rock formation, described as a symbol of Palau.

Five minutes is enough for a quick look, not a visit. Keep your camera ready and do not expect to go ashore. This stop works as a final landmark before the return to Cannigione.

Skippers and the human touch

The strongest praise centers on the captains. Andrea is described as friendly and informative, with a habit of explaining historical details and serving Sardinian sweets. Antonio is praised for being helpful, pleasant, and attentive, while Nico receives credit for professional and cheerful service.

That matters because a boat day can feel very different depending on the person at the helm. A good skipper helps you understand what you are seeing, keeps the schedule moving, and makes the aperitif feel personal rather than routine.

The comments are not uniformly positive. Some praise the company’s handling of changed plans and the cleanliness of the boat. Others describe a vessel in poor condition, with broken parts and an anchor too small to hold the boat in place. One account also raises a life jacket concern.

I would not ignore that conflict. Before departure, ask to see the safety equipment and clarify what happens if the boat cannot anchor at a planned stop. The answer should be clear and reassuring. If it is not, reconsider the booking.

What to bring and what not to assume

Bring swimwear, sun protection, a towel if you prefer your own, and food for lunch. Snorkeling equipment is included, as are soft drinks and snacks for the aperitif.

You should also bring a waterproof phone case or another way to protect your camera. Many of the best moments are seen from the water, and the schedule gives you only brief chances to prepare for photographs.

Do not assume lunch, hotel pickup, unlimited drinks, or access to every beach. The published inclusions cover snacks, aperitif drinks, and snorkeling equipment. The tour starts and ends at the Cannigione meeting point.

The route requires good weather. If poor weather cancels the trip, you are offered another date or a full refund. For a full refund after a change of plans, cancel at least 24 hours before the 10:00 a.m. start. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted.

Who should book this boat tour?

I would choose it for a group of friends, a family, or a multigenerational party that wants a private day on the water. It is especially appealing if you want to combine wild coves, beach time, snorkeling, photographs, and a small taste of Sardinian food without arranging several separate outings.

It is also a good fit if your group can fill much of the 12-person capacity. The per-person price drops sharply as more people join, making the private format easier to justify.

I would hesitate if you are booking for only one or two people, dislike a tight schedule, or need guaranteed accessibility details. I would also pause until the operator confirms the exact boat, life jackets, anchor, and general condition of the vessel.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if your priority is seeing many of the La Maddalena archipelago’s famous coves in one private outing. The route is ambitious, the swimming stops are well spaced, and the Sardinian aperitif gives the day a welcome local touch. The skippers’ personal service is another strong reason to consider it.

Do not book blindly. The conflicting reports about boat condition and safety equipment are too serious to brush aside. Confirm those details first, especially if you are paying the full group price. With a sound boat, a capable skipper, and enough people to share the cost, this could be a memorable and efficient way to see the islands. Without those assurances, the scenery alone is not enough.

FAQ

Where does the private La Maddalena tour start?

The tour starts at Noleggio Le Isole Cannigione, Via Isola le Bisce, 07021 Arzachena SS, Italy.

What time does the tour begin?

The scheduled start time is 10:00 a.m.

How long does the boat tour last?

The tour lasts approximately seven hours and 30 minutes and returns to the Cannigione meeting point.

How many people can join the private tour?

The private tour is for your group only and can include up to 12 people.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included. Snacks and an aperitif are included on board.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. You must cancel at least 24 hours before the start time to receive a full refund for a change of plans.