Sailing boat from Santa Teresa di Gallura to the Maddalena Archipelago

The best part of this small-group sailing day is the water. Around Spargi, Santa Maria, and the protected coves of La Maddalena, the sea shifts from clear green to bright turquoise, with pale granite rocks framing each bay. You get time to swim, snorkel, eat aboard, and simply watch the islands slide past.

I like two things here: the limited group size of up to 12 and the generous food-and-drink service. The crew serves lunch, snacks, coffee, soft drinks, and alcoholic beverages instead of leaving you to fend for yourself. The stop at Pink Beach is also special, since you see one of Sardinia’s rarest natural sights without damaging it.

The main caution is the sea itself. A sailing boat can roll in rough water, and one particularly bad day left several people seasick. You also do not normally walk ashore at every stop, so this suits you best if swimming, snorkeling, and sailing matter more than exploring islands on foot.

Key points to know before you book

• Pink Beach is for viewing only: You cannot walk on Spiaggia Rosa or swim along its shore because the beach is protected.
• Three main swimming areas: Expect time around Port Madonna, Spargi, and Cala Santa Maria, with the captain changing locations if wind or waves require it.
• A proper small sailing boat: The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 49 is about 49 feet long and carries a maximum of 12 people.
• Food and drinks are included: Lunch, brunch-style service, snacks, bottled water, coffee, tea, soda, and alcoholic drinks are part of the day.
• Bring a towel and a warm layer: Mornings can feel cool, and beach towels are not supplied.
• Allow extra time at the marina: Parking and the pier can be confusing, and the walk from the parking area may take about 15 minutes.

Why this Santa Teresa sailing trip is worth considering

This is not a fast island-hopping boat ride with a large crowd and a fixed seat. It is a long day on a sailing yacht, with room for a maximum of 12 people and two crew members. That changes the feel of the outing. You have a better chance of finding a quiet corner, speaking with the crew, and enjoying meals without the noise and scale of a large excursion boat.

The price is listed at about $119.72 per person, though prices can change. That is not the cheapest way to see La Maddalena. Larger boats may charge less, but this outing includes food, drinks, snorkeling equipment, and a much smaller group. If you value personal service and a meal prepared aboard, the price makes more sense.

The value is less clear if you mainly want to spend the whole day on one beach. The boat moves between several bays, and some of the time is spent sailing from one place to another. You also cannot simply step ashore at every stop. Think of this as a day built around sea views and swimming, not a land tour of the islands.

Leaving Santa Teresa di Gallura at 9:30 a.m.

The meeting point is Marc Yachting on Via Tarra Ecchja in Santa Teresa di Gallura. The boat returns to the same place at the end of the day. The starting time is 9:30 a.m., and the outing lasts roughly seven to eight hours.

The arrival instructions deserve attention. Several people found the marina directions unclear, while the crew sometimes sent clearer information by WhatsApp the day before. Parking is not always obvious, and the pier may be some distance from where you leave your car. I would arrive early, save the meeting address, and allow at least 15 minutes for the walk from parking to the boat.

The boat is a Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 49, about 49 feet long. The operator identifies it as a Class A ocean-going yacht. That gives you a real sailing-boat setting rather than a simple passenger launch, but it does not remove the movement of the sea. If you are prone to motion sickness, plan carefully and consider whether a full day on open water is right for you.

The captain gives a safety briefing before departure. Crew members also explain where to swim safely at each stop. Guides named in past departures include Carlo, Andrea, Marco, Lorenzo, Alessandro, Luca, Massimo, Leonardo, and others, but you should not assume a particular person will be working on your date.

Pink Beach, seen without stepping onto it

One of the first memorable sights is Spiaggia Rosa on Budelli. The beach gets its unusual color from coral fragments and other natural material, creating a pink tone along the sand and shallow water. The effect is strongest when sunlight catches the coast and the sea around it.

This is a photo stop, not a beach visit. The area is protected within the Maddalena Geomarine National Park, so you cannot walk on the sand or swim at the shore. That rule can feel limiting if you expect to explore every beach you see, but it is exactly why the color and shape of the beach remain so striking.

The shore was featured in Michelangelo Antonioni’s film Deserto rosso, which helped make it famous beyond Sardinia. From the boat, you can appreciate it as a natural monument rather than another crowded swimming stop. Keep your camera ready, but also look beyond the beach at the granite forms and changing water colors around Budelli.

Port Madonna and the islands of Razzoli and Santa Maria

The route then reaches the waterway between Budelli, Razzoli, and Santa Maria. This sheltered lagoon is known as Port Madonna, and it is one of the most scenic parts of the national park. The islands nearly meet at Passo degli Asinelli, while Razzoli rises more dramatically toward the north with exposed cliffs and unusual granite shapes.

The water here is the reason the boat pauses for about two hours. The area is used for swimming, snorkeling, and watching marine life. You may spend much of this stop in the water, moving between the boat and the coves, or relaxing aboard while the crew prepares food and drinks.

Cala Santa Maria is one of the larger beaches in the archipelago. Depending on conditions, the boat may stop near the long beach or along the western coves, where the water forms pale turquoise natural pools protected from easterly winds.

This is also where weather matters most. The captain can change the exact cove to provide safer water and more comfortable swimming. One departure used Cala Lunga on Razzoli and the natural pools near Santa Maria because the wind made another bay less suitable. That flexibility is sensible, though it means the exact view may not match the advertised sequence.

Spargi and its bright swimming bays

The stop at Isola di Spargi usually lasts about an hour. It is a favorite part of the day for anyone who wants clear water and a proper swim. The island has white beaches, rocky coves, and sheltered bays where the boat can pause.

You may swim directly from the boat or use the snorkeling equipment provided. The water is transparent enough for a good look below the surface, though visibility and marine life depend on the day. The crew points out safe places to enter and swim, which is useful when several boats share the same bay.

Spargi can be busy. This is one of the most popular parts of La Maddalena, and other boats may be anchored nearby. You will still get beautiful water and dramatic coves, but do not expect private-island solitude in high season.

The boat’s pace also matters. Reaching the first swimming area can take about an hour, and the full day includes several legs under way. If you want maximum time on one beach, a boat that stays in one bay may suit you better. If you like changing scenery and seeing several corners of the archipelago, the movement is part of the appeal.

Cala Santa Maria and the final swim

Cala Santa Maria offers another chance to swim from a long sandy beach or in the coves along the western shore. The sheltered pools can look almost white and turquoise, especially in bright sun. The setting is calmer than the more exposed northern edges of the archipelago.

The stop is listed at about one hour, though the captain can adjust the timing. The crew’s first concern is safe navigation, so wind direction and sea conditions may determine whether this is the exact bay you visit.

A useful point to understand is that the boat does not normally give you a long shore visit. You might swim toward a beach, but the experience remains centered on the yacht. One person found this disappointing after expecting to get off and explore, while others appreciated the chance to stay on the water. Read the day honestly: it is a sailing and swimming excursion, not a walking tour of La Maddalena.

Lunch, drinks, and the social side of the boat

Meals are one of the strongest features of this outing. The package includes lunch, brunch-style food, coffee or tea, bottled water, soda, and alcoholic drinks. The crew also serves food between stops, so you are not expected to pack a full day of provisions.

Past menus described aboard include meats and cheeses, snacks, wine, and liqueurs, with some crew members cooking food from scratch. The exact menu can change. Vegetarian and no-fish options are possible, but the operator says more complex food intolerances and special requests cannot be managed in the boat kitchen. If you have strict dietary needs, bring a packed lunch rather than relying on a custom meal.

The small group helps here. With two crew members and no more than 12 people, service can feel personal. Names such as Andrea, Carlo, Marco, Lorenzo, Alessandro, and Luca appear often in the day’s crew lineups, and the strongest praise goes to staff who explain the islands, check on swimmers, and create an easy atmosphere among people who may arrive as strangers.

The seating area can feel tight when everyone is inside or gathered in the same spot. In calm weather, you will probably spread out around the boat, but a crowded interior is worth keeping in mind if the sea turns rough.

Sailing time, engine time, and changing weather

Although this is sold as a sailing cruise, you should not expect the sails to be raised for every mile. The schedule covers several islands and swimming bays, so the boat may use the engine to keep to the planned route. On one outing, the crew raised the sails for part of the journey, which delighted the experienced sailors aboard.

That is normal for a day that combines sailing, swimming, meals, and multiple stops. If your main goal is hands-on sailing or long quiet stretches under sail, look for a dedicated sailing lesson or a simpler sail. Here, the yacht is also your restaurant, swimming platform, sightseeing base, and transport.

Weather can change the experience sharply. On a calm day, you get a relaxed ride between bright coves. In rougher water, the return can be uncomfortable, especially for children or anyone sensitive to motion. The operator can change the route for safety, and poor weather may lead to a different date or a full refund, but no boat can guarantee a smooth sea.

What to bring and what to expect at the dock

Pack a beach towel, since towels are not included. A light long-sleeved top is smart because mornings can feel cool, even when the afternoon is warm. Bring sun protection, a swimsuit, and any personal motion-sickness supplies you normally use.

The boat supplies snorkeling equipment, but you may prefer your own mask if fit matters to you. Bottled water and other drinks are provided, though bringing a small personal bottle is reasonable if you have a favorite brand or need extra water.

Do not arrive at the last minute. The parking area and berth can be hard to identify, and the walk may take around 15 minutes. The crew has sometimes corrected unclear directions with a message the day before, but you should still check your phone and confirm the exact pier before setting out.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure. Changes or cancellations inside that period are not refunded, except when the operator cancels because of weather or an insufficient number of bookings.

Who should book this La Maddalena sailing day

I would choose this tour if you want a full day on the water, prefer a small group, and care about swimming in clear bays more than walking through villages or visiting museums. It works well for couples, friends, and first-time sailors who want crew guidance without committing to a private charter.

It is also a good choice if you want food and drinks handled for you. The crew serves throughout the day, and the social setting can be warm and relaxed when the sea is calm.

I would hesitate if you are very prone to seasickness, traveling with a small child who dislikes boat movement, or hoping to spend hours on a single beach. I would also think twice if strict dietary requirements make the included meal unreliable. A large, steadier excursion vessel or a land-based beach day may be a better match.

Should you book it?

Book it if the image you want is simple: a small sailing yacht, three beautiful swimming areas, lunch and wine aboard, and the granite islands of La Maddalena passing by. The crew receives especially strong praise for friendliness, safety advice, food, and personal attention.

Go in with realistic expectations. You may motor as well as sail, the exact bays can change, beaches can be busy, and Pink Beach is for viewing only. For a well-fed day of swimming and coastal scenery from Santa Teresa, this is a strong choice. For guaranteed calm water, extensive shore time, or serious sailing instruction, choose something else.

FAQ

Where does the sailing tour begin?

It begins at Marc Yachting on Via Tarra Ecchja, 07028 Santa Teresa Gallura, Italy.

What time does the tour start?

The scheduled start time is 9:30 a.m.

How long does the experience last?

The cruise lasts about seven to eight hours, and the boat returns to the original meeting point.

How many people can join the boat?

The maximum group size is 12 people.

Can I walk on Pink Beach?

No. Spiaggia Rosa is specially protected, so you cannot walk on the beach or swim along its shore. The boat stops for photographs and viewing.

Which places does the boat visit?

The route includes protected Pink Beach, the Port Madonna area near Razzoli and Santa Maria, Isola di Spargi, and Cala Santa Maria. The captain may change the exact route because of weather and sea conditions.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch and brunch-style service are included, along with snacks, bottled water, coffee or tea, soft drinks, and alcoholic beverages.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included.

Should I bring a towel?

Yes. Beach towels are not provided. A long-sleeved layer is also useful because the morning can feel cool.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor conditions, you can be offered another date or a full refund.