From Palau: Speedboat tour in La Maddalena Archipelago

Blue water, small islands, one very good boat day. This seven-hour trip from Palau gives you two things I especially like: plenty of time at Budelli’s natural pools and a relaxed Sardinian lunch served on board. The smaller speedboat also keeps the group to 12 passengers, which feels far more personal than a large excursion boat.

I also like the stops at Cala Soraja and Cala Corsara on Spargi, each planned for about an hour. The main consideration is the route: this trip does not visit La Maddalena or Caprera up close, so you should book it for Budelli and Spargi rather than for a full tour of every major island.

The price is $148.40 per person, including the boat, crew, fuel, aperitif, and lunch. That is not a bargain beach transfer, but it is fair for a full day on a comfortable 12-meter boat with food included and long swimming stops.

Key details to know before booking

• Two hours at Budelli: The boat stops among Budelli, Razzoli, and Santa Maria, giving you the longest single break of the day for swimming in the natural pools.
• A small group of 12 passengers: The Tredas Open Ilver 36 carries up to 12 passengers plus two crew members.
• Sardinian food on board: An aperitif and lunch featuring local land and sea products are included.
• Two Spargi coves: You get about one hour at Cala Soraja and another hour at Cala Corsara.
• A 1990 speedboat with useful comforts: There is a bathroom, cabin, bow sunbathing net, freshwater shower, awning, stereo, and boarding ladder.
• Weather controls the day: The skipper can change the route and stops when sea conditions require it.

Leaving Palau aboard the Tredas

Your day begins at Palau port, at the entrance to Pier No. 5. Look for the boat named Tredas. Paid parking spaces are available nearby, though you should allow time to park and walk to the pier.

The vessel is a Tredas Open Ilver 36, built in 1990. It measures 12 meters long and 3.40 meters wide. Those figures matter because you are not boarding a crowded ferry. With a maximum of 12 passengers and two crew members, the boat offers a more intimate setting, while still having enough room to move between the shaded seating, cabin, and bow.

The boat has two inboard engines rated at 220 horsepower each. That power helps explain the name of the experience, but this is not simply a fast ride with brief photo stops. The schedule gives you real time at the islands.

On board, you will find one bathroom, a freshwater shower, a boarding ladder, an awning, safety equipment, a first-aid kit, and a stereo system. The bow has a sunbathing net, which is likely to be one of the most popular spots when the boat is moving or waiting at anchor. Bring a hat and sunscreen, but remember that shade may be just as welcome as sun after several hours on the water.

The tour is offered in Italian and English. The crew includes Andrea and Francesco, names worth remembering if you need to discuss food requirements or practical questions during the day. The atmosphere is described as friendly and relaxed, with the crew also involved in preparing and serving the meal.

The 50-minute run to Budelli

The first leg takes about 50 minutes from Palau to Budelli. This gives you time to settle in and get used to the motion of the speedboat before the first long stop.

Budelli is best known for its pale sand, clear water, and famous Pink Beach. The boat does not take you onto Pink Beach. Instead, you can admire it from the water, while the main swimming stop takes place in the natural pools formed among Budelli, Razzoli, and Santa Maria.

That distinction is important. If your main goal is to walk on Pink Beach, this is not the right outing. The shore is protected, and the experience is about seeing the beach from a respectful distance and enjoying the surrounding water.

The natural pools are the strongest part of the route. The boat remains there for about two hours, giving you time to swim without the rushed feeling common on shorter island trips. Pack a towel, swimwear, beachwear, water, and sunscreen. A hat is also useful, especially during the meal or while sitting on deck.

You should not expect a formal beach landing at every stop. The appeal here is the water itself, viewed from the boat and reached by the boarding ladder. If you prefer swimming from a stable beach with an easy walk into the sea, this style of tour may feel less convenient. If you like jumping straight from a boat into clear water, it should suit you well.

A Sardinian lunch with sea products

Lunch is included, along with an aperitif. The food focuses on local land and sea products, giving the day a stronger Sardinian touch than a basic packed meal.

Andrea and Francesco receive special praise for the cooking and for creating a friendly mood on board. The meal is part of the social side of the trip. You eat among the islands rather than losing an hour at a restaurant or returning to port.

The exact menu is not specified, so do not book this expecting one particular dish. One person who enjoyed the trip still would have preferred a different type of meal. That is useful to keep in mind: the food is a pleasant included feature, but the main reason to choose this outing is the water, scenery, and boat time.

If you have food intolerances, you must notify the guide at least one day before the experience using the phone number on your reservation voucher. Do not wait until you board. A minibar service is also available on request for an extra charge, but you need to arrange it by phone at least 24 hours in advance.

The included food adds real value to the $148.40 price. You are paying for seven hours, fuel, crew, an aperitif, and lunch, not just transportation between coves. Still, the value depends on how much you enjoy a full day at sea. If you only want a quick swim and a view of one island, a shorter option may cost less and fit better.

Spargi’s Cala Soraja and Cala Corsara

After Budelli, the boat sails toward Spargi. The itinerary includes about one hour at Cala Soraja and about one hour at Cala Corsara.

Two one-hour stops create a good rhythm. You have enough time to swim, sit in the shade, eat a snack if you wish, and take in the coves without feeling that the skipper is calling everyone back after 15 minutes. The boat’s ladder makes access to the water easier, while the freshwater shower lets you rinse off salt afterward.

Cala Corsara is the better-known name of the two, but the value of the schedule is that you are not limited to one stop on Spargi. Each cove offers a slightly different setting, and the skipper can decide how to handle the stops based on sea conditions.

The route does not include a close visit to La Maddalena or Caprera. This was the main disappointment for some people who expected a broader tour of the archipelago. Read the route carefully before booking: this is a Budelli and Spargi day, not a complete circuit of every major island.

That focus can also be a strength. Spending about two hours at Budelli and another two at Spargi means less time is lost to constant repositioning. You get fewer places, but more time to enjoy each one.

What the small boat changes

A 12-passenger boat feels different from a large group vessel. You are likely to have an easier time speaking with the crew, asking about the route, and finding a comfortable place to sit. The small capacity also suits people who prefer a quieter day with a limited number of fellow passengers.

The tradeoff is space. A speedboat with 12 passengers is not a private yacht, and the layout may feel snug when everyone is moving around, eating, or getting ready to swim. The boat has a cabin and an awning, but you should not expect unlimited indoor seating.

The vessel was built in 1990, so its age may matter to anyone looking for a sleek modern boat. Its equipment is practical rather than luxurious. You get a bathroom, shower, awning, sunbathing net, stereo, safety equipment, and a first-aid kit. For a day spent mostly outside, those are the features that count.

The two 220-horsepower inboard engines also mean you can cover the route efficiently. Still, sea conditions affect comfort. If the water is rough, a fast boat can feel lively. Bring what you need for sun and swimming, and listen to the skipper’s instructions about where to sit and when to move.

Weather, timing, and flexibility

The trip lasts seven hours, but the exact starting time depends on availability. Check the departure time carefully and arrive at Pier No. 5 with enough time to find the correct boat.

The itinerary and stops can change because of sea conditions and the skipper’s judgment. This is not a flaw unique to this trip. The Maddalena Archipelago is a marine environment, and a safe anchorage may matter more than following a printed schedule exactly.

The tour is confirmed with at least four participants. If your plans are still shifting, you can reserve now and pay later. You can also cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, which gives you some protection when your Sardinia plans are not yet fixed.

There is another useful option: you can request boarding from the port of La Maddalena at no extra cost. You must contact the skipper using the number on your booking voucher at least 24 hours in advance. This is especially helpful if La Maddalena is closer to where you are staying, but do not assume the change happens automatically.

Who will enjoy this boat day most

I would choose this trip if you want a full day centered on swimming, coves, and time on the water. It is a good fit for couples, friends, and small groups who like a relaxed boat atmosphere and do not need to step ashore at every stop.

It also suits anyone who values an included meal. The lunch saves you from carrying a full picnic and gives the crew a chance to share local flavors. Just keep your expectations flexible because the precise menu is not listed.

This is less suitable if you want a walking tour of the islands, a visit to La Maddalena town, or a close look at Caprera. It is also not the best match if you dislike boat transfers, open-air sun, or swimming from a ladder.

Families should consider the seven-hour length and the boat format carefully. The supplied information does not state a minimum age or special child facilities, so contact the provider before booking if those details matter to you.

Pets are not allowed.

Is $148.40 a fair price?

At $148.40 per person, this is a mid to high-priced day trip, but the package includes the parts that can quickly add up: fuel, crew, a seven-hour boat outing, aperitif, and lunch.

The group size improves the value. You are not simply buying a seat on a large transfer boat. You are paying for a smaller vessel, a crew-led route, several hours at anchor, and two different Spargi coves.

The price is harder to justify if you mainly want to see Pink Beach from a distance or if you are hoping to visit every island in the archipelago. In that case, the focused itinerary may leave you wanting more.

For a full day of swimming and scenery with food included, I consider the price reasonable. The strongest value comes from the length of the stops, especially the two hours among Budelli, Razzoli, and Santa Maria.

Practical packing advice

Bring a hat, swimwear, beachwear, towel, sunscreen, and water. Those are not optional extras for this sort of day. Even with an awning and a freshwater shower, you will spend much of the trip outdoors.

Wear something comfortable for boarding and moving around a boat. Keep personal items secure and avoid bringing anything you would worry about getting wet.

If you have a food intolerance, call the number on your reservation voucher at least one day ahead. If you want minibar service, request it at least 24 hours before departure and expect an extra charge.

The boat ends back at the same meeting point in Palau. Paid parking is available nearby. The tour is offered in Italian and English, and the route may change if the sea makes another plan.

Should you book the Palau speedboat tour?

Book it if you want Budelli’s natural pools, two Spargi coves, a small group, and lunch on board. The friendly atmosphere, careful attention from Andrea and Francesco, and long swimming stops are the reasons this experience earns strong marks.

Skip it if your priority is La Maddalena, Caprera, or walking on Pink Beach. Those places are not the focus here. Also think twice if you prefer a large, highly structured boat with lots of indoor space.

For the right kind of day, this is a very appealing way to see the archipelago: fewer stops, more time in the water, and a boat small enough to keep the trip personal.

FAQ

Where does the speedboat tour depart from?

The tour departs from the port of Palau. The entrance to the pier is marked by a sign for Pier No. 5, and the boat is named Tredas.

How long does the experience last?

The experience lasts seven hours. Starting times vary, so you need to check availability when booking.

How many passengers can the boat carry?

The boat can carry 14 people in total, including 12 passengers and two crew members.

Which islands and coves does the tour visit?

The route includes Budelli, the waters between Budelli, Razzoli, and Santa Maria, and the Spargi coves of Cala Soraja and Cala Corsara.

Can I see Pink Beach?

You can admire Pink Beach from a distance. The main swimming stop is at the natural pools near Budelli, Razzoli, and Santa Maria.

How long is the stop at Budelli?

The stop among the natural pools lasts about two hours.

How long are the stops at Cala Soraja and Cala Corsara?

The itinerary allows about one hour at Cala Soraja and about one hour at Cala Corsara.

Is lunch included?

Yes. The price includes an aperitif and lunch featuring local land and sea products.

Can I board from La Maddalena instead of Palau?

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

Can the itinerary change?

Yes. The itinerary and stops may change because of sea conditions and the skipper’s decisions.