Sixty islands and islets, crystal-clear water, pink granite. The La Maddalena Archipelago, off northern Sardinia, is a National Park and is visited by boat under precise rules. Here you will find the ones that matter for a charter and the bays we recommend.
The Park’s rules for charters
Boats carrying guests in the Park must have authorisation from the Park Authority. Each year the Park sets how many vessels may enter per day and the conditions for doing so. Under the 2026 regulations, among other things, charters may carry a maximum of 12 passengers, and the tender cannot be used to land guests on the beaches.
In practice, choosing a boat that is already authorised is the most important thing. The boats we propose for the Archipelago are, and the captain knows the zones and rules of each area.
The Pink Beach
Budelli’s Pink Beach can only be admired from the sea, at a distance. Landing and swimming have been prohibited for years to protect the pink sand, made of fragments of marine organisms.
The bays we recommend
- Cala Corsara, Spargi. Granite, Mediterranean scrub and water like a swimming pool.
- Cala Granara, Spargi. More secluded, perfect on windless days.
- Cala Coticcio, Caprera. The Archipelago’s “Tahiti”, among the pink rocks.
- Porto Palma, Caprera. Wide and sheltered, excellent for the night.
- Porto della Madonna. The lagoon between Budelli, Razzoli and Santa Maria, one of the most beautiful spots in the Park.
Anchorages, mooring fields and access change according to the Park zone and the season: the captain chooses where to stop based on the rules and the day’s wind.
Where to depart from
The most convenient departure ports are Palau, Cannigione, Porto Cervo and Poltu Quatu, as well as La Maddalena itself. Olbia airport is less than an hour away. A classic itinerary combines the Archipelago with the Emerald Coast, with an evening in Porto Cervo.
The wind: mistral and scirocco
Here the mistral, from the north-west, can blow hard even in summer. When it arrives, sheltered bays on the south-east side of the islands are sought, or a day is spent along the Sardinian coast. With an experienced captain the wind changes the route, not the holiday.
When to go
June and September are perfect. July and August are the most popular months: daily permits are limited and it is best to book early.
A three-day itinerary
- Day one: departure from Palau or Cannigione, Spargi with Cala Corsara and Cala Granara, night in a sheltered anchorage.
- Day two: Budelli, Razzoli and Santa Maria, with the view of the Pink Beach from the sea and a swim in the permitted area of Porto della Madonna.
- Day three: Caprera, with Cala Coticcio and Garibaldi’s house, then back past La Maddalena.
With a week you can add the coast of the Emerald Coast, from Porto Cervo to Cala di Volpe, and the islands of Mortorio and Soffi.
Frequently asked questions
Do you need a permit to enter the Park by boat?
For charters, yes: the boat must be authorised by the Park Authority. The boats we propose for the Archipelago are already authorised, and the captain knows the rules of each zone.
Can you land on the Archipelago’s beaches?
It depends on the zone and the Park’s rules, which change from one island to another. On a charter the tender cannot take guests ashore onto the beaches: you land where permitted, following the Park’s guidance.
When is the best time?
June and September, with warm water and fewer boats. In July and August it is best to book well in advance, because daily permits are limited.
Want to see the Archipelago from the sea? Discover the Emerald Coast and La Maddalena destination or request a proposal.
