Luxury cruise to the archipelago of La Maddalena and Costa Smeralda

The best part of this Sardinia boat trip is the freedom to string together several beautiful islands in one day without sharing the boat with a crowd. From Poltu Quatu, you cruise toward Spargi and Budelli, stopping for swims in clear water and a snack with Vermentino or prosecco.

I especially like two things here: the private format for groups of up to eight, and the choice of lunch on board or at a local restaurant. You also get snorkeling equipment, which saves you from packing your own. The main drawback is the price, $1,996.24 per group before the fuel surcharge, so it makes much better sense for a full group than for two people.

Key details before you book

• Cala Corsara and Cala Soraya on Spargi: Start with white sand, clear water, swimming, and snorkeling.
• Budelli’s Natural Pools: Enjoy one of the day’s prettiest swimming areas, followed by an on-board aperitif.
• Private catamaran for up to eight: Your group has the boat to itself rather than joining a large shared excursion.
• Lunch is flexible: Request lunch on board or eat at a typical restaurant in the La Maddalena archipelago.
• Caprera’s coves: Sail between La Maddalena and Caprera for stops such as Testa di Polpo or Cala Coticcio.
• Weather matters: Poor conditions can cancel the trip, with a different date or full refund offered.

A private day from Poltu Quatu

This is a full-day Sardinia sea outing built around swimming stops rather than sightseeing from land. You leave from Game Sailing at Marina dell’Orso in Poltu Quatu and spend roughly seven to eight hours on a catamaran, returning to the same meeting point.

The route covers several famous islands and coves in the La Maddalena archipelago. You are not simply transported from one port to another. The day is shaped by time in the water, short cruises between islands, snacks, and relaxed time on board.

The private setup is the key feature. Up to eight people can share the boat, so a group of friends or family can spread out more easily and decide how much time to spend swimming, snorkeling, eating, or sitting in the sun. It also gives you a better chance of asking about the route or requesting a small adjustment, though the final plan will depend on weather and local conditions.

The advertised departure is 9:30 in the morning, with arrival back around 5:30 in the afternoon. The operating information also lists hours beginning at 10:00 a.m., so I would confirm the exact meeting and departure time when booking. That small detail matters at a marina, where arriving late can be more troublesome than arriving early.

Spargi begins the swimming day

The first major stop is Spargi, with time planned around Cala Corsara and Cala Soraya. These coves are known for pale sand and clear water, and they set the tone for the trip.

This is where your snorkeling equipment becomes useful. The supplied gear means you can step into the water without arranging a separate rental. The tour information does not promise particular marine life or a guided snorkeling lesson, so think of this as independent swimming and surface snorkeling rather than a formal wildlife excursion.

Spargi works well as an opening stop because it gives you time to settle into the rhythm of the day. You can swim, look below the surface, or stay aboard while the boat rests in the cove. If you are traveling with children or with someone who prefers not to snorkel, that flexibility is helpful.

Still, the appeal depends on sea conditions. Clear water is central to the experience, but wind, waves, and local restrictions can affect where the catamaran anchors and how comfortable swimming feels. A private boat does not guarantee perfect conditions, but it does make the day more pleasant if your group has different comfort levels.

Budelli and the Natural Pools

From Spargi, the route continues toward Budelli and its Natural Pools. This is likely the visual highlight of the day: shallow-looking emerald water, white sand, and a broad stretch of sea that invites you to stop and swim.

The plan includes an aperitif on board, with Vermentino wine or sparkling wine, local products, and fresh fruit. That is a nice Sardinian touch. Vermentino is closely associated with the island, and serving it with local snacks makes the pause feel more connected to the place than a standard package of crisps and soft drinks.

Alcohol is served only to people aged 18 and over. If children are in your group, the food and swimming stops still give them plenty to do, but the wine and prosecco are strictly for adults.

The Natural Pools are also a good place to slow down. You will probably spend less time moving and more time enjoying the setting from the water or the catamaran. Bring patience here. The point is not to rush through every island, but to make the most of a few carefully chosen coves.

You should not expect a long walk ashore at every stop. The experience is primarily boat-based, and the strongest moments come from seeing the coast from the water and getting into the sea.

Choosing lunch in the archipelago

Lunch is not locked into one format. You can request lunch on board or choose a typical restaurant in the area, including La Scogliera in Porto Isola di La Maddalena and restaurants around Caprera.

That choice changes the feel of the day. Lunch on board keeps the group together and gives you more time in the coves. A restaurant stop gives you a chance to sit on land and enjoy a more conventional meal, but it may take time away from swimming and require more coordination.

The price includes snacks and the aperitif, not a stated full lunch. Since lunch on board is available by request, ask exactly what is included and what it costs before departure. The same applies to a restaurant meal. The tour price does not automatically mean all food is covered.

For a group with mixed priorities, this flexibility is useful. One person can prefer a proper restaurant meal, while another may care more about getting back into the water. For a romantic day, an on-board lunch may feel more private. For a family group, a restaurant could offer a more settled break.

Sailing between La Maddalena and Caprera

After lunch, the catamaran sails between La Maddalena and Caprera. This section is less about checking off another island and more about finding attractive coves for another swim.

Two named possibilities are Testa di Polpo and Cala Coticcio. The exact stop is not guaranteed, so treat these as examples of the kind of place the skipper may select. You can expect another chance to swim, snorkel, or relax on the boat.

Caprera adds variety to the day. Instead of spending every hour in the same sort of bay, you get a change of setting as the boat moves through the archipelago. The route also gives you a chance to see how the islands differ from the water, with rocky coves, pale sand, and open stretches of sea.

This is where a private trip can feel more personal than a fixed group cruise. If everyone in your party wants a quiet hour on board, you are not forced into a loud activity. If the group wants one last swim, you can make the most of the available stop, subject to the skipper’s judgment and sea conditions.

What the catamaran format means

The catamaran is described as beautiful, fast, and comfortable in one account associated with the boat excursion, and the skipper was praised for being friendly and professional. Those are useful qualities for a seven-hour day on the water, though the available information does not give the skipper’s name or describe the exact seating, shade, toilets, or cabin layout.

Do not assume the boat has every comfort of a large yacht. Ask the operator about shade, storage, seating, and facilities if those details affect your decision. The supplied information confirms a catamaran, snorkeling equipment, snacks, and drinks, but it does not specify the full onboard layout.

The boat’s speed is valuable because the archipelago has several widely spaced points of interest. Time spent cruising is part of the day, but a faster boat can leave more room for actual swimming. At the same time, a quick boat ride can feel exposed if the sea becomes choppy, so people prone to motion sickness should prepare carefully.

A private boat also helps with privacy. You are not sharing the experience with an unknown group, and only your own party participates. That makes the price easier to justify for eight people, but much harder to justify for a couple unless privacy is a major priority.

Is the $1,996.24 price good value?

The cost is $1,996.24 for the group, up to eight people, and a fuel surcharge is not included. At full capacity, the base price works out to about $250 per person before fuel. For four people, it is close to $499 per person, and for two it is nearly $998 per person.

That calculation tells you how to judge the deal. For a full family group or a group of friends, the private boat, several island stops, snorkeling equipment, snacks, and aperitif can make sense. For a couple, the price is a serious splurge and should be chosen for the private format, not simply because it visits attractive beaches.

The included drinks and snacks are pleasant extras, but they do not turn this into an all-inclusive cruise. Lunch is optional and may cost more. Fuel is also extra, so ask for the likely total before you commit.

I would compare this with shared boat trips in the same area, but the private nature is the main reason to pay more. You are buying control, space, and a day designed for your own group. If you want the lowest-cost way to see the archipelago, this is probably not the right product.

Who will enjoy this most?

This suits people who want a water-focused day and are comfortable spending most of the outing on a boat. Swimmers, snorkelers, couples celebrating a special occasion, and families with older children are natural matches.

Children of all ages may participate when accompanied by an adult. Small pets under five kilograms are allowed, and service animals are allowed. Since much of the day involves swimming and time aboard, you should still consider your group’s comfort on the water before booking.

The tour is also a good fit for a special celebration. One account describes an anniversary boat day as one of the best days of the couple’s lives, with particular praise for the boat and skipper. That kind of occasion is where the private price may feel more reasonable.

It is less suitable if you want museums, long walks, extensive time ashore, or a structured historical tour. The focus is coves, sea, food, and relaxation. You will see the islands, but you will not get a detailed land-based tour of each one.

Practical points for a smoother day

Bring swimwear, sun protection, and anything you need to stay comfortable on a full day outside. Snorkeling equipment is supplied, but the available details do not confirm whether towels, personal flotation equipment, or special child sizes are included, so ask if you need them.

Keep your schedule flexible. The route includes Spargi, Budelli, La Maddalena, and Caprera, but weather and sea conditions can affect the order or choice of coves. The experience requires good weather, and a cancellation for poor conditions comes with the choice of another date or a full refund.

The tour ends at the same Poltu Quatu meeting point where it begins. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes inside that window are not refunded or accepted.

The operator offers the activity in English. If your group needs another language, ask before booking rather than assuming the crew can provide it.

Should you book this La Maddalena cruise?

Book it if your ideal Sardinia day means clear water, several coves, a private catamaran, and the freedom to choose your lunch style. A full group of six to eight will get the strongest value, and the anniversary or celebration angle makes good sense.

Think twice if you are traveling as only one or two people, dislike boat days, or want a detailed cultural tour. The fuel surcharge and possible lunch cost add to an already high price.

My call: this is a promising private sea excursion for a well-matched group, especially if swimming and privacy matter more than saving money. Confirm the departure time, fuel charge, lunch arrangements, and onboard facilities before paying. Those details will tell you if the splurge fits your day in Sardinia.

FAQ

Where does the boat trip start and end?

It starts and ends at Game Sailing, Boat catamaran tour Sardinia, Marina dell’Orso, 07021 Poltu Quatu SS, Italy.

How long does the experience last?

The trip lasts approximately seven to eight hours. The planned schedule gives a 9:30 a.m. departure and arrival back at about 5:30 p.m.

Which islands and coves are included?

The route includes Spargi, Budelli, La Maddalena, and Caprera. Named swimming areas include Cala Corsara, Cala Soraya, the Natural Pools, Testa di Polpo, and Cala Coticcio, though the exact stops can depend on conditions.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included in the experience.

Is lunch included?

A full lunch is not listed as included. You can request lunch on board or choose a typical restaurant in the archipelago, including La Scogliera in Porto Isola di La Maddalena and restaurants around Caprera.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If poor conditions cause cancellation, you will be offered another date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time.