Catamaran days in Sardinia feel like movie scenes. This Premium outing sails the La Maddalena archipelago with time for swimming and snorkeling on three island stops, plus a proper Sardinian lunch served on board. I also love the small-group feel, because with a maximum of 12 people you get better attention from the crew. One catch to plan for: a beach towel isn’t included, so bring your own.

I like how the day is set up for water time first, not sightseeing lectures. You’ll use the snorkeling equipment on the boat, and you’ll have chances to enter the water right from the catamaran or get ashore by tender where it’s allowed. The vibe is relaxed too, with lots of lounging space and shade choices on a roomy catamaran hull.

This is easy to fit into your schedule since it runs about 7 hours and starts in Palau. The tour is offered in English, and you’ll want to arrive around 30 minutes early at Via Riva dei Lestrigoni, 07020 Palau (the activity returns to the same meeting point).

Key highlights to know before you go

• Small-group cap (12 travelers) means you’re not lost in a crowd when it’s time to swim
• Snorkeling gear is included, plus the crew provides extra flotation options like noodles and life jackets (when needed)
• Three island swim pauses built into a 7-hour sailing day, with tender access where allowed
• Sardinian lunch on board with pasta and local products, plus coffee/tea and soda/pop
• Crew-led navigation and swimming spots help you find calmer coves and avoid the busiest areas

Why the Premium catamaran style fits La Maddalena so well

La Maddalena is all about water views, turquoise coves, and boats rocking gently while the day stretches out. A catamaran makes that easier, because you get more space than you would on many smaller boats. You’re not just sitting in one narrow spot either. You can spread out, find sun or shade, and move around without feeling packed in.

The “premium” part here isn’t fancy fluff. It’s practical: you’re paying for a setup where you can swim multiple times, snorkel without scrambling for gear, and still eat a real lunch. That matters in a place where the best moments happen between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., when the water looks at its best.

Meet-up in Palau: finding the boat and planning parking

Your start point is Via Riva dei Lestrigoni, 07020 Palau SS, Italy, and the trip ends back there. Plan to arrive about 30 minutes early. That early arrival is not a suggestion for fun; it gives you time to park, find the crew, and get settled before departure.

If you’re driving, expect to pay for parking for the full day. One useful on-the-ground tip from past guests: parking is often set up as pay-for-the-day, and it can cost around $15 (so don’t show up assuming you’ll be able to do short-stay parking). Also look for staff flags at the meeting point, and note that some guests describe a blue crane in the area used as a landmark.

The pacing: what 7 hours on the sea actually feels like

This trip runs about 7 hours, and the schedule is built around sailing plus three separate island pauses. The flow is the key. You don’t spend the day stuck waiting at one stop for hours, and you also don’t feel rushed from one place to the next.

Between stops, you’re sailing the archipelago and taking in the coastline from the water. When it’s time to swim or snorkel, the crew focuses on making it easy to get in and out. You’ll also have downtime on board, where you can lounge, snack, and keep an eye on the next cove.

One thing I’d watch for is wind. The crew may adjust where you swim based on conditions, and that’s normal in open water. The advantage is that with a small group and an experienced captain, you still tend to end up at great spots even if conditions shift.

Stop 1: Porto della Madonna and the first chance to get in

Porto della Madonna is the first named stop on the day’s route. What you should expect here is your first real taste of why people come to La Maddalena: calm-looking coves, stunning water color, and swim access that feels immediate once you’re anchored.

This stop is also a good moment to get your bearings. If you’re new to snorkeling, you’ll often have time to try it without pressure. And if you’re more of a “swim and soak it in” person, you’ll still get plenty of time to enjoy the water and the beach scenery.

A small consideration: the exact beach setup can vary by conditions and by where the tender is used. But the overall structure stays the same: you’re there long enough to swim, snorkel, or head ashore where it’s allowed.

Two more island pauses for swimming, snorkeling, and tender beach time

The big promise of the day is three island stops where you can go in the water. For each stop, you’ll either swim and snorkel right from the catamaran or, when it’s allowed, you can go down to the beach using the tender.

This is where the day earns its keep. La Maddalena’s best views aren’t from a viewpoint. They’re from the waterline, with you floating near white sand and rocky edges that look like natural sculpture. Having multiple stops means you get multiple “wow” moments rather than one photo-perfect cove that’s quickly over.

Snorkeling equipment is included, and the boat experience is set up to make it beginner-friendly. Past guests specifically noted things like noodles and life jackets being available, which helps if you want extra confidence in the water.

You may also catch sight of another country from the water. Some guests described seeing a French island while sailing the archipelago. You don’t need to treat that as a guarantee, but it’s a fun reminder that La Maddalena sits in a broader Mediterranean geography.

A practical note about crowds

Even in peak season, island hopping can get busy. The good news is that the crew aims to choose swimming spots and timing to avoid the worst of the crowding, and that makes a difference when you’re trying to enjoy the water rather than wait your turn.

Sardinian lunch on board: pasta, local flavors, and how drinks work

Lunch is included and served on board by the commander/crew setup. Expect Sardinian flavors: pasta plus typical local products, with coffee afterward. Bottled water is included too, and soda/pop is part of the onboard menu.

Wine is included only during lunch according to the tour description. In practice, the crew keeps things friendly and social at meal time, and many guests talk about the atmosphere with wine flowing during that main break. After lunch, there are additional small food touches mentioned by guests, including fruit such as fresh melon slices.

If you have dietary needs, plan to communicate them before departure. One guest specifically described the crew modifying the meal for dairy-free needs, and another mentioned accommodation for vegetarian and gluten-free preferences. The most practical approach: tell them what you need during booking or as early as possible, so the crew has time to plan.

What you should not expect

This isn’t an all-day buffet where you can graze endlessly. The heart of the food service is lunch, with coffee/tea and sodas plus some additional snacks. So if you’re the type who gets hungry long before lunch, plan to eat what they provide and consider bringing a small personal snack only if you know you’ll want it. (Extra snacks are not listed as included.)

Crew makes it: Marco, Filipo, Philippe, and the small-group service

A catamaran tour succeeds or fails on how the crew runs the day. Here, the consistent theme is warmth plus competence.

Names that come up again and again include Marco and Filipo as key crew members, with a captain described as Philippe on some departures. Across these roles, guests highlighted that the hosts are attentive, funny, and good at explaining what’s happening. They also helped people adjust to the water access and getting on and off the boat.

The practical value is this: better explanations lead to better swim experiences. If you know where the water is calmer, where to enter, and how the day’s timing works, you spend less energy figuring it out and more time enjoying the islands.

Price and value: is $145.12 worth it?

At $145.12 per person for about 7 hours, you’re paying for a package that combines transportation, crew operation, and real meal value. The biggest reason the price feels reasonable is that multiple costs are bundled together:

• Lunch on board with pasta and local products
• Coffee/tea plus soda/pop
• Bottled water
• Snorkeling equipment

When you compare this to doing a private boat or arranging a DIY day, the savings often comes from two things: you don’t need to source equipment, and you’re not trying to manage meals while also spending time on the water. Plus, the small-group limit (12 travelers) helps keep service personal rather than chaotic.

Also, this tour appears popular enough that booking tends to happen well ahead of time, with an average booking window noted around 22 days. That’s another clue the value is real: people plan for it early because the experience is the kind you don’t want to gamble on getting last minute.

What to bring so the day stays effortless

Because the tour includes lunch, water, coffee/tea, soda/pop, and snorkeling gear, you don’t need to pack like you’re going camping. But you do need a few basics to make swim time comfortable.

Bring:

• A beach towel (not included)
• Sunscreen and sunglasses
• Swimwear and a change of clothes for afterward
• If you use them, your own prescription mask or contact solution (the tour includes snorkeling equipment, but fit can be personal)

Skip overthinking. The crew handles the boat flow and the swimming stops. Your job is to show up ready to be on island time.

Who should book this premium catamaran tour

You’ll likely love this if you want a classic Sardinia day that mixes sailing, multiple swim opportunities, and good food without heavy planning.

It’s a strong match for:

• Couples and small friend groups who want a more relaxed vibe than larger day tours
• People who want to snorkel but prefer having gear and guidance ready
• Anyone who likes the idea of a small-group experience rather than feeling lost in a busier crowd

It might not be for you if you want long land-based sightseeing. This day is designed around the sea. The value is in the water and the time between islands.

Should you book this premium catamaran to La Maddalena

Yes, if your idea of a great day is swimming in coves, snorkeling with included gear, and eating a Sardinian lunch while you sail. The small-group size and the way the crew runs access to the water are the real selling points, not just the scenery.

If you’re willing to bring your own beach towel and plan around weather (the tour depends on good conditions), this is the kind of trip that can become the highlight of your Sardinia week.

FAQ

How long is the Premium catamaran excursion?

It lasts about 7 hours.

What is the price per person?

The price is $145.12 per person.

What language is the tour offered in?

The tour is offered in English.

How many people are on the catamaran?

This activity has a maximum of 12 travelers.

Is lunch included, and what does it include?

Yes. Lunch on board is included and features pasta and Sardinian typical products, along with coffee or tea. Bottled water is also included.

Are drinks included?

Water is included, and soda/pop is included. Alcoholic beverages are only included during lunch.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included.

Do I need to bring a beach towel?

Beach towels are not included, so you should bring one.

What happens if weather is bad?

This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.