Inselhopping Sardinien

The La Maddalena Archipelago is a national park — and it feels like one. The water is cleaner, clearer, and more vibrantly coloured than almost anywhere else in the Mediterranean. The beaches are made of fine white sand or smooth pink granite. The islands are covered in low maquis scrub, scented with juniper and myrtle. And most of the best bays are only accessible by boat.

This is what makes island hopping by yacht so compelling. You can visit three, four, five islands in a single day — swimming in a different bay at each one, snorkelling over different seabeds, anchoring in coves that feel completely private even in peak summer. The distances between islands are short, rarely more than ten or fifteen minutes by boat, so you spend your time in the water rather than in transit.

Ferries and group tours reach La Maddalena town and a few popular beaches. But they cannot take you to the hidden anchorages on the south side of Spargi, the rocky pools of Santo Stefano, or the remote bays of Razzoli and Santa Maria at the archipelago's northern edge. A private yacht can. This is the fundamental advantage — access to the places that most visitors never see.

Island hopping also works at every pace. A full-day charter covers four to six islands in a single day — fast-paced, varied, with a swim stop at each. A week-long charter lets you anchor overnight at different islands, exploring each one properly before moving on. And for guests who want something between these, a two or three-day island-hopping itinerary is the perfect format — long enough to feel like a proper voyage, short enough to fit into a broader holiday.

The La Maddalena Archipelago has seven main islands. Each one offers something different.

La Maddalena — the only permanently inhabited island. A colourful town with restaurants, bars, a fish market, and a lively waterfront. This is where you provision, get gelato, and have dinner on shore. The town itself is charming — narrow streets, painted buildings, a distinctly Sardinian-Corsican character. Marina berths are available for overnight stays.

Caprera — connected to La Maddalena by a bridge but feeling like a different world. The south coast has stunning anchorages — Porto Palma, Cala Garibaldi, Cala Napoletana — with crystal-clear water and quiet beaches. The Garibaldi museum (home of the Italian unification hero) is worth a visit for history-minded guests. The interior is wild, hilly, and covered in dense maquis.

Spargi — many people's favourite. Uninhabited, with four or five bays on the west coast that are among the most beautiful in the Mediterranean. Cala Corsara and Cala Connari are the standouts — white sand, water that shifts from pale green to deep turquoise, and space for only a handful of boats. This is the island that makes people say Sardinia looks like the Caribbean.

Budelli — famous for Spiaggia Rosa (Pink Beach), where the sand is tinted pink by fragments of coral and shell. Landing on the beach is no longer permitted (it is a protected zone), but you can view it from the water and the colour is genuinely extraordinary in the right light. The surrounding bays are beautiful for swimming.

Santa Maria — a small island at the northern edge of the archipelago with a large sheltered bay on its south side. Popular as an overnight anchorage for week-long charters. A single beach bar operates in summer. The water here is some of the clearest in the entire chain.

Razzoli — the northernmost island, wild and rocky, with dramatic cliffs on the north side and a sheltered anchorage (Cala Lunga) on the south. Views across the strait to Corsica. Feels genuinely remote, even in August.

Santo Stefano — a small island between La Maddalena and Caprera with a military history (a former NATO base, now abandoned). The rocky coastline has interesting snorkelling — sea urchins, small fish, and underwater rock formations.

A full-day charter (8–10 hours) from Palau or Cannigione covers four to six islands comfortably. Here is a sample route that a skipper might suggest.

09:00 — Depart Palau. Cross the strait to La Maddalena (15 minutes). Cruise past the town and south around Santo Stefano.

09:45 — First stop: Caprera, Cala Napoletana. A sheltered bay on the south coast with translucent water and a sandy bottom. First swim of the day while the water is still quiet and the bay is empty.

11:00 — Second stop: Spargi, Cala Corsara. The highlight of the day for most guests. Anchor and swim. The water here is absurdly clear — you can see the anchor on the bottom in five metres of water. Snorkelling around the rocks at the edges of the bay reveals fish, octopus, and sea urchins.

12:30 — Lunch. Either on board (the skipper has prepared a light lunch or you have brought provisions) or the skipper takes you to a beach bar on Santa Maria. A glass of Vermentino, fresh bread, Sardinian cheese, maybe a simple fish dish.

14:00 — Third stop: Budelli, Spiaggia Rosa. Cruise past the pink beach — the skipper positions the boat for the best view. Swimming in the surrounding bays (landing on the pink beach itself is prohibited). The water here has an unusual pinkish-turquoise tone from the mineral content of the sand.

15:30 — Fourth stop: Santa Maria or Razzoli. A swim in one of the northern islands before turning south. If conditions allow, Razzoli's south bay (Cala Lunga) is dramatic and rarely crowded. Otherwise, Santa Maria's main bay is a reliable, beautiful option.

16:30 — Return via La Maddalena town. Optional stop for gelato and a quick wander before the return crossing to Palau.

17:30–18:00 — Return to Palau or Cannigione.

This itinerary is flexible — the skipper adjusts based on wind, crowds, and your preferences. If you fall in love with Spargi and want to stay longer, you stay. If the wind favours a different route, the order changes. That is the advantage of a private charter.

For guests who want to go deeper, a multi-day island-hopping charter lets you anchor overnight at different islands, waking up in a new bay each morning. This transforms island hopping from an activity into a way of life.

2–3 day itinerary: This format covers the entire archipelago at a relaxed pace. Night one at anchor in Spargi or Caprera, night two in La Maddalena town (marina berth, dinner ashore), night three back at anchor at Santa Maria or Budelli. You see everything the day-trip guests see, but you also get the archipelago at dawn and dusk — when the light is most beautiful and the other boats have gone.

5–7 day itinerary: A week-long charter based in the archipelago adds Corsica (Bonifacio and the Lavezzi islands), the northern Sardinian coast (Santa Teresa Gallura, Capo Testa), and time to revisit favourite bays. This is the format we recommend for guests who want the definitive La Maddalena experience. See our week charter guide for full itineraries.

For multi-day island hopping, a catamaran or sailing yacht is the natural choice — both have cabins for overnight stays. A skippered charter means the skipper handles the night watches and early morning departures while you sleep. This is also where a skipper adds the most value — their knowledge of overnight anchorages, weather patterns, and provisioning stops makes a multi-day trip significantly more comfortable and better-routed.

The best yacht for island hopping depends on whether you are doing a single day or multiple days, and how many people are in your group.

For a single-day island hop: A RIB (7–10m) is the best choice. Fast transit between islands means more time swimming and exploring. A RIB can cover the entire archipelago in a day and access shallow bays that larger boats cannot reach. Ideal for groups of two to eight.

For multi-day island hopping: A catamaran (40–46ft) is the most popular choice. Stable at anchor overnight, spacious enough for a family or group, and shallow enough to anchor close to beaches. A sailing yacht (38–46ft) is the alternative for guests who want a more authentic sailing experience.

For luxury island hopping: A crewed motor yacht or large catamaran with captain and chef. The crew handles everything — anchoring, cooking, provisioning, navigation — while you explore each island without worrying about logistics.

One important note: the La Maddalena Archipelago is a national park with anchoring regulations. Some bays restrict the number of boats or prohibit anchoring during certain periods. An experienced skipper knows these rules and navigates them seamlessly — another reason to charter with a local professional rather than going bareboat for the first time in this area.

The La Maddalena Archipelago has some of the best snorkelling in the Mediterranean. The national park status means the marine life is more abundant than along the developed Sardinian coast, and the water clarity — often exceeding 30 metres visibility — makes everything vivid and detailed.

Best snorkelling spots: Cala Corsara (Spargi) has rocky edges with abundant fish, octopus, and sea urchins. The south coast of Caprera has underwater rock formations colonised by colourful sponges and anemones. The Lavezzi Islands (if you extend to Corsica) have the clearest water in the entire area — the granite boulders continue underwater and create a dramatic seascape.

What you will see: Mediterranean rainbow wrasse, damselfish, sea bream, octopus, moray eels (in rocky crevices), sea urchins, starfish, and occasionally small rays in sandy areas. The fish are noticeably less shy here than in other Mediterranean locations — another benefit of the protected park status.

Equipment: Most charter boats carry basic snorkelling gear (mask, snorkel, fins). If you are serious about snorkelling, bring your own mask — a well-fitted mask makes an enormous difference to the experience. Prescription masks are available from dive shops in La Maddalena and Palau.

Diving: For certified divers, several dive centres operate within the archipelago. Highlights include the Secca di Washington (a submerged pinnacle with grouper and barracuda), the wreck of the Angelika near Spargi, and the granite canyons off Lavezzi. Dive centres can meet you at your yacht with equipment for a guided dive — no need to visit a shore-based centre.

National park regulations: The La Maddalena Archipelago is a protected national park. Anchoring is restricted in some bays (particularly around Budelli and parts of Spargi). Speed limits apply in certain zones. An experienced skipper navigates these regulations automatically — it is one of the strongest reasons to charter with a professional rather than renting a boat and navigating independently.

Best time of year: June and September are the best months for island hopping — warm water (24–26°C), calm conditions, and far fewer boats than July and August. Peak summer is magnificent but the most popular anchorages can feel crowded by mid-morning. May and early October work well for multi-day trips — cooler but very pleasant and almost empty.

Provisioning: For day trips, bring snacks and drinks or arrange catering through the operator. For multi-day trips, provision at Cannigione or Palau before departure — supermarkets are well-stocked. La Maddalena town has a good market for restocking mid-trip.

Getting there: Palau is the closest mainland port to the archipelago (15-minute crossing). Cannigione is 30 minutes by boat. Both are within 40 minutes of Olbia Airport by car. If you are staying in Porto Cervo, Palau is a 25-minute drive.

Budget: A full-day island-hopping charter by RIB costs €900–€1,800 from Palau. A week-long catamaran charter covering the archipelago and beyond costs €4,000–€9,000 for the yacht plus skipper. See the costs section below for detailed pricing, or our cost guide for a full breakdown.

Full-day RIB charter (8–10 hours): €900–€1,800 from Palau or Cannigione. Includes skipper and fuel. The most popular single-day island hopping format.

Full-day motor yacht charter: €1,500–€4,000 depending on yacht size and specification. More comfortable for larger groups.

Full-day catamaran or sailing yacht: €1,000–€3,000. Slower transit between islands but more enjoyable under sail.

2–3 day skippered catamaran (42ft): €2,500–€5,000 for the yacht and skipper, plus marina fees and provisions. Sleeping on board at anchor or in La Maddalena marina.

Week-long catamaran charter (archipelago + Costa Smeralda): €5,000–€10,000 for the yacht and skipper in peak season. See our week charter guide for complete pricing.

National park fees are minimal (typically included in marina charges) and do not add significantly to the budget. The main additional costs are provisioning, marina berths (€50–€100/night in La Maddalena), and eating out.