From Palau: Speedboat tour in La Maddalena Archipelago

The real draw here is time in the water. This seven-hour trip from Palau gives you about two hours around Budelli’s natural pools, followed by long stops at two of Spargi’s coves. You get a small boat, a maximum of 12 passengers, and lunch served on board rather than a quick sightseeing run from one bay to the next.

I like the generous swim time and the friendly, hands-on feel created by the crew, especially Andrea and Francesco. I also like that the price includes fuel, an aperitif, and lunch made with local land and sea products. The main catch is simple: this route does not focus on La Maddalena or Caprera, so you may want another outing if those islands are your priority.

Key points

• Budelli gets the longest stop: You have about two hours at the natural pools between Budelli, Razzoli, and Santa Maria.
• Pink Beach is viewed from a distance: You can admire it from the water, but this is not a beach landing.
• Spargi receives two major stops: Plan on roughly one hour at Cala Soraja and one hour at Cala Corsara.
• Lunch is included on board: Expect an aperitif and Sardinian food featuring land and sea products.
• The boat is small and well equipped: The Tredas Open Ilver 36 carries 12 passengers with two crew members, and has a bathroom, cabin, sunbathing net, shower, ladder, awning, and stereo.
• The route can change: Sea conditions and the skipper’s judgment decide the final stops.

A seven-hour route through Budelli and Spargi

This trip begins at the port of Palau, on Sardinia’s northeastern coast. The boat leaves from the entrance to Pier No. 5, marked with a sign, and you look for the Tredas by name. Paid parking is available nearby, which helps if you are driving in for the day.

The first crossing takes about 50 minutes. That is long enough to make the boat ride part of the experience, not just a transfer. You are on a 12-meter speedboat with an open deck, an awning, a bow sunbathing net, and a freshwater shower. The boat was built in 1990, so do not expect a sleek new yacht. Its appeal is space, practical equipment, and a small passenger load.

The boat holds 14 people in total: 12 passengers and two crew members. That is a useful size for this kind of trip. You are not on a large excursion vessel with a crowd moving through a narrow boarding ladder. At the same time, 12 passengers is not a private charter, so your choice of seats and room around the sunbathing area will depend on the group.

The language of the tour is Italian and English. The exact starting time changes by date, so check availability before you plan the rest of your day.

Budelli’s natural pools are the main event

The longest stop comes at the natural pools enclosed by Budelli, Razzoli, and Santa Maria. You have about two hours here, which is the right amount of time for swimming, relaxing, and enjoying the setting without feeling rushed.

The water is the star. Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, a hat, and water, then use the boat’s ladder to get in. A freshwater shower is available afterward, a small but welcome feature when you have spent time in salt water.

This is also the point where the boat’s sunbathing net can be useful. If you would rather stay dry for a while, you can relax at the bow under the open sky. The awning provides shade when the sun becomes too strong, though space is shared among the passengers.

You will see Pink Beach from a distance. That is important to understand before booking. The stop is about the water around Budelli, not walking onto Pink Beach or spending time on its sand. The beach is protected, so the viewing experience is from the boat. You get the famous sight without treating it like an ordinary swimming stop.

The two-hour pause also gives the crew time to serve the aperitif and lunch. The meal includes local land and sea products, and the food is prepared and served on board. This is more than a snack between stops, though the exact menu is not specified and can depend on the day.

If food is important to you, tell the guide about any intolerances at least one day ahead. Use the phone number on your reservation voucher. Do not wait until boarding, since the crew needs advance notice.

Lunch on board keeps the day moving

One of the better features of this outing is that lunch does not require a return to port or a separate restaurant stop. You eat on the boat, with the islands and water still around you, then continue the route.

The meal is built around Sardinian land and sea products. That gives you a taste of local cooking without adding another transfer to the schedule. The aperitif is also included, along with fuel and the crew’s service.

Expect a casual boat meal rather than a formal dining experience. Seating, shade, and movement depend on the boat and the sea. If you want a specific drink or minibar service, it is available only by request and costs extra. You must arrange it by calling the number on your voucher at least 24 hours beforehand.

The food received especially warm praise from the people who supplied feedback about this outing, with Andrea and Francesco singled out for the cooking and friendly atmosphere. That fits the format well: the meal is part of the social character of the day, not just a box handed to you at noon.

Still, tastes differ. One person enjoyed the stops but wanted a different kind of meal. If you are looking for a carefully chosen tasting menu, this may not be the right boat trip. If you want local food served in a relaxed setting, it makes better sense.

Spargi brings two very different cove stops

After Budelli, the boat heads toward Spargi. The route includes Cala Soraja and Cala Corsara, with about one hour at each cove. Two substantial stops here give you time to swim and enjoy the water instead of taking a quick photo from the rail.

Cala Soraja is one of the named stops, and the hour allows you to settle into the cove. The same applies to Cala Corsara, another well-known bay on Spargi. The appeal is the contrast between moving across open water and then settling into a sheltered cove for a while.

The exact activities at each stop depend on weather and the skipper’s decisions. You should expect time for swimming and relaxation, but not a fixed program of guided walks or shore visits. The supplied information does not promise a landing at every cove, so ask the crew on the day if stepping ashore matters to you.

This route favors water time over island touring. You will not get a close visit to every major island in the archipelago. In particular, some people may be disappointed that La Maddalena and Caprera are not part of the close-up route. If you want to see those islands from land, choose a different excursion or add time in the area.

What the Tredas speedboat is like

The Tredas Open Ilver 36 is 12 meters long and 3.40 meters wide. It has two inboard 220-horsepower engines, a bathroom, one cabin, a freshwater shower, a climbing ladder, an awning, a stereo system, and safety equipment including a first-aid kit.

Those details matter more than they may appear on paper. A bathroom means you do not need to wait for the next port. The ladder makes repeated swimming stops easier, especially when you are climbing back aboard with wet hands and feet. The freshwater shower helps after swimming, while the awning gives you a break from direct sun.

The boat has a bow sunbathing net, but the space is limited by the group size. If you like lying in the sun, arrive ready to use whatever space is available rather than expecting a private lounger.

Speedboats can feel lively on the water. Sea conditions may change the route, the timing, or even the order of the stops. The skipper has the final say for safety. If you are sensitive to motion, sit where the crew recommends and keep water nearby.

Pets are not allowed. The tour is confirmed with at least four participants, so the operator needs a minimum group before the trip runs.

Is $148.40 a fair price?

At $148.40 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see the archipelago. You are paying for seven hours, a small boat, two crew members, fuel, an aperitif, lunch, and several long swimming stops.

The value improves if you want a full day on the water and do not want to organize food or fuel yourself. A larger boat may offer a lower price, but it will usually carry more people and may give you less flexibility around the swimming areas. Here, the 12-passenger limit keeps the experience more personal without reaching private-charter prices.

The price is less convincing if your main goal is island sightseeing on foot. This is a water-focused trip. You see Pink Beach from the water, spend time in coves, and eat aboard. You do not get a full visit to La Maddalena or Caprera, and the supplied route does not promise long shore excursions.

For a full-day boat trip with lunch included, the cost is reasonable for visitors who value swimming, relaxed pacing, and a smaller group. It is less useful for someone who simply wants a quick cruise or a land-based tour of the islands.

Palau departure, La Maddalena option, and practical details

The normal departure point is the entrance to Pier No. 5 in Palau. Look for the sign and the boat marked Tredas. Paid parking spaces are nearby, but allow enough time to park and reach the pier without rushing.

The tour ends at the same meeting point in Palau. You can also request boarding from the port of La Maddalena at no extra cost, but you must contact the skipper using the number on your voucher at least 24 hours in advance. This is useful if you are staying on La Maddalena or already have transport there.

Bring a hat, swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, water, and beachwear. Sun protection is not optional on a full day around open water. The boat has shade, but it is shared and may not cover everyone at all times.

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. Reserve-now, pay-later booking is available, which helps if your Sardinia plans are still moving around.

Who will enjoy this boat trip most?

I would choose this outing if you want the following:

• Long swimming stops in clear water
• A small group rather than a large excursion boat
• Lunch and fuel included in the price
• A relaxed day with limited transfers
• A speedboat with a bathroom, shower, shade, and swimming ladder
• English or Italian support

Families with children may like the simple structure, but the boat environment requires care around the water and ladder. The information does not give a minimum age, child pricing, or special accessibility details, so confirm those points before booking if they matter to you.

Couples and friends who want a social day on the water should find the format appealing. The crew’s friendly style and the shared meal help create a warm atmosphere. Solo passengers may also find the smaller group easier for meeting people than a large vessel.

I would hesitate if you need a strict timetable, guaranteed stops, or a full visit to La Maddalena and Caprera. The skipper can alter the route because of sea conditions, and the main focus is swimming around Budelli and Spargi.

Should you book the Tredas tour from Palau?

Book it if your ideal Sardinia day means clear water, a relaxed boat, good swim stops, and lunch served by the crew. The strongest parts are the two-hour visit to Budelli’s natural pools, the long stops at Cala Soraja and Cala Corsara, and the small maximum group of 12 passengers.

Think twice if you want to walk on Pink Beach, tour La Maddalena and Caprera closely, or choose your own meal. Those are not the strengths of this route.

For most visitors, the price makes sense because the day is long and several costs are already covered. Just arrive prepared for sun, accept that the sea controls the schedule, and contact the crew early about food needs or a La Maddalena departure.

FAQ

How long is the speedboat tour?

The tour lasts seven hours. Starting times vary by date, so check availability when choosing your day.

Where does the tour leave from?

The normal departure point is the entrance to Pier No. 5 in the port of Palau. Look for the sign and the boat named Tredas.

Can I board from La Maddalena instead of Palau?

Yes. Boarding from the port of La Maddalena is available at no extra cost, but you must contact the skipper at least 24 hours ahead using the phone number on your booking voucher.

How many people fit on the boat?

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

What islands and coves does the route visit?

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

Can I visit Pink Beach?

You can see Pink Beach from a distance while on the water. The tour does not describe a landing on the beach.

Is lunch included?

Yes. The price includes an aperitif and lunch featuring local land and sea products. Food intolerances must be reported at least one day before the tour.

Is minibar service available?

Yes, but minibar service costs extra. You must request it by calling the number on your booking voucher at least 24 hours in advance.

What happens if the sea conditions change?

The itinerary and stops may change based on sea conditions and the skipper’s decisions. The trip is confirmed with at least four participants.