How much does a La Maddalena boat tour cost?
What you pay, by type of boat
The single biggest factor is the boat. Here’s the real range from the tours we track, all full-day and departing Palau or La Maddalena:
| From Palau: La Maddalena Islands Full-Day Trip by Boat | Top pickFrom Palau: La Maddalena Boat Tour, 4 Islands in One Day | From Palau: La Maddalena Archipelago Catamaran Tour w/ Lunch | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $57 | $66 | $185 |
| Boat | Large motor | Large motor | Catamaran |
| Lunch | Optional | Optional | Included |
| Drinks | Buy on board | Buy on board | Included |
| Group | Large | Large | Small |
| Best for | Value | Most people | Comfort |
| View → | Book this → | View → |
What’s included — and what’s not
Usually included
- The boat trip and a skipper/crew for the day
- Four swim stops around the national park
- Sun deck and use of the swim platform/ladder
- On catamaran & sailing tours: lunch, aperitif and drinks
Not included
- The national-park access/landing fee (~€2.50–€5 per person)
- Lunch on most big-boat tours (optional or extra)
- Hotel transfers and the Palau–La Maddalena ferry
- Snorkel gear (sometimes), towels and tips
The park fee is the cost people forget. It’s a marine-park access charge, typically around €2.50 in spring/autumn and €5 in June–August, charged from age 7 and usually collected in cash on the boat. Bring a few euros per person.
Is a tour cheaper than renting your own boat?
For most people, yes. A shared tour at $57–$66 is far cheaper than a day’s boat rental, and you get a skipper who knows the safe anchorages and the day’s wind. Renting a small boat without a licence is possible but costs more per day, adds fuel, and leaves the route — and the park rules — up to you. A private charter sits in between: your own boat and crew, priced per group, ideal for families or a special occasion.
How to pay less
- Travel in June or September — same islands, lower demand, and a smaller park fee than peak August.
- Take the big-boat day trip if budget matters; the lagoon looks the same from any deck.
- Book the kids in — child rates are usually well below the adult price.
- Book ahead online with free cancellation, so you lock the price without the risk.
Book a La Maddalena boat tour
The simplest way to see the archipelago is a guided boat tour — the skipper handles the route and the swim stops while you just bring a towel, with free cancellation on most tours.
Compare prices across every tour
Budget pickFrom Palau: La Maddalena Islands Full-Day Trip by Boat
Most bookedFrom Palau: La Maddalena Boat Tour, 4 Islands in One Day
Catamaran · lunchFrom Palau: La Maddalena Archipelago Catamaran Tour w/ Lunch
See the full line-up on the all-tours page, or read up on which boat is worth the extra.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a La Maddalena boat tour?
Shared full-day tours run from about $57 on the big motor boats to $185 on a catamaran with lunch, with the classic 4-island day from Palau around $60–$66. The national-park access fee (about €5 in summer) is usually extra.
Is the national-park fee included in the tour price?
Usually not. The marine-park access fee — roughly €2.50 in spring and autumn, €5 in June to August, charged from age 7 — is normally collected separately in cash on the boat.
Do La Maddalena tours include lunch?
Catamaran and sailing tours almost always include a Sardinian lunch, aperitif and drinks. On the big motor-boat day trips, lunch is usually optional or bought on board, which is part of why they’re cheaper.
Are there discounts for children?
Yes — most operators offer reduced child rates, and infants are often free. The exact ages and prices are shown on each tour’s booking page.