A day on a fast boat in the Maddalena Archipelago feels special. What I like is the small-group speedboat setup (just 12 passengers plus crew) and the way the route gives you time for real water stops instead of constant motoring. You’ll spend hours around Budelli and then switch to Spargi for coves like Cala Soraja and Cala Corsara.

The other big win is the onboard food rhythm: aperitif and lunch with local land and sea products, served while the scenery does the sightseeing. My only caution is that the exact stops can shift with sea conditions, and the day may not include the closer look at La Maddalena and Caprera that some people hope for.

Key Highlights at a Glance

• 12-passenger capacity keeps the day friendly and easygoing
• Two hours at Budelli natural pools gives you actual time in the water
• Pink Beach is sight-only but it’s one of the iconic moments from a distance
• Cala Soraja and Cala Corsara on Spargi are classic, photogenic cove stops
• Onboard lunch plus aperitif means you’re not hunting food mid-boat
• Freshwater shower and ladder make quick swims more practical

Speedboat Comfort and the Palau Starting Moment

This trip is built around speedboat travel from Palau, in the northeastern corner of Sardinia. The meeting point is straightforward: look for the sign marking Pier No. 5, and find the boat named Tredas. If you’re driving, plan on using the paid parking nearby and give yourself a few extra minutes to get settled before departure.

Once you’re aboard, the vibe is noticeably relaxed. The boat is a Tredas Open Ilver 36 (12 meters long, 3.40 meters beam) with seating for 12 passengers plus 2 crew members. That size matters. With fewer people, it’s easier to move around, share camera space, and actually enjoy the sound of the sea instead of constant chatter.

Comfort-wise, you have practical touches that help on a long day on the water: a sunbathing net in the bow, an awning, a freshwater shower, and a ladder for getting back on board after a swim. There’s also one bathroom and a small cabin, which is useful if the sun turns intense or you just want a break from the wind for a few minutes. The engines are two inboard 220 hp, so even with several stops, you’re not stuck crawling between islands.

One more thing that keeps the day feeling smooth: the route is designed as a loop. You head out from Palau, spend meaningful time at the key islands/coves, then return to the same meeting point when you’re done.

Budelli Natural Pools and the Pink Beach View From Afar

The pace starts with movement: you’ll navigate for about 50 minutes from Palau toward Budelli. That time is part of the experience. The archipelago is all about the water clarity and the way the coastline looks from different angles—so use those first 50 minutes to get your bearings and your photos.

Your first major stop is around two hours at the natural pools enclosed between Budelli, Razzoli, and Santa Maria. This is the heart of the day’s “water time.” Instead of passing by a coastline at speed, you’ll have a real window to step into the water when conditions allow and enjoy the sheltered feel of a natural pool area.

Budelli is also where the famous Pink Beach enters the story. You won’t necessarily land there, but you can admire it in the distance. For many people, that’s exactly the right way to see Pink Beach: from a boat view that captures its placement and scale without the crowds and chaos you get at more accessible beaches. From this vantage point, you can appreciate why it’s so photographed.

Practical tip: bring swimwear and plan on using at least part of those two hours for floating or swimming when the crew indicates it’s best. The freshwater shower back on board is a nice touch for rinsing off after you’re done.

Possible drawback here: if the sea is rough, you may not get the same relaxed “hang in the natural pools” feeling. The tour notes that stops are subject to change based on sea weather and the skipper’s decisions, so keep expectations flexible.

Spargi Island Coves: Cala Soraja and Cala Corsara

After Budelli, the day shifts to Spargi Island, which is where the scenery turns from big-island icons into intimate cove moments.

You’ll sail toward Spargi and make stop(s) designed for quick immersion in the coastline. Specifically, you get about one hour at Cala Soraja and about one hour at Cala Corsara. That timing is balanced: long enough to swim, relax, and take photos, but not so long that you feel stuck when you’d rather keep moving.

What I like about these Spargi coves is how they feel different from each other. Cala Soraja tends to be the one people clock immediately for its postcard look, while Cala Corsara carries more of the “hidden cove” energy—sheltered and scenic in a way that makes you want to sit still for a bit.

And the small-group format pays off again. When you’re not packed shoulder-to-shoulder, you can actually find a spot where you’re comfortable—near the water for dipping, or a bit back to dry off and refuel your camera batteries.

One more reality check: the itinerary can adjust with conditions. That means the crew might shuffle timing or the exact approach, but you’re still getting the core idea—Spargi’s coves, plus swimming and downtime between them.

The Onboard Meal: Aperitif and Sardinian Lunch at Sea

Let’s talk food, because on a boat day it can make or break the mood. This tour includes both an aperitif and lunch served onboard. The lunch is described as local land and sea products—and that blend is usually the most satisfying on Sardinia days, because you get variety without needing to think too hard.

In fact, I think this is one of the smartest “value for time” choices: if you have to eat on land, you lose an hour to transfers, queues, and trying to find something that fits the day’s schedule. Here, you’re already on the water, and the crew keeps you fed while the boat is doing what it does best.

From what I’ve seen in people’s feedback about this exact setup, the cooking often lands well, with praise for the meal’s quality and the onboard hospitality. Some meals are still a personal preference thing—if you’re picky or have strong dietary restrictions, it’s important to communicate ahead of time.

If you have food intolerances, you need to notify the guide by calling the number on your reservation voucher at least the day before the experience. Don’t wait until you’re on the boat—this is one of those “do it early and you’ll relax more” situations.

How Much Time You Really Get (and Why the 7 Hours Works)

The total duration is about 7 hours. That sounds long until you factor in the travel time from Palau, plus two hours at Budelli, plus two separate one-hour stops on Spargi, plus a lunch window.

The structure is tight in a good way:

• You get a solid launch to Budelli (about 50 minutes)
• You get a full, meaningful stop (about two hours) where you can actually use the water time
• You shift to Spargi with two distinct cove experiences
• You eat onboard so you don’t lose the day to logistics

If you love islands but hate “constant transit,” this schedule hits a sweet spot. You’re not jumping every ten minutes, but you’re also not stuck in one place all day while the scenery repeats itself.

Price and Value: Is $148.40 Reasonable?

At $148.40 per person, this isn’t a budget activity. But it’s also not priced like a private yacht. The question is what you’re paying for—and you’re mostly paying for (1) the speedboat format and (2) the time-efficient route.

Here’s the value logic I see:

• Speedboat travel saves time compared to slower ferry-style hopping.
• The day includes fuel, crew, and your aperitif + lunch, so your “extras” cost is lower than many half-day tours where you still end up paying for food and drinks separately.
• The boat’s size (12 passengers) helps keep the day from feeling crowded, which matters for comfort during swimming stops and for how you experience the coves.

If your priority is unhurried swimming time and scenic stops without dealing with land transfers, the price starts to make sense. If you’re hoping for a longer look at every major island (like La Maddalena and Caprera up close), you may feel the time is more focused than expansive. Still, for a single-day hit of Budelli + Spargi, you’re getting a lot packed into seven hours.

Who This Tour Fits Best

This is a strong choice if you:

• Want classic archipelago scenery without planning ferry schedules
• Like the idea of small-group boat travel (12 passengers) with an easy rhythm
• Enjoy swimming in sheltered water areas and then getting rinsed off onboard
• Appreciate a day plan that includes lunch onboard, not a hunt for food

It’s less ideal if you:

• Want a deep, long stop on one island rather than multiple cove experiences
• Have a narrow preference for a very specific kind of meal (the tour offers local land and sea products, and customization is handled only if you notify them in advance)
• Get seasick easily—speedboats are fast, and the day includes time on the water even if you’re mostly relaxing at stops

Also note: pets aren’t allowed on this activity.

What to Pack (So the Day Feels Easy)

You’ll be on the water for the better part of the day, so pack like you’re going to be outdoors and in and out of the sea. Bring:

• Hat
• Swimwear
• Towel
• Sunscreen
• Water
• Beachwear

The crew provides onboard basics like freshwater for rinsing and gives you the ladder and shower setup—so you’re covered there. But sunscreen and water are still your responsibility, especially in Sardinia’s sun.

One small planning tip: if you think you’ll want photos, dress in light layers. Wind off the water can dry you out fast, and a hat is useful for both comfort and glare control.

Should You Book This Speedboat Tour From Palau?

If your goal is a focused, scenic day in the Maddalena Archipelago—Budelli natural pools, Pink Beach views, and Spargi coves like Cala Soraja and Cala Corsara—this tour is a very practical way to do it. The combination of small-group speedboat comfort, meaningful water time (especially the two hours at Budelli), and an onboard aperitif + Sardinian lunch makes it feel efficient without feeling rushed.

I’d book it if you want a day that’s mostly about scenery and swimming, with minimal extra planning. I’d be a little cautious if you’re specifically hoping for extended time near La Maddalena and Caprera up close, because this itinerary is clearly designed around Budelli and Spargi as the main acts—and sea/weather decisions can shift details.

If you like the sound of that trade-off—iconic islands, real cove time, and food taken care of—you’ll likely enjoy this one.

FAQ

What is the tour duration?

The speedboat day trip lasts about 7 hours.

Where does the tour start?

The tour starts at Palau’s port, with the pier entrance marked as Pier No. 5. The boat name is Tredas.

What places do you visit on the water?

You travel to Budelli for the natural pools area, with Pink Beach visible in the distance, and then you visit Spargi Island coves including Cala Soraja and Cala Corsara.

How long do you stop at Budelli?

You have about two hours at the natural pools area enclosed between Budelli, Razzoli, and Santa Maria.

How long are the Spargi Island stops?

You’ll have about one hour at Cala Soraja and about one hour at Cala Corsara.

What’s included in the price?

The price includes the speedboat day trip, crew, an aperitif and lunch, and fuel.

What food options are provided?

Lunch is described as local land and sea products offered onboard, along with an aperitif. If you have food intolerances, you must inform the guide by calling the number on your reservation voucher at least the day before.

Do I need to bring swim gear?

Yes. You should bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, a hat, water, and beachwear.

Are pets allowed?

No, pets are not allowed.

Can the tour depart from La Maddalena instead of Palau?

Yes. After booking, you can contact the skipper using the telephone number on your booking voucher at least 24 hours in advance to request boarding from the port of La Maddalena at no extra cost.

You Might Also Enjoy

Speed Boat Tour to Vlore’s Secret Blue Cave at Grama BayFrom St. Julian’s: Comino and Blue Lagoon Trip by PowerboatFrom Vlore: Haxhi Ali Cave&Karaburun Speedboat TourFireworks at Salou 15th August Speedboat