From Palau or from La Maddalena? Where to start your boat tour
Leaving from Palau
Palau sits on the Sardinian mainland, a short drive from Porto Cervo, Cannigione and the Costa Smeralda. It’s the archipelago’s main jumping-off point: the great majority of tours board here, from $57 big-boat days to lunch-included catamarans. If you’re driving in for the day, Palau is the obvious choice — more departures, more price options, and you don’t need to take the car ferry across first.
What works
- Widest choice of boats and prices
- Easy to reach by car from the Costa Smeralda
- No need to ferry over before your tour
- Plenty of parking and cafes by the port
Worth knowing
- The port can be busy at peak season
- A few minutes longer to the far islands than starting from La Maddalena
Leaving from La Maddalena town
La Maddalena is the only inhabited island in the park, reached by a frequent ~20-minute car ferry from Palau. If you’re staying on the island, boarding here saves you the ferry hop on tour morning and puts you a little closer to the western islands. Fewer tours start from La Maddalena, so book ahead — many Palau operators will also pick up here, so check the meeting point when you reserve.
What works
- Skip the ferry if you’re already on the island
- Slightly closer to Spargi and the lagoon
- Quieter, more relaxed boarding
Worth knowing
- Fewer tours and departure times
- You still need to ferry over if you’re based on the mainland
- Less parking than Palau
Which should you choose?
If you’re visiting for the day from the mainland, start in Palau — it’s simpler and you’ll have the most tours to pick from. If you’re sleeping on La Maddalena, look for a tour that boards on the island and save yourself the ferry. Either way you visit the same four islands; see exactly where on the 4 stops and the route map.
Booking widgets list the meeting point on each tour. Many Palau tours offer a La Maddalena pickup as an option at checkout — choose whichever port matches where you’re staying.
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 the tours from each port
Most bookedFrom Palau: La Maddalena Boat Tour, 4 Islands in One Day
Comfort boatPalau: La Maddalena Archipelago Boat Tour with 4 Stops
Catamaran · lunchFrom Palau: La Maddalena Archipelago Catamaran Tour w/ Lunch
See the full line-up and prices on the all-tours page.
Frequently asked questions
Is it better to take a boat tour from Palau or La Maddalena?
Palau has the most tours, easiest parking and the widest price range, so it suits day-trippers from the mainland. La Maddalena town is better if you’re already staying on the island and want to skip the ferry. Both visit the same islands.
How do you get from Palau to La Maddalena?
A car-and-passenger ferry runs roughly every 20 minutes and takes about 15–20 minutes. If your tour boards in La Maddalena and you’re on the mainland, you’ll take this ferry first.
Do tours from Palau also pick up in La Maddalena?
Many do — the pickup port is shown on each tour’s booking page, and some offer a La Maddalena meeting point as an option. Always confirm your exact meeting point in your confirmation.
Does it cost more to leave from one port or the other?
Not meaningfully — prices are set by the boat and what’s included, not the port. The cheapest big-boat days (from about $57) leave from Palau simply because that’s where most boats are based.