Sail Through the Islands and Anchorages of La Maddalena

Located in the north-east of the Italian island of Sardinia, off the Costa Smeralda, the La Maddalena archipelago is the ideal destination for a Mediterranean cruise with Click&Boat! Made up of around 60 islands and islets, the main ones being Caprera, Spargi, Santo Stefano, Budelli, Santa Maria, Razzoli and La Maddalena, it is a national park of great beauty. The nature, which is fiercely preserved, is wild and lush; between its granite rocks, its paradisiacal beaches with turquoise waters, and its teeming wildlife, you will not know where to look!

“The transparency of the sea is the kingdom of the West. The wind blows constantly, creating currents that sweep and clean the area constantly. There are also all kinds of beaches, from white to darker, with fine or coarse sand, it’s a kingdom of diversity” – Giovanni, a local boater belonging to the Navily community.

It is in collaboration with our partner Navily that we offer you to discover the most beautiful anchorages of La Maddalena! With 350,000 registered yachtsmen and more than 100,000 photos and comments on a wide range of destinations, Navily is supported by a community that does not hesitate to share its experience and advice! 57 anchorages have been referenced for this archipelago, allowing us to offer you a selection that will surely amaze you.

Discover the ideal itinerary (validated by the sailors of the Navily community) of the “seven sisters” of this incredible archipelago!

An Itinerary of the Most Beautiful Anchorages in La Maddalena

With 180 kilometers of coastline that you will love to cruise along, La Maddalena is a paradise for sailors! To get to the archipelago you need to have a strong sailing experience. In fact, the high concentration of boats, and the strong winds that blow during high season are challenges that can destabilize amateur captains, which is why renting a skippered boat can be a good alternative if you are not an experienced sailor!

– Razzoli Island

An islet with an area of 1.5 kilometers, Razzoli is a small unspoiled paradise located near Bonifacio, Corsica. Once you have arrived with your boat here (watch out for the rocks!), drop anchor in the paradisiacal anchorage of Cala Lunga.

At night, you can admire the spectacle of the sun illuminating the granite rocks in deep red! However, don’t think about disembarking on the east side of the anchorage, as this is a protected area and is closed to travelers.

– Santa Maria Island

More lively than Razzoli, the island of Santa Maria is separated from it only by the Passo degli Asinelli. An excellent stopping point, there you can relax on beaches surrounded by turquoise waters. If you are at the helm, beware of the shallow depths and high traffic on the island during high season.

Don’t miss the Cala de Santa Maria, one of the largest white sand beaches on the eponymous island! It will offer you good protection from the westerly winds. You can also pass by Porto della Madonna, wide navigation with a beautiful beach. Very busy during the day, you can enjoy the sunset in peace in the evening.

– Budelli Island

Continuing south, you will cross the Chiesa di Morto channel (beware of the shallow waters!) and reach the beautiful island of Budelli. This one is considered one of the most beautiful islands in the Mediterranean with its notorious “pink sand” beach, has only one inhabitant, its caretaker – and that since 1989!

To explore the island, all you have to do is drop anchor in the sandy bottoms of the magnificent anchorage of Spaggia del Cavaliere. A natural saltwater pool, it is an unforgettable place, often overcrowded in the high season. The same fate is reserved for the anchorage of Isola Budelli Est that is a victim of its beauty, is often invaded by crowds of tourists. For this reason, it is preferable that you arrive early in the morning or after 6 p.m.

– Spargi Island

The island of Spargi, which has the most beautiful beaches of the archipelago and is formed by famous pink granite rocks, has impressive natural wealth. For a moment of relaxation among rocky coves and white sand, visit the idyllic setting of the east coast of the island. The west coast is typically subjected to capricious winds and is much wilder.

To discover on the island of Spargi, you can anchor in Cala Conneri. You will disembark on a small sandy beach crippled between rocks and scrubland. Protected from westerly winds, this anchorage is very crowded in summer, but it is still a must-see in La Maddalena, as is Cala Corsara, with its splendid bay of clear rocks and spectacular sunsets.

– La Maddalena

Continuing to sail eastwards, you will arrive at the outskirts of the island of La Maddalena. On the main island of the archipelago, you will find splendid landscapes, white granite coasts, and idyllic beaches! There, you will have the opportunity to refuel at the Port of Cala de Mangiavolpe, where all the necessary amenities will be at your disposal.

We recommend that you take a break at the Spiaggia de Bassa Trinida, nestled in a wide bay. Once settled on this accessible beach, you can enjoy a breathtaking sunset.

-Caprera Island

Known for having been the last home of Giuseppe Garibaldi when he was in exile, the island of Caprera is the second-largest island of the archipelago of La Maddalena. Almost uninhabited, it is covered with pine forests that meet the granite of the island’s coasts and boasts a flourishing biodiversity.

Not to mention its beautiful sandy coves and stunning coastline! On this island, don’t miss the picturesque anchorage of Cala Garibaldi, ideal for overnight stays and swimming in deep blue waters, and that of Cala Coticcio, with its timeless landscapes and available mooring buoys.

When to go?

We recommend that you opt for a boat trip to the archipelago of La Maddalena during the months of June and September. In fact, it is preferable to avoid the influx of boat rentals that are rampant during the months of August and July. However, if you absolutely want to set sail during these months and enjoy warm waters and long days, consider the first half of July or the last half of August.

Now that you know everything… get on board and cruise the Costa Smeralda!