15 Island Hopping Sailing Trips in Italy, Best Day First

1.Sailboat tour from PALAU to the Maddalena Archipelago.

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 952 reviews · 7 to 8 hours (approx.) · from $107Our pick

Set sail from Palau for 7 to 8 hours around the La Maddalena Archipelago. Your crew may include skippers such as Giuseppe, Simone, Claudia, or Alberto, depending on the boat. Expect swimming stops, snorkeling, Sardinian snacks, pasta or fish lunch, Vermentino, and time under sail in a small group of no more than 12.

“The most gorgeous day!! Absolutely loved this trip from start to finish! We were so well looked after and so was our little one. Lovely group and the captains couldn't do any more for us the food was exceptional and so was the company. A really relaxing day seeing some stunning sights. You HAVE to book this trip now! You won't regret it!”

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2.From Palau or La Maddalena: Archipelago Sailing Ship Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 903 reviews · 7 hours · from $77Best value

Spend seven hours aboard a vintage motorsailer from Palau or La Maddalena, visiting Budelli, Santa Maria, and Spargi. Guide Letizia and the crew explain the archipelago in Italian, English, and French. Swim from the boat, reach beaches by tender, buy pasta and drinks onboard, and bring cash for the landing tax.

“We enjoyed it, the only downside was the guide, I dont think she enjoys her job …., the english translation was 10% of the italian, the spanish was for who ?, on the back of the boat you could not hear anything anyhow. Then again I would go again, even without a guide.”

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3.Sailing boat from Santa Teresa di Gallura to the Maddalena Archipelago

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 628 reviews · 7 to 8 hours (approx.) · from $119

Spend 7 to 8 hours aboard a small sailing boat from Santa Teresa di Gallura, visiting Budelli, Razzoli, Santa Maria, and Spargi. Expect swimming, snorkeling, lunch, drinks, and a friendly two-person crew such as Carlo, Andrea, Marco, or Lorenzo. The captain may change the route for wind and sea conditions.

“Wonderful trip. Leonardo and Massimo were very friendly and great hosts. They shared some good info about the islands and made sure we were all comfortable and enjoying the day. Highly recommend them.”

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4.Tour Sailboat 15 mt. BOARDING FROM LA MADDALENA islands Archipelago

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 306 reviews · 8 hours (approx.) · from $119

Spend about eight hours aboard a 15-meter sailboat from La Maddalena. Swim at Spargi and Cala Santa Maria, photograph Budelli’s protected Pink Beach, and explore Port Madonna. Lunch, Sardinian aperitif, snorkeling gear, drinks, wine, and mirto are included. The boat carries no more than 12 people.

“Great trip. Great crew. Great food. Beautiful beaches. Max and Max made the day special and safe! Yay”

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5.Sailing boat tour in the Maddalena Archipelago

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 217 reviews · 7 hours (approx.) · from $145

Spend about seven hours sailing La Maddalena’s archipelago with a small crew such as Samuel, Yuri, Ines, or Antonella. You’ll stop near Santa Maria, Budelli, and Spargi for swimming, snorkeling, and SUP, with aperitifs, pasta lunch, wine, beer, and soft drinks included. Pickup is available from La Maddalena or Palau.

“Due to a severe wind warning, our pickup location changed which was no issue and we took the ferry back to Palau for pickup. This was our first time on a sailboat in truly windy conditions so the swells were for very large for us and we didn’t expect the boat to sail on such an extreme angle in such large waves. We would have liked for a safety briefing (especially to know where life jackets were, even while we’re good swimmers) when we first got on board, especially with the severe wind this day. With that said, it was very clear Yuri and Ines were very experienced and knew…”

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6.Tour of the island of Ischia in schooner

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 208 reviews · 7 hours (approx.) · from $82

Spend about seven hours circling Ischia aboard a renovated schooner with a maximum of 25 people. You will stop at Citara Bay, Sant’Angelo, the sea caves, Aragonese Castle, and Lacco Ameno for swims, coastal views, and a lunch prepared in the galley, with traditional dishes, fruit, and coffee.

“wonderful day trip. great crew and food and great swimming opportunities and a great way to see the island”

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7.La Maddalena Archipelago Sailing Tour with Lunch from Palau

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 121 reviews · 7 hours (approx.) · from $108

Set sail from Palau for a seven-hour outing through the La Maddalena Archipelago. With a maximum of 14 people, you can swim at Cala di Santa Maria and Cala Granara, visit Spiaggia Rosa by dinghy, and enjoy aperitivo, pasta lunch, wine, beer, soft drinks, coffee, and dessert. The crew, including Yuri, Ines, Andre, and others, varies by departure.

“Very impressive sights. We discovered some amazing remote beaches. The crew was amazing as well! In general a very good experience.”

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8.Sailing Cruise in Maddalena Archipelago from Maddalena

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 101 reviews · 7 hours (approx.) · from $108

Spend about seven hours sailing from La Maddalena to Santa Maria, Budelli, and Spargi. Swim and snorkel from the boat, visit Spiaggia Rosa by dinghy, and enjoy aperitifs, lunch, wine, beer, soft drinks, coffee, tea, and water. The group is limited to 14 people, with crew such as Olek, Florencia, Samuel, and Ilia assisting on different departures.

“Florencia and her partner were so kind and accommodating. I really appreciate that food was prepared for us. I will not hesitate to recommend the.”

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9.Tour to the islands of the La Maddalena Archipelago by sailing boat

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 81 reviews · 7 hours (approx.) · from $120

Set sail from Palau or La Maddalena for a seven-hour small-group trip through Santa Maria, Spargi, Budelli, Santo Stefano, Maddalena, or Caprera. Captain Gianpiero and hosts such as Simona or Antonella serve aperitivo, pasta, fruit, dessert, coffee, and drinks while you swim, snorkel, paddleboard, or help with the sailing.

“Very friendly and very enjoyable everything, we travelled several very nice coves and good food. It was a pleasure to travel and share the day with themAuto-translated”

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10.Sailing to Cyclops Islands Group Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 77 reviews · from $138

Spend about six hours sailing from Catania toward Aci Trezza and the Cyclops Islands. The crew handles the boat and teaches basic sailing, while you swim, sunbathe, eat lunch, and enjoy drinks. The small group is capped at 10 people, with a final drink on land before returning to the port.

“Excellent captain and first mate, one of the best ways to see Catania, learn some Sicilian history, and take a dip in the Mediterranean Sea”

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11.Sailing La Maddalena Archipelago with a USCG licensed captain.

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 67 reviews · 8 hours (approx.) · from $181

Spend about eight hours sailing La Maddalena National Park from Palau with Captain Italo, an ex-Navy officer holding Italian offshore and USCG commercial licenses. Swim and snorkel near Spargi, Budelli, Santa Maria, and Razzoli, then enjoy prosecco, salami, and local cheese. Lunch is yours to bring and chill in the onboard fridge.

“This was an awesome experience! The beaches, water and scenery of the La Maddelena archipelago are indescribably beautiful. Our captain was so friendly, we were served a delicious apertivo with prosecco, local cheese, sausage and crackers. He took us to two different beaches where we had 1-1.5 hours at each to explore and enjoy. I’d recommend this tour to anyone wanting to see the islands with a VERY experienced sailor. One thing to mention, get to the port early to find parking as it is very busy! We thoroughly enjoyed our trip!”

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12.Five Star Relax Cruise Sailing Yacht Islands of La Maddalena

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 65 reviews · 8 hours (approx.) · from $337

Spend eight hours aboard Solevento, a private sailing yacht leaving Cannigione for the La Maddalena Archipelago. Skipper Francesco and Paola host a small group of up to 10, serving Sardinian lunch, local drinks, and refreshments between swimming and snorkeling stops. The route changes with the wind, so you get a comfortable, personal day on the water.

“Francesco and Paola were awesome hosts. They made us feel safe and welcomed from the moment we boarded. Francesco is a skilled and experienced skipper, and Paola is a competent deckhand who also prepared a delicious Sardinian Appetitivo and a delicious lunch. Paolo adjusted our itinerary to account for the winds to make sailing the most comfortable. The scenery was unforgettable, and our stops for swimming were pristine. Pictures don’t do the Maddalena archipelago justice - you have to see it in person to believe it.”

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13.Maddalena Archipelago: Full-Day Sailboat Tour with Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.1 · 55 reviews · from $136

Set out on the sailboat Bellatrix from Palau or La Maddalena for a four-hour trip around Spargi. Your captain guides up to nine people past Mady rock, Soraya Bay, and Granara Bay, with a swim stop, pasta lunch, wine, snorkeling gear, and a possible visit to Madonna’s natural pools.

“Everything was perfect, a wonderful experience to be repeated!!!!”

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14.Private Sailing Tour to Cyclops Islands from Catania

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 45 reviews · from $1,034 whole boat, up to 10

From Club Nautico Catania, your private crew sails along the volcanic coast toward Aci Castello, Ulysses’ Caves, and the Cyclops Islands. Expect Etna views, swimming stops, Sicilian aperitivo, lunch, and prosecco. Crews may include Giulia, Ivan, Carlo, Benjamin, or other team members, and the route can adapt to your group.

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15.Poltu Quatu: La Maddalena Archipelago Sailboat full-day trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 36 reviews · from $192

Spend 7.5 hours aboard the Rosa Velata with skippers Mario and Cindy, sailing from Poltu Quatu through the La Maddalena Archipelago. With only eight people aboard, you will stop at three beautiful islands for swimming and snorkeling, enjoy pasta and North Sardinian food, and return after a relaxed day at sea.

“I was very happy that we booked this activity. It’s really good experience. Cindy and Mario was always kind and supportive, we asked a lot about the boat, they’re very patient with every question. We stopped at three locations which are stunning, it’s healing and relaxing day for us. Highly recommended.”

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