Daily cruise on a sailing catamaran on the La Maddalena archipelago

The best part of this Maddalena archipelago cruise is its freedom. Rather than follow one fixed route, Soraya Charter chooses two to four bays each day, looking for the best mix of calm water, pretty anchorages, and less traffic. That gives you a better chance of finding a quiet swimming stop instead of simply following a crowded schedule.

I like the small group of up to 12 people and the easygoing pace. I also like that lunch is cooked and served on board, with Sardinian aperitif foods, spaghetti, wine, and water included. The main consideration is wind: despite the sailing-catamaran format, you may spend part of the morning under motor power if conditions are not suitable for sailing.

Key points to know

• Flexible route: The crew selects 2 to 4 stops according to weather and boat traffic.
• Swimming is the main event: Expect time in clear water, at small bays, near reefs, or from scenic anchorages.
• Lunch is included: You get classic Sardinian aperitif foods, spaghetti, wine, and water throughout the day.
• Small boat, small group: The catamaran carries no more than 12 people, giving the day a more personal feel.
• Family-friendly pace: The crew adjusted swimming time for families with children as young as four.
• Bring your own mask and fins: Snorkeling equipment is not included.

Why this catamaran day works so well

This is a full day on the water, not a quick harbor outing. Check-in begins between 10:00 and 10:30 a.m., and the boat reaches its first stop at about 11:30. You then have several hours for swimming, eating, resting, and watching the coast pass by before returning to Santa Teresa Gallura.

I like the fact that the schedule leaves room for the day to breathe. You are not rushed from one photo stop to the next. At each anchorage, you can swim, sit on the catamaran, stretch out in the shade, or use the front net for a closer feel of the water.

The group limit matters here. A maximum of 12 people means the boat should feel less like a floating bus and more like a shared day sail. It also makes it easier for the crew to adjust the timing when a family wants a little longer at one bay, or when the conditions make one stop less appealing.

The atmosphere is social but not forced. You share food and space with the other people aboard, yet there is enough time to find your own quiet corner. The crew names associated with this service include Giorgio, Christian, Alberto, George, and Dorian, so the exact team may vary from one departure to another.

Leaving Santa Teresa Gallura at 10 a.m.

The meeting point is in Santa Teresa Gallura, in the Province of Sassari. The activity starts at 10:00 a.m., with welcome and check-in taking place around 10:00 to 10:30. The boat returns to the same meeting point at the end of the day.

That start time is useful if you are staying nearby, but it also shapes your plans. This is not an early-morning cruise. You will have a relaxed start, then spend the main part of the day on the water. The advertised duration is about seven hours, while the full experience is generally described as seven to eight hours.

The first stop comes at roughly 11:30. That gives the crew time to leave the port, settle everyone aboard, and choose the day’s route. Since the route is not fixed, the exact islands and bays can change.

That flexibility is one of the service’s strongest features, but it means you should not book it expecting a guaranteed list of named beaches. The crew selects places near wild islands, small coves, panoramic points, or reefs suited to swimming and snorkeling. Weather and boat traffic guide the decision.

The first bay: a swim and a small aperitif

At the first stop, the mood changes from transport to holiday. You have time to swim, enjoy the catamaran, and eat a small aperitif. The crew has used this first pause as a chance for people to settle into the rhythm of the day rather than rush straight into a packed program.

The water is the main attraction. Several reviews single out the clear turquoise sea and the pleasure of having swimming stops in quiet surroundings. You may be able to swim from the boat, and the catamaran’s forward net offers a fun place to sit close to the spray.

If you enjoy snorkeling, bring your own equipment. Use of snorkeling gear is not included, and no rental arrangement is specified. You can still swim without it, but a mask and fins would help you make more of a reef or rocky-bottom stop.

The first anchorage may also be a good time to claim a shady place. The boat has a shaded area, and people naturally move there later in the afternoon when the sun becomes stronger. If you prefer the sun, you can use the open deck or the front net, but remember that a long day afloat can feel hotter than the same temperature on land.

Spaghetti lunch in the middle of the archipelago

The second stop includes lunch, with spaghetti and coffee served on board. The meal also comes with wine, and the day includes classic Sardinian aperitif foods plus water throughout the cruise.

That is meaningful value at this price. The cost is about $108.02 per person, and you are paying for roughly seven to eight hours, the boat, crew, harbor and activity fees, lunch, wine, aperitif foods, coffee, and water. You still need to provide your own snorkeling equipment, but the important food and drink costs are covered.

Lunch is also part of the experience rather than a break from it. Instead of returning to port or looking for a restaurant, you eat while surrounded by the islands. The meal is simple, centered on spaghetti rather than a long formal menu, but that fits a day devoted to swimming and fresh air.

I would not choose this trip expecting fine dining or a choice of several courses. Choose it if you like the idea of a straightforward boat lunch, local aperitif foods, and wine served in a relaxed setting. The food received some of the strongest praise, especially the pasta cooked and served on board.

Coffee is served at the second stop, which gives the day a useful pause. You can eat, take in the view, and then return to the water or deck without losing time to a shore excursion.

The final stop leaves room for your own pace

At the last stop, the schedule becomes even looser. You can relax, swim, sunbathe, explore the water, or simply sit on the boat. This is a smart way to finish the day because people rarely want the same thing after several hours in the sun.

Families can use this time for a shorter swim and a quieter rest. Strong swimmers may prefer to stay in the water longer. If you are feeling tired, the shaded part of the catamaran gives you a place to slow down without ending the outing early.

The crew has shown flexibility with swimming times, including for families with children aged four and six. That does not mean the trip is designed only for families. Couples, friends, and solo participants can also enjoy the open schedule, especially if they prefer a day with fewer formal stops.

On the return, keep your eyes on the water. Dolphin sightings are presented as a possibility, not a promise. The important point is that the ride home is still part of the outing, with a chance to watch for marine life and enjoy the changing view of the archipelago.

A sailing catamaran, with one practical catch

The boat is a sailing catamaran, but sailing depends on the weather. One person found it disappointing that there was not enough wind to sail from the morning. That is a fair warning for anyone booking mainly for the sailing itself.

You should think of this as a catamaran cruise with the possibility of sailing, not as a guaranteed full-day sail. When the wind is right, the experience can feel quieter and more special under sail. When it is not, the crew may use the engine to keep the day moving.

The catamaran format still has advantages even without much wind. It provides open deck space, a front net, shade, and a stable platform for meals and swimming. You get the comfort of a larger boat without the group size associated with many standard excursions.

The flexible route also depends on conditions. A calm bay may be favored one day, while a more sheltered anchorage is chosen on another. That means the exact view is uncertain, but the decision is made for practical reasons rather than to follow a rigid plan.

What the food and crew add to the day

The crew is central to this experience. Giorgio and Christian have been praised for adjusting the route and swimming time to suit the people aboard. Alberto, George, and Dorian are also associated with warm, attentive service on different departures.

You can expect the crew to handle the practical work: choosing stops, serving the aperitif, preparing lunch, and helping the day run at a comfortable pace. The best version of this trip depends on that personal touch, since a small boat puts the crew in close contact with everyone aboard.

The Sardinian aperitif gives the day a local accent without turning lunch into a formal cultural program. You are not visiting a town or touring a monument. Instead, the local connection comes through the food, the wine, the islands, and the decision to spend the day among less developed bays.

The service is offered in English, which makes the activity easier to book for an international audience. The reviews also include Italian and Spanish experiences, suggesting that the atmosphere can be mixed and informal, though English is the stated offering.

Who will get the most from this $108 day

At about $108.02, I see solid value if you want a complete day on the water. The price includes the main extras that can add up on a boat trip: food, wine, water, coffee, and fees. You are also buying time, since the cruise lasts far longer than a short coastal ride.

This trip suits you best if you:

• Want several swimming stops rather than a port-by-port sightseeing tour
• Prefer a small group to a large excursion boat
• Like a flexible schedule that responds to weather and traffic
• Enjoy simple local food served on board
• Are happy to bring your own snorkeling gear
• Can accept that sailing may not happen all day

It may not suit you as well if you need a fixed itinerary, guaranteed sailing, or a full set of included water equipment. You should also be comfortable with a long day outdoors and with sharing the catamaran with up to 11 other people.

Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed. The activity is near public transportation, but no more detailed transport instructions are provided, so you should check the exact meeting information when booking.

Booking timing, weather, and cancellation

This experience is often reserved about 55 days ahead, which tells you that advance planning can matter, especially during busy Sardinian periods. Confirmation is received at the time of booking.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not refunded or accepted.

The trip requires good weather. If poor conditions force a cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. That policy is especially important here because both the route and the sailing experience depend on the sea.

Should you book the Soraya Charter catamaran?

I would book this trip if your ideal Sardinia day means clear water, several unhurried swims, a small group, and lunch on a boat. The flexible route is more useful than a fixed list of stops because it lets the crew seek suitable bays each day.

The strongest reasons to go are the small-group setting, included food and wine, and the chance to spend much of the day in quiet parts of the Maddalena archipelago. Families can benefit from the adjustable pace, while couples and friends will appreciate the mix of swimming, shade, sun, and simple Sardinian food.

Book with realistic expectations. Bring snorkeling equipment, do not count on sailing all day, and remember that the exact islands depend on conditions. If you want a relaxed, water-centered day rather than a tightly scripted tour, this is a good-value choice from Santa Teresa Gallura.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran cruise start?

The cruise starts in Santa Teresa Gallura, in the Province of Sassari, Italy.

What time does the activity start?

The stated start time is 10:00 a.m., with welcome and check-in taking place between 10:00 and 10:30.

How long does the cruise last?

The experience lasts approximately seven to eight hours. The program itself describes a seven-hour excursion.

How many people can join the cruise?

The catamaran carries a maximum of 12 people.

How many stops are included?

The crew chooses between two and four stops during the day.

Are the stops fixed in advance?

No. The crew selects the bays and other stops according to the weather and boat traffic on that day.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch includes spaghetti, and the trip also provides classic Sardinian aperitif foods, wine, coffee, and water throughout the day.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

No. You need to bring or arrange your own snorkeling equipment.

Is sailing guaranteed?

No. The boat is a sailing catamaran, but the amount of sailing depends on the wind and weather.

What happens if bad weather cancels the cruise?

You can choose another date or receive a full refund if the activity is canceled because of poor weather.