The La Maddalena Archipelago is not just Spargi, Santa Maria and Budelli. With over 60 islands and islets , there are dozens of beaches and coves to discover. Some are very famous, others are little hidden gems that few people know about.
This guide lists ALL the main beaches in the Archipelago, divided by island, with directions on how to reach them and whether you can go ashore.
1. Island of La Maddalena (beaches reachable by land)
La Maddalena is the only island in the archipelago where you can reside and move around by car or scooter . Here are its best beaches.
| Beach | Features | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Lower Trinity | Long beach with white sand dunes, ideal for families | By land (car) |
| Spreader | Equipped beach, sheltered from the winds, ideal for children and snorkelling | By land, 4.7 km from the port |
| Arena Mountains | Wild beach in the northern part, windy but very beautiful | By land, 8 km from the port |
| Porto Massimo | Quiet cove, less frequented than Spalmatore | By land |
| Hell Cove | Suggestive cove with emerald water, eerie but beautiful name | Sea or path |
| French Cove | Sheltered cove, clear water | By sea |
| Cala Majori | Small cove, ideal for those seeking tranquillity | By sea |
| Punta Tegge | Reef with crystal clear water, not quite a beach but good for diving | By land |
| Cala Gavetta | Beach in the centre of La Maddalena, under the harbour | Overland (on foot) |
| Church Cove | Urban beach in the eastern part of the settlement | Overland (on foot) |
2. Caprera Island (beaches by land and sea)
Caprera is connected to La Maddalena by a bridge, so it can be reached by car. But some of its most beautiful beaches can only be reached by sea .
Beaches accessible by land
| Beach | Nickname | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Cala Coticcio | “Tahiti”.” | Incredibly transparent water, Park permit required |
| Cala Napoletana | - | Beach only accessible by sea, one of the most picturesque |
| Cala Serena | - | Quiet bay, ideal for families |
| Garibaldi Cove | - | Named after the hero of two worlds, who lived in Caprera |
| Wreck Beach | - | It houses the remains of a coal-carrying ship |
| Brigantine Cove | - | Eastern cove, accessible by sea |
| Cala Portese | - | On the south side of the island |
| Andreana Cove | - | On the south side of the island |
| Two Seas | - | Suggestive spot where two seas meet |
3. Island of Spargi (most beautiful coves)
Spargi is known for its white sandy beaches and crystal-clear water. It can only be reached by sea .
| Beach | Why it is famous | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Cala Corsara | The most famous of Spargi, fine white sand, turquoise sea | Landing permitted |
| Knight's Beach | White sand, knight-shaped rock, shallow water ideal for children | Landing permitted |
| Cala Granara | Hidden cove on the north side, less frequented | Landing permitted |
| Conneri Cove | Known as the “cove of love”, small and picturesque | Landing permitted |
| Cala Soraya | White beach, transparent sea | Landing permitted |
| Cala Pietranera | Characterised by dense vegetation on the shoreline | Landing permitted |
| Cala Piscioli | Lush vegetation along the beach | Landing permitted |
| Spargiotto and Spargiottello | Two small coves west of Cala Corsara | Landing permitted |
4. Budelli Island (the Pink Beach and more)
Budelli is famous for the Pink Beach, but also has other coves. IMPORTANT: from 2020 landing is BANNED on the whole island. .
| Beach | Features | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Pink Beach (Cala di Roto) | Pink sand for fragments of microorganisms, the most famous in the Mediterranean | By boat only, disembarkation prohibited |
| Cala d'Alga | Minor cove on the north side | By boat only, disembarkation prohibited |
| North Cove | Beach on the northern slope | By boat only, disembarkation prohibited |
5. St. Mary's Island
Santa Maria is sparsely inhabited (a few summer residences and a small hotel) . It can only be reached by sea.
| Beach | Features | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Cala Santa Maria | Crescent-shaped beach, blue water, vegetation reaching down to the sea | Landing permitted |
| Cala di Fosso | Second beach on the island, less frequented | Landing permitted |
| La Casitta | Area with one of the few luxury residences on the island | Landing permitted |
6. Island of Razzoli
Razzoli is the wildest and most unspoilt island in the archipelago . It can only be reached by sea. Landing is generally prohibited or highly regulated.
| Beach | Features | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Cala Lunga | Inlet with clear water, interspersed with smooth rocks | Only by boat |
| Cala Cappello | Cove near Monte Cappello, the highest point on the island | Only by boat |
| Walnut Cove | Small cove, seabed rich in fauna for snorkelling | Only by boat |
| Cala Bove marino | Suggestive cove | Only by boat |
7. St Stephen's Island
Santo Stefano is partly private property and partly a military area . Some areas are accessible.
| Beach | Features | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Cala Villamarina | Suggestive beach on the western side | By sea |
| Fish Beach | Turquoise water, shallow and sandy seabed | By sea |
| Cala Levante | On the south side, overlooking the coast of Palau | By sea |
| Punta Santo Stefano | Southern tip with crystal clear water | By sea |
8. Complete summary table (by island and access)
| Island | Main beaches | Landing permitted | Access |
|---|---|---|---|
| La Maddalena | Bassa Trinità, Spalmatore, Monti d'Arena, Porto Massimo, Cala d'Inferno, Cala Francese, Cala Majori, Punta Tegge, Cala Gavetta, Cala Chiesa | Yes (all) | By land (car) and by sea |
| Caprera | Cala Coticcio, Cala Napoletana, Cala Serena, Cala Garibaldi, Relitto, Cala Brigantina, Cala Portese, Cala Andreana, Due Mari | Yes (all) | By land (car) and by sea |
| Spargi | Cala Corsara, Cavaliere Beach, Cala Granara, Cala Conneri, Cala Soraya, Cala Pietranera, Cala Piscioli, Spargiotto, Spargiottello | Yes | Only by sea |
| Santa Maria | Cala Santa Maria, Cala di Fosso, La Casitta | Yes | Only by sea |
| Budelli | Pink Beach (Cala di Roto), Cala d'Alga, Cala Nord | NO (banned from 2020) | Only by sea (sighting) |
| Razzoli | Cala Lunga, Cala Cappello, Cala Noce, Cala Bove marino | Generally no | Only by sea (sighting) |
| Saint Stephen | Cala Villamarina, Spiaggia del Pesce, Cala Levante, Punta Santo Stefano | Partially | Only by sea |
Which beaches can you see during the trip with Petagus?
The standard Petagus itinerary (departure from Palau at 10:30am) includes :
Stop with disembarkation at Cala Corsara (Island of Spargi)
Stop with disembarkation in Cala Santa Maria (St. Mary's Island)
Sighting the Pink Beach of Budelli (by boat, without landing)
Diving stop at the Natural Pools (between Budelli and Spargi)
Stop at Cala Gavetta (historic centre of La Maddalena)
The other beaches (Cala Coticcio, Cala Napoletana, Cala Granara, etc.) require dedicated itineraries or private boat hire.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most beautiful beach?
According to tourists and guides, the Spiaggia del Cavaliere at Spargi and the Spiaggia Rosa at Budelli (also just to see) are the most popular .
Which beach is most suitable for children?
Spiaggia del Cavaliere (Spargi) has shallow water for the first few metres and a sandy seabed. Spalmatore (La Maddalena) is also equipped and sheltered .
Can you go to Cala Coticcio (Tahiti) with Petagus?
It depends on the itinerary. Cala Coticcio requires special permits from the National Park . Ask at the time of booking.
Which beaches can be reached by land without a boat?
On the island of La Maddalena: Bassa Trinità, Spalmatore, Monti d'Arena, Porto Massimo, Punta Tegge. On Caprera: Cala Coticcio (with permit), Cala Serena, Cala Garibaldi, Relitto, Due Mari