La Maddalena is the largest of the seven islands that make up the Archipelago Della Maddalena located inside the Straits of Bonifacio along the north-east coast of Sardinia and can be reached by ferry from Palau in only 15 minutes. The Archipelago consists of another six islands that can be reached by private boats or by organised excursions from
La Maddalena, except Caprera that is connected to the main island by a road built on a dam. Characterised by the pink sand, the crystalline waters, a series of coves and rocks of intense colours make the islands a fantastic holiday destination. La Maddalena has something to offer to everyone, divers can explore the most beautiful seabeds and some Roman cargo ship recks; people who love spending their holidays in isolated hotels or resorts, in private villas or apartments will find absolutely everything here. For the shopholics La Maddalena has lovely little shops, regular shops mixed with others selling the most tasteful souvenirs, nice restaurants and bars where to enjoy a plate of spaghetti vongole or other seafood. The island has almost 45 kilometres of jagged coastline and generally high rocks, and four main beaches, the most famous is Spalmatore Beach, followed by Porto Massimo, Monti d’Arena and Cala Coticcio. The other islands in the Archipelago and their fantastic beaches can be reached by boat from La Maddalena. On the island of Budelli, there are some of the most beautiful almost deserted little beaches in the Med. Spiaggia
Rosa (Pink Beach) is among the most famous for the colour of its sand produced by the coral shattered by the raging sea. Other beaches are Cala d’Arena, Cala Piatto, Cala del Cavaliere and Cala Trana. A low but rich vegetation covers this island, wich today is highly protected and populated by wild rabbits. The transparency of its water and the endless supply of fish and shellfish in the countless granite ravines make it an excellent destination for underwater photography.
The only other inhabited island is Caprera, that used to belong to Giuseppe Garibaldi whose former house is now a museum. Caprera is also a highly protected natural reserve for the particular species of seabirds living on it (royal seagull, cormorant and peregrine falcon). Razzoli is the island closest to Corsica and together with the islands of
Budelli and Santa Maria it forms the lagoon of Porto Madonna. Spargi is the third island in size but also the most isolated one and has no tourist facilities. The wonderful Cala Corsara, Cala Granara, Cala Caniccio and Cala d’Alga have borne the fame won by the island of Spargi after a Roman ship was found in Cala Corsara. The remains of the ship are now visible at the Museum N. Labroglia of La Maddalena. The island of Santo Stefano is halfway between Sardinia and La Maddalena and is a favourite destination with Sardinians as well as tourists.