15 Island Hopping Tours in Italy Worth Booking

1.La Maddalena Archipelago Full-Day Boat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 4,980 reviews · 6 - 7 hours · from $59Our pick

Join a 6 to 7 hour boat trip from Palau or La Maddalena with multilingual guide Claudia and a helpful crew. Swim at Budelli, Santa Maria, and Cala Granara, see Spiaggia Rosa from the water, buy lunch onboard, and explore La Maddalena before returning.

“we saw so many beautiful beaches, swam 3-4 times and still were able to spend a hour in Maddalena. Our guide was so gifted! 4 languages?!? We brought our own snacks but food and drink were available. Such a great easy way to see the incredible area of Palau and the surrounding archipelago!!”

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2.La Maddalena Archipelago Full-Day Trip by Boat

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 2,710 reviews · 6 - 7 hours · from $59

Spend 6 to 7 hours aboard an updated Elena Tour boat, visiting La Maddalena, Spargi, Budelli, and Santa Maria. Swim at Cala Corsara, explore La Maddalena town, and use the onboard bar for pasta, snacks, and Sardinian products. Guides speak English, French, and Italian.

“Everything fine and good - comfortable and nice trip.”

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3.Murano and Burano Half-Day Island Tour by Boat

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 2,489 reviews · 3 - 9.5 hours · from $34Best value

Travel by boat from Venice to Murano and Burano with an English- or Spanish-speaking guide. Watch a glassblowing demonstration, see traditional lace-making, and enjoy free time among Burano’s colorful houses. Guides such as Flavia, Claudia, and Nicole are praised for clear explanations and practical tips.

“A very good value for the money. We really enjoyed Burano including the brief intro to lace making, the shops and cafes. While Murano glass is gorgeous, too much time was allocated to visiting just one high end glass shop.”

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4.La Maddalena Archipelago Day Tour by Boat

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 2,291 reviews · 7 hours · from $59

Spend seven hours aboard Motonave Petagus exploring the La Maddalena Archipelago from Palau. Swim at Cala Corsara and Budelli’s Natural Pools, photograph Rosa Beach, and stroll La Maddalena’s harbor town. An English- and Italian-speaking guide adds context, while lunch and drinks are available to buy onboard.

“Very nice boat trip with focus on swimming and fun, not a boring long boat ride along the coast as some trips are :) The day went by so quickly we couldn't believe 8 hours have passed.”

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5.La Maddalena Archipelago Boat Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 1,960 reviews · 8 hours · from $65

Spend eight hours aboard the Virginia from Cannigione, swimming near Spargi and Budelli, viewing Pink Beach, and exploring La Maddalena town. Choose standard seating, a quieter VIP sunbed, or a private space. Optional zodiac trips add closer views of the natural pools and Caprera.

“We chose this trip as my partner was a bit unsure of going out on a small boat. We liked that it had swimming stops and a stay in La Maddelena. We paid extra for the dingy tour of the natural piscine which was definitely worth the extra 10euros each. The staff were friendly and helpful particularly the female guide who took her time to explain things to us. It was good to have the additional listening tour via the app as we learnt lots of information about where we visited. We had an hour and a half to explore La maddelena which is a beautiful place that we would…”

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6.La Maddalena Archipelago 4 Stops Boat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 1,736 reviews · 1 day · from $65

Spend a full day aboard the Lady Luna 3 from Palau, visiting Budelli, Santa Maria, Spargi, and La Maddalena. Alex provides live commentary in four languages, while you get time for swimming, beaches, lunch, and a walk through La Maddalena town.

“A really great day visiting the islands, stopping as promised along the way. Well organised. Large capacity boat so it’s busy on board, but we knew that ahead of time. Lunch was on the expensive side, but not surprising on a tour like this, and you can always take your own food on board. Overall, a positive experience!”

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7.La Maddalena Archipelago Boat Tour with Pasta

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 1,510 reviews · 7 hours · from $59

From Palau, sail aboard the red Jasmine 3 with the Nautica Jasmine crew. Swim at Santa Maria and Cala Corsara, photograph Rosa Beach, enjoy pasta with mussels and prawns, then stroll La Maddalena’s narrow streets. Maurizio and Luca are among the crew named by past participants.

“Day well spent The crew was easy going and funny to be around. Day was a little windy, so bring a jacket Amazing beaches”

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8.La Maddalena Archipelago Boat Tour with 4 Stops

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 1,470 reviews · 1 day · from $66

From Palau, you’ll spend about seven hours aboard the 30-meter Corsara, visiting Spargi, Budelli’s natural pools, Santa Maria, and La Maddalena town. Expect multilingual guidance, swimming from the boat, beach time, shaded seating, an onboard café, and a roughly €10 lunch option.

“We loved the boat tour! Everything was well organised and the lunch on the boat was very good!”

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9.1-Catamaran tour to the Maddalena Archipelago from Cannigione

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,248 reviews · 8 hours (approx.) · from $119Top rated

Set out from Cannigione at 9:30 a.m. for an eight-hour catamaran trip around Caprera, Spargi, Budelli, Razzoli, and Santa Maria. A crew such as Luca, Barbara, Francesco, or Alessio serves Sardinian food, wine, beer, and myrtle liqueur while you swim and snorkel.

“Incredible experience, highly recommend it! The skipper and crew were wonderful, kind, warm knowledgable and the best hosts! They took us to the most incredible spots and it was such beautiful scenery!! The food and wine were plentiful and the vibes were vibing!”

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10.La Maddalena Archipelago Catamaran Tour w/ Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 1,162 reviews · from $184

Join a small group of up to 12 people aboard a catamaran from Palau. Your captain chooses three island stops based on wind and sea traffic, while the crew serves Sardinian aperitivo, gnocchi with sausage sauce, fruit, wine, prosecco, and Mirto.

“The whole experience was exquisite. I was astonished by everything 🤩 It was amazing! Delicious food (prepared by crew 💛) & drinks (vine and prosecco, totally limitless! 🥂). The crew was the best! Francesca was the greatest guide we’ve ever had! 🫶🏻 She has so great knowledge, and she loves to share it with you. She’s so kind, helpful & beautiful person ✨ She’s also so wonderfully funny, that you can’t be bored there. She will liven up any party 💃🏼 Thank you for your hard work! Also the captain Jonathan was really great! He was transfering us by pontoon to the beaches from katamaran. So even if you’re not…”

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11.Sailboat tour from PALAU to the Maddalena Archipelago.

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

Set out from Palau at 9:30 a.m. for a 7 to 8-hour sailing day around La Maddalena. With up to 12 people, you can swim near Spargi, view protected Pink Beach from the water, use snorkeling gear, and enjoy Sardinian snacks, pasta, fish, wine, beer, and myrtle liqueur.

“This site is a SCAM and will review it on any site possible. Payed a reservation with viator on the phone to be cancelled a few min later although available on the site, payed for a 2nd one by phone again , to start receiving messages through email and whatsapp from who turned out to be the 1st reservation company that was cancelled who started sending me emails and whatsapps, asking for a bigger price and for me to pay cash as they have internet problems??! Turned out since I refused that I missed my 2’d available reservation as the ones texting me was the CANCELLED one , again as…”

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12.La Maddalena Full-Day Archipelago Catamaran Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 921 reviews · from $113

Spend seven hours aboard a catamaran from Palau with guides such as Franco and Fabio, stopping at Spargi and other islands for swimming, snorkeling, snacks, wine, and possibly pasta lunch. The captain changes the route to match wind, tides, and boat traffic.

“Fabio and Franko where super skippers, the sea was a bit rough that day, but we still had a super nice day at sea!”

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

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

Spend seven hours aboard a vintage motorsailer from Palau or La Maddalena, visiting Budelli, Santa Maria, and Spargi. Swim from the boat, reach beaches by tender, and hear local commentary in Italian, English, or French. Guide Letizia has earned warm praise, but shade and space can be limited.

“Amazing experience! Thank you Letizia and all the team!”

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14.Luxury catamaran from Porto Rafael-Palau to the Maddalena Archipelago

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 751 reviews · 7 to 8 hours (approx.) · from $131

From Punta Sardegna near Palau, sail aboard a spacious catamaran with a crew such as Alberto and Alex. Swim at Spargi, see Budelli’s protected Pink Beach, and explore the Porto della Madonna lagoon. Lunch, wine, beer, coffee, soft drinks, and snorkeling gear are included.

“Alex and Alberto are wonderful hosts. They provide a nice understanding of the islands and are always checking in and courteous. Drinks offered frequently and great apperitivo and lunch served on board. I was worried that 8 hrs might be too long but the islands are beautiful and the water is lovely. We stop at nice beaches or just for a swim off of the boat. The best day we spent in Sardinia for sure!”

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15.Favignana and Levanzo, Egadi islands tour by boat from Trapani

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 720 reviews · 8 hours (approx.) · from $114

Spend about eight hours cruising from Trapani to Favignana and Levanzo with a captain and crew, stopping at Cala Azzurra, Cala Rossa, sea caves, and quiet coves. Swim and snorkel with provided gear, enjoy snacks and drinks, then explore Favignana village and choose your own lunch.

“Brilliant experience. Dino was our captain and he gave us the best experience. The weather was brilliant as well which made our trip more enjoyable. We got the chance to see different islands and go for a swim, there was enough equipment for everyone and there was snacks and refreshments for everyone. Donttt think about it twice just book your trip already.”

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