Escursioni La Maddalena Isabella review: a two-masted sailboat from Cannigione, 12 guests, lunch on board

Escursioni La Maddalena Isabella is not a fleet; it is one boat. The Isabella is a two-masted sailboat launched in December 1985, about 20 m long, taking up to 12 guests to the islands of the Parco Nazionale dell’Arcipelago di La Maddalena from Cannigione, on the Gulf of Arzachena. Reviews of Isabella La Maddalena trips read like dinner-party thank-you notes rather than tour feedback, which tells you the format: a host couple, a long lunch and three swims.

This Isabella review relies on the operator’s site (trading as Isabella Sea Experience, company Endurance Group Srl) and its Tripadvisor listing, both checked in September 2026. We are not affiliated. Prices, season and terms are not published, and we do not guess at them.

What Isabella offers

One product dominates: a full day under sail from Cannigione into the archipelago, with three stops at different beaches. The site names Spargi and “less-frequented coves” and says a tender carries guests to beaches the sailboat cannot approach. Reviewers also mention Porto Rafael, the small marina west of Palau, which suggests the route sometimes hugs the Sardinian coast before crossing to the islands. Private days and events are offered on request.

Because the day is on a sailing boat with a small group, the skipper picks anchorages by wind and swell on the morning. If you need a guaranteed visit to a named beach, say so when booking; if you are happy with “the quiet one today”, this format suits you.

The sailing distance matters. Cannigione sits inside the Gulf of Arzachena, so the boat has to leave the gulf and round the coast before reaching Spargi or Santa Maria. That is more time under way than from Palau, which is two nautical miles from La Maddalena. On a sailboat, more time under way is a feature, not a fault.

Boats and comfort

The operator publishes: two masts, built 1985, roughly 20 m, up to 12 passengers, a tender, and a crew of two, skipper Christian (the site cites a Master 200 GT licence and Yacht Master STCW certification and more than twenty years at sea) and hostess Cinzia. Toilets, shade, snorkel gear and the sail plan are not described on the site. On a boat this size you can expect a heads below deck and shade in the cockpit, but we could not verify either, so ask.

Isabella prices and what is included

Isabella prices are not published anywhere online at the time of writing. The site is explicit about what the day includes: Sardinian starters, pasta with fresh tuna and cherry tomatoes, wine, beer, cola and coffee, a mid-morning snack and fruit in the afternoon, plus commentary during the sail. Not stated: whether a park or landing contribution is collected, whether snorkel masks are on board, child fares, and cancellation terms.

Insider tip: When you ask for the quote, ask three more questions in the same message: what happens if the mistral cancels the day, whether there is a toilet on board, and what time you are back in Cannigione. Write down the answers. With an operator that publishes nothing, your e-mail thread is your contract.

What customers say

The Tripadvisor listing “Isabella Escursioni Barca La Maddalena” showed 5.0 from four reviews in September 2026, ranked 26th of 55 boat tours and water sports in Cannigione. Reviewers praise the owners’ kindness and passion, the homemade lunch with pasta and wine, a well-kept boat, attention to small details and stops that included Porto Rafael and archipelago beaches. There were no negative reviews in that set.

Four reviews is a very small base. It is consistent with a boat that sells mostly by word of mouth and repeat guests, and it is also too little to draw conclusions from. We found no Google Maps listing under the same name to cross-check.

Departure logistics

The boat is moored at Pontile Albatros on Lungomare Andrea Doria, the Cannigione seafront. Cannigione is about 15 km from Palau and an easy drive from Baja Sardinia and Arzachena; parking along the seafront is easier than in Palau but still fills in August, so arrive early. Olbia airport is under an hour away. Departure and return times are not on the site; the Tripadvisor listing shows opening hours of 07:30–22:00, which are office hours rather than sailing times.

Who should book it, and who should not

Book Isabella if you are staying on the Gulf of Arzachena side, want to sail rather than motor, and value a small table with good food over a timetable. It is well suited to couples, two families sharing, or a group of friends taking the whole boat.

Skip it if you need a written price list, online payment and platform cancellation cover, if seasickness is a worry (a monohull heels more than a catamaran), or if your day depends on landing in La Maddalena town.

How to book

By phone (Christian +39 333 4643114, Cinzia +39 334 3230868) or e-mail (seaexperience.isa@gmail.com), with a contact form on the site. The site is in Italian and English. There is no online checkout, and we did not find the Isabella on GetYourGuide or on the other large platforms.

Alternatives you can book online

If you want the same small-boat, lunch-included day with card payment and free cancellation, look at all La Maddalena boat tours on GetYourGuide. The closest formats are the Palau catamaran tour with lunch (max 12 guests, listed at €200 in September 2026) and the 50-foot catamaran cruise (listed at €150). From Cannigione itself, the Caprera, Spargi, Budelli and Santa Maria tour is the best-rated shared option. Our catamaran and sailing guide explains the segment, the Cannigione page covers the port, and the operators hub lists every company we have reviewed.