La Maddalena Archipelago

The archipelago sits in the Strait of Bonifacio between Sardinia and Corsica, around sixty granite islands and rocks, wind-scoured into rounded shapes, with shallow water over pale sand that produces very strong colour. Only La Maddalena is significantly inhabited; Caprera, joined by a causeway, was where Giuseppe Garibaldi lived from 1856 and died in 1882, and his house is a museum. The whole area became a national park in 1994 with zoned rules: some beaches are closed entirely, others capped, anchoring is restricted, and the pink-tinged beach on Budelli has been off limits to landing for years after decades of sand theft.

History

The islands have been lived on since prehistoric times; the Romans knew them as Cunicularia, and they were a busy shipping area in the 2nd and 1st centuries BC (Wikipedia, Maddalena archipelago).

What's there

• The granite islands - around sixty wind-shaped rocks and islets.
• Caprera - Garibaldi's house and estate, now a museum.
• The shallow colour - pale sand producing intense turquoise water.
• The pink beach - Budelli's shore, viewable but closed to landing.

When to go

May to September; boat tours run in season and are the usual way to see the outer islands. August is crowded and park rules are enforced strictly.

Practical notes

Landing is prohibited on several beaches including the pink one, and fines apply for taking sand. Boat trips are weather dependent. August is very busy.

Nearby

The Costa Smeralda lies south; Corsica is across the strait.

Key facts