The La Maddalena archipelago, between Sardinia and Corsica, is one of the most beautiful sailing areas in the Mediterranean, an ideal destination for a catamaran charter in Sardinia. But it’s also a National Park: to sail there or to anchor, every boat must hold a paid permit. What many boaters don’t realize is that this entry fee isn’t always included in the charter price, and that each Italian fleet handles the matter in its own way.
This guide explains how this permit works, what’s generally handled by Italian charter companies, and how to prepare so you’re not caught off guard.
This map shows the zoning of the La Maddalena Archipelago National Park. It indicates the different protected areas of the archipelago as well as the sectors where access is subject to authorization or prohibited for non-residents.
Why is a permit necessary?
The La Maddalena archipelago is a protected marine area made up of more than sixty islands and islets off the coast of Sardinia. Its exceptional biodiversity makes it one of Italy’s most valuable natural areas, but also one of the most regulated. To sail there or anchor, every pleasure boat must hold an official permit, commonly known as a “ticket” or entry permit.
This permit isn’t just an administrative formality: it funds the preservation of the site and allows the park to manage visitor numbers, particularly in the most sensitive areas where anchoring is restricted to protect the seabed.
How the permit system works in 2026
The permit process has been simplified in recent years, but it’s still important to understand the basics before setting sail.
- The rate depends on the boat’s length
The longer the boat, the higher the price per meter. As a general guide, for a 7-day permit, prices start at around €140.
| Boat length | 7-day rates |
| 8m to 10m | €50 |
| 10.01m to 13.99m | €101 |
| 14m to 16m | €144 |
- Sailboats get a rate advantage
To encourage more environmentally friendly sailing, sailboat charters enjoy a 40% discount on the ticket price compared to motorboats.
- Booking is done online
The permit is mandatory before entering the park’s waters, and the application is made through the National Park’s official website, where you provide the boat’s details and sailing dates. Payment is made exclusively through the “PagoPA” platform, which can sometimes be temperamental, so it’s best not to wait until the last minute!
The details generally required to apply for the permit are:
– The boat’s name
– The identification number (the boat’s registration code)
– The overall length (used to calculate the price)
– The type of boat (sail or motor)
– The flag/home port
– The desired sailing dates
– The name and contact details of the applicant/owner
An additional 5% discount is granted to visitors who buy their ticket online, excluding day charters.
- There are different packages depending on the length of your stay
You can buy a 1-day permit, but also packages of 7, 15, 30, or even 120 days for longer stays or for boats based there year-round.
- What’s new for overnight mooring
Long banned for non-residents, overnight mooring has seen regular regulatory changes in recent seasons, with temporary permits granted in certain areas and on designated buoys. Since these rules can change from one season to the next, we strongly recommend checking the latest “ordinances” published on the park’s official website before you leave, rather than relying on information gathered the previous year.
What your charter contract does (or doesn’t) cover
This is where things get complicated for customers: depending on the charter company chosen and the boat booked, entry to the park may be fully covered, partially handled, or entirely the customer’s responsibility. Here, through a few concrete examples, is the range of practices observed among charter companies in the area.
- “All-inclusive” packages, included in your charter options
Some charter companies have chosen to make life easier for their customers by negotiating a blanket agreement with the National Park. This is the case, for example, with North Sardinia Sail, which holds the permit for its entire fleet: you simply pay the weekly entry fee directly to the charter company, with the option to anchor in the park without any further paperwork.
Boomerang Charter operates on a similar principle for most of its fleet, though with one important nuance: some boats managed outside this seasonal agreement remain excluded, and their customers must therefore buy the ticket separately.
- The “do it yourself, but we’ll help” packages
At the other end of the spectrum, several charter companies don’t cover the permit but provide the necessary information so you can apply on your own. This is particularly the case with Sunsail, which invites its customers to book their entry through an online form, ideally before their trip.
If you forgot to do it before arriving, the base can still help you before boarding, as long as it’s not during the two busiest weeks of mid-August, when available slots are scarce. Aladar Sail follows the same approach: the permit isn’t included in the package, but the charter company systematically provides the link to the park’s website as well as the boat’s RID number, one of the pieces of information required for the application.
- Special cases
Some charter companies have different policies depending on the boat in their fleet. Barcando, for example, doesn’t cover the La Maddalena seasonal ticket for its boats based in Portisco, but with one exception: a single model in its fleet benefits from a seasonal ticket, in exchange for a weekly surcharge billed directly by the charter company.
Our tips so you’re not caught off guard
Given this range of practices, a few simple habits can help you avoid unpleasant surprises on boarding day:
- Ask right from the start, when booking: Never assume park entry is included. Ask your charter company or your GlobeSailor advisor explicitly whether the permit is provided, partially handled, or entirely your responsibility.
- Take care of the online application ahead of time: If the permit isn’t included, submit your application several days before departure on the park’s official platform. You’ll need the boat’s identification number (RID), which your charter company can usually give you by email.
- Be wary of peak season: August is the busiest time of year to get a slot or last-minute help at the base. It’s best to have everything sorted several weeks in advance.
- Take advantage of available discounts: Booking online (-5%) and sailboat status (-40%) can significantly reduce the cost compared to the full rate applied to motorboats not registered online.
- Check overnight mooring rules before you leave: Authorized areas and conditions change regularly: checking with your skipper or charter company right before departure will save you a lot of hassle.
In summary
Entry into the La Maddalena National Park is a step you shouldn’t overlook when preparing for your time at sea. Between charter companies that handle everything, those that guide their customers through the process, and those that leave the whole responsibility to the boater, practices are far from uniform. The best approach is still to clarify this point with your charter company or with your GlobeSailor advisor before you leave, so you can fully enjoy this natural gem of the Mediterranean without any administrative stress.
