The Southern Maddalena Islands...

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Sea Kayaking Excursions in Sardinia...

Sometimes the best adventures are right on your doorstep. I felt this back when I lived in Wales and I fell it here too! Sardinia is an amazing place to live and I'm very lucky to have such stunning locations to paddle so close to home. The start point for this trip is just ten minutes from home and the trip itself is quite an adventure!

I launch from a place called the Cozza, which translates as Mussels and there is a shallow Bay here where they are harvested. The Cozza is also the place where me and Melissa started and finished our kayak circumvavigation of Sardinia two years ago. Its a special place for us.

The conditions were lovely for early January! It's quite mild in Winter here but not always. As I write this now a few days later it is colder and I can see snow in the mountains. A big change from the 40 degree heat that I have experienced here in Summer!

As the islands come into sight we settle into our thoughts, chatting intermittently during the one hour crossing.

First landfall on Isola di Soffi with a view of mainland Sardinia in the distance.

The Jellyfish were everywhere today and a pleasure to see. They are known as Mauve Stingers Pelagia Noctiluca. Their pretty harmless but do give an uncomfortable sting!

The islands form a chain for Island hopping and from the Northern side of Soffi the view of the islands opens up.

As we approach Isola di Mortorio we take time to look at the wonderful view of the Golfo Aranci in the distance.

Here we can see the furthest point of the trip, Rocce Mortorio, some 5 miles offshore from the mainland using our route though only 2½ miles if we paddled further north.

It's small and split into two rocks and feels like a very special place to me.

This is the view back from Rocce Mortorio to the main Island of Mortorio.

We stopped for a quick beach clean on the Eastern end of Mortorio.

Time for lunch and we stop at Roley Poley Bay, (Our name for it) on the island of Le Camere. We named it this as Milly did her first Eskimo roll here a few years back :)

It's quite a spot!

After a good long rest in the lovely Roley Poley Bay we begin the long paddle back to the mainland with smiles on our faces :)

We run this trip as one of our kayak excursions when the weather is good. Get in touch and come join us!

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Sea kayaking Excursions in Sardinia...

Maddalena Islands Camping Adventure...

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Sea Kayaking Excursions in Sardinia...

I love winter here in Sardinia! I work as a kayak guide on this extraordinary coastline but I tend to only get work from April to October. So in the winter I have to opportunity to kayak just for myself and explore the places I love best! This is what led me to Palau on the 27th of December for a paddle around the Maddalena Islands on the North East of Sardinia.

Despite being late December the weather was extraordinary! I have been working here in Sardinia for three years now but this is my first winter here and I'm loving how good the weather is as opposed to my native Wales!

From Palau I follow the coast to the lighthouse at Punta Sardegna before heading offshore to the Island of Spargi.

On arrival I'm immediately surrounded by the amazing rock formations that make this such a special place for me!

I stop on a lovely beach that I know after paddling an hour and twenty minutes from Palau.

Amazingly I'm greeted by a Cinghiale, a very rare and privileged experience!

From Isola di Spargi I paddle North and head for the Island of Budelli for my first nights camp.

In the morning I (above) I look towards Corsica and see beautiful cloud formations over the mountains in the pre dawn light.

My camp spot is a little piece of Paradise!

I'm up early as I plan to kayak around both Budelli and Isola di Razzoli today, as well as the small islands East of Santa Maria. There's a map at the end of this post :)

Isola di Razzoli has some quite incredible rock formations that are a joy to see! And from the lighthouse (above) your only about two hours kayaking from the Corsican Island of Lavezzi and from there close to mainland Corsica.

I climb a hill on Isola di Razzoli to look at view and where my route will take me next. Above, I'm looking East towards Isola Santa Maria and behind that Isolotti Barrettinelli di Fuori, Isolotti Corcelli, Isola Piana, Isola Barrettinelli, Isolotti Barrettinelli and in the far distance Isola La Maddalena. Its a playground out here, it really is!!!

Looking down at my parked kayak :)

Here I have reached the tiny rock of Isolotti Barrettinelli di Fuori.

Later that day I reach the stunning Isola Giardinelli. It's actually part of the main island of La Maddalena, joined by a very short bridge.

It's a spectacular place to camp with views of Isola di Caprera just over a kilometre away.

I had a peaceful night but found it strange as I could see the lights of Maddalena n the distance. I also saw footprints in the sand that told me that a Cinghiale came very close to my tent as I slept!

I packed very early, keen to get back in my kayak and paddle the calm sea's.

From my camp I paddled across to Caprera and along the Island to Punta Coda to start my crossing back to the mainland at Capo Dorso (Above).

Capo Dorso has some very striking rock formation that are wonderful to explore in a kayak. From the lighthouse it is just a short paddle back to Palau and my car but I take my time and make the most of it!

So here is a map of my route. It's not a huge trip but I started at midday on the 27th of December and finished at midday on the 29th. Not to mention had a wonderful time which is the point after all :)

Till next time!

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Sea Kayaking Excursions in Sardinia...

Isola di Spargi e Spargiotto...

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Sea Kayaking Excursions in Sardinia...

Isola di Spargi is one of my favourite paddles in the Maddalena Archipelago and it's even better in winter when the tourist boats have gone! It makes for a very special sea kayak excursion here in Sardinia but it's a long and committing trip so we only take clients with experience of kayaking around the island.

I start the trip at the lovely beach in Palau. I'm the only person there! :)

I do however have to wait for the ferry to leave first.

I follow the coast initially,

Before heading offshore, into the serenity of the open sea.

A playground for adventure! I can see Spargi on the left, Maddalena on the right and Barrettinelli & Corcelli in the distance. Also in the area are Caprera, Budelli, Santa Maria, Razzoli and San Stefano as well as Corsica being just a short 2-3 hour paddle away! So many options for the adventurous soul.

I stop for a short rest after the crossing at Spiaggia di Cala Corsare. 

Getting back underway reveals a coastline of natural sculptures, rock gaps and a turquoise sea. It's like paddling in a holiday brochure!

I eye up Spargiotto longingly as I've not paddled there before. If you look to the left of the island you can see Bonifacio (Corsica) quite clearly. For another day :)

The Mediterranean Walrus.

A closer view of the stunning rock formations on Spargiotto. I couldn't resist going there! When George Mallory said "Because it's there" he made on of the most profound quotes in Human history, that defines us as a specie, following no logic other than our own curiosity.

Posing on the northeast of Spargi with Budelli in the distance.

Another beach, another amazing view!

I stopped at the lovely Spiaggia Cala Granara & I've not been the only animal there.

These are the footprints of a chinghiali (Wild Boar).

And these prints I suspect were a Donnola (Least Weasel).

My own footprints however, led back to the sea and were lost to Poseidon's realm as I headed back to the mainland after an exceptional day!

If you would like to do this yourself then just get in touch at

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Sea Kayaking Excursions in Sardinia...