If you've seen a photo of the La Maddalena archipelago with water so shallow and clear it looks like a swimming pool, it was probably taken at Porto della Madonna. It's one of the most iconic — and most photographed — spots in the whole national park, and there's only one way to see it: by boat.
Where it is
Porto della Madonna is the narrow, extremely shallow sandbar that separates the islands of Budelli and Razzoli, in the northern part of the archipelago. It isn't a beach in the usual sense — it's a strip of white sand submerged under just a few centimetres of turquoise water, which is exactly where its informal nickname, "natural pool," comes from.
Why it's so special
The extremely shallow seabed and bright white sand create an almost surreal optical effect: the water shifts from emerald green to bright turquoise, and it's one of the few places in the archipelago where you can literally stand in the middle of open water.
How to visit
As part of the La Maddalena National Park, Porto della Madonna is a protected area: boats anchor at a safe distance, and guests reach the shallow sandbar by tender or by swimming. The park's rules exist precisely to protect the sand and seabed that make it unique — well worth respecting so it stays this way for everyone who comes after.
Pair it with the Pink Beach
Porto della Madonna sits just a short sail from Budelli's Pink Beach — it's common for a single day tour to include both, two of the archipelago's most iconic stops.
⛵ Want to see it for yourself? Check available dates.
Read also: Spiaggia Rosa di Budelli: come visitarla · La Maddalena sailing tour
