An island with landscape and history
Santa Maria lies in the north of the archipelago, separated from Razzoli by the Passo degli Asinelli. The Park describes it as the group’s flattest island and traces a medieval Benedictine community there to 1238. These details help explain its appeal, but they are not directions or permission to visit.
The Park page mentions Cala Santa Maria and a route towards the monastery remains and the Church of the Assumption. That is a general description, not confirmation that the beach, landing point or trail is open after recent events. Before building an itinerary around it, look for an operational update that applies to your planned date.
The fire changes the planning decision
On 11 September 2026, the Park reported a serious fire on Santa Maria and asked operators and boaters to stay away while firefighting was under way. In a follow-up update on 14 September, the authority said assessments were continuing to understand the environmental impact and plan next steps.
Those notices document the emergency and subsequent work, but they do not by themselves tell you which access points are open today. Do not infer reopening because firefighting ended, and do not treat an older tourism page as authorization. Search for a recent Park notice; if it does not clearly answer your question, contact the authority or operator before arranging a landing.
Questions to ask before you book
If you are considering a boat excursion, ask whether it only passes offshore or includes a stop, landing or walk. Ask which current official notice supports the itinerary, what happens if access is restricted and what alternative is offered. The answer should apply to your actual travel date, not to a previous season.
On a private boat, check the Park permits that apply to navigation, mooring, anchoring and stopping. A boating ticket, when required, regulates activities at sea; it is not general permission to go ashore or walk island trails. If you cannot verify that a landing is allowed, plan another day that does not depend on access to land.
Keep a cautious alternative
Treat Santa Maria as a conditional stop, not the guaranteed centrepiece of a day out. If access is not confirmed, choose another activity on La Maddalena or Caprera and check their rules and openings as well. This gives you a workable plan if new information arrives without putting pressure on the crew or Park staff.
If the authority confirms a specific access route, follow only the route it names and respect any barriers. After a fire, protecting soil and vegetation needs particular care. Bring water and sun protection for outdoor activities, but do not set off on inland roads or trails mentioned only in generic pages. Make the final decision from the latest notice and local instructions.
Frequently asked questions
Is Santa Maria open to visitors after the fire?
The Park’s notices of 11 and 14 September 2026 report the fire and follow-up assessments, but do not confirm the current status of every access point. Check the newest notices and ask the Park before travelling.
Can I book a landing or walk to the church?
Do not rely on the older landscape page, which describes a beach and route but does not confirm conditions after the fire. Ask whether landing and walking are explicitly allowed on your date; a boating permit does not guarantee access to land.