Setting sail on a journey through Italy’s Tyrrhenian Sea, exploring the captivating world of Sardinia, is like embarking on an adventure in a Mediterranean paradise. The calm waters that flow between the islands and along the stunning Emerald Coast provide plenty of opportunities to relish the delights of sailing. In the midst of this, you can also take some time ashore to savor the local cuisine, relax with a cocktail at a charming café, and immerse yourself in the marvels of Sardinia.
A sailing adventure in Sardinia unveils the captivating Mediterranean landscape, a blend of wild and luxurious, serene and lively, understated yet thrilling. Your onshore journeys will lead you to the sophisticated resort havens of Porto Cervo and Porto Rotondo, nestled on the Emerald Coast of Sardinia, a sanctuary for Europe’s elite. Here, modern marinas and upscale amenities define the experience. Meanwhile, the Maddalena Islands reveal a Sardinia that time forgot, with rugged cliffs, windswept beaches, secluded bays, and an aura of the 19th century. This is the essence of a Sardinia yacht charter—an enticing blend of stimulation and indulgence, a soothing balm for the soul that’s hard to replicate elsewhere.
Marina di Olbia (Google Maps)
Join our expert crew aboard a spacious boat and immerse yourself in an extraordinary sailing experience amidst the stunning landscapes of Sardinia. Every morning, we’ll sail for about 1 hour. Your Sardinia sailing voyage navigates the captivating Maddalena Archipelago National Park and Marine Reserve, and the world-renowned Emerald Coast, celebrated for its pristine beaches, hidden coves, and countless bays.
In June, you’ll be graced by gentle and warm northwest winds, typically blowing at speeds ranging from 8 to 12 knots. Each day, the combination of land and sea breezes paints a beautiful picture of your journey. As the day progresses, you can expect a shift in the winds to come from the south. The summer weather here usually ranges between 25°C and 32°C, ensuring a pleasant and sunny experience.
Both the archipelago and the main islands provide enchanting cruising grounds and onshore activities. Here, you can seamlessly merge boutique shopping, fine dining, and vibrant nightlife in chic ports like Porto Cervo and Porto Rotondo with the serene and scenic beauty of the mostly uninhabited Maddalena Islands. Most importantly, the sailing in these waters is sublime, with favorable winds on most days.
Olbia is a perfect starting point of your sailing vacation in Sardinia. Meet your yacht crew at the marina and settle into your beautiful boat. After you have taken a tour of the yacht which will be your home for the next eight days, and unpacked, we will head out for dinner to the historic heart of the city.
Corso Umberto is the heart of the city. It is a busy street lined with shops leading to the beach. At the top of a hill, it leads to Piazza Margherita, the city’s hub.
Porto Cervo, nestled in a picturesque inlet, stands as a modern haven shaped by visionary entrepreneurs who aimed to establish Sardinia’s northeast coast as a luxury retreat. It has exceeded expectations. The harbor, often called the centerpiece of the Emerald Coast, boasts four- and five-star resorts, designer boutiques, upscale dining, and exclusive nightclubs. The village lies in Porto Vecchio, on the southeastern side of the harbor, while the Porto Cervo Spa, with its top-notch yachting facilities, graces the northern side. Access to amenities is easy, as the entire complex isn’t vast. Porto Cervo shines as the gem of the sprawling 7,500-acre Costa Smeralda development, home to an array of private villas. Sailing in Porto Cervo’s waters combines scenic beauty with lavish indulgence.
Porto Cervo’s landscape, adorned with peach, cream, and white stucco structures crowned by red terracotta-tiled roofs, exudes a distinct Mediterranean charm. The Piazzetta, or village square, is a car-free hub at the heart of the port. The surrounding restaurants and cafes offer culinary excellence, while the nightclubs come alive with live music and lively dance beats after dark. Porto Cervo’s pristine white-sand shores stretch for miles on either side of the harbor.
Caprera Island remains largely undeveloped, prioritizing natural beauty over tourism. Flocks of royal seagulls, cormorants, and solitary peregrine falcons grace the skies. The 695-foot Monte Tejalone dominates the island’s interior, casting its shadow over neighboring Maddalena and its lesser peaks. Beaches, coves, and bays abound, making a voyage around Caprera Island a true delight.
A visit to the Garibaldi Museum stands out as a highlight of your Caprera sailing experience. Exploring the hills and the vast stretches of beaches offers boundless delight. For the adventurous hikers, a trek along the dam road connecting Caprera to Maddalena provides a unique experience, as if you’re walking on water. Caprera also shines as one of Italy’s premier scuba diving destinations, with dive excursions available to explore Roman shipwrecks and the vibrant marine life in the area’s seabed, rich with red sea fans and colorful aquatic inhabitants.
Sailing in the waters around Maddalena Island transports you into a pristine natural realm of unparalleled beauty. Rocky, rugged islands surround you, their white sails contrasting boldly against the azure sea as sleek vessels gracefully ride the steady northwesterly winds. Nestled in the island’s lees, you’ll discover picturesque and sheltered coves and bays. The port of Cala Gavetta, the main harbor, boasts a small town with shops, restaurants, and bars. Here, you can opt for a touch of civilization, albeit in a laid-back and rustic fashion, or embrace the untamed natural beauty that the marine park offers, by venturing to the bays and coves along this 12-square-mile gem of the Tyrrhenian Sea.
Much like Caprera, exploring the numerous coves and bays ranks high on the list of Maddalena’s attractions. The area excels in swimming and snorkeling, and it’s also one of Italy’s top scuba diving spots. Spend time in the charming port of Gavetta, meandering along narrow streets and perusing shops offering local artisan crafts, jewelry, and other treasures. Savoring dinner at one of the cozy cafes or restaurants, or enjoying a cocktail on your yacht in a scenic anchorage, is the perfect way to relish the delights of Maddalena.
Sailing in the waters of Cannigione immerses you in the Gulf of Arzachena, nestled along the northeast coast of Sardinia. The gulf, resembling a fjord, offers breathtaking beauty, with rocky hills flanking each side, creating a dramatic yet picturesque backdrop to the shimmering Tyrrhenian Sea. We will anchor for the day on the gulf’s west side near the port of Cannigione, is a gateway to a small, tranquil resort town exuding a laid-back ambiance distinct from the bustling Porto Cervo.
Cannigione lies about an hour’s drive from Olbia, a major community in northern Sardinia, and is in close proximity to the Emerald Coast and the Gallura mountains. Along the waterfront, you’ll encounter a variety of intriguing shops and excellent restaurants. A delightful beach within walking distance beckons for a refreshing swim or a leisurely day of relaxation amid stunning scenery. Journeying to the end of the gulf reveals a lagoon-like setting, surrounded by lush green fields, and graced by a charming village on the shore. Renting a car to explore the nearby archaeological sites of Arzachena offers an intriguing glimpse into northern Sardinia’s history.
Mortorio Island and its neighboring Soffi Island are among the smaller isles within the Maddalena Archipelago National Park and Marine Reserve. Conveniently reachable from Porto Rotondo or Porto Cervo, these uninhabited, windswept, and rugged islands offer a haven for seabirds, where you can marvel at their graceful flight over sandy shores. Beyond, the imposing cliffs of the Sardinian coast captivate with breathtaking grandeur.
Sailing in Mortorio waters introduces you to the untamed side of the Emerald Coast, where nature reigns supreme. Embarking on shore explorations to observe wildlife and ascend the hills for panoramic views promises an enchanting afternoon. Packing a picnic lunch and a chilled bottle of wine enhances the experience. The extensive beaches on both islands invite you for swimming, snorkeling, and sunbathing.
Visiting Porto Rotondo is akin to revisiting Porto Cervo, but it possesses its unique blend of nautical allure and upscale charm, offering a slightly more intimate ambiance. Some of Europe’s finest artists have lent their talents to design notable structures here, making sailing in Porto Rotondo’s waters an unforgettable experience. The extensive white-sand beaches are another major draw, offering a plethora of water sports. Rental cars are available for exploring inland attractions, such as the Li Muri Necropolis and the Tomb of the Giants of Li Loughi.
Porto Rotondo’s village sprawls along the shores of the cove, picturesque and unmistakably upscale. A stroll to the town center leads you to public squares, with San Marco Square constructed from locally quarried granite, a testament to the sculptor Andrea Cascella’s genius. The Church of St. Lorenzo, itself an architectural masterpiece, houses over 2,000 wooden sculptures crafted by Mario Cerioli during his seven-year endeavor. Enjoy live musical performances in the grand granite amphitheater if you’re fortunate enough to attend one.
On this day, it’s time to return to Olbia to pack your memories and disembark from the boat. Before you set sail, take a moment to reflect on the incredible journey through the Mediterranean paradise of Sardinia, where nature’s beauty and luxurious indulgence intertwine to create an unforgettable experience.
