Sardinia Sailing Itinerary

White Sandy Beaches and Crystal Clear Waters

Sardinia Sailing Itinerary

Sardinia has some of the most magnificent beaches youโ€™ll find in Europe. The sand has that beautiful white colour that you can mostly find in the Caribbean and the sea the bluest blue. Costa Smeralda with its scalloped bays is the ideal place to drop anchor and swim in the crystal clear emerald waters. Play castaway on the Golfo di Oroseiโ€™s coves, where sheer cliffs ensure seclusion or sail to La Maddalenaโ€™s cluster of granite islands. The island is also a culinary paradise, with great varieties of pasta, bread and Dolci,ย ย its wines (Vermentino whites, Cannonau reds) and cheeses.

Ourย Sardinia sailing itineraryย will help you get the most out of your trip. Sardinia is an island with an amazing coastline, puzzling history and heritage, exceptional cuisine and wine. Sardinia captivates with its wild interior, dazzling beaches and endearing eccentricities.

Our Guide to our Sardinia Sailing Itinerary

There is no better way to discover the real Sardinia than sailing; the most beautiful beaches and bays of the Costa Smeralda wait for you to explore them. Either you prefer a flotilla or a bareboat charter, this itinerary is the ideal one to follow, to discover the hidden beauties of the island.

Ourย Sardinia sailing itinerary coversย the best areas to explore, starting from Portisco. You will visit many islands and will go North, up to Bonifacio in Corsica and then return to Portisco, after visiting, of course, the beautiful city of Olbia. Bon Vent!

  • Getting There

    Our Sardinia sailing itinerary begins inย Portisco Marina which is located in the beautiful Costa Smeralda bay, just between Porto Cervo and Porto Rotondo. If you fly to Olbia Costa Smeralda Airport (OLB), this airport has regular flights to and from Milan and Rome in Italy, and seasonally to the UK, Austria, germany, Spain, and many more European courites, where you can connect to other places in the world. You can easily find transfers from the airport to the marina as it’s only 10 minutes away. It is a natural Green Bay and is ideal for sailing as there are a variety of services and facilities in a warm and welcoming environment.

  • Mooring

    During high season – from mid-July to late August – the sailing area between Corsica and Sardinia becomes over-crowded. The mooring fees can be very high during this season, especially in Costa Smeralda, with Porto Cervo taking the prize for the highest charges in the world (several hundred euros overnight for a 10m yacht).ย Away from the Costa Smeralda, marinas offer much more value and this actually makes them busier all summer long – we suggest that you book your place in advance.

  • Weather

    Sardinia has a typical Mediterranean climate, with warm summer which averages between 20 and 30-degree Celsius. ย The local area tends to be windy due to it’s proximity to a number of high wind paths.

Sardinia Sailing Itinerary From Portisco Marina to Olbia Town

Day 1

Portisco Marina

Portisco’s natural harbourย is situated at the southernmost end of Costa Smeralda, which is often referred to as the Emerald Coast. The area is beautiful with bright blue waters backed by rolling hills. It provides boats with shelter from the strong Mediterranean currents and winds thanks to its inland location. This makes it a great starting marina for your sailing trip in Sardinia. You will find all the basic facilities you will need, along with a small range of shops and restaurants.

Overnight Anchorage: Portisco Marina has 589 mornings, with a fixed rope or cable to the harbour wall, which is also attached to a mooring chain.

Book In Advance: VHF Channel 69 or +39 (0)789 33520

Day 2

Portisco Marina โ†’ Tavolara Island (15 NM)

Day 2 of our Sardinia sailing itinerary takes you toย Tavolara Island, which is a tiny strip of land, but it’s one of the best-kept secrets in the Mediterranean. Found along the east coast of Sardinia, the island is a natural paradise, which is only inhabited by a small number of families, who have kept it free of hotels and touristic attractions. The island’s steep cliffs, coves, marine reserve, nature reserve and spectacular scuba diving make it a unique place to visit. There is a locally appointed king, one restaurant, one bar and a beach.

Overnight Anchorage: Anchorages are available on the north shore of the island, where the park has placed specific buoys to mark the sandy seabed, which is suitable for anchoring.

Day 3

Tavolara Islandโ†’ Caprera Island (22 NM)

The Caprera Island,ย bought by the famous Giuseppe Garibaldi, is a national monument. His house is now a museum, located at Porto Garibaldi and it is open to visitors all year round. The village is very picturesqueย and the locals are known for their hospitality.

Overnight Anchorage: Porto Palma is located at the southernmost end of the island, which is the perfect anchoring spot, sheltered from the wind. In the eastern side of the bay, buoysย are installed to mark anchorage spots. Alternatively, Centro Velico Caprera is a small jetty located at the head of the bay, with a small number of moorings.

Book in Advance: Centro Velico Caprera +39 (0)789 738529

Day 4

Caprera Island โ†’ Bonifacio (22 NM)

Bonifacio –ย The strait between Bonifacio and Sardinia is one of the windiest locations in the Mediterranean in our Sardiniaย sailing itinerary, due to the strong winds that funnel between the two islands. But this shouldn’t put you off, of course – your arrival at Bonifacio will be incredible. It is said to be one of the most spectacular natural harbours in the Mediterranean, along with the islands idyllic beaches and we strongly recommend visiting the island.

Overnight Anchorage: Bonifacio has a marina which has 450 berths. Boats should moor bow or stern-to at the concrete pillars of pier B or C on the starboard side.

Book in Advance: VHF Channel 9 or call +33 495 731007

Day 5

Bonifacio โ†’ Budelli (13 NM)

Budelli is well known for its pink sandy beaches and is one of the most beautiful islands in the Mediterranean. The pink colour was created from the corals which have been smashed by the sea over the years. The island is now heavily protected and uninhabited to ensure that this miracle of nature will be preserved for future visitors. Here youโ€™ll find some great anchorages, especially around the southern part of the island.

Overnight Anchorage: Overnight anchorage is available on the south side of Passo Cecca di Morto, which is well protected, with a small number of moorings available.

Day 6

Budelli โ†’ Maddalena (3 NM)

Maddalena is the largest island and busiest island in the Maddalena archipelago. Cala Gavetta is the main port and of course the most touristic. Maddalena is a protected National Park, with some of the most picturesque beaches in the surrounding area, along with rocky granitic terrain and a small number of ancient forts to explore and discover.

Overnight Anchorage: Cala Gavetta is a 130 berth marina, with all the amenities required for a great nights stay.

Book in Advance: VHF Channel 74 or +39 (0)789 730121

Day 7

Maddalenaโ†’ Olbia Town (16 NM)

Our Sardinia sailing itinerary ends in Olbia Town, which is beautiful and picturesque, but the majority of people overlook it. You should walk around the historic centre and discover the boutiques, fine wine bars, ย cafes and pizza restaurants. The town is also home to the San Aimplicio basilica and historic squares to discover such as the Piazza Matteotti.

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