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Sardinia Sailing Itinerary

White Sandy Beaches And Crystal Clear Waters

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Aerial view of a white sand beach and clear bay with yachts at anchor

Sardinia Sailing Itinerary

Sardinia has some of the most magnificent beaches you’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 Orosei’s coves, where sheer cliffs ensure seclusion or sail to La Maddalena’s cluster of granite islands. The island is also a culinary paradise, with great varieties of pasta, bread and Dolci,  its wines (Vermentino whites, Cannonau reds) and cheeses.

Our Sardinia sailing itinerary 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.

Our Sardinia sailing itinerary covers 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!

Clear shallow water off a wooded shore with a steep island peak beyond
  • Getting There Our Sardinia sailing itinerary begins in 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). 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.  The local area tends to be windy due to it's proximity to a number of high wind paths.

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Quick Navigation

  1. Day 1 - Portisco Marina
  2. Day 2 - Tavolara Island
  3. Day 3 - Caprera Island
  4. Day 4 - Bonifacio
  5. Day 5 - Budelli
  6. Day 6 - Maddalena
  7. Day 7 - Olbia Town

Sardinia Sailing Itinerary From Portisco Marina To Olbia Town

The Route

Day by day

  1. Day 1

    Day 1

    Portisco Marina

    Portisco's natural harbour 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

    Check The Weather In Sardinia

  2. Day 2

    Day 2

    Portisco Marina → Tavolara Island (15 NM)

    Day 2 of our Sardinia sailing itinerary takes you to 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.

  3. Day 3

    Day 3

    Tavolara Island→ Caprera Island (22 NM)

    The Caprera Island, 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 picturesque 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, buoys 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

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  4. Day 4

    Day 4

    Caprera Island → Bonifacio (22 NM)

    Bonifacio - The strait between Bonifacio and Sardinia is one of the windiest locations in the Mediterranean in our Sardinia 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

  5. Day 5

    Day 5

    Bonifacio → 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 you’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.

    Sardinia Yacht Charter Guide

  6. Day 6

    Day 6

    Budelli → 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

  7. Day 7

    Day 7

    Maddalena→ 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,  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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Got A Burning Question About Sardinia Sailing Itinerary?

Where Charters Went Around Sardinia

63 charter yachts tracked by AIS made more than 660 round trips in the unfinished 2026 season to 8 October, with north-east and south Sardinia records shown separately. These are past trips, not a forecast, from yachts transmitting AIS.

Round Trips From North-East Sardinia

Calanque de la Catena appeared on 40% of trips, Cala Renella on 34% and Cannigione on 15%. Il Pevero was the most common first night at 9%, while Cala Renella led last nights at 9%. The furthest straight-line point from base was 20 to 40 nm on 71% of trips.

Past trips from Sardinia north-east: Portisco, Olbia, Cannigione and La Maddalena can help you weigh up where to sail.

12345678910
Place names © OpenStreetMap contributors
Charter areaSardinia north-east: Portisco, Olbia, Cannigione and La Maddalena

Where trips from Sardinia north-east: Portisco, Olbia, Cannigione and La Maddalena went

Overnight stopTrips %
  1. 1 Calanque de la Catena 40
  2. 2 Cala Renella 34
  3. 3 Cannigione 15
  4. 4 Porto Palma 15
  5. 5 Cala Portese 14
  6. 6 Il Pevero 14
  7. 7 Porto Madonna 13
  8. 8 Côte Accore 11
  9. 9 Golfe de Sant'Amanza 11
  10. 10 Cala di Volpe 10

Marked places have limited evidence. Their figures may change as more trips are recorded.

2026 season to 8 October (not finished).

Destination Groups

  • South Corsica (Bonifacio, Propriano, Porto-Vecchio) + La Maddalena and the Strait of Bonifacio 29%
  • La Maddalena and the Strait of Bonifacio + Costa Smeralda and Olbia 22%
  • La Maddalena and the Strait of Bonifacio 22%
  • South Corsica (Bonifacio, Propriano, Porto-Vecchio) + La Maddalena and the Strait of Bonifacio + Costa Smeralda and Olbia 9%
  • Costa Smeralda and Olbia 7%
  • South Corsica (Bonifacio, Propriano, Porto-Vecchio) 4%
  • Other or mixed 7%

Furthest From Base

  • under 20 nm 23%
  • 20 to 40 nm 71%
  • 40 to 60 nm 5%
  • over 60 nm 2%

The furthest point reached on each trip, measured in a straight line from base in nautical miles. This is not the distance sailed.

First Night Stops

  1. Il Pevero 9%
  2. Porto Palma 7%
  3. Porto Oro 7%

Last Night Stops

  1. Cala Renella 9%
  2. Cannigione 6%
  3. Porto Palma 5%
How We Worked This Out

Boats at sea broadcast their position through AIS, a ship-tracking system. We combine the overnight stops of many charter boats based in Sardinia north-east: Portisco, Olbia, Cannigione and La Maddalena, so the figures describe the whole area and never one boat. Distances are measured in a straight line from base.

Aggregated AIS ship-tracking data for the sailing area. No individual boat is shown, and these patterns do not predict future routes.

Cagliari and South Sardinia Departures

Pula and Perda Longa led the overnight ranking, with Perda Longa appearing on 35% of trips and Porto di Carloforte on 24%. Marina Piccola was the most common first night, while Marina di Villasimius and Pula shared the last-night lead. The furthest straight-line point from base stayed under 40 nm on 100% of recorded trips.

Past trips from Sardinia, Cagliari and the south can help you weigh up where to sail.

12345678910
Place names © OpenStreetMap contributors
Charter areaSardinia, Cagliari and the south

Where trips from Sardinia, Cagliari and the south went

Overnight stopTrips %
  1. 1 Pula 35
  2. 2 Perda Longa 35
  3. 3 Marina di Villasimius 32
  4. 4 Porto Pino 27
  5. 5 Porto di Carloforte 24
  6. 6 Marina Piccola 24
  7. 7 Porto Zafferano 22
  8. 8 Carloforte Sifredi 19
  9. 9 Portu Larboi / Porto Larboi 16
  10. 10 Porto di Teulada 11

Marked places have limited evidence. Their figures may change as more trips are recorded.

2026 season to 8 October (not finished).

Destination Groups

  • South Sardinia (Cagliari and Costa Rei) 68%
  • South Sardinia (Cagliari and Costa Rei) + Sant'Antioco and Carloforte 32%

Furthest From Base

  • under 40 nm 100%

The furthest point reached on each trip, measured in a straight line from base in nautical miles. This is not the distance sailed.

First Night Stops

  1. Marina Piccola 22%
  2. Pula 19%
  3. Perda Longa 13%

Last Night Stops

  1. Marina di Villasimius 19%
  2. Pula 19%
  3. Perda Longa 16%
How We Worked This Out

Boats at sea broadcast their position through AIS, a ship-tracking system. We combine the overnight stops of many charter boats based in Sardinia, Cagliari and the south, so the figures describe the whole area and never one boat. Distances are measured in a straight line from base.

Aggregated AIS ship-tracking data for the sailing area. No individual boat is shown, and these patterns do not predict future routes.

Choosing Your Sardinia Base and Route

Compare the north-east destination groups around La Maddalena and the Strait of Bonifacio with the south's Cagliari and Carloforte pattern. Il Pevero gives you a common opening to check in the north-east, and Marina Piccola in the south.

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