Find Your Ideal Yacht in Sardinia Sailing Region
Why is Sardinia Popular Among Sailors?
Sardinia is a popular yacht charter destination for skilled sailors who enjoy more challenging sailing experiences. The dominant wind is the northwest mistral that blows with intensity in the famous Strait of Bonifacio.
Renting a yacht or chartering a catamaran in Sardinia are excellent ways to discover the beauty of the island since Sardinia offers almost 40 marinas, many ports and anchorages for sailors to choose from. The island's north-east area offers an excellent boating infrastructure with modern and comfortable marinas, most of which are in the northeast (Golfo Aranci near Olbia and Palau) and south (Cagliari).
Sardinia offers a variety of options for sailors; the most popular sailing areas are the northeast and northwest coasts of Portisco and Alghero. However, it's worth noting that July and August are the busiest and most expensive months to charter a yacht in Sardinia, with the highest mooring fees. A highly popular choice among sailors is to rent a boat and sail around the La Maddalena islands, which offers numerous options for anchoring. Additionally, one can also sail to Corsica. For those looking for more affordable boat rental options in Sardinia, yachts are also available in the south of Sardinia, in the Cagliari area, which tends to be less busy during peak season and generally more cost-effective. Moreover, for those who wish to avoid mooring fees, Sardinia offers an abundance of anchorages to choose from.
Yacht Charter in Sardinia
Charter a yacht in Sardinia, the second-largest island in the Mediterranean and home to the most exclusive beach resort in Italy. Visit Costa Smeralda, destination as glamorous as it is expensive. It is also a perfect sailing spot for everyone who wants to explore Sardinia's stunning north-eastern shore. Marinas at Costa Smeralda can get very crowded during summer so book a berth in advance if you put in your Sardinia sailing itinerary.
Yacht charter in Sardinia is available throughout the whole island. While sailing in the north, you can visit the French Corsica, lying just across the Strait of Bonifacio. The western and eastern coasts are better suited to experienced sailors, so charter a skippered yacht in Sardinia and get a deeper insight into the diverse nature and rich culture. If you're searching for an easy cruise and a quiet holiday, book a bareboat charter on the Sardinian southern coast.
Best Places to Visit in Sardinia
Deciding which destinations to visit in Sardinia for your yacht charter vacation is not an easy task. Take a look at the some of the area’s highlights and start planning your itinerary!
Cagliari is the island’s capital located in the south. The Castello or Castle district is the oldest and highest part of the city that offers magnificent views of the entire Gulf of Cagliari. The city also has many interesting sights and attractions, from archaeological treasures to medieval monuments.
On the northwest coast of Sardinia lies Alghero. This small, pretty city has ancient architecture that displays its Catalan past. Sardinia’s second largest city, Sassari, is bursting with art, culture and classic architecture. Castelsardo is a picturesque town perched high on the hill. This medieval fortress is full of history and wonder.
For a real Sardinia feel, visit the small inland city, Nuoro, located in central eastern Sardinia on the slopes of Monte Ortobene. If you are into hiking, there is a popular trail Punta La Marmora whose summit stands at 1 834 m (6017 ft), the highest peak of the island.
The highlight of the island - Emerald Coast or the Costa Smeralda is both charming and unique. It offers the most perfect sailing spot for everyone who wants to explore Sardinia’s stunning northeastern shore. Even if all beaches around Sardinia are gorgeous, be sure to enjoy the turquoise water of Principe beach (Spiaggia del Principe) or Cala Brandinchi. Cala di Volpe is said to be the nicest beach on Costa Smeralda.
The Maddalena Archipelago is a group of seven major islands in the Strait of Bonifacio: La Maddalena Island, Caprera Island, Budelli Island, Santa Maria, Spargi, Santo Stefano and Razzoli, plus numerous small islets. The archipelago is famous for its beautiful sandy beaches, clear waters and unique coves, making them excellent for those who want to enjoy unspoiled nature at its finest. Note that as it is a national park, it is necessary to request a permit to be allowed to sail in the park.
Important Info for Sailing in Sardinia Sailing Region
Best time to sail
April – October
Most popular marinas
Cala dei Sardi, Cannigione, Marina di Portisco, Marina di Porto Rotondo, Cagliari, Carloforte
Nearest Airports
Alghero-Fertilia (AHO), Cagliari Elmas (CAG), Olbia Costa Smeralda (OLB)
Number of charter yachts
350+
Popular regattas
Georgio Armani Superyacht Regatta, Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup – Porto Cervo
Top attractions
Cagliari, The Emerald Coast, Nuraghe Su Nuraxi, La Maddalena Archipelago, Grotta di Nettuno
Gastronomy Highlights of Sardinia Sailing Region
When on your Sardinian yacht charter vacation, be sure to get a taste of local cuisine that reflects the island's history and geography, with influences from the Sardinian people, as well as the Phoenicians, Romans, Byzantines, and Spanish. Sardinian cuisine is known for its use of fresh, local ingredients, including seafood, lamb, pork, and cheeses made from sheep's milk.
One of the most popular dishes in Sardinian cuisine is porceddu, which is a slow-roasted suckling pig that is often cooked over an open fire. Cullurgiones are large, stuffed pasta pockets filled with potato, cheese, and mint. Seadas are fried dough balls filled with cheese and served with honey. Pane carasau is a type of thin, crispy flatbread. Suppa cuata is a hearty lamb stew. Malloreddus are small, gnocchi-like dumplings made with semolina flour and served with tomato sauce.
Sardinian cuisine also features a variety of seafood dishes, such as "bottarga," which is dried and cured fish roe, and "zuppa di pesce," which is a seafood stew made with a variety of fish, shellfish, and vegetables.
In addition to these dishes, Sardinian cuisine is also known for its wide variety of cheeses, including pecorino sardo, which is a hard, sheep's milk cheese, and casu marzu, which is a soft, fermented cheese that is traditionally made with live maggots.
