Yacht charter in Sardinia – Costa Smeralda and beyond
When sailing in Sardinia, you have many options to choose from with stunning cruising terrains. The scenery is beautiful, the food delicious, and the people exceptionally friendly. It’s no wonder this island is so popular with stars and celebrities. The Costa Smeralda and the Archipelago of La Maddalena are among the most sought-after rental areas in the world. Come spend a boat vacation in style!
What makes yacht charter in Sardinia so popular?
Sardinia is the second largest island in the Mediterranean Sea. Its convenient location in the middle of the Mediterranean and the mild climate make it a premier sailing destination. In addition, it has a beautiful landscape with steep cliffs and red rocks along with simple and authentic culture and cuisine.
Fortunately, Sardinia is very easy to get to. It has three airports: Cagliari in the south, Alghero in the northwest and Olbia in the northeast. The main ports are Cagliari, Olbia and Porto Torres. There are ferry connections to Corsica and Sicily, as well as to the Spanish, French and Italian mainland.
The coast offers many safe anchorages due to deep bays with islands upstream. There are almost no tides. Summers are long, hot and dry, but temperatures are usually moderated by a sea breeze from the west. Due to the prevailing winds, good sailing skills are required.
The island is characterized by a wonderful combination of elegant ports like Porto Cervo and Porto Rotondo with unspoiled and largely uninhabited cruising grounds like, for example, the Maddalena Islands.
Some relevant information for a bareboat charter in Sardinia:
Location: Center of the Mediterranean Sea; 200 km from the Italian mainland
Capital: Cagliari
Total length of the coast: 1,849 km
Total area: 24,090 km²
Highest point: Punta La Marmora, 1,834 m
Population: ca. 1,663,000
Country code: +39
Climate: Mild, Mediterranean
What main charter destinations and marinas are there in Sardinia?
Generally, in Sardinia you will find many natural ports to anchor. The north is busier and offers better infrastructure. The south, on the other hand, is more authentic, unspoiled and peaceful. Sardinia is located just 12 km from Bonifacio in Corsica, making it possible to combine northern Sardinia and Corsica for a boat holiday.
The exclusive Costa Smeralda on the north side is a very popular tourist destination and an attraction for the international jet set with white sand beaches, golf courses, luxury hotels and private jets, as well as helicopter services. Particularly famous is Porto Cervo Marina, a superyacht port that is highly protected and has a great infrastructure and 720 berths for boats up to 100 m in length. Also on the Costa Smeralda is the Marina dell´Orso with 305 moorings for yachts up to 35 m. You will find many other ports around the area and the island, for example Alghero with its beautiful old town, Cagliari, Cannigione, La Maddalena, Olbia, Palau and Portisco.
The Maddalena archipelago, just off the Costa Smeralda, has 7 main islands in the extreme north of Sardinia in the Strait of Bonifacio. It is a UNESCO world heritage site and a national park with a wealth of coves and bays, crystal clear waters, and stunning, perfectly preserved nature. Look for the wonderful pink beach of Spiaggia Rosa, for example. Only three of the islands are inhabited, making it a largely unspoiled marine reserve.
Further east is the gulf of Cannigione, similar to a fjord. Cruising the long inlet you can enjoy the view of the rocky and scenic backdrop and a charming harbor and a quiet resort town at the end. Not far away is the equally protected and popular Cala di Volpe with its wide bay and good refuge. Further south, you can head to the port cities of Olbia and Portisco, where it has good commercial facilities and infrastructure.
The Gulf of Orosei on the east coast and the national park of the same name form a large bay with numerous caves and beautiful aquamarine waters. There you will find many sublime beaches such as Cala Gonone, Cala Goloritze or Cala Fuili and the beautiful Grotte del Bue Marino, a 5 km cave with impressive Neolithic stalactites / stalagmites and wall sculptures. Continue south along the coast of the province of Oligastra and discover even more fantastic white sand beaches with incredible waters like Cea Beach and others.
Visit the island of Sant’Antioco, 87 km from Cagliari on the southwest coast of Sardinia. It is the fourth largest island in Italy. Next to it, 7 km from the coast, is the sixth largest island in Italy, San Pietro. It is of volcanic origin and has a rocky coastline with beautiful beaches and natural caves that make it an excellent place to snorkel. Its charming harbor and fishing village Carloforte on the sheltered east coast is well worth a visit.
What important weather systems exist for sailing in Sardinia?
Sardinia has an average of 300 sunny days a year and 6 summer months. The heat is often relieved by a pleasant sea breeze from the west. There are no significant tides (max. 40 cm). When it comes to winds, the Mistral from the northwest is cold in winter, but makes the air drier and more breathable in summer. The highest wind speed from June to August is no more than 20-25 knots. The warm Sirocco from the southeast brings the dust of the Sahara from Africa. Then there is the eastern Levant that boaters should be aware of.
Summary of sailing weather conditions for yacht charter in Sardinia:
Months with the highest average temperature: July / August, 28 °
Months with the lowest average temperature: January / February, 7 °
Month with the highest average rainfall: December, 131 mm
Month with the lowest average rainfall: July, 11 mm
Average wind speed from May to October: 8/9 knots
Month with the highest average water temperature: August, 25 °
Month with the lowest average water temperature: January, 14 °
Main Season: May – October
How much does it cost to rent a yacht in Sardinia and what are the different types of charter?
You can rent a 12 m sailboat for around € 2,000. Prices go up depending on the size, type and equipment of the boat. Luxury sailing charters are available on boats over 24 m. In this case of boat rental there will be a captain and a crew. If you choose to charter a bareboat yacht, you can use the boat skipper yourself. Of course, you can also charter with skipper or crew on yachts up to 20m if you don’t want to sail. You must also decide whether you want to rent a catamaran or rent a sailboat or motor yacht. Fleet vacations are also a very popular option. Common in Italy and available in all ports is the rental of a 4 to 10 m long rib for a pleasant excursion on the water. If this is too small for you, opt to rent a motor boat on a larger yacht.
What activities besides sailing are there in renting a boat in Sardinia?
Visit some of the fantastically beautiful natural parks. The Parco nazionale del Golfo di Orosei e del Gennargentu on the east coast contains some of the oldest rocks in Europe, as well as the only ski resorts on the island. Near Altopiano del Golgo, a nature reserve near Cala Goloritze, has incredible landscapes. The plateau is ideal for walks through the wild nature. The Sette Fratelli in the southeast has a lot of wildlife and thick forest. And Mount Arcosu in the southwest offers a more impressive landscape. Go see the enchanting Neptune Cave on the west coast, a 2,500m long wonder of nature with breathtaking views.
For a bit of excitement, attend the Swan Cup in September at the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda in Porto Cervo. Admire regattas with many of the best sailors in the world and beautiful yachts. The Loro Piana superyacht regatta in June features an incredible fleet of luxury yachts on some impressive sailing courses in the same venue.
For sightseeing, visit the island town of Sant’Antioco with its ancient acropolis, Roman bridge, and Phoenician and Punic necropolises. There is an archaeological museum where you can learn about the rich history of the island. Visit the bastion of Saint Remy in the old Castello district of Cagliari. It is one of the symbols of the city with beautiful views over the city and the port. Castelsardo, in the north, is a charming medieval town with great views from the top of Doria Castle over the Gulf of Asinara. Alghero, on the northwest coast, has a charming cobbled center surrounded by ancient walls. The Gothic Cattedrale di â�®Santa Maria has an impressive bell tower. Also worth visiting are the Palazzo Guillot, the 14th century Chiesa di San Francesco or the Chiesa San Michele with its beautiful colored tile dome. Look for the 6 km long Chia Beach, the second southernmost point on the island, and the spectacular Faro di Capo Spartivento lighthouse. Near Nora, a Punic archaeological site, it is considered the oldest town in Sardinia.
The famous Porto Cervo offers glitz and glamor, boutiques, fine wines and dinners, as well as a vibrant nightlife that attracts celebrities and movie stars like Leonardo Di Caprio or others who party at Flavio Briatore’s “Billionaire’s Club”. There, you can enjoy mingling with the international jet set listening to the best DJs.
Try the Sardinian cuisine. Practice some of the many water sports such as windsurfing, kayaking, water skiing, wakeboarding, diving, snorkelling, etc. Go to one of the festivals like the Sardinian Reggae Festival in early August or L´Ardia di San Constantino in early June, when many towns host a fast-paced and exciting horse race followed by upbeat music and dancing.