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Experience some of the finest sailing in Italy with a yacht charter in Sardinia. A heavenly combination of white sandy beaches, crystal clear water, impressive national parks and world-famous cuisine, makes Sardinia one of the top destinations for sailing in the Mediterranean.
Italians have long-since flocked to the shores of the Costa Smeralda or Emerald Coast of Sardinia to find their little slice of paradise close to home. The dazzling sandy beaches and azure waters have you questioning whether you are in fact in the Caribbean rather than the Mediterranean.
As soon as you set sail on your yacht charter in Sardinia from Marina di Portisco, you will be met by a stunning stretch of coastline, dotted with chic towns where the beautiful piazzas are a hub of activity. Soaking up the bustling atmosphere whilst enjoying the delicious local food is a memorable experience in itself.
Continue your sail north into La Maddelena National Park, a marine park scattered with islands and sandy beaches, including the famous pink beach "spiaggia rosa" on Budelli. Visit the delightful harbour at La Maddelana, a fishing village with harbourside restaurants which is incredibly popular during the summer months. The seven main islands of La Maddelena National Park offer peaceful daytime anchorages and an idyllic setting for your sailing holiday in Italy.
Take the opportunity to combine the flavours of Italy and France on this sailing holiday. Bonifacio on the French island of Corsica is within easy reach and the dramatic entrance through the narrow opening in the cliff, the “Bocche di Bonifacio”, is not be missed.
Yacht Charters from:
7 nights / 3 cabins
Stronger winds averaging Force 4-6 Find out more...
Portisco lies on the jet set Costa Smeralda ("Emerald Coast"), an area buzzing with designer shopping, piazzas and stunning views.
A sheltered harbour with good seafood restaurants. If you keep going along the Caprera coast, the very deep bay of Porto Palma offers the best sheltered free mooring in the area. Here you can safely stay the night whatever the wind.
Visit a couple of small bays in S.Stefano and on the mainland, then sail to La Maddalena harbour on the main island of the Archipelago. La Maddelena is a traditional fishing harbour, picturesque and bustling, but sometimes in peak season the small harbour is very crowded, so you may have to overnight in Palau on the mainland.
A marine park with fabulous snorkelling and diving.
Bonifacio is on the south coast of Corsica. A dramatic entrance through the cliffs opens into a beautiful bay with anchorages and moorings on the town quay.
A small harbour on the north eastern coast of La Maddelena.
Please note that it is currently prohibited to anchor in the Maddalena National Park between 9pm and 8am.
Sardinia enjoys typical Mediterranean weather, which makes the conditions ideal for a sailing holiday from May through to October. Winds from the north-north-west average Force 4. Stronger mistral winds can blow in August, lasting 1-2 days. Summer temperatures average 26-30ºC.
We have rated this destination a 'Level 2' (levels info) and you will need RYA Day Skipper or ICC qualification for bareboat charters in Sardinia.
You can see all of the bases we offer in Italy along with the level ratings here so that you can find the most suitable destination for you. If you are at all unsure about a destination then please get in touch and our sales team will be more than happy to make their recommendations for you.
EasyJet operates flights from Gatwick, Luton and Bristol to Olbia.
The transfer time to Portisco marina is approximately 20 minutes.
For more information on things to see and do in Sardinia on your yacht charter please click HERE
The best time to take a sailing holiday in Italy is between May and October, with peak season being June, July, and August.
High Season
The most popular time to visit Italy is during the summer months of June, July and August. Summer temperatures average 24-30ºC with winds averaging Force 4. Winds are usually strongest in the afternoons and die down in the evenings. Stronger mistral winds can blow during the month of August, lasting 1-2 days. Many top destinations in Italy are very popular in July and August with visitors arriving from overseas as well as other parts of Italy.
Shoulder Season
May, September and October see lower average temperatures and smaller crowds. Flights will often be cheaper during the shoulder season as well as having greater yacht availability.
Low Season
November-April is the low season in Italy but may be suitable for those looking for a quieter sailing holiday in Italy with lower temperatures. Daytime temperatures can still be very pleasant with the nights cooling considerably.
Italy enjoys a wonderful Mediterranean climate with a long summer and mild winters.
May & September
The weather is warm but not too hot with average temperatures ranging from 20ºC to 28ºC (68ºF to 82ºF) and the crowds are lower than the peak summer season. Sea temperatures in September are still very pleasant for swimming and snorkelling. During May sea temperatures will be slowly rising after the cooler winter months.
Late May & June
The crowds are still relatively low but the temperatures have started to rise (average 24-28ºC / 75-82ºF) and the waters begin to get warm enough for swimming.
July and August
This is when the waters are at their warmest and it is also the peak tourist time due to the school summer holidays. The main Italian holiday destinations are a hub of activity with Italians and overseas tourists filling the beaches and piazzas. July and August see the highest temperatures, averaging 28-30ºC.
October
This is the end of the main sailing season and a good opportunity to take advantage of lower prices and lighter crowds. The weather is on average 21 - 23ºC and the waters are still warm enough to enjoy a spot of swimming.
Italy is among the best sailing destinations in the Mediterranean. Several areas are ideal for yacht charters and sailing holidays with excellent sailing conditions, warm summer temperatures and plenty to see and do.
Sardinia
Sailing in Sardinia gives you access to the Maddalena National Park with its beautiful sandy beaches and crystal clear waters that have been likened to the Caribbean. The famous pink beach on Budelli is a must-visit when sailing in Sardinia. You can also take the opportunity to visit neighbouring Corsica and marvel at the impressive entrance to Bonifaccio. Stop off at the Lavezzi islands for fantastic snorkelling.
Sicily
A fascinating location for a sailing holiday in Italy. Yacht charters from Sicily involve snorkelling, sampling delicious local food, exploring seaside villages and encountering live volcanoes! The Aeolian Islands, lying 25 miles off the northeast coast of Sicily are an archipelago of volcanic islands consisting of 7 inhabited islands along with several smaller uninhabited islands.
Amalfi Coast / Gulf of Naples
One of the most celebrated stretches of coastline with dramatic cliffs and pastel coloured villages cascading down the mountainside, a sailing holiday on the Amalfi Coast is a unique experience. Alongside the popular seaside towns of Positano, Amalfi and Sorrento, you also have the chance to visit the nearby islands of Ischia, Procida, Vivara and the achingly stylish Capri.
Tuscany
Start your sailing holiday from Punta Ala or Scarlino on the west coast of Italy and explore the enchanting Tuscan islands. The Tuscan Archipelago National Park covers over 600 square kilometres of sea and includes the 7 main islands of Elba, Capraia, Giannutri, Giglio, Gorgona, Montecristo and Pianosa, along with a range of smaller islands.
In general, the best sailing conditions in Italy are from May to October when you can enjoy warm waters, clear skies and reliable winds.
During the summer months winds from the north-north-west average Force 4 in Sardinia. Stronger mistral winds can blow in August, lasting 1-2 days.
Sicily has ideal conditions for a sailing holiday. The normal summer winds are from the north-west, average Force 4, occasionally from the west. Like Sardinia, stronger mistral winds can blow in August, lasting 1-2 days.
The Gulf of Naples has great sailing conditions for a yacht charter with prevailing wind in the summer from the south-west and averaging Force 2-5. Winds are usually strongest in the afternoon, dying off at sunset. Stronger mistral winds can blow in August, lasting 1-2 days.
Tuscany sees prevailing wind in the summer from the west to north-west. There will frequently be south-east winds around Capraia, Elba and the mainland coast down to Giannutri, and frequent periods of calm. Often there will be a light westerly wind at night.
Whilst on your yacht charter in Italy, you will find many modern marinas with excellent facilities. Marina fees can vary considerably depending on the location, facilities and time of year but during the summer months you can expect to pay between €50 and €150 for a 40 foot yacht in a marina.
There are also many great anchorages in Italy where mooring fees will not apply and combining a few anchorages with marinas is a good way of keeping mooring costs down. Some anchorages will still incur a fee and the use of mooring buoys typically costs between €20-€50 per night.
For bareboat charters in Italy you will need RYA Day Skipper or ICC qualification.
Italy is a top holiday destination with tourists flocking to Italian hot spots year-round in order to get a taste of "la dolce vita". With an abundance of excellent places to visit in Italy, it is hard to pick just a few but if you are considering a sailing holiday in Italy then there are several places which stand out for us here at Nautilus.
There is nothing quite like the impressive backdrop of the Aeolian Islands whilst on a sailing holiday in Italy. This archipelago of volcanic islands consists of 7 inhabited islands along with several smaller uninhabited islands. The islands are stepped in history and make a fascinating location for a sailing holiday in the Mediterranean.
A sailing holiday in Sardinia would not be complete without a visit to the Maddalena National Park - a haven for those looking for peaceful waters and stunning beaches. The marine park is full of beautiful spots including the famous pink beach, "spiaggia rosa", on Budelli and the delightful harbour at La Maddelana, a fishing village with harbourside restaurants which is incredibly popular during the summer months.
The Amalfi Coast is an iconic stretch of coastline that exudes an air of Italian sophistication. Dramatic cliffs and pastel coloured villages cascade down the mountainside towards the sea and the pretty, winding streets are a treat to explore. After a great day sailing and wandering the bougainvillea-lined streets, sit and relax in one of the many excellent trattorias to enjoy a delicious meal and an ice-cold limoncello.
The Tuscan island of Elba is a popular holiday spot for Italians and for very good reason. The indented coastline shelters many attractive harbours and beautiful beaches whilst on land, nature lovers will be in their element exploring the countless hiking and mountain bike trails (including the challenging but worthwhile climb to the top of Mount Capanne), exploring the butterfly sanctuary in the hills surrounding Mount Perone or enjoying a soak in the island's thermal baths.
A 1 - 2 week yacht charter will give you the most relaxed sailing experience when exploring Italy. From encountering active volcanoes to diving into the vast underwater world of the marine parks, we have a range of itineraries to make sure you see the best sailing spots in Italy.
The cost of your yacht charter depends on several factors:
The type and size of the yacht you book will dictate the price. A 1 week charter on a 2 - 3 cabin monohull starts around £1200 in low season whereas 1 week on a luxury catamaran with a skipper in high season could be upwards of £10,000. These are the 2 extremes of the scale for a 1 week yacht charter in Italy and we offer plenty of choices in between.
1 week is a popular choice amongst our sailors and makes the perfect getaway however a longer charter will give you more time to explore all Italy has to offer.
Lower-priced yacht charters are available in the shoulder-season of April, May, September and October with prices starting to rise in June before peaking in July and August.
Don't have any sailing experience? No problem! We offer several skippered and crewed options so you can enjoy the yachting lifestyle without the stress. From a simple skippered yacht to fully crewed options, we can arrange a charter to suit your needs.
This was my first time sailing in Italy and I was beyond impressed with not only the fantastic sailing winds but also the variety of jaw-dropping scenery. As a crew, we were pleasantly surprised by the manageable sailing distances between a range of daytime and overnight anchorages and ports, which easily allows for itineraries taking in multiple stops or covering some longer passages.
While it is a more expensive destination compared with Greece, for example, it is definitely rewarding for those looking for a challenge and a change. A week is never enough to explore everything on offer in this region but the amount you can sail and see in that time makes this a perfect destination to combine a week’s charter with a week onshore relaxing, biking, or kitesurfing, all popular options for twin-centre holidays in Sardinia.
The taxi from Olbia airport to Marina di Portisco was about €55 for two people with luggage and took 20 minutes. There is provisioning in the marina minimarket, this is small but has a reasonable selection to stock up including speciality items for BBQ and a fantastic deli (as to be expected in Italy). The fresh fruit & veg selection was not great but this may be due to arriving late on a Saturday afternoon. It is also quite expensive as there is no other option nearby and there are no niche items eg. gluten-free, vegan etc. There is no delivery service but you can easily push the trolley back to the boat. I would probably recommend pre-provisioning for a large crew or late arrival.
After a busy day, there are two restaurants in the marina plus some snack bars/cafes. Food is reasonably priced and you can always just have a pizza for the cheap option!
Heading South!The full and thorough area briefing by Sergio on Sunday morning is not to be missed. Full of great local information about procedures, safe harbours, and hazards. Due to the strong winds north of the harbour on our first day, we decided to head south and take it easy.Moresca (lunch stop)
This was a pretty little bay but a bit too close to a fish farm and also busy with local “day boats” from Olbia because of the weekend.
Tavolara (overnight)
A great anchorage with lots of space, a nice sandy beach and impressive scenery. There are mooring buoys but these are for the stylish Italian speed boats so are expensive and unnecessary, holding is good for anchoring and free-swinging. I would suggest avoiding the weekends as you get a lot of day trip boats from Olbia, but they usually leave between 5-7 pm so it is very relaxing overnight. Two restaurants in the bay (one casual, one upmarket), most of their trade comes from the day trip people at lunchtime so they are not always open for dinner in the low season but if there are enough yachts they will.
Exploring La Maddalena
Setting off early we navigated around the eastern end of Tavolara to keep a clear heading north towards La Maddalena National Park. The permit for which is easily purchased in advance online. We perused many of the potential stops on route to our final destination for the evening.
Porto Cevro – Pop in
This is a very tight and exclusive marina for upmarket superyachts and elegant classic vessels. There wasn’t much going on in the early season but I am sure the atmosphere in July & August is great if you are looking for a night out in the Monaco of Italy. You can also moor on the quay or floating pontoon in nearby Porto Vecchio for a quieter (and cheaper) night.
Caprera, Porto Palma
This is a very "nice" bay, nothing overly special but the approach is easy without too many hazards, the water is good for swimming and there is lots of space and it is well protected from nearly all wind directions. You can take a buoy or anchor.
Cala di Villa marina, San Stefano
This is a tricky rocky little bay but it offers great shelter and scenery if you can get a space, it is suitable for lunch or overnight. The sculpture of Garibaldi in the rockface on the cliff is not to be missed!
Maddalena Town, Maddalena Island
This looked very large and busy so we avoided it as we were already fully stocked with food and water so there was no need for a pit-stop yet. It would be great if you need shelter as there are lots of harbour options with 4-5 different marinas/quays!
Palau, Sardinia – this looks cute from a distance, not as large as Maddalena town but still with a good number of berths and is very close/accessible for an overnight if you are struggling to get in elsewhere.
Cala Corsara, Spargi Island
At the South end of the island, this is a great lunch stop or overnight anchorage with a great beach and some fantastic scenery. All of the “day boats” and motor yachts leave around 5-6 pm when it becomes very peaceful and the local pigs frolic on the beach!
Fantastic sailing to Bonifacio, Corsica The journey from La Maddalena park area to the southern tip of Corsica is a sailor’s blue moon with the right angle and amount of wind for a perfect passage. We set off first thing and arrived by lunch to enjoy the afternoon sightseeing.
Bonifacio is incredible and definitely worth a visit. You should definitely pre-book a mooring online in advance (a few days should be sufficient) as we nearly struggled to get a space in May. The cost with power and water was approximately €70 for a 38ft monohull.
There is plenty to do, see, eat and drink in town. You can stock up on French pastries and wine but you will need to break out your French! When it's warm I recommend catching the tourist train up the hill into town and then walking back down later. There are several walking trails around the down with fantastic views so if you prefer exercise then definitely take a stroll out of town.
Lavezzi Island, France We left Bonifacio late and full of croissants so opted for an easy afternoon and overnight anchorage in nearby Lavezzi island en route back to Italian waters. While from a distance this island does not appear to offer enough shelter overnight, once inside the bay we were well-protected and comfortable. Navigation around the many rocks is a little hair-raising but quite manageable with a good look-out and there is plenty of space and good holding. As usual, the day boats disappear before sunset leaving just sailors and seagulls.
Cala Coticcio & Cala PorteseFantastic sailing again across the straits of Bonifacio, downwind this time, as we watched on in awe as a regatta of high-performance and classic sailing vessels steamed past us with ease. Stopping at Cala Coticcio for lunch is one of the most popular beaches in the Maddalena Archipelago. It is a gorgeous spot but does get quite busy and is not great for an overnight anchorage as the hills create some interesting wind gusts throughout the evening and overnight as the temperature changes. Heading just south to Cala Portese is the popular option recommended.
Cala do Volpe & Portisco Marina We spent a lazy final day ambling down the Sardinian coastline and anchoring for lunch in Cala di Volpe, a huge bay with long beaches and a perfect pit-stop before returning to Portisco marina for check-out and departure.
Supplied by Louise, Nautilus Yachting
What better way to mark a special birthday than sailing with a group of your closest friends. We could not have chosen a more stunning, glamorous destination. Sailing from Sardinia with Boomerang Charter over to Corsica and back.
This heady mix of uniquely Sardinian & Corsican culture, language, wine and food delivered a celebration beyond our expectations.
Incredibly, in eight years of sailing this was the most amount of time we have spent under sail covering 149 miles and broke 8.8 knots!
A short 20 mins transfer from Olbia airport to the base at Portisco and straight onboard our Sun Odyssey 490 ‘Aurora’.
It is for good reason that the Boomerang team are consistently one of our top rated fleets in mediterranean.
‘Aurora’, as we would expect, was in immaculate condition. Boomerang maintain and clean their yachts to the highest standards but it is the thoughtful touches they provide that sets them apart especially for a special occasion. The abundant fruit basket and sparkling wine were very much appreciated.
A friendly and thorough show around the yacht and a briefing of the area was given by Sergio; useful tips, highlights and hazards all pointed out.
Our pre-provisioning was delivered by Gusto Cambusa. As a largish crew it was a good idea to have the heavier items brought straight to the yacht. A top up shop was then required in the adequate supermarket within the marina to top up with fresh fruits, salads, deli meats and cheeses.
Some obligatory bunting strung around the cockpit for the birthday boy ! and then we were lucky to be able to take advantage of our early embarkation and set sail.
All in all an early morning flight and a long day so we moored up not far away from Portisco and cooked a lovely meal onboard. Let’s get the party started.
Early morning and the weather looks to be fair for our first dip in the ocean followed by a hearty breakfast
The plan had been to sail to the north side of the Maddalena National Park however a squall mid passage caused us to double back.
These things happen and we found shelter in ‘Arzachena Bay’ with its impressive Neptune sculpture where we were quickly joined by dolphins to lift our spirits
There is a nice restaurant here which looked to be popular despite the weather but we decided to cook onboard and make our own fun.
A beautiful sunny day to wake up in the wonderful Maddalena National Park is nestled between Sardinia and Corsica.
We made a brief stop at Gavetti Marina to enjoy a wander around the so pretty, venetian style streets with pastel coloured buildings. We enjoyed boutique style shopping and there were some wonderful bars and restaurants. There is also an excellent fish market right in the marina and a whopping supermarket just on the outskirts of the town.
Skipper Tim was happy that we finally managed to secure a basil plant for the cockpit.
Back on track we had a fun afternoon at Cala G Marino, a beautiful bay between Isola Razelli and Budelli. Paddleboarding, diving competitions, water hammocks and a friendly visiting Seagull.
While it is necessary to obtain a permit to visit the Madalenas in mid and high season. During our visit in early June it was not possible to advance purchase one and the authorities, although visible, did not charge us.
Like many people we had been under the impression that this exclusive area, playground of the rich & famous, would be pricey and this is undoubtedly true in the high season. However, by eating onboard (not every night !) and choosing our moorings carefully we managed to avoid costly marina fees and permits.
It was so lovely here we decided to stay overnight. More great food and hilarity and a stunning full moon.
And we head to Corsica !
Up and coming captain Gus was put through his skipper skills today! Sailed to Cala di Zeri on Ile Cavello for lunch and afternoon anchorage. An equally stunning location with fabulous holiday homes discreetly nestled amongst the rock face.
Lots of relaxing and swimming. As the afternoon progressed a flotilla of jet skis came through to dramatic effect.
Our overnight anchorage at Baie de Rondinara. There is a restaurant here that is open until around 6 o’clock. In the mornings they also provide french pastries for breakfast - mouth watering pain au chocolat, pain almond and croissant; all at such reasonable prices it would be rude not to!
Bonifacio! has to be high up the bucket list of destinations for any sailor and a place I have been longing to visit for many years.
An epic sail along the rugged coastline escorted by pods of dolphins, to the jaw dropping cut in the cliffs where the old town teeters above and leads to the historic town of Bonafacio. The entrance only visible when you are right on top of it winds it way into this charming, bustling harbour.
Here you will find yourself neighbours with some of the world's largest superyachts. Watching ‘‘Cocoa Bean’ mooring at the far end of the harbour with her crew of around 25 was a sight to behold.
Being early June we paid 85€ for our 49 footer which was pretty reasonable whilst this is likely to be more in the high season is worth every euro and definitely not to be missed.
Climb the steep steps up to the old town to experience incredible views where you will find} plenty of restaurants and bistro’s offering delicious french cuisine; corsican mussels, wild boar (sanglier) followed by an icecream down at the harbour to finish off the evening nicely.
The next morning some of the crew walked up to the cliff top again to take one of the nature trails - the left hand fork this time away from the town rewards you with unbelievable views of the ocean.
A good day sailing to Isola Spargi, Cala d’Alga; a relaxing lunch onboard and then an afternoon swim ashore. We were surprised and delighted to see a wild boar frollicking on the sands.
We then headed back to La Maddelena to explore this delightful town and have the obligatory team pizza night. It’s worth booking Gavatta Marina ahead of your visit as it is understandably popular, we hadn’t but found a newish marina ‘di Punta Nera’ just a short walk over the hill into the main town.
The marina crew were very friendly and charged just €60 and the small bar serving sundowners and snacks was our perfect pre supper Sundowner spot. For a group meal we can highly recommend the rustic pizzas and jugs of very good house red wine at Il Curciareddhi - simple but delicious and well set up for larger groups.
A good day under sail back to Portisco excellent winds - 8.8 knots made it good fun for all of us. Just a couple of yachts ahead of us on the fuel pontoon then a guide was sent to bring us back to the Boomerang jetty.
Our return flight was mid afternoon. The lovely Boomerang staff were happy for luggage to be left and we were given directions to the nearest beach, a short stroll over a hill. We whiled away a few hours at the fabulous beach bar enjoying a leisurely brunch before heading back to say farewell to our great friends at the base and jump in our minibus transfer back to Olbia Airport.
Arrivederci (and Au Revoir!)
If you have your next bareboat yacht charter or flotilla holiday booked, your thoughts may now be turning to what to pack! Whether you are heading to the turquoise waters of the Mediterranean or jetting off to sail in the warm breezes of the Caribbean, we have a few suggestions for you for useful items to pack for your next sailing holiday.
We took a look at the destinations which are currently top of the list and have been surprised by a few of the entries! Tried and tested favourites for your yacht charters stand alongside a few newcomers, keeping things interesting and allowing a few lesser-known sailing areas to have their place in the limelight.
For those of you who jetted off at the beginning of the summer or for those who wanted to ‘wait and see’, September and October offer fantastic sailing conditions in many areas and a chance to explore without the intense heat and crowds of summer.
Call our knowledgeable sailing specialists for the latest advice and recommendations on the sailing areas most suited to you.
Arrange a call back from one of our specialists (Mon-Fri: 0900-1730).
