Sardinia Sailing Itinerary

A Sardinia sailing itinerary takes you to Italy’s stunningly beautiful Maddalena Archipelago National Park and Marine Reserve and the world-famous Emerald Coast, well known for its superb beaches and myriad coves and bays. On longer cruises you can sail northward to the island of Corsica, France, or transit the Strait of Bonifacio and head south down the northwestern side of the island of Sardinia, where it’s a little less expensive than on the Emerald Coast and much more laid-back (see Sardinia maps). Both the archipelago and the main islands are enchanting cruising grounds regardless of the length of your Sardinia itinerary. They blend the boutique shopping, fine dining, and lively nightlife of chic ports such as Porto Cervo and Porto Rotondo with the quiet and scenic beauty of the largely uninhabited Maddalena Islands. Most of all the sailing in these waters is splendid, with good winds on most days.

Cannigione Yacht Charter – 7 Day Itinerary

Day 1

Porto Cervo

Situated in an inlet at the base of beautiful hills, Porto Cervo is a modern resort fashioned to fit the vision of the wealthy entrepreneurs who dreamed of establishing the north-east coast of Sardinia as a luxury holiday destination. By all accounts it has lived up to expectations. The harbour is often called the centrepiece of the Emerald Coast, with its four- and five-star resorts and hotels, and its designer boutiques, upmarket restaurants, and exclusive nightclubs. The village is in the Old Port, Porto Vecchio, on the southeastern side of the harbour, while the Porto Cervo Spa, with its outstanding yachting amenities, is on the northern side. There’s easy access to all amenities since the entire complex isn’t that big, though Porto Cervo is indeed the jewel of the overall 7,500-acre Costa Smeralda development that includes a host of private villas. Sailing in Porto Cervo waters is simultaneously beautiful for its scenery and lavishly indulgent for all the amenities available at this premier yachting destination.

Mooring

Moorings are available. There is room to anchor in the outer reaches of the harbour.

Dinghy dockage: Dinghy dockage is available.

Things to do

Peach, cream, and white stucco buildings with red terracotta-tiled roofs occupy the slopes overlooking the harbour of Porto Cervo, giving the village its distinctly Mediterranean look. The Piazzetta, or village square, is closed to traffic and is the hub of the port. Exploring the narrow streets extending from it immerses you in the upmarket ambience as you browse in boutiques and jewellery stores featuring the luxury brands such as Gucci, Cartier, and Bulgari. The restaurants and cafés in and around the Piazzetta are excellent; after dark the ever-popular nightclubs reverberate with live music and exuberant dance rhythms. Porto Cervo itself has no beaches, but on either side of the harbour you’ll find superb white-sand beaches stretching for miles. Anchoring off them for a day stop in settled weather isn’t a problem, particularly because you’ll be in the lee of the land in the prevailing northwesterly winds. Porto Cervo is home to the famous Costa Smeralda Yacht Club, which hosts many regattas throughout the sailing season.

Facilities

No facilities are available for yachts.

Day 2

Porto Rotondo

One could argue that a visit to Porto Rotondo would be a repeat performance of a foray to Porto Cervo, and to some extent the assertion would be correct. Like Porto Cervo, Porto Rotondo is one of Italy’s premier yachting centres and a world-famous luxury vacation destination. Indeed both ports vie for high-end yachting aficionados. Yet Porto Rotondo has its own fine blend of the nautical and the upscale, a somewhat more intimate feel that sets it apart. Some of Europe’s best artists helped design the more noteworthy buildings. Sailing in Porto Rotondo waters is an unforgettable experience.

Mooring

No moorings are available. No anchorage is available in this small harbour.

Dinghy dockage: No dinghy dockage is available.

Things to do

The village of Porto Rotondo spreads out around the shores of the cove, picturesque and decidedly upscale. A stroll to the centre of the town takes you to the public squares. San Marco Square is constructed of locally quarried granite and was designed by the renowned sculptor Andrea Cascella. The Church of St. Lorenzo, itself an architectural icon, houses more than 2,000 wooden sculptures by Mario Cerioli, who is said to have worked on them for seven years. Live musical performances in the stately granite amphitheatre are a delight, if you are lucky enough to attend one. The miles of white-sand beaches are another major attraction of Porto Rotondo, where all kinds of watersports are popular. Rental cars are available for inland excursions to the archaeological sites such as the Li Muri Necropolis and the Tomb of the Giants of Li Loughi.

Facilities

Dockage and all other facilities for yachts are available. Advance reservations are essential.

Day 3

Mortorio Island

Mortorio and neighbouring Soffi Island are among the smaller isles of the Maddalena Archipelago National Park and Marine Reserve. Located within an easy sail of Porto Rotondo or Porto Cervo, they make an excellent day stop or an overnight anchorage. Totally uninhabited, windswept and rugged, these islands are a natural habitat for all manner of seabirds; you can watch the birds wheeling and diving along the sandy shores. Beyond are the cliffs of the Sardinian coast, grand and awe-inspiring in their breathtaking beauty. Sailing in Mortorio waters allows you to experience the other side of the Emerald Coast, the one where Nature is supreme.

Mooring

No moorings are available.

Dinghy dockage: No dinghy dockage is available.

Things to do

Exploring ashore to observe the wildlife and climb the hills to admire the spectacular views is a delightful way to spend an afternoon. Bringing along a picnic lunch and a cool bottle of vino adds to the pleasure. The beaches on both islands are extensive, ideal for swimming, snorkelling, and sunbathing.

Facilities

No facilities are available for yachts.

Day 4

Caprera Island

Except for a resort at Garibaldi Bay, Caprera Island is nearly devoid of development. There are a few bungalows, a shop or two, but the natural beauty is held paramount over tourism. In fact, at the height of the summer season officials limit the number of vehicles allowed on the island’s roads. Flocks of royal seagulls and cormorants, and solitary peregrine falcons soar overhead. In the interior of this 10-square-mile island, Monte Tejalone rises 695 feet above sea level, dominating the skyline of neighbouring Maddalena and its smaller peaks. Because of the steady and sometimes strong winds funnelling in from the Strait of Bonifacio sailing in Caprera waters is among the best in the Mediterranean, which is why the most rigorous sailing school in Italy, The Sailing Centre of Caprera, is based on the south-west side of the island. Beaches, coves, and bays abound, making sailing around Caprera Island a delight.

Mooring

No moorings are available. Among the best anchorages are the fjord-like Cala Coticcio and Cala Portese on the south-east side of the island.

Dinghy dockage: No dinghy dockage is available, but landing the dinghy is easy in the many coves when you want to explore ashore.

Things to do

A visit to the Garibaldi Museum is a highlight of sailing at Caprera. Hiking in the hills and along the many beaches is a delight, and for those interested in a longer walk, a trek along the road built on the dam connecting Caprera to Maddalena is a unique experience, like being in the middle of the sea while still on foot. Snorkelling and swimming are superb at Caprera, which is also one of the premier scuba diving sites in Italy. Dive excursions can easily be arranged to view the many Roman shipwrecks and natural granite features of the seabed, an area abundant with red sea fans and other colourful marine life.

Facilities

No facilities available for yachts.

Day 5

Maddalena Island

When you go sailing in Maddalena waters, you enter a pristine natural world of incredible beauty. You‘ll find rocky, rugged islands everywhere. The white sails of local yachts stand in stark relief against the blue sea as the sleek boats heel in the steady northwesterly winds. In the lees of the islands you‘ll find superlative coves and bays that are sheltered and picturesque. In short, sailing Maddalena is an experience you must enjoy first hand to become fully aware of its majestic beauty and inspiring adventure. Because Maddalena is a tourist destination with ferry services from the main island, the port of Cala Gavetta is surrounded by a small town with some shops, a few restaurants and some bars. You can opt for a dash of civilisation, albeit in a very laid-back and somewhat rustic fashion, or you can go for more of the unspoilt natural setting that the marine park has to offer by sailing to the bays and coves along the extensive coast of this 12-square-mile jewel of the Tyrrhenian Sea.

Mooring

No moorings are available. The main harbour is Cala Gavetta on the south side of the island. There are many excellent anchorages at Maddalena Island. Cala Francese is a firm favourite and provides good protection from northerly and easterly winds. Other excellent choices for anchorages include the deep cove of Stagno Torto, Cala Portolungo, and Calla dello Spalmatore.

Dinghy dockage: No dinghy dockage is available.

Things to do

As with neighbouring Caprera, exploring the many coves and bays is a highlight of sailing Maddalena. The swimming and snorkelling is excellent, as is the scuba diving. Spending time in the small port of Gavetta to stroll along the narrow streets and browse through the shops, where you can buy handicrafts, jewellery, and other items made by local artisans, is a relaxing way to spend an afternoon. Enjoying dinner at one of the intimate cafés or restaurants, or sipping a cocktail aboard your yacht in a scenic anchorage is a wonderful way of savouring the delights of Maddalena.

Facilities

Fuel and water are available at Cala Gavetta. Dockage is also available. Advance reservations are essential.

Day 6

Cannigione

Sailing in Cannigione waters brings you deep into the Gulf of Arzachena on the north-east coast of Sardinia. The gulf is shaped much a like a fjord and offers similar beauty. Rocky hills front each side, creating a rugged and yet scenic backdrop to the shimmering blue of the Tyrrhenian Sea. The Moorings base in Sardinia is situated on the west side of the gulf near the port of Cannigione, a small, quiet resort town with a laid-back ambience quite different from what you’ll find when you head south along the Emerald Coast to bustling Porto Rotondo and Porto Cervo. And that’s part of the charm of Cannigione yacht charter.

Mooring

No moorings are available. There are many pretty anchorages near Cannigione.

Dinghy dockage: Dinghy dockage is available.

Things to do

Cannigione is about a one-hour drive from Olbia, one of the major communities in northern Sardinia, and it’s close to the Emerald Coast and the mountains of Gallura. Along the waterfront you’ll find a number of interesting shops and superb restaurants. There’s also a pleasant beach within walking distance, where you can take a refreshing swim or simply relax and admire the scenery. Taking your yacht to the end of the gulf brings you to a lagoon-like setting surrounded by lush green fields. A charming village perches on the shore. Renting a car to tour the nearby archaeological sites of Arzachena is an intriguing way to learn more about northern Sardinia and its history.

Facilities

All facilities are available for yachts.

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