Italy · Mediterranean
The clearest water in the Mediterranean.
The Costa Smeralda gets the attention. The Maddalena archipelago, ten miles north, is the reason to bring a yacht.
Overview
Northern Sardinia has water that does not look real in photographs and looks less real in person. It is granite and sand, so nothing muddies it.
The Maddalena is a national park — anchoring is regulated, permits are required, and both are worth the paperwork.
Porto Cervo is the base. It is expensive, well run, and about forty minutes from anywhere worth anchoring.
- Best time to visit
- June and September; August is the Italian holiday
- Charter season
- May – October
- Position
- 41.10°N 9.45°E
Suggested itinerary
A week, day by day
Select a day to see what it looks like. Every route is adjusted for weather before you sail.
7-Day Sardinia Charter
Typical conditions
What the weather usually does
Seasonal averages for planning, not a forecast. Your captain works from the live picture.
| Month | Air | Sea | Wind |
|---|---|---|---|
| May | 22°C | 19°C | Mistral possible, F4–5 |
| June | 26°C | 22°C | Variable, F3 |
| July | 29°C | 25°C | Sea breeze, F3–4 |
| August | 30°C | 26°C | Sea breeze, F3–4 |
| September | 26°C | 25°C | Variable, F2–4 |
| October | 22°C | 22°C | Mistral possible, F5 |
On the ground
Where to stop, swim and eat
Anchorages
Cala Coticcio, Caprera
Two small bays of white sand. Permit required, worth it.
Cala Corsara, Spargi
Granite boulders and pink-tinged sand.
Porto Madonna
The pool between Budelli, Razzoli and Santa Maria.
Cala di Volpe
Deep, sheltered, and twenty minutes from Porto Cervo.
Beaches
La Pelosa, Stintino
White sand over white rock; numbers are capped in summer.
Cala Brandinchi
Called Little Tahiti locally, and not unreasonably.
Spiaggia Rosa, Budelli
Pink from crushed coral. Protected — view from the water.
Tables worth booking
Il Pescatore, Porto Cervo
On the old port; catch of the day and very little else.
Ristorante Da Thomas, Olbia
Where the crews eat when the guests have gone.
La Caletta, Cannigione
Simple, on the water, and a fraction of Porto Cervo.
Gallery
Sardinia
The fleet
Yachts we would suggest
Elsewhere
