Situated at the northwestern edge of the Tyrrhenian Sea, an arm of the Mediterranean 475 miles in length and 60 miles wide, The Moorings marina in Cannigione is a prime location for the start of a Sardinia yacht charter.
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 an almost everyday occurrence.
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Cannigione to Porto Cervo – 11 nm. Your Sardinia sailing itinerary typically began the previous day, Saturday afternoon at 3:00 P.M., when you arrived at the Moorings base in Cannigione to check in, provision the boat if you hadn’t elected to have us do it for you, and receive your pre-cruise chart briefing. Now that you’ve enjoyed a restful night aboard, it’s time to head out onto the shimmering Tyrrhenian Sea to your first port of call, the lovely and world-famous Porto Cervo. It’s a relatively short passage north out the Gulf of Arzachena into Sardinia Bay, and then southward to one of the prettiest harbors in Italy where you can enjoy a first-class marina, fine dining, and exclusive nightclubs.
Porto Cervo to Porto Rotondo – 9 nm. Still continuing south, you will pass numerous beautiful white-sand beaches, many of which are excellent day stops for swimming, snorkeling, and sunbathing. Sardinia’s Emerald Coast is charmed with some of the best beaches in Italy. The one at Cala de Volpi resort is a prime example. You will also continue sailing among the smaller islands of the Maddalena marine park – picturesque, uninhabited, and teeming with wildlife. Ashore is a further opportunity to savor the delights of another world-famous harbor known for its designer shops, upscale restaurants, and exclusive nightclubs. Some of Italy’s best artists designed the squares, the amphitheater, and the magnificent church, all of which are wonderful to explore on foot. This is also true of Porto Cervo.
Porto Rotondo to Caprera Island – 13 nm. About four nautical miles from Porto Rotondo are the uninhabited islands of Mortorio and Soffi, two of the gems within the protected Maddalena marine preserve. Beautiful white-sand beaches fringe the shores, presenting an ideal setting for swimming and snorkeling in crystal clear water, though landing and overnight anchoring is prohibited. Both islands are a wonderful day stop before sailing northward to Caprera Island deeper into the Maddalena archipelago. The heights of the main islands rise above the deep blue of the sea in reddish hues from the pink granite rocks that make up much of the land in this part of Sardinia. Splashes of green from macchia, juniper, and wild berry bushes clinging to the slopes add a pleasing contrast to the scene. The rugged, cliff-lined coast to port is one of the prettiest in all of Italy.
Lay day – 0 nm. Caprera Island has many beautiful anchorages, so it’s well worth spending the day simply sailing and enjoying the marvelous scenery. The nearby islands also make great day stops. A visit to Caprera Island wouldn’t be complete without going ashore to explore and to check out the Garibaldi Museum, home of an Italian hero from the 19th century. The swimming and snorkeling in the crystal clear waters is excellent.
Caprera Island to Maddalena Island – 10 nm. Neighboring Maddalena Island is wild and rugged and mostly uninhabited, but of all the islands within the archipelago it’s the only one with a small town at the port of Cala Gavetta, which has services for yachts, including dockage. Small hotels and bungalows dot the land, and vineyards occupy some of the interior. A carriage road leads to the top of diminutive Monte Guardia Vecchia (elevation 511 feet) and makes for a pleasant afternoon stroll rewarded with magnificent views of the mainland and surrounding islands. While Caprera Island and Maddalena Island are actually connected via a bridge and are less than one nautical mile apart at that point, the distance from the east side of Caprera Island to the west side of Maddalena Island is about ten nautical miles, where exquisite bays and coves excellent for overnight anchoring abound.
Maddalena Island to Cannigione – 6 nm. The final leg of your Sardinia sailing itinerary takes you from Cala Gavetta on Maddalena Island back to beautiful Cannigione, where you can relax over an excellent meal in town after you arrive at the Moorings base by 5:00 P.M. to check out the boat. You’ll bask in the sheer delights of the past week on the Tyrrhenian Sea.
Final Morning
After a restful night aboard, disembark from your yacht at 8:00 A.M. and prepare for your flight home. Alternatively, you can arrange for a rental car to explore the interior of northern Sardinia, which offers numerous archaeological sites, museums, spas, and championship golf courses.
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