Sardinia Sailing Itinerary

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 northeast coast of Sardinia as a luxury vacation destination. By all accounts it has lived up to expectations. The harbor is often called the centerpiece of the Emerald Coast, with its 4- and 5-star resorts and hotels, and its designer boutiques, upscale restaurants, and exclusive nightclubs. The village is in the Old Port, Porto Vecchio, on the southeastern side of the harbor, and the Porto Cervo Spa with its outstanding yachting amenities is on the northern side of the harbor. 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 also 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.

The day’s sailing

• 1 Hr 36 mins Sailing time
• 8 Nautical miles

Mooring

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

Dinghy dockage: Dinghy dockage is available.

Things to do

Peach, cream, and white stucco buildings with red terracotta-tile roofs occupy the slopes overlooking the harbor of Porto Cervo, giving the village a look distinctly evocative of the Mediterranean. The Piazzetta, or village square, is closed to vehicular traffic and is the hub of the port. Exploring the narrow streets extending from it immerses you in the upscale ambience as you browse in boutiques and jewelry stores featuring the big names in high-end products such as Gucci, Cartier, and Bulgari. The restaurants and cafés in and around the Piazzetta are excellent, and at night live music and dancing is exceedingly popular at the tony nightclubs. Porto Cervo proper has no beaches, but on either side of the harbor are 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 northwest winds. Porto Cervo is home to the famous Costa Smeralda Yacht Club, which hosts many regattas throughout the sailing season.

Facilities

No facilities for yachts are available.

The Emerald Coast

For centuries the rural farms and tiny villages at the northeast end of Sardinia remained a sleepy outpost in Italy’s satellite islands. But all that began to change in the early 1960s when a handful of wealthy entrepreneurs saw the apparent hinterland as a beautiful place to build exclusive resorts. The white-sand beaches, brilliant blue sea, the unusual pink colour of the sheer cliffs, the sprinkling of deserted isles home to nothing but graceful seabirds, it all seemed an ideal setting for a wonderful vacation. The businessmen poured ample cash into the development of Porto Cervo and Porto Rotondo and the surrounding villas and resorts, hiring some of Europe’s most talented artists to design the public squares, churches, and other structures. The world’s elite fell in love with what is now known as the Emerald Coast, where luxury yachts crowd the harbors and glide over the shimmering sea.

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 centers 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.

The day’s sailing

• 2 Hr 6 mins Sailing time
• 10.5 Nautical miles

Mooring

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

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 center 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.

Galera Point

The Maddalena Archipelago National Park and Marine Reserve was a busy shipping center in Roman times, as far back as 200 B.C. and possibly earlier. Over the centuries wrecks have accumulated in great number, presenting a rich and varied display of ships through the ages. The waters are outstandingly clear and much of the seafloor is covered in white sand interspersed with intriguing granite formations, tunnels, canyons, caves, and steep drop-offs that make ideal habitats for marine life, including the colorful red sea fans so common in the archipelago. Off Caprera’s Galera Point is an abundance of shipwrecks at depths of less than 60 feet that date back to the Roman period. More than 40 dive sites pepper the waters. At least 18 of them are along Caprera’s east coast. Dive centers in nearby Palau offer excursions for all skill levels, a truly memorable way to experience a special facet of a Sardinia sailing vacation.

Mortorio Island

Mortorio and neighboring 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, wind-swept, and rugged, these islands are a natural habitat for all manner of seabirds. You can watch them wheel and dive along the sandy shores, and 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.

The day’s sailing

• 1 Hr 24 mins Sailing time
• 7 Nautical miles

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, snorkeling, and sunbathing.

Facilities

No facilities for yachts are available.

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 neighboring Maddalena and its smaller peaks. Because of the steady and sometimes strong winds funneling in from the Strait of Bonifacio sailing in Caprera waters is some of the best in the Mediterranean, which is why the most rigorous sailing school in Italy, The Sailing Centre of Caprera, is based on the southwest side of the island. Beaches, coves, and bays abound, making sailing on Caprera Island a delight.

The day’s sailing

• 2 Hr 48 mins Sailing time
• 14 Nautical miles

Mooring

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

Dinghy dockage: No dinghy dockage is available, but landing the dinghy is easy in the many coves for exploring ashore.

Things to do

A visit to the Garibaldi Museum is a highlight of sailing Caprera. Hiking in the hills and along the many beaches is a delight, and for those interested in a longer walk, treking 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. Snorkeling and swimming is superb at Caprera, which is also one of the premier scuba diving sites in Italy. Dive excursions to view the many Roman shipwrecks and natural granite bottom features teeming with red sea fans and sea creatures can easily be arranged.

Facilities

No facilities for yachts are available.

Garibaldi Museum

The island of Caprera was once home to Italian patriot Giuseppe Garibaldi, who fought for many years in the 19th century for the creation of a unified and independent Italian kingdom, which ultimately came to pass in 1870 when the formerly separate Papal States were incorporated into a single Italian government. Garibaldi loved the sea and he was particularly fond of Caprera. He built an elegant home adjacent to Garibaldi Bay, which is now a museum. Paintings, war memorabilia, original furnishings, and sundry artifacts are on display, including the boats he used while enjoying leisure time on the island. A visit to Garibaldi’s home will provide insights into a man sometimes referred to as the Italian George Washington. He died on Caprera in 1882.

Maddalena Island

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

The day’s sailing

• 2 Hr Sailing time
• 10 Nautical miles

Mooring

No moorings are available. The main harbor is Cala Gavetta on the south side of the island. There are many excellent anchorages at Maddalena Island. Cala Francese is a favorite and provides good protection from easterly and northerly 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 neighboring Caprera, exploring the many coves and bays is a highlight of sailing Maddalena. The swimming and snorkeling is excellent, as is the scuba diving. Spending time in the small port of Gavetta to stroll the narrow streets and browse through the shops, where you can buy handicrafts, jewelry, and other items made by local artisans, is a laid-back way to pass the time. 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 to savor the delights of Maddalena.

Facilities

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

Maddalena Island

Shaped roughly like a triangle, the 12-square-mile Maddalena Island is the largest in the marine park, which has more than 700 species of plants, many unique to the area. Interesting and rare creatures also live in the park, like the darling little lizard, gecko emidattilo, and the Hermann tortoise. They are both endemic to the islands. Vast numbers of dolphins come to the surrounding waters to breed, and land and seabirds on the trans-Sahara migratory route use the main islands and 55 islets as a resting and breeding ground. Only three of the islands are inhabited, with much of the limited development isolated to Maddalena. According to UNESCO, the ecosystem of the islands has little changed from the way it was in the 19th century. A Sardinia sailing vacation presents an attractive opportunity to experience a place where Nature is cherished and preserved.

Cannigione

Sailing in Cannigione waters brings you deep into the Gulf of Arzachena on the northeast 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 and quiet resort town with a laid-back ambience far different from what you’ll find when you head southward along the Emerald Coast to bustling Porto Rotondo and Porto Cervo. And that’s part of the charm of Cannigione yacht charter.

The day’s sailing

• 1 Hr 48 mins Sailing time
• 9 Nautical miles

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 for yachts are available.