Sardinia Yacht Charter Guide
Sardinia Yacht Charter Guide
About Sardinia Yacht Charter | Sardinia Top Ten "Must See" Attractions | Chartering a Sailboat in Sardinia | Chartering a Motor Yacht in Sardinia | Key Charter Destinations | Climate | Cuisine | Special Events | Our Sardinia Charter Yachts
See our Sardinia Blog for up to the minute news on Sardinia Chartering
About Sardinia Yacht Charter
A Sardinia Beach cut into White Rocks
Traditional Sardinian Boats
The famous red rocks near Arbatax
Boats gathering for the day |
Sardinia’s coastline is one of the world’s most exciting natural environments with waters characterised by their amazing clarity and intense turquoise colours. The countless gleaming white coves and bays, stunning granite rock formations carved out over millennia by the wind, the craggy mountains overgrown with primeval vegetation, and the aromatic and omnipresent scent of the “Macchia Mediterranea” make Sardinia an island unique in the world.
Sardinia as the second largest island of the Mediterranean is located 190 km away from the Italian mainland and 12 km from Bonifacio in Corsica, making the two islands an excellent charter combination if you have ample time.
The island measures 270 km from North to South and 145 km from East to West with a coastline of approximately 1800 km.
A small continent of its own, with a history that begins millennia before Christ, and the Sardinians themselves, proud but enthusiastic and heartful hosts. Sardinia has kept its beauty, its original nature, and its traditions.
The Sardinian ports compete rather well with the Mediterranean’s other chic hot spots. Summers tend to attract crowds of millionaires, supermodels and luxury yachts, especially to the famous Emerald Coast with its sophisticated but relaxed atmosphere.
But Sardinia is also the depository of the mysterious solitude of hidden bays and of a thousand sceneries of splendid cliffs, from the reddish rocks of Arbatax to the Dantesque cliffs of Paradise Coast to the monumental rocky boulders of Capo Caccia.
Sardinia Top 10 "Must See" Attractions
1. Emerald Coast (Costa Esmeralda) - Hot Spot for the Jet Set
2. Tavolara - Marine Sanctuary and Limestone Cliffs
3. Cagliari´s Old Town - timeless culture, folklore and cuisine
4. Alghero - old town with Catalan flair
5. Cala Gonone - you'll be "Swept Away" by its beauty
6. Chia - amazing cliffs and beautiful beaches
7. Carloforte - pastel-coulored houses and cobbled streets
8. Castelsardo - extraordinary edieval town
9. La Maddalena - marine park between Sardinia and Corsica
10. Capo Testa - wind shaped rock formations
See a complete description of these attractions in our Sardinia Blog.
Chartering a Sailboat in Sardinia - the "Island of Winds"
With an average of 300 days of sunshine per year Sardinia's coastline is an extraordinary sailing destination.
Three main winds ensure the perfect conditions for sailing: The powerful Maestrale, blowing mostly down from the north along the west coast, the strong Ponente, a westwind that provides the sailor with offshore breezes throughout each season while the warm Scirocco prevails on the east coast. To many, Sardinia is "Where the Wind Lives".
Sardinia´s coastline is overwhelming because of its diversity. Hundreds of private coves and stunning beaches with crystal clear waters in every shade from green to blue on the east coast change into dramatic rock formations in the north while the west coast surprises with the mesmerising dunes of the Costa Verde.
Sardinia´s diversity is provides the endless possibilities for explorations - as no one stretch of coastline is the same as the previous.
The resort harbours with superior infrastructure spread out all along the coastline of Sardinia. They welcome and entertain sailors by inviting them to discover the uniqueness of any Sardinian town or village, or simply along the way to appreciate the pristine turquoise waters and the memorizing landscape of Sardinia!
Our Sardinia Sailboats | Our Catamarans
Chartering a Motor Yacht in Sardinia
Sardinia is a magnet for all types of Motor Yachts, from small water ski boats to the world's most impressive Super Yachts. They come to see the beauty of the island, easily move from beautiful bay to even more beautiful bay, and spend the day in the sun. Porto Cervo is famous for showcasing the latest and greatest Super Yachts in the world each summer - the port literally overflows with amazing yachts.
Sardinia is ideal for a 1-2 week holiday, visiting all of the major ports and sights of the island. It's also the perfect place to hire a boat for just a day or two, to explore the beaches and bays without having to fight the traffic!
Key Sardinia Charter Destinations
Porto Cervo (Costa Smeralda)
Porto Cervo is the address for luxury and elegance in Sardinia, and the center of the Costa Smeralda. It offers large parks, elegant boutiques and exciting nightlife and is "The Place to Be" for those who prefer a sophisticated but relaxed atmosphere. A visit to Stella Maris, a church containing a painting that is thought by many experts to be an El Greco, should not be missed.
Nestled in a beautiful and perfectly sheltered harbour, Porto Cervo Marina is one of the Mediterranean's best equipped and most welcoming ports with its modern poontons at the Marina Village.
Our charter yachts in Porto Cervo
Porto Rotondo (Costa Smeralda)
The beauty of Porto Rotondo is characterized by its inviting architecture, the beautiful gardens, an amazing harbour, friendly people and exquisite food. Everything is cared for to the smallest detail. One almost has the sensation of walking through the magical, dreamy atmosphere of a long - ago lagoon city.
The structure of the centre and its port is truly noteworthy. Everything contributes to make this little town to one of the most popular on the entire coast.
The fantastic beaches are colorful in themselves. If one were to have the chance to fly over the most popular beaches, a rainbow-like image would become visible.
Our charter yachts in Porto Rotondo
Portisco (Costa Smeralda)
Portisco is an ideal starting point to cruise the unspoiled waters of Sardinia. The well-protected and organized harbour is situated in the Gulf of Cugnana on the north-eastern coast of Sardinia.
Portisco has many inviting little restaurants and excellent local facilities that provide for relaxed holidays at one of the most beautiful coastlines of Sardinia, the Costa Smeralda.
Our charter yachts in Portisco
Santa Teresa Gallura (North)
The unique natural harbour of Santa Teresa Gallura is a portrait of an enchanting costal village. It offers a variety of excellent accomodation options and excellent leisure facilities.
The well sheltered marina, carved out by nature, provides a perfect break from wind and weather. From the water you can appreciate the unspoiled natural beauty of a coastline where countless coves beckon you to explore.
Neighbouring Capo Testa is the most Northern point of Sardinia. This rocky coast has been shaped by the winds of time, transforming the immense granite stone into sculptures that will peak your imagination.
An old lighthouse, overlooking Cala di Luna, is casting its guiding light to the white cliffs that mark the entrance to the port of Bonifacio, Corsica.
Our Santa Teresa Gallura charter yachts
Click here for a 7 Day Itinerary on the Gallurese Coast covering Porto Cervo, Porto Rotondo, la Maddelana and Santa Teresa de Gallura.
Stintino and the Island of Asinara (North-West)
The charming little fishing village of Stintino overlooks the Gulf of Asinara on the outermost edge of land in northwestern Sardinia.
The island of Asinara is situated in the territory of the Porto Torres municipality with its numerous archaeological complexes and Nuraghic monuments. It is one of the most spectacular islands in the Mediterranean as it has kept its naturalistic charm unaltered over the years.
The eastern coast is particularly rich in evocative soft sandy beaches and pink granite bays. The western side of the Asinara island is characterized by the height of its coasts, the highest point being Punta dello Scorno, upon which is placed a gorgeous lighthouse.
Our Porto Torres and Stintino charter yachts
Alghero (North-West)
Alghero is situated on the northwestern coast of Sardinia and a real treasure with a strong Catalonian influence. It underwent Spanish colonisation for a lengthy period of time which left its mark on the local language and in many vivid traditions.
The old town centre on the sea front with its architecture, the labyrinthine network of narrow, car-free lanes and quaint little shops is very reminiscent of the Gothic quarter in Barcelona.
The Port of Alghero is right underneath the ancient walls of the town’s historical centre opening towards the sea.
Carloforte (South-West)
Carloforte is a picturesque fishing village located on Isola di San Pietro (Saint Peter's Island), world renowned for it’s tuna fish, which reaches the best restaurants in Japan.
Located approximately 7 km from the South Western Coast of Sardinia, its pastel-coulored houses and cobbled streets, Carloforte maintains the intrigue of an ancient village.
Carloforte has many traditions but its wine and food continues to gain importance especially thanks to the two festivals: “The Tabarkan Couscous Festival” in honour of the Tunisian dish revisited in Genovese style and the “Girotonno”, the main event of the summer which crowns this tasty fish dish, prepared in thousands of ways, as king of the cuisine, in a huge feast of flavours and taste.
Cagliari
Cagliari is located on the southern side of the island and is the regional capital of Sardinia (164,250 inhabitants).
This vibrant place full of fascinating traditions and friendly people is a historical city and the leading centre of the Sardinian economy at the same time.
Walk the streets of its historical district and discover the cosmopolitan flair of this unique town where culture, folklore and cuisine are not clichés. Excellent local facilities and inviting little bars and restaurants create an enjoyable atmosphere and fill the air with the aroma of spices and delicious food.
Our Cagliari charter yachts
Our 7 Day Itinerary on the Southern Sardinia Coast covering Carloforte to Cagliari.
Seee a slide show on chartering in Sardinia.
Getting There
By Plane
The easiest way to reach Sardinia is by plane. Cagliari, Alghero and Olbia are the three main airports and they all receive international flights, with charter flights arriving from all over Europe. Those coming from North America and Asia will invariably have to change at Rome, Naples or Milan.
Cagliari-Elmas Airport in the south of the island is Sardinia’s main airport and has the best facilities and the best overseas connections. Olbia Costa Smeralda Airport is situated on the northeast coast and serves Costa Smeralda, while Alghero-Fertilia Airport serves the north and northwest of Sardinia. As the island is quite large, it's a good idea to fly to the airport nearest your destination if at all possible to avoid high taxi fares.
By Ferry
It's perhaps more romantic to approach Sardinia by ferryboat especially when you plan to bring your own car. Slow and fast ferries run daily to Sardinia including overnight services. These ferries have cabins, bars and restaurants, and are best booked ahead of time. The major ferry routes go from Genova , Livorno and Piombino to Olbia, Golfo Aranci and Porto Torres in the north and northeast of the island and from Palermo (Sicily), Napels and Civitavecchia (Rome) to Cagliari.
Climate
Sardinia has a Mediterranean subtropical climate that is perfect for holidays. It has long, dry summers and mild, damp winters with snow only in the higher regions. The average temperatures lie between 14° C and 20° C, and temperatures in the summer months rise, particularly in the coastal regions to approximately 30° C.
In Sardinia the duration of the seasons is different from other Central European countries. Winter lasts from December to February, and around Christmas the so-called Saint Martin Summer ("estate di San Martino") brings mild temperatures of around the 18° C for 4 to 5 days.
Spring begins in March, which gives way to an early Summer in the middle of May and to Summer in June. July and August are high Summer months. September it is still summery warm, and in October late summer temperatures still prevail. The month of November represents however the short Sardinian autumn, before it becomes winter in December with humid days.
The island is surrounded by warm Mediterranean sea and sees plenty of sun. Sardinia enjoys 7 hours of sunshine each day in April, rising to 11 hours in July.
The Sardinian sea not only looks beautiful but it stays warm all year. Even in the coldest months, January to March, the sea temperature does not fall below 13 °C. From June to September it’s 21-23 °C and in July and August it’s up 24 °C.
Sardinian Cuisine
The Sardinian cuisine is exquisite in its simplicity, made from genuine, fresh ingredients and essential flavours and has the taste of the island itself, with fish from the sea, herbs from the mountains and fruit and vegetables ripened in the warm Mediterranean sunshine.
The choice of fish dishes is endless. Lobster is prepared with citrus fruit in Alghero, with tomatoes in Bosa, grilled in Sant’Antioco and with white wine in Santa Teresa di Gallura, while bottarga (salted or dried mullet or tuna eggs) is a favourite all along the south west coast of the island and is considered Sardinia’s caviar.
In Sardinia you´ll find a wide range of dining options. There is a huge choice from cheap and cheerful pizzerias to sophisticated restaurants for fine dining with excellent local cuisine. Make sure to visit one of the typical "Agriturismo" restaurants that usually serve a set menu of local Sardinian dishes. Typically included are Pane Carasau, wafer-thin sheets of toasted bread also known as “carta da musica” (music paper), ham, sausages and Pecorino cheese, home made pasta such as culurgiones (ravioli with a variety of fillings) and malloreddus, typically served with slices of sausage and tomato sauce followed by farm reared suckling pig (porcheddu) roasted with garlic and rosemary potatoes.
Finally the desserts. “Seadas” are round, sweet ravioli, filled with cheese, which are fried and then covered in honey. Make sure you try a glass of the local digestivo Mirto or Limoncello afterwards!
The Sardinian wines are considered among the best in the world, noted for their fragrance, strength and smoothness. It might be the combination of the mild climate, the limestone terrain, the sea air and the wind and the ancient tradition of winemaking. Modern technology has been skilfully combined with the wisdom of generations of wine makers to produce prestigious wines for all palates and dishes. The fragrances and the colours blend together to reflect the unspoiled nature of this land and its people. The most famous are Cannonau, Carignano del Sulcis, Monica, Nuragus, Vermentino, Malvasia and Vernaccia.
Our Sardinia Charter Yachts
Boatbookings.com will work with you to understand your needs and match them to the perfect yacht. We can find you virtually any yacht in Sardinia and surrounding waters for your holiday or business event. Click here to see a selection of our Sardinia Charter Yachts or simply contact us and we'll recommend the best boat for you.
Click here to view a slide show on chartering in Sardinia or see our Sardinia Charter Blog
Other Destinations: the Italian Riviera | Tuscany | Sicily | the French Riviera | Monaco | Corsica | Mallorca | Ibiza | Croatia | Greece | the BVI
