Sailing in Sardinia – Join a sailing trip with sailwithus

Learn More About Sailing Along in Sardinia

Arrival and departure

You can travel to your Sardinia sailing trip independently in a variety of ways in just one day: by ferry or plane, you can easily reach Sardinia from the Italian mainland. The airports in Olbia and Alghero are served by many German cities. From there, you can take a taxi or bus to the marina in Olbia or Portisco. The marina is your starting point for setting sail. If you’re arriving by ferry and car, there’s a secure parking lot near the harbor. It’s smart to plan your arrival so that you’re at the marina between 2 and 4 p.m. You’re welcome to coordinate with your fellow sailors in advance via a WhatsApp group that will be set up beforehand. You’ll receive the WhatsApp group link and detailed harbor information for Sardinia in the week before your trip begins.

For a relaxed journey home, your yacht will return to Olbia or Portisco on Friday between 3 and 6 p.m. You’re welcome to stay on board until the next day at 9 a.m. and make the most of the final hours on the yacht before saying goodbye after breakfast on Saturday.

Natural Wonders of the Mediterranean

Sailwithus doesn’t sail to Sicily — but in terms of experience, a Sardinia sailing trip with a skipper is every bit as impressive as the Italian peninsula. After all, Sardinia is the second largest island in the Mediterranean after Sicily. Northern Sardinia and southern Corsica are among the most beautiful sailing areas the Mediterranean has to offer — and for good reason. A sailing holiday in Sardinia doesn’t do things by halves: it boasts natural wonders like the Maddalena Archipelago, the Lavezzi Islands, the Costa Smeralda, and of course, Corsica. Some trips start from Olbia. After a week-long sailing holiday, many are tempted to keep exploring the Mediterranean. A short getaway to Sicily or Greece is a great option after a sailing trip with sailwithus. After all, the destination “Sicily & Aeolian Islands” is not far away. The picture-perfect beaches and secluded bays create a Caribbean vibe in the Mediterranean. Add to that wild rock formations and numerous offshore islands to discover, whose rugged beauty feels wonderfully romantic.

Whether experienced sailors or beginners with no sailing experience — everyone raves about the Maddalena Archipelago on our trips. Around 60 islands belong to the Parco Nazionale dell’Arcipelago di La Maddalena. The islands are made of granite rock. Speaking of granite: the Lavezzi Islands between Sardinia and Corsica are equally impressive with their granite reefs.

Sardinia, Italy — Away from the Mass Tourism

The island of Sardinia is still one of the Mediterranean’s hidden gems. Although it’s only a two-hour flight from Germany and 200 kilometers from the Italian mainland, there is still relatively little mass tourism here. Sardinia’s coastline, with its wild rocky landscapes and other cultural highlights, promises variety and adventure. There’s always time for small excursions on the island. As mentioned, Sardinia is the second largest island in the Mediterranean after Sicily and is part of Italy. Its capital is Cagliari. The city of Olbia (Olbia Costa Smeralda) is one of the island’s most important port cities and is the fourth largest city on Sardinia. Another top attraction is Bonifacio/the Strait of Bonifacio, a small harbor town at the southern tip of Corsica, or the village of Portisco with Marina Portisco, very close to Olbia on the northeast coast. And of course, the picturesque town of Alghero.
Some facts and figures: the island boasts an impressive 2,000 kilometers of coastline. About 1.6 million Sardinians speak a Romance dialect and are a friendly people. Take the time to meet them during an excursion ashore.

Sardinia Sailing Trip Costs

Sardinia is actually quite an expensive destination. A few euros rarely cover a whole week. But it’s different when it comes to chartering a yacht: sailing off Sardinia is absolutely affordable for the best time of the year. The price is right — not just because you have provisions on board and occasionally eat out at a restaurant. Sailing in Sardinia with a yacht charter, where you sail along with a skipper and crew, is a great alternative to a hotel holiday. Sailing with children is possible too. You arrange your own travel to the harbor, but everything else on the daily legs is planned together with the crew, so there’s plenty of time to sail and relax. When is the best climate for sailing trips? Sailing in Sardinia is possible most of the year. The climate is typically Mediterranean and sunny and warm — up to about 28 degrees Celsius — from June to September. The wind conditions are also exceptional: in the Strait of Bonifacio, the funnel effect guarantees optimal sailing fun practically 365 days a year.

The Costa Smeralda

True seafaring romance comes alive under white sails off the Costa Smeralda. This eastern coastal stretch, with its Caribbean-like dream beaches, is one of the most beautiful corners of Sardinia. Its name, “Emerald Coast,” comes from the crystal-clear water that shimmers emerald green depending on the light and sea depth. Porto Cervo, located on the Costa Smeralda, is famous for its harbor and the glamour that some luxury yachts radiate. A fun side note — even though we don’t dock here on our sailing trip: Porto Cervo is a tourist hotspot. But smaller boats also moor here overnight, which is charming. After all, the rich and famous linger along the Costa Smeralda. The water here is so clear that it invites you to swim, snorkel, and dive. Tips about where the celebrities hang out are in hot demand — especially Cannigione attracts the beautiful people in July. The luxury hotels, golf courses, and chic restaurants of the Costa Smeralda invite singles and solo travelers to visit. By the way, the area is perfect for traveling to the Maddalena Archipelago or exploring the Corsican islands a few nautical miles away. There’s plenty of opportunity to relax on board and swim during the trip.

Where Does the Wind Blow on Holiday?

It’s not just the Costa Smeralda where you can enjoy dreamy sailing. All around Sardinia you’ll find excellent winds and hardly any tidal differences. The Mistral wind attracts regatta sailors from all over the world year after year. In international sailing, the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup off Sardinia is well-known — where the most impressive yachts put on a spectacular racing week off Porto Cervo. In general, the weather makes this sailing area a popular holiday destination. Whether it’s April, May, June, August, September, or October — you’ll always have excellent conditions for your sailing trip and the wind in your sails. Someone at the yacht charter counter might ask: “Which way to the Maddalena Archipelago?” Skipper and crew will say: “This way, heading south!” You’ll rave about La Maddalena because you’ll find countless spots to anchor and discover the archipelago best from the water. A very popular overnight anchorage is, for example, Cala Corsara on Isola Spargi.

North, Northeast, check. Now it’s time for the South!

Admittedly, the northeast of the island and its stunning archipelago are among Sardinia’s most beautiful sides, making sailors’ hearts beat faster. A true gem in the north is Santa Teresa di Gallura — white sand and emerald waters along the coast make it the queen of the northeast. But let’s take the compass and actively change direction so you can discover the entire island world between Sardinia and French Corsica.
You’re probably curious about the difference between the north and south coasts. Sailing along the north coast takes you past impressive cliffs, rugged shorelines, and small bays. The Costa Smeralda is the highlight of the northeast. Many people book here for the VIP atmosphere — it’s truly a world of its own. On Sardinia, the south coast is completely different, apart from the Caribbean-like dream beaches. A small plain (“Il Campidano”) lies between the Gulf of Cagliari and Oristano.

The west and east of Sardinia are… . .

Let’s drop anchor on the west coast — and take our time exploring an area with dream beaches and medieval old towns. We’ll start at the southwestern tip and the island of San Pietro, which consists of just a few streets — perhaps that’s exactly why Hollywood star Tom Cruise paid it a visit! The small community of Carloforte on the island — the only inhabited place in the south of San Pietro — combines Ligurian and Tunisian flair.
Now, let’s drop anchor on the east coast, at the port of La Caletta. It’s a charming place that holidaymakers love to visit by ferry or boat. There’s an old town center as well as modern supermarkets. But most of your time will be spent on the fine sandy beaches. Keep sailing east! A boat trip in the Gulf of Orosei gives you plenty of time for short shore excursions and to experience nature in the bays of Cala Goloritzè, Cala Luna, and Cala Mariolu. Each bay is also perfect for spending a few hours diving, relaxing in the water, and enjoying good food.

Sun & Fun on La Maddalena: The Maddalena Archipelago

You don’t have to book a Sun Odyssey sailing yacht to sail to the most beautiful spots. Hoist the sails on one of our modern sailing yachts and head towards the Maddalena Archipelago. This archipelago is an Italian island group in the northeast. Sixty-two islands are clustered around Sardinia. The island world also offers a few larger islands that are worth a visit: La Maddalena and the second largest island, Caprera.
The Maddalena Archipelago and its islands reveal a world that rivals Thailand and the Caribbean. Many call these numerous offshore islands the “Caribbean of the Mediterranean” or the “Caribbean of Europe.” All the islands offer crystal-clear waters in every shade — from azure blue to emerald green — perfect for swimming. Caprera, the second largest island with its southern beauty, has even earned the nickname “Tahiti.”
The Maddalena Archipelago is a protected nature reserve. Myrtle, juniper, laurel, broom, and oleander line the roads. The region captivates with its bizarre granite rocks and rich flora. Architecture and nature — once a Roman military base — make this area perfect for short shore excursions. Whether it’s flora or fauna — between Corsica and Sardinia, everything is vibrant. The Strait of Bonifacio, in particular, is known for its abundance of fish. So make the most of your days on the water to marvel at groupers, starfish, or red mullet.

Corsica — The French Pearl

Just seven nautical miles from the north coast of Sardinia, you’ll reach Corsica on your sailing trip. Thanks to its countless natural wonders and as the birthplace of Napoleon, Corsica is nicknamed “the French Pearl of the Mediterranean.” So it’s not just the Mediterranean island of Elba where you can get a taste of Napoleon’s legacy. Alongside the natural harbors of Porto Vecchio and Bonifacio, the Corsican Lavezzi Islands are among the most popular destinations, where you can enjoy the best and most beautiful bays while snorkeling. A special island between Sardinia and Corsica is Cavallo.

Cavallo and Its Beauties

This Sardinian island is correctly called “Île Cavallo.” Between Capo Coda Cavallo and Capo Testa, you can easily plan a sailing trip in Sardinia with daily legs that show the best time of the year from its sunniest side. Here, you can discover true beauties during your sailing holiday: nature, coastline, and beaches invite you to swim, relax, and snorkel. It’s truly an exceptionally attractive sailing area.

Do you like the idea of visiting two countries on your holiday? Then join a sailing trip in the Baltic Sea too! There you’ll get to see the beauty of northern Germany and stretch out your arms into wonderful Denmark. The journey starts in Warnemünde, continues through the entire Lolland region with a special stop at the island of Møn. On the way back, you’ll sail via Heiligenhafen along the German coast again. Click into your holiday and see what a Baltic Sea sailing trip has to offer!