There's nothing like a sailing vacation in Sardinia to discover this magnificent Italian island. A turquoise sea at a divine temperature, small fishing ports or marinas and a wild coastline await you. That's why we've put together this itinerary for a week's sailboat cruise in Sardinia. It will take you along the north coast of the island, opposite Corsica, called Costa Smeralda, literally: the emerald coast, in reference to the color of its water.
We've designed this Sardinia sailboat cruising itinerary to call in at yachting harbors, each more charming than the last: from lively seaside resorts to authentic fishing villages and islets with wild coves. To keep a leisurely pace and allow you to explore these magical places, each stage will require around 3 or 4 hours of sailing per day.
Day 1: Portisco
Portisco is a charming little town in northern Sardinia, whose main activity revolves around its port. Accessible and well-equipped, it is a delight for yachtsmen looking for a sailing cruise itinerary in Sardinia. You can easily reach it by landing at the nearby Olbia airport, just a few hours' flight from Paris. Before boarding your sailboat, enjoy a typical Sardinian stroll around the pretty marina and a siesta on one of Portisco's beaches, perhaps one of the most beautiful in Europe. The village, meanwhile, retains a fairly authentic soul and is surrounded by wild landscapes. The perfect start to your Sardinian cruise!
Day 2: Porto Cervo
It's a short journey to Porto Cervo, only 8 miles away. All the way, you'll be slicing through emerald waters and skirting a coastline carpeted with Mediterranean vegetation. This seaside resort is considered the capital of Sardinia's Emerald Coast, a summer tourist mecca and a must-see in Sardinia. It was built in the 60s, designed by the famous Italian architect Luigi Vietti, who, together with Prince Karim Aga Khan IV, wanted to create a charming seaside resort on this part of the coast. Indeed, Porto Cervo is not lacking in charm, as its marina is filled with pretty little restaurants and artisan boutiques. Porto Cervo is considered a Sardinian version of Saint-Tropez, so it's time for a lively evening on the coast!
Day 3: La Maddalena archipelago
Facing Sardinia's emerald coast, it's not directly Corsica. Before that, there's the La Maddalena archipelago. You'll have to sail the Tyrrhenian Sea for 16 miles to reach Isola Maddalena, the largest of the islands, and the most central of the seven main islands, which is also the most popular. Each of the islands has numerous anchorages, all of them absolutely heavenly. You can sail from island to island, for example to Budelli, with its pink sandy beach, or to the particularly green Isola Caprera. On the latter island, for example, you can disembark at Cala Coticcio, a beach so beautiful it's been dubbed the Sardinian Tahiti. You can also choose to stop off on the island of Santa Maria, in the very north of the archipelago, and in particular on Porto della Madonna.
Generally speaking, the La Maddalena archipelago is a wild haven of peace. You'll find many secret coves. In fact, it could have made an excellent Sardinian sailing itinerary in its own right, if you prefer to sail for a little less time each day. Note, however, that there are very few supplies on the island itself, so we recommend that you stock up in advance for all kinds of provisions.
Day 4: Porto Pollo
Porto Pollo is an excellent destination to discover by boat, as it's a small village built around a natural harbor. You'll only have to sail about 4 miles from the La Maddalena archipelago, depending on which island you land on. Porto Pollo is particularly well known for its wide range of water sports. And its crystal-clear waves are just the thing! In fact, they've been awarded the Blue Flag, an international label which rewards beaches with the cleanest water, and which are regularly inspected. And this is exactly what awaits you once you've docked at Porto Pollo: swimming in rock-clear waters, kitesurfing, windsurfing, surfing, wakeboarding, water-skiing... The village, meanwhile, is home to many excellent restaurants serving Sardinian cuisine.
Day 5: Santa Teresa Gallura
Ten miles to the west, you'll dock at Santa Teresa Gallura. The town is famous for its port, with daily connections to Bonifacio in Corsica, where you can make a stopover if you feel like it. But Santa Teresa Gallura is above all a pretty marina, which also welcomes fishing boats. The town is also famous for being the starting point of the Sentiero Italia, a hiking trail that crosses the whole of Italy, from Sardinia to Sicily, then from the south to the north, passing through some of Italy's must-see stops, such as Salerno, the Aosta Valley, and even nearby Cagliari in Sardinia. Take advantage of your stopover to hike a few kilometers along the trail.
Day 6: Cannigione
Santa Teresa Gallura will have been your most westerly stopover, and you will now head east again for around 17 miles, gradually reaching Portisco, your port of departure and arrival. Before that, Cannigione is a small coastal village nestled in the Gulf of Arzachena, which in itself represents everything that makes Sardinia a destination not to be missed: the soul of a fishing village, a lively marina with many traditional restaurants, a harbor docked by sailboats and catamarans, crystal-clear waters and lush green landscapes. What's more, the gulf is an excellent beach destination, with both busy beaches and confidential coves to delight all bathers.
Day 7: Portisco
Have a last breakfast on board, enjoying the view of the wild coastline, then it's time to weigh anchor one last time. With just 12 miles left to sail, it's the end of this Sardinia sailboat cruise itinerary, and already time to return to the port of departure, Portisco. In the first half of the trip, you'll leave the Gulf of Arzachena, before entering the gulf that protects Portisco. You'll have enjoyed a cheap, authentic and natural vacation discovering Sardinia.
Alternative Sardinia sailing cruise itinerary
Note also that an alternative Sardinia sailboat cruise itinerary could include Corsica. In fact, Sardinia is only a few nautical miles from the Isle of Beauty, so a stopover of one or two nights is perfectly feasible. Ideally, you should sail north up the La Maddalena archipelago from island to island before crossing to Corsica. You can then stop off at Bonifacio or Porto Vecchio. It's also possible to devote several days to the La Maddalena archipelago.
For more travel inspiration, check out our article on the best destinations for summer vacations.
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