Italy is a country of miracles and wonders, especially in the summer. Sailing enthusiasts have a soft spot for the islands, from picturesque Sicily to the up-and-coming Aeolian islands in the South. But nothing compares to Sardinia, Italy’s biggest island, famous for the longevity of its people. A yacht charter in Sardinia will ensure a carefree summer of good food and far niente (i.e. doing nothing).
Beautiful Cagliari
Sardinia is the Med’s second-biggest island, offering ample opportunities for a sailing trip. It’s a popular tourist destination all year round, that gets particularly busy in the summer. But if you charter a yacht in Sardinia, you can avoid the hordes of tourists. You can start your trip from Cagliari, the capital and biggest city of the island on the south. The Gulf of Cagliari is great for a view of the city from the sea. To dock your boat, there is a big marina for yachts. Marina Piccola nearby is a good alternative if you hire a boat in Sardinia. Once you are in Cagliari proper, take a stroll in the old town and visit the famous medieval citadel and fortifications, protecting the city from pirates in old times. Poetto beach nearby is great for a swim before you depart to your next destination.
Isola di San Pietro
Your next stopover can be the small island of Isola di San Pietro on the southwest of Sardinia. Home to many beautiful fishing villages, dock your boat at any of the ports. The island’s speciality is locally fished bluefin tuna. Don’t miss the opportunity to visit a tavern in the small town of Carloforte and enjoy a tuna salad with some chianti or prosecco. From there you can sail to the town of Oristano or straight to Alghero on the northwest.
Alghero
In Alghero, observe the influence of Catalan knights, who ruled parts of the island for a few centuries. Many locals are descendants of these Catalan adventures and speak Catalan to this day. Alghero is a typical Mediterranean town where you can visit ruins of a Bronze Age settlement in Nuraghe Palmavera. Or swim at the Bombarde and Speranza beaches, famous for their turquoise waters.
From Alghero, sail to Capo Caccia, a thin piece of land of raw beauty and rugged cliffs where you can explore the famous caves. If you opt to hire a boat in Sardinia, you will also be able to visit the Asinara National Park, a marine nature reserve of outstanding natural beauty.
Explore the calas
You are now in the north of the island, not far from Corsica. You can dock in Castelsardo, a traditional fishing village. A big medieval castle graciously towers above the village’s coloured houses. There is a big, modern marina. Take a stroll in the village’s cobbled streets and try Cannonau, a famous wine produced in Sardinia. After you cross the strait of Bonifaccio, you can visit one of the most beautiful places in the Med: the Maddalena archipelago, part of which is Isla Caprera. On the northeast of this tiny islet, you’ll find yourself in a little paradise called Cala Coticcio: two coves that shape a beautiful beach and natural bay to dock your boat. Not coincidentally, Coticcio is also known as Tahiti Bay for its exotic vibes.
Porto Cervo
If you charter a yacht in Sardinia, you can’t miss an opportunity to visit Porto Cervo on the northeast. This is the island’s poshest town in the trendy Costa Smeralda where all the great and the good of the Italian and international jet set gather in the summer, many of them on some of the world’s most luxurious yachts. This famed resort is famous among other things for the Loro Piana Superyachts Regatta, held every June and attracting leading sailors and sailing enthusiasts.
Ahead of you on the eastern coast of Sardinia is a series of beautiful coves that you just have to explore if you rent a boat in Sardinia. So that you can enjoy the Med’s beautiful scenery in all its glory in the summer. Perhaps the most famous one is Cala Goloritze nearby the small town of Baunei – a beautiful sandy beach of turquoise waters that you can only reach by boat.
From there you can sail back to Cagliari and start planning your next trip to this beautiful island or its equally stunning neighbour, Corsica!
1 comment
La lectura me cautivò, hace una semana que regresamos de navegar a vela en el Adriàtico, alrededores de Split, Croacia, y ya estamos buscando nuevo destino, conocemos la màgica Cerdeña y el artìculo me hizo desear verla desde el mar. Me interesa saber de precios y orientaciòn sobre època conveniente para la vela. Entre 30 y 36 pies està el barco que nos interesa.