I first sailed Sardinia with mates in 2013, so it felt full circle to return in 2023 and constitution a catamaran with Dream Yacht Charter for a household trip!
The distinctive islands and turquoise waters make Sardinia the right crusing vacation spot.
We chartered a 42’ catamaran and employed a skipper which made the journey so snug. The solely factor I’d have executed in another way on our journey is opting to additionally rent a hostess so another person may store, cook dinner, and clear for us.
My son was 11 months previous on this journey and it will have been good to totally chill out and benefit from the crusing with out another tasks. Otherwise, I wouldn’t change a factor!
Our week at sea included stops at totally different seashores and islands within the La Maddalena Archipelago (the place we regularly had been the one boat anchored in a single day) and we additionally crossed over to Corsica for an evening in Bonifacio (the place we celebrated my birthday)!
Here are my ideas and itinerary for crusing Sardinia’s Maddalena Archipelago!
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Note:
I hope that sharing my itinerary helps you propose your personal journey and provides you inspiration to your personal journey!
Yacht Charter Details:
Fountaine Pajot Astrea 42′ Catamaran
Booked with: Dream Yacht Charter
Saturday to Saturday: May 27-June 3, 2023
Base: Olbia, Sardinia
Skippered (subsequent time we’ll additionally rent a hostess!)
Catamaran Layout
Fountaine Pajot Astrea 42 Catamaran
I extremely suggest a catamaran for a crusing constitution (particularly with children). They supply far more deck house for lounging and are extra secure, so there may be a lot much less rocking than with a monohull.
The Fountaine Pajot Astrea 42 Catamaran was the right yacht for our household.
It options 4 (practically an identical) inner cabins with ensuite bogs + two extra v-berths. If you rent a skipper and a hostess, they will sleep within the v-berths leaving the 4 inner cabins to your crew.
We traveled as 3 adults and a child, however there was loads of house to sleep 8 comfortably.
Check out the full particulars of the catamaran right here!
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Helpful Tip:
Early Check-In
Isola Tavolara
Day 1: Check-In Day
Early check-in (further value) on the Olbia marina — it’s the one approach to set sail the identical day as check-in (and completely value it)!
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Sail to Isola Tavolara.
This small however charming island is situated on the northeastern coast of Sardinia, Italy. With its rugged magnificence, crystal-clear waters, and distinctive pure formations, Isola Tavolara is a haven for sailors and nature fans alike.
The island’s centerpiece is the imposing Tavolara Mountain, which rises dramatically from the ocean, creating a surprising backdrop to your crusing journey.
You can take pleasure in dinner on the island however bear in mind the costs are fairly steep!
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Overnight anchorage.
Spiaggi di Cala Coticcio
Day 2: Spiaggi di Cala Coticcio
Enjoy a sluggish begin to your day and head to the seaside at Isola Tavolara. If you’re feeling adventurous, you’ll be able to pre-book a guided hike to the summit. Hikes meet at 6:00 a.m. and take 6-7 hours.
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Sail to Spiaggi di Cala Coticcio on Caprera Island.
Located on the uninhabited island of Caprera, this secluded seaside is famend for its breathtaking magnificence and pristine environment. As you method the cove with its turquoise waters and mushy, white sand, the colourful Mediterranean flora frames the shoreline.
This bay can get extraordinarily crowded however it clears out within the night. This was one among our favourite spots of your complete journey!
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Overnight anchorage.
Day 3: La Maddalena
Sail to Cala Napoletana, a secluded cove characterised by its clear azure waters and pristine white sands. Enjoy the seaside and swim off the boat.
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Next, sail to Capocchia d’u Purpu on Maddalena Island.
Capocchia d’u Purpu interprets to “octopus head” within the native dialect, named after a small rocky outcrop that resembles an octopus head. We took the dinghy to the seaside for a swim, after which had lunch again on the boat.
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Finally, sail to the city of La Maddalena.
There are two marinas right here:
Cala Gavetta is true within the middle of city, so it’s widespread and louder. If you need to be in the course of the motion, select this marina.
We opted for Marina di Cala Mangiovolpe which is on the alternative finish of city however nonetheless inside strolling distance of all the pieces. If you favor a peaceful and quiet environment, select this marina.
Stroll the city, do some purchasing, take pleasure in a neighborhood, freshly caught seafood dinner, and finish the night time with a stroll alongside the waterfront with gelato in hand!
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Overnight in marina.
Cala Corsara
Spiaggia Rosa
Cala Lunga
Day 4: Pink Beach
Explore the city of La Maddalena within the morning. There are some cute cafes and markets so you’ll be able to take pleasure in a espresso and restock your meals & provides for the following few days.
I like to recommend visiting the fish market to get some recent seafood to cook dinner on the boat for dinner!
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Sail to Cala Corsara on Spargi Island.
Cala Corsara, nestled on the enchanting Spargi Island in Sardinia, is a real slice of paradise. This secluded cove boasts powdery white sand that meets the crystal-clear turquoise waters of the Mediterranean Sea.
In peak season, this bay might be PACKED so that you won’t be capable of anchor (we went in early summer time and nonetheless opted towards staying lengthy due to what number of boats had been within the space).
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Sail to Spiaggia Rosa (Pink Beach) on Budelli Island.
Spiaggia Rosa, or “Pink Beach,” is a exceptional pure marvel situated on Budelli Island. What makes this seaside really distinctive is its pale pink sand, which derives its distinctive hue from the presence of microscopic fragments of pink coral, shells, and granite.
This seaside is a protected space, and its uncommon magnificence has led to rules that prohibit direct entry to the sand with a purpose to protect its delicate ecosystem. You can dinghy to the trailhead for a brief nature stroll that follows the shoreline.
Though you’ll be able to’t stroll on the seaside, you continue to get wonderful views of the pink sand and turquoise sea!
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Sail to Cala Lunga on Razzoli Island.
This protected bay graces Razzoli Island’s west coast, a pristine haven the place nature really exhibits off. It boasts white sands and crystal clear waters, all framed by putting orange-hued granite formations.
We dropped anchor and raised a glass of Aperol Spritz simply earlier than the solar set—the most effective sundown of our journey!
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Overnight anchorage.
Razzoli Lighthouse
Day 5: Bonifacio, Corsica
Start the morning with a nature stroll on Razzoli Island to the previous lighthouse. Once you dinghy to shore, it’s a straightforward, principally flat stroll of about 1km. The stroll is scenic and undoubtedly value doing!
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Sail to Bonifacio, Corsica.
Sailing into Bonifacio is without doubt one of the most spectacular sights I’ve ever seen—little colourful Lego-like buildings dot the sting of the cliff high. You get the sensation that the slightest breeze may topple them over the sting and into the turquoise sea beneath.
Bonifacio is cut up into 2 components: the seaside port city and the medieval citadel perched excessive upon the cliffs overlooking the Mediterranean.
I had sailed to Bonifacio ten years earlier throughout a a lot totally different period of my life. On that journey with mates, we explored the citadel all day and partied all night time at B52. This journey, with my 11-month-old child, gave me a completely new perspective on the vacation spot.
The afternoon we arrived in port, we did a bit of purchasing within the marina. Then, we took the little vacationer practice for a scenic loop up and again down the citadel, Then, we rode the carousel. We loved dinner within the marina at Del Ferro (it was nice I undoubtedly suggest!). And, we completed the night with a stroll alongside the waterfront—gelato in hand.
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Overnight in marina.
Note:
Day 6: Cala della Chiesa
Spend the morning having fun with Bonifacio.
We had been up early with the child so we determined to trek as much as the citadel by foot. It’s a steep path, however the views from the highest are nicely value it!
Spend 1-2 hours winding the slender walkways and discover the previous cemetery. Most eating places and outlets within the citadel don’t open till 9 a.m. or later, so preserve that in thoughts as you propose your journey to the highest.
Make your manner again down and do some closing purchasing within the marina.
There are two Spars (chain grocer) and Chez Lucerne Yacht Services (a specialty provision service with gourmand merchandise) on reverse ends of the marina.
For freshly baked French pastries and bread, try Pâtisserie Sorba (conventional baked items) and Anthony Barralon x Ciccio (gourmand pastries and specialty gelato).
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Sail to Cala della Chiesa within the Lavezzi Islands.
This was my favourite anchorage of the entire journey (and we occurred to be there on my birthday!). The bay is protected and the water is SO blue. It’s additionally among the finest spots for snorkeling—there have been so many fish!
Enjoy lunch on the boat, then head to the seaside or take a hike across the island. There are a number of well-marked climbing paths and the terrain is usually flat. Note that there isn’t a lot shade, so put on safety and produce water!
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Finally, sail to Cala Ferrigno on Spargi Island.
The attract of Cala Ferrigno lies in its exclusivity, accessible solely by boat. There’s a pier so that you’re in a position to moor in a single day and have direct entry to the seaside.
The distinctive amber-sand seaside is exclusive to the opposite locations we visited alongside our journey.
You may also take a stroll of about 45 minutes to the fortifications of Petrajaccio and Punta Zanotto (previous navy batteries) embedded and camouflaged in granite rock.
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Overnight mooring on pier.
Dream Yacht Base in Olbia
Day 7: Return to Base Marina
Enjoy a sluggish morning on the seaside at Cala Ferrigno earlier than crusing again to the marina in Olbia to your final night time!
Head out and discover the city of Olbia—you’ll discover outlets and eating places alongside Corso Umberto and in Piazza Regina Margherita.
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Night in marina.
Day 8: Bon Voyage
Disembark within the morning!
Final Tips!
As talked about at the start of the publish, there isn’t a single approach to sail Sardinia! Some days chances are you’ll have to improvise because of climate or crowds, or chances are you’ll choose to sail to utterly totally different locations.
I hope that sharing our itinerary helps you propose your personal journey and provides you inspiration to your personal journey!