Why charter a yacht in Sardinia
Sardinia's north-east coast — the Costa Smeralda and its neighbouring islands — is one of the two great charter destinations of the western Mediterranean (the other being the French Riviera). Where the Riviera is dense, urban and event-driven, the Costa Smeralda is quieter, geographic and built around the yacht itself. Almost every institution on the coast — the marina at Porto Cervo, the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda, the Hotel Cala di Volpe, the Pitrizza — was created in the 1960s and 1970s specifically for the yachting community, and that DNA is still visible.
For charter, the appeal of Sardinia is the anchorages. The La Maddalena archipelago just north of Porto Cervo is a national marine park of small granite islands, and the water clarity, colour and shelter are unmatched in the western Mediterranean. Days at anchor in Spargi, Cala Coticcio or Budelli are, for most guests, the memory they take home.
The natural pairing for a Sardinia charter is Corsica across the Strait of Bonifacio. A 10–14 night charter can cover both islands very comfortably. On its own, a seven-night charter within the Costa Smeralda and the Maddalena is a full and rewarding week.
Ports, marinas & berths in Sardinia
Porto Cervo — Marina di Porto Cervo
The principal charter marina on the Costa Smeralda, and one of the most established large-yacht harbours in the Mediterranean. Berths accommodate yachts up to and beyond 100 metres, and the marina complex includes the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda, the Nikki Beach and Phi Beach clubs, and a full boutique retail programme.
Ashore, the Porto Cervo village is a low-rise Emerald Coast development that has aged remarkably well. Restaurants (Il Pescatore, Spinnaker, Novikov), boutiques, and the Piazzetta at the centre of the village are the summer social hub of the Italian coast. Berthing in Porto Cervo in July and August is premium-priced and needs to be secured well in advance.
Porto Rotondo & Cala di Volpe
Porto Rotondo, ten minutes south along the coast, is a smaller and more residential alternative to Porto Cervo. The marina holds yachts up to roughly 60 metres. Cala di Volpe is not a marina but a hotel-fronted bay — the Hotel Cala di Volpe is one of the most photographed hotels in Italy, and lunches on the terrace are a classical Costa Smeralda experience.
Olbia — Marina di Olbia
Olbia is the practical port for provisioning, crew changes and overnight berths outside peak weeks. Olbia airport is 15 minutes from the marina, and the town itself is a working Sardinian port rather than a charter destination. Many yachts use Olbia as the technical base and only visit Porto Cervo when guests are aboard.
La Maddalena town
The main town on La Maddalena island itself has a small harbour used mainly by supply and passenger boats. Charter yachts rarely berth here — instead anchoring around the archipelago and tendering guests to La Maddalena or Caprera islands for short excursions ashore.
Signature anchorages & day cruises
La Maddalena archipelago — Spargi & Budelli
The islands of the Maddalena archipelago are the concierge's answer to the question 'what is the most beautiful anchorage in the western Mediterranean?'. Spargi's Cala Corsara offers turquoise water on white sand; Budelli's Spiaggia Rosa (Pink Beach) is UNESCO-protected and viewable only by tender. Santa Maria and Razzoli further west offer more sheltered afternoon anchorages when the northerly wind is up.
Cala Coticcio & Caprera
Cala Coticcio on Caprera island is often called 'the Tahiti of the Mediterranean' for its water clarity and beach quality. Access is restricted to preserve the ecosystem — guests visit by tender with a park guide. A morning at Coticcio, followed by lunch at anchor and an afternoon at Cala Napoletana further north, is one of the classical Maddalena days.
Costa Smeralda — Cala di Volpe, Piccolo Pevero & Liscia di Vacca
The chain of small bays along the Costa Smeralda coast itself. Cala di Volpe fronts the hotel of the same name; Piccolo Pevero is a shallow, sheltered sand anchorage popular with families; Liscia di Vacca is closer to Porto Cervo and often used as an evening anchorage before dinner ashore.
Golfo di Marinella
A wider bay between Porto Cervo and Porto Rotondo — sheltered, workable holding, and typically less busy than the Maddalena. Suitable for a quiet lunch or an overnight for guests who want to remain close to Porto Cervo.
Tavolara & the east coast
The Tavolara marine reserve just south of Olbia offers a distinctive limestone-mountain anchorage. The island itself is a striking silhouette from the sea, and the surrounding water is protected for snorkelling. A worthwhile southern extension for guests wanting to leave the Costa Smeralda for a day.
Southern beaches — Villasimius & Chia
For longer Sardinia charters that go beyond the north-east coast, the southern beaches around Villasimius and Chia offer some of the most beautiful sand in the Mediterranean. Rarely visited on standard week-long charters from Porto Cervo, but a rewarding southern circumnavigation over ten to fourteen nights.
Best time for a Sardinia yacht charter
The Sardinia charter season effectively runs from early June to late September. Water temperatures cross 22°C in June and hold through September; the high summer weeks of July and August are the peak, with the Costa Smeralda ashore programme (restaurants, boutiques, Porto Cervo social calendar) at full volume.
The Ferragosto week around 15 August is the single busiest of the year on the coast. Berths, tables and beach clubs need to be secured months ahead, and the Maddalena anchorages take on a busy character. If a quieter charter is the priority, the concierge's preferred windows are early-to-mid June, late June, and the first two weeks of September — same water temperature, materially calmer atmosphere.
The prevailing summer wind is the Maestrale from the north-west; less frequently the Scirocco from the south. Both are manageable for a well-crewed yacht, though the Maestrale can compress the day plan by forcing the yacht to hold in a sheltered bay. Sardinia does not experience the Mistral as strongly as the mainland French coast.
The Rolex Swan Cup regatta in mid-September at Porto Cervo is a rewarding week to be there — the harbour fills with some of the most beautiful sailing yachts in the world and the ashore programme is genuinely social. Similarly the Loro Piana Superyacht Regatta earlier in the season.
Sample Sardinia yacht charter itineraries
Itinerary 1
7-night Costa Smeralda & Maddalena week
The classical Sardinia week. Embark Porto Cervo, days split between the Maddalena archipelago and the Costa Smeralda coast, evenings in Porto Cervo.
- SatEmbark Porto Cervo 16:00. Overnight in the marina, dinner at Il Pescatore or Yacht Club Costa Smeralda.
- SunCruise north to Spargi. Full day at Cala Corsara, tender excursion to Budelli's Pink Beach viewpoint.
- MonCala Coticcio on Caprera — permit-controlled morning ashore, lunch at anchor, afternoon at Cala Napoletana.
- TueSanta Maria and Razzoli for a calmer day. Overnight at anchor in the archipelago.
- WedReturn south to Costa Smeralda. Lunch at Cala di Volpe (Hotel Cala di Volpe terrace), overnight Piccolo Pevero.
- ThuGolfo di Marinella morning, Porto Rotondo lunch. Evening in Porto Cervo, dinner at Novikov or Phi Beach.
- FriTavolara reserve day cruise. Return to Porto Cervo for the final evening.
- SatDisembarkation Porto Cervo by 09:00.
Itinerary 2
10-night Sardinia & Corsica combined charter
The concierge's favourite western-Mediterranean itinerary. Embark Porto Cervo, work north across the Strait of Bonifacio into Corsica, disembark in Corsica.
- Days 1–3Porto Cervo embark. Costa Smeralda coast and Cala di Volpe.
- Days 4–5Maddalena archipelago — Spargi, Coticcio, Budelli.
- Day 6Short crossing north across the Bocche di Bonifacio to the Lavezzi archipelago (Corsica).
- Days 7–8Lavezzi and Bonifacio harbour, dinner in the Haute Ville.
- Days 9–10Rondinara and Palombaggia. Disembark Porto-Vecchio or Bonifacio day 11.
Itinerary 3
14-night full-Sardinia circumnavigation
For guests wanting to see the whole island. Embark Olbia, north-east coast for the first week, southern beaches (Villasimius, Chia) and Cagliari for the second, disembark Alghero on the west.
- Days 1–4Costa Smeralda and Maddalena archipelago.
- Days 5–7Tavolara, east coast, cruise south to Villasimius.
- Days 8–10Villasimius beaches, Cagliari for provisioning and dinner ashore.
- Days 11–12Chia beaches, cruise up the west coast.
- Days 13–14Alghero and the Neptune's Grotto anchorage. Disembark day 15.
Best yachts for Sardinia
The signature Sardinia charter yacht is a 35–50 metre semi-displacement or displacement motor yacht with a well-specified beach club, a full watersports programme and enough range to comfortably manage the anchorage-to-anchorage cruises. Sanlorenzo SD, Benetti, Feadship and Oceanco all fit this brief; Sunseeker and Ferretti in the 30–40 metre bracket work well for shorter charters within the Costa Smeralda coast.
The Maddalena anchorages reward yachts that carry serious watersports and diving equipment. Water clarity in the archipelago is exceptional, and the concierge routinely arranges dive instructors, sea-plane transfers and Sardinia-specific charter extras (a helicopter to the interior of the island for a day, a private dinner at Cala di Volpe hotel) that fit best with a fully-crewed 40-metre-plus yacht.
For a sailing charter, Sardinia is very rewarding — the Costa Smeralda winds are more reliable than the eastern Med and the Maddalena is one of the finest sailing cruising grounds in Europe. See sailing yacht options and the wider Monaco charter fleet.
On board & ashore
The Costa Smeralda ashore programme is one of the most self-contained in the Mediterranean. Every restaurant, beach club and hotel guests will want to visit is within a short tender or short drive of Porto Cervo. The concierge's regular short list: Il Pescatore for the harbour dinner, Novikov and Phi Beach for the late evening, Spinnaker for a Porto Rotondo lunch, the terrace at Cala di Volpe hotel for the classical Sardinian lunch, and — for a special evening — the private dining room at Yacht Club Costa Smeralda.
On board, the Maddalena days lend themselves to the deepest watersports programme any yacht carries. Seabobs and jet-skis in the shallower bays, paddleboards and kayaks for tender excursions to Coticcio and Budelli, and — for the well-equipped larger yachts — an inflatable water park, dive compressor and full diving programme. Water clarity supports genuine snorkelling and, on a 40-metre-plus build with certified crew, guided diving.
Ashore excursions inland from the Costa Smeralda are more limited than the French Riviera but exist. A helicopter transfer to the interior mountains for a Sardinian shepherd's lunch, a wine visit to the Cantina Surrau (a short drive inland), and shopping days in the Porto Cervo boutiques are the classical add-ons.
Charter costs, APA and VAT
Sardinia charter rates track the western-Mediterranean market with a modest premium during the Ferragosto weeks in August. Typical weekly base rates for a 30–40 metre motor yacht run from €160,000 to €300,000; 40–60 metre builds from €300,000 to €700,000; and 60m+ superyachts from €800,000 upward. Berthing fees in Porto Cervo in peak season are among the highest in Europe and are typically covered by the APA.
The APA for a Sardinia week is typically 30–35% of the base rate. Provisioning and beach-club spend can push it higher for guests booking multiple beach-club lunches or arranging private dinners at Cala di Volpe hotel. The concierge always issues a mid-charter APA update so nothing is a surprise at the end of the week.
Italian VAT applies to the portion of the charter conducted in Italian waters. Sardinia is fully within Italian VAT territory; a crossing to Corsica moves the yacht into French VAT for that portion. Full framework in the Monaco yacht charter prices guide.
Sardinia yacht charter FAQs
Where do most Sardinia yacht charters embark?+
Porto Cervo (Costa Smeralda) is the principal charter hub — the marina, the yacht club and the shoreside infrastructure are all built around large-yacht charter. Olbia airport (Costa Smeralda) is a 40-minute road transfer from the marina. Some longer charters embark in Cagliari or Alghero.
How long is the flight to Sardinia?+
Olbia Costa Smeralda is directly connected in season from Nice, Milan, Rome, Paris, London, Zurich and Geneva. Private jets can position in under 90 minutes from Nice. Guests very often fly Nice–Olbia to join a yacht in Porto Cervo after starting the trip in Monaco.
What are the best anchorages in Sardinia?+
The La Maddalena archipelago (Spargi, Budelli, Santa Maria, Razzoli), the Costa Smeralda coast (Cala di Volpe, Piccolo Pevero, Liscia di Vacca), and the southern beaches around Villasimius. Cala Coticcio on Caprera is often called the 'Tahiti of the Mediterranean' for its water clarity.
Can we combine Sardinia with Corsica?+
Yes — this is arguably the best 10-14 night charter in the western Mediterranean. Corsica's Bonifacio and the Lavezzi archipelago sit directly across the Strait of Bonifacio from La Maddalena in Sardinia. Most captains treat the two as a single cruising area.
Is Porto Cervo worth the berth cost?+
Yes, if the charter is anchored around the Costa Smeralda ashore programme (Yacht Club Costa Smeralda, the Pitrizza, the Cala di Volpe hotel, the boutiques and the summer social calendar). If the charter is anchor-and-beach focused, most captains prefer to anchor in the surrounding bays and tender in for evenings.
What's the best time to charter in Sardinia?+
Mid-June to mid-September for the full ashore programme. Late June, early July and the first half of September are the concierge's preferred windows — warm swimming water, reliable weather and marginally quieter anchorages than the very peak of August.
Do we need permits for La Maddalena?+
The La Maddalena archipelago is a protected national park and charter yachts require a permit to anchor and cruise inside its waters. The permits are straightforward to obtain and are arranged by the captain and concierge in advance of the charter.
Is Sardinia a good family charter destination?+
Very. The beaches on the Costa Smeralda and in the Maddalena are shallow, sheltered and safe; the water clarity supports genuine snorkelling; and the ashore programme in Porto Cervo includes restaurants and activities suitable for families of all ages.
Related destinations & guides
- Yacht charter CorsicaThe natural Sardinia pairing across the Strait of Bonifacio.
- Yacht charter MonacoFlagship Monaco charter hub.
- Yacht charter Italian RivieraNorthern Italian coast alternative.
- Week-long yacht charterSeven-day charter framework.
- Family yacht charterFamily-suited yachts for Costa Smeralda.
- Sailing yacht fleetSailing yachts for the Maddalena.
- Monaco yacht charter pricesRates, APA and VAT.
- Charter fleetFull Monaco charter fleet.
By the concierge desk · Monaco