I first sailed Sardinia with mates in 2013, so it felt full circle to return in 2023 and constitution a catamaran with Dream Yacht Constitution 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 one factor I’d have carried out in a different way on our journey is opting to additionally rent a hostess so another person may store, prepare dinner, and clear for us.
My son was 11 months outdated on this journey and it will have been good to completely chill out and benefit from the crusing with out another obligations. In any other case, 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 have 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)!
Listed below are my suggestions and itinerary for crusing Sardinia’s Maddalena Archipelago!
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I hope that sharing my itinerary helps you propose your individual journey and provides you inspiration to your personal journey!
Yacht Constitution Particulars:
Fountaine Pajot Astrea 42′ Catamaran
Booked with: Dream Yacht Constitution
Saturday to Saturday: Might 27-June 3, 2023
Base: Olbia, Sardinia
Skippered (subsequent time we’ll additionally rent a hostess!)
Catamaran Structure
Fountaine Pajot Astrea 42 Catamaran
I extremely advocate a catamaran for a crusing constitution (particularly with youngsters). They provide far more deck area for lounging and are extra secure, so there’s 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 (almost similar) inner cabins with ensuite bogs + two further v-berths. Should 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 area to sleep 8 comfortably.
Try the full particulars of the catamaran right here!
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Useful Tip:
Early Verify-In
Isola Tavolara
Day 1: Verify-In Day
Early check-in (additional price) on the Olbia marina — it’s the one method to set sail the identical day as check-in (and completely price 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 possibly can get pleasure from dinner on the island however remember the costs are fairly steep!
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In a single day anchorage.
Spiaggi di Cala Coticcio
Day 2: Spiaggi di Cala Coticcio
Take pleasure in a gradual begin to your day and head to the seashore at Isola Tavolara. Should you’re feeling adventurous, you possibly can 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.
Positioned on the uninhabited island of Caprera, this secluded seashore is famend for its breathtaking magnificence and pristine environment. As you strategy the cove with its turquoise waters and delicate, white sand, the colourful Mediterranean flora frames the shoreline.
This bay can get extraordinarily crowded nevertheless it clears out within the night. This was one in every of our favourite spots of your entire journey!
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In a single day anchorage.
Day 3: La Maddalena
Sail to Cala Napoletana, a secluded cove characterised by its clear azure waters and pristine white sands. Benefit from the seashore and swim off the boat.
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Subsequent, 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 seashore for a swim, after which had lunch again on the boat.
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Lastly, sail to the city of La Maddalena.
There are two marinas right here:
Cala Gavetta is correct within the middle of city, so it’s fashionable and louder. If you wish 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. Should you desire a peaceful and quiet environment, select this marina.
Stroll the city, do some procuring, get pleasure from an area, freshly caught seafood dinner, and finish the evening with a stroll alongside the waterfront with gelato in hand!
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In a single day in marina.
Cala Corsara
Spiaggia Rosa
Cala Lunga
Day 4: Pink Seashore
Discover the city of La Maddalena within the morning. There are some cute cafes and markets so you possibly can get pleasure from a espresso and restock your meals & provides for the subsequent few days.
I like to recommend visiting the fish market to get some contemporary seafood to prepare 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 can be PACKED so that you may not be capable of anchor (we went in early summer time and nonetheless opted in opposition to staying lengthy due to what number of boats have been within the space).
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Sail to Spiaggia Rosa (Pink Seashore) on Budelli Island.
Spiaggia Rosa, or “Pink Seashore,” is a exceptional pure marvel situated on Budelli Island. What makes this seashore 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 seashore is a protected space, and its uncommon magnificence has led to laws that prohibit direct entry to the sand so as to protect its delicate ecosystem. You possibly can dinghy to the trailhead for a brief nature stroll that follows the shoreline.
Although you possibly can’t stroll on the seashore, you continue to get superb 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 placing orange-hued granite formations.
We dropped anchor and raised a glass of Aperol Spritz simply earlier than the solar set—the perfect sundown of our journey!
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In a single day anchorage.
Razzoli Lighthouse
Day 5: Bonifacio, Corsica
Begin the morning with a nature stroll on Razzoli Island to the outdated lighthouse. When you dinghy to shore, it’s a simple, largely flat stroll of about 1km. The stroll is scenic and positively price doing!
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Sail to Bonifacio, Corsica.
Crusing into Bonifacio is likely 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 under.
Bonifacio is cut up into 2 elements: 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 evening at B52. This journey, with my 11-month-old child, gave me a wholly new perspective on the vacation spot.
The afternoon we arrived in port, we did a bit of procuring within the marina. Then, we took the little vacationer prepare 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 positively advocate!). And, we completed the night with a stroll alongside the waterfront—gelato in hand.
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In a single day in marina.
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Day 6: Cala della Chiesa
Spend the morning having fun with Bonifacio.
We have been up early with the infant 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 price it!
Spend 1-2 hours winding the slim walkways and discover the outdated cemetery. Most eating places and outlets within the citadel don’t open till 9 a.m. or later, so maintain that in thoughts as you propose your journey to the highest.
Make your approach again down and do some last procuring within the marina.
There are two Spars (chain grocer) and Chez Lucerne Yacht Providers (a specialty provision service with gourmand merchandise) on reverse ends of the marina.
For freshly baked French pastries and bread, take a look at 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 probably the greatest spots for snorkeling—there have been so many fish!
Take pleasure in lunch on the boat, then head to the seashore or take a hike across the island. There are many well-marked mountain climbing paths and the terrain is usually flat. Word that there isn’t a lot shade, so put on safety and convey water!
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Lastly, 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 seashore.
The distinctive amber-sand seashore is exclusive to the opposite locations we visited alongside our journey.
You too can take a stroll of about 45 minutes to the fortifications of Petrajaccio and Punta Zanotto (outdated army batteries) embedded and camouflaged in granite rock.
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In a single day mooring on pier.
Dream Yacht Base in Olbia
Day 7: Return to Base Marina
Take pleasure in a gradual morning on the seashore at Cala Ferrigno earlier than crusing again to the marina in Olbia to your final evening!
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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Evening in marina.
Day 8: Bon Voyage
Disembark within the morning!
Remaining Suggestions!
As talked about initially of the publish, there isn’t a single method to sail Sardinia! Some days chances are you’ll have to improvise on account of climate or crowds, or chances are you’ll choose to sail to fully totally different locations.
I hope that sharing our itinerary helps you propose your individual journey and provides you inspiration to your personal journey!