Boat Rental and Yacht Charter in Sardinia

An island located in the Mediterranean Sea, part of Italy. Sardinia is known for its beautiful beaches, crystal-clear waters, and delicious local cuisine. A perfect destination for a beach holiday!

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Sailing Guide Sardinia

Relax, have fun and revitalise your sense of adventure in the invigorating sea on your chartered yacht in Sardinia. Discover unspoilt beaches, authentic villages and many of the island’s natural wonders while sailing around Italy’s second largest island. Enjoy the untouched and wild beauty of Sardinia as you snorkel in alluring reefs, soak up the sun on a deserted beach and explore historic sites.

Things to do and see when sailing in Sardinia

Sardinia is obviously most known for its turquoise waters, stunning sandy beaches and Italian cuisine. If you think that’s all, you are in for a treat. You can discover some of the most picturesque hiking trails, eat your way through the local markets and visit ancient ruins dating back to 2000 BC.

Activities in Sardinia

  • Visit Cagliari, the capital of Sardinia, to experience modern Sardinian life mixed with the omnipresent ruins and historical sites of times long gone. One of the most interesting sites
  • Su Nuraxi di Barumini is one of the most ancient sites you can find in Sardinia. Included on the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites, it is estimated to have been built around 1.700 BC.
  • Sardinia’s winds make it an ideal destination for surfing, windsurfing, and kitesurfing while the calm waters closer to shore are perfect for a relaxing time of paddle boarding and snorkeling. If you need a break from sailing all day long and want to do something fun with your friends, these activities should be on your bucket list for your vacation in Sardinia.
  • Cala Gonone is a stunning town in Sardinia with a picturesque marina and even more beautiful beaches. Turquoise waters invite you for a swim before sunbathing on the beach all day long. Head out on a boat for magical sunset views.
  • Drop your anchor and visit the medieval city of Alghero located on the northwest coast of Sardinia. Roam around the stunning historical streets, visit the Coral Museum and enjoy magical sunset views at Capo Caccia. It is a bit of a track to get to Capo Caccia, but the views are absolutely worth it!
  • History lovers will be delighted to visit the medieval town of Castelsardo, where you can see the Elephant Rock, Doria Palace and the ancient Church of St. Mary.
  • The National Park of Asinara is a true gem for anyone who wants to discover more of Sardinias’s nature. Hike or bike this part of Sardinia to make the most of visiting this part of the island.
  • Discover the historic houses and streets of Carloforte for a cultural treat. This quaint fishing village comes with the most beautiful crystal clear water and architectural gems that make you feel like wandering in a dream.
  • One of the highlights of your sailing trip in Sardinia will be a stop at the breathtaking cliffs and pristine beaches of Chia which show some unique rock formations from where you overlook the Mediterranean.

Beaches in Sardinia

No sailing trip around Sardinia is complete without visiting some of the most beautiful beaches on the island. Whether you are looking for family-friendly beaches with all amenities you could think of or want to explore more remote beaches, Sardinia has it all!

  • Cala Goloritzè, Baunei is a remote beach that will make you think you have accidentally landed in the Caribbean. Unique rock formations surround the magical turquoise waters, making it also the perfect location to anchor your boat if you’re sailing around Sardinia.
  • Spiaggia Del Principe, Arzachena is another stunning beach resembling the Caribbean. Located in a hidden bay, your boat is staying safe from the wind while you take a swim in the crystal clear waters or take a moment to relax on the beach.
  • La Cinta is a family friendly beach in San Teodoro that offers all the amenities you could ask for when travelling with kids. It is a super long beach with a lot of accommodations nearby to make your stay on Sardinia as comfortable as possible.

Restaurants in Sardinia

As the island of Sardinia is part of Italy, the leading cuisine on this part of the Mediterranean is definitely Italian food - alongside some dishes that are specific for the island of Sardinia.

Casual dining in Sardinia:

  • Pizzajò Pirri: As the name suggests, this is a pizzeria in Cagliari. Recommended by many Italian tourists, this budget-friendly restaurant should be on your bucket list for a mouthwatering pizza in Sardinia.
  • Sardigna Street Food is a cute little food truck located in Villasimius. Fresh food and the enthusiastic owners make this place an absolute MUST on your trip to Sardinia. Try the highly praised burger.
  • Fritto Mania will make every fried food lover feel like they have entered heaven. You can find all kinds of delicious fried food here. Try the calamari with some crispy chips on the side.

Beach restaurants in Sardinia:

  • Il Paguro: Is there anything better than sailing all day long and entering a restaurant with the most stunning view for dinner? Sailing around the Maddalena Archipelago can be fun, but exhausting. Come to Il Paguro for a delicious dinner accompanied by fabulous wine. The restaurant is located right next to the beach.
  • Tanit: Not exactly located at the beach, but next to the Poltu Quatu marina, Tanit will particularly charm you with their excellent local fish dishes. Where else could you find fresher fish than in a restaurant located right next to the source?

Fine dining in Sardinia:

  • Gusto by Sadler in San Teodoro is a Michelin Star restaurant that is famous for its Mediterranean cuisine with a light and modern touch. This restaurant will charm you with its simple, but elegant style. Try one of the selected fishes for a culinary experience you will never forget.
  • Dal Corsaro is another Michelin Star restaurant located on the island of Sardinia. As this is a family run restaurant, you will feel welcomed as though entering someone’s dining room. Food is presented as art and tastes as fantastic as it looks.

Bars and Clubs in Sardinia

Sardinia may not be known as THE party island, but after sailing on a boat all day long, you might want to rewind, sip on a delicious cocktail and dance the night away.

  • Le Terrazze Ritual is a rooftop bar in Costa Smeralda located in between carved rocks and historical ruins. Surrounded by waterfalls and offering the most stunning view, visiting this unique bar will be a once in a lifetime experience.
  • Phi Beach – Baia Sardinia: This stunning place offers a pool right in the middle of its outdoor seating as well as an incredible view overlooking Sardinia.

Explore historical Sardinia

Sardinia is an island full of history. Visit historical Alghero for your history fix. It is Sardinia’s fifth largest city and comes with an interesting history. The Genoese founded the city around the 11th century as a simple fishing village, but were quickly invaded by the Pisans and the Catalans due its strategically important location. The house of Savoy conquered the city in 1720. Walking around the historical streets gives you a glimpse into the life of former times. If you want to discover more of Sardinia’s older history, you can take a trip to discover evidence of life during prehistoric times on the island or simply visit the Archaeological Museum of Cagliari.

Discover mystical Sardinia

Myths and legends might not be the first things that come to mind when thinking about Sardinia, but there are more than you think! There are multiple legends surrounding giants inhabiting the island in prehistoric times. When the Mont’e Prama Giants statues were found, people’s imaginations went wild. When they were discovered in 1974 not much was known about Sardinia’s prehistoric inhabitants, so naturally people do what they do when trying to find a suitable explanation for something unexplainable. They imagine what could have been with evidence that is right in front of them.

Sailing conditions in Sardinia

Sailing holidays in Sardinia are amazing, not only because there are at least 300 days of sunshine a year and top-notch mooring facilities, but because the conditions for sailing are ideal. It is suggested to plan your sailing holiday during April and May or September through October to enjoy optimal wind conditions and less crowds.

There are three prevailing winds in Sardinia: the ‘Mistral’, which blows from the north to the west coast; the cool and breezy west wind, which blows throughout the season; and the warm, dry ‘Scirocco’, which prevails in the eastern part of the island.

Between June and August, wind velocity does not usually exceed 25 knots and averages around 8-20 knots. During peak season, it is advisable to reserve berths in advance. Be careful of dead seaweed and rocks while navigating Golfo Brandichi.

How much does it cost to rent a boat in Sardinia?

Sardinia is not an expensive location to rent a boat, although prices can increase a bit during peak season. On average it costs only around 50 EUR per person per day to rent a gulet, 58 EUR per person per day to rent a sailboat and around 40 EUR to rent a RIB per person per day. If you’re looking at renting a speedboat, you will need to keep in mind that it will cost you an average of 70 EUR per person per day in Italy. If you are looking at renting a catamaran or a motorboat in Italy, it will be more expensive, but won’t break your bank. On average it will cost you 150 EUR to rent a motorboat per person per day and 140 EUR to rent a catamaran per person per day.

What type of boat is best for sailing in Sardinia?

Looking at speeding from beach to beach? Want to anchor in the most stunning bays to sunbathe all day long? Craving a boat holiday with the amenities of a luxurious hotel? The boats you will be looking at are very different from each other, depending on the type of holiday you want to experience.

Rent a catamaran in Sardinia

Pros of renting a catamaran in Sardinia

Renting a catamaran in Sardinia comes with many advantages. As the island is blessed with many hidden bays and beaches, you will most definitely want to explore them all and anchor as close as possible to the coast. Thankfully the shallow draft of catamarans allows you to do that! Hop into the water and swim to the most stunning beaches without using all your energy to get there. If you are looking at renting a more luxurious type of boat for your sailing vacation in Italy, a catamaran may be the perfect water vessel for you as a lot of them come with many amenities you can find in a hotel as well, kind of like a hotel room on water.

Cons of renting a catamaran in Sardinia

As catamarans are relatively spacious, this also means that they take up a lot of space when mooring at a marina. This can come with higher prices for mooring compared to other types of boats.

Rent a Catamaran in Sardinia

 

Rent a sailboat in Sardinia

Pros of renting a sailboat in Sardinia

Renting a sailboat in Sardinia is the perfect option for you if you plan on enjoying the experience of sailing in the Mediterranean. The winds in Sardinia are definitely ideal to sail around the island. Another advantage is the fact that you don’t need to calculate extra costs for fuel as your engine is coming from a natural source.

Cons of renting a sailboat in Sardinia

One of the downsides of renting a sailboat in Sardinia is the fact that sailboats come with a keel that is not ideal for shallow waters. If you’re looking at stopping by some of the most stunning remote beaches in Sardinia, you might be able to enjoy them only from a distance. While the wind might be unpredictable at times, meaning that you might not be able to move forward for a couple of hours on end, this part of the Mediterranean is generally known for its ideal sailing conditions. It is just something you should keep in mind when renting a sailboat in Sardinia for a vacation that might only last a week or two.

Rent a Sailboat in Sardinia

Rent a motorboat in Sardinia

Pros of renting a motorboat in Sardinia

Hiring a motorboat in Sardinia is definitely a more luxury option than renting another type of boat. The speed of a motorboat means that you will be able to see more of Sardinia’s stunning remote beaches and overall beautiful coastline that is surrounded by turquoise waters and unique rock formations.

Cons of renting a motorboat in Sardinia

A disadvantage of renting a motorboat in Sardinia and attempting to see everything as fast as possible means that you have to calculate with high additional costs in relation to the fuel. The high speed comes with a price tag.

Rent a Motorboat in Sardinia

 

Rent a gulet in Sardinia

A gulet is the type of boat that makes the hearts of adventurers beat faster. You can sail alongside the strong winds of the Mediterranean where the experience matters more than the destination.

Pros of renting a gulet in Sardinia

Guets are not just the type of boat you rent to go on an amazing adventure in Sardinia, they are also the type of water vessel that you would rent when travelling with a larger group of people. Generally fitting between ten to fifteen people on board, some gulets even allow for more people to come on board. Believe us, this is THE ideal bonding experience with your friends - and you will have the best parties on deck!

Cons of renting a gulet in Sardinia

Renting a gulet is certainly not for everyone. The relatively small rooms that you would stay in can make you feel very claustrophobic. And if you do have a boat licence, but have never maneuvered a gulet before, it might get you into trouble very soon if you end in more turbulent weather. Sailing off season and in rougher seas around Sardinia can definitely make this a very real possibility.

Rent a Gulet in Sardinia

Charter a luxury yacht in Sardinia

One of the most popular types of boats people look at renting in Sardinia are luxury yachts resembling hotel rooms where you don’t need to feel like you’re missing out on anything. These come at a higher price, but you will be able to enjoy all the amenities you could ask for. In Sardinia a luxury boat you might want to consider is most probably a catamaran or motorboat.

Rent a luxury Yacht in Sardinia

What kind of boat license do you need when renting a boat in Sardinia?

Before we establish what kind of boat licence you would need when chartering a boat in Sardinia, you need to know that you do need a boat licence when renting a yacht here. Residents of EU member states are lucky, because their boat licence will automatically be recognized here. If you are from outside of the EU, your safest bet is getting an International Certificate of Competency or short ICC that is recognised by the UN. In addition, you will need to present some kind of CV that details all your previous nautical experience.

Don’t worry if you are not in possession of a valid and recognized boat licence. You can always hire a skipper for your sailing vacation in Sardinia. Hiring a skipper with your boat rental also comes with the advantage of not having to worry about anything while sailing in Sardinia. Your skipper will take care of the sailing, of the route and tell you many interesting stories. If you have requests to stop somewhere, any good skipper will definitely ensure to fulfill your wishes.

Sailing routes in Sardinia

Portisco is an excellent base for a sailing holiday in Sardinia. Covering the Northeast area of Sardinia in the region of Olbia-Tempio, you’ll find many gorgeous beaches and resorts along Costa Smeralda, the Maddalena Archipelago and San Teodoro that are within short distance of Portisco.

From Portisco you can choose to either sail north to the Maddalena Archipelago or to sail down the southern coast of the island. The first option is a group of islands located between Sardinia and Corsica. Turquoise waters that make you feel as though you are in the Maldives. The latter option leads you down the main Sardinian island.

Your first stop should be the breathtaking marine sanctuary on the island of Tavolara. Admire its towering limestone cliffs from your boat rental. Next on the list is a stop in San Teodoro, a trendy seaside resort town with many great bars, restaurants, clubs and phenomenal beaches. Heading further inland leads you to some incredible hiking trails.

No sailing trip around Sardinia is complete without a stop in Golfo di Orosei. With about 30 km of breathtaking beaches, alluring grottos and a coastline that is strikingly contrasted by steep cliffs, Golfo di Orosei is one of the most enchanting places in the entire Mediterranean. Here you’ll find the Parco Nazionale del Golfo di Orosei e del Gennargentu, Sardina’s largest national park.

From Golfo di Orisei you can make your way back up the course or spend a few more days sailing along the eastern coast as you make your way to Cagliari.

Sailing Locations in Sardinia

Boat rental in Portisco, Sardinia

Boat rental in Cannigione, Sardinia

Boat rental in Olbia, Sardinia

Boat rental in Cala Gonone, Sardinia

Boat rental in Cagliari