Yacht Charter Sardinia

Yacht Charter in Sardinia

Sardinia is the second-largest island in the Mediterranean and one of the most extraordinary yacht charter destinations in Europe — a vast, mountainous island of dramatic granite landscapes, ancient Nuragic civilisation ruins, and some of the finest beaches in the world, with an interior so wild and so sparsely populated that it feels genuinely remote from the modern world. The coastline, stretching for over 1,800 kilometres, ranges from the glamorous marina culture of the Costa Smeralda to the pristine wilderness of the Gulf of Orosei, and from the white beaches of the Maddalena Archipelago to the dramatic limestone towers of the Ogliastra coast. Sardinia is Italy's best-kept secret and the charter destination that experienced sailors return to most eagerly.

The Costa Smeralda and La Maddalena

The Costa Smeralda (Emerald Coast) in the northeast of Sardinia was developed in the 1960s by Aga Khan IV as a luxury resort destination, and it remains one of the most exclusive stretches of coastline in the Mediterranean. Porto Cervo, the main resort town, has one of the most impressive marinas in Italy and hosts the Rolex Maxi Yacht Trophy and the Loro Piana Superyacht Regatta each September. The beaches of the Costa Smeralda — Liscia Ruja, Capriccioli, Spiaggia del Principe — are world-famous for their crystal-clear water and white quartz sand. The nearby Maddalena Archipelago National Park, comprising seven main islands and dozens of smaller ones, is one of the most pristine marine environments in the Mediterranean.

The Gulf of Orosei

The eastern coast of Sardinia, along the Gulf of Orosei, is one of the most dramatic coastlines in the Mediterranean — sheer dolomite cliffs rising hundreds of metres directly from the sea, pierced by sea caves and grottoes and backed by the wild Gennargentu massif. The Cala Gonone area, accessible by sea from the small port of the same name, has some of the finest beaches in Sardinia — many accessible only by boat — including Cala Luna, a perfect crescent of white sand sheltered by overhanging cliffs, and Cala Mariolu, whose turquoise water has been voted among the most beautiful in Europe. The sea cave of Bue Marino, home until recently to the Mediterranean monk seal, is accessible by small boat.

Nuragic Civilisation and Culture

Sardinia has one of the most enigmatic and fascinating prehistories in Europe. The Nuragic civilisation, which flourished on the island between 1800 and 238 BC, left behind some 7,000 stone towers (nuraghi) scattered across the landscape, along with sacred wells, giants' tombs, and ritual sanctuaries that testify to a sophisticated Bronze Age culture about which we still know relatively little. The Nuraghe Su Nuraxi at Barumini, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is the most impressive and best-preserved nuraghe on the island. The Sardinian interior, with its traditional villages of cork-oak forests, sheep shepherds, and ancient festivals, offers a cultural dimension entirely unlike mainland Italy.