Sardinia yacht charter guide: Discover 10 luxury experiences from Porto Cervo to the La Maddalena Islands

Sardinia yacht charter guide: Discover 10 luxury experiences from Porto Cervo to the La Maddalena Islands

Like Europe’s answer to the Caribbean, Sardinia’s waters are among the clearest in the Mediterranean and contrast beautifully with its sea-sculpted granite coastline, punctuated with pink and white sandy beaches, making for an altogether elemental, natural feel.

However, Sardinia’s secret weapon is her dual personality, which includes the sophisticated social scene of the Costa Smeralda and the utter solitude of her protected anchorages, and on a Sardinia yacht charter you can enjoy both sides in a single day.

The best time to visit Sardinia is from May to September, when the seas are warm and the beach clubs buzzing, and a Sardinia yacht charter can easily be extended eastwards to the southern coast of the mainland and the Italian Riviera for those who aren’t ready to stop living the dolce vita just yet.

10 exceptional luxury experiences on a Sardinia superyacht charter

1. Follow the fleet during regatta season

Each season, Porto Cervo hosts two of the Mediterranean’s most prestigious events – the Giorgio Armani Superyacht Regatta in late May and the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup in September, which essentially bookend the summer in Sardinia.

Porto Cervo during regatta week is buzzing with an elite sailing crowd and is a great chance to catch up with fellow yachties, while you can’t beat the sense of nautical prestige of watching the races from the water or even following the fleet along the coast.

2. Base yourself at Porto Cervo’s Molo Vecchio

The natural social hub of the Costa Smeralda (Emerald Coast), Porto Cervo’s Molo Vecchio (or ‘old port’) is at the heart of an exclusive resort created in the 1960s by the Prince Karim Aga Khan IV – who also laid out the exquisite greens of the Pevero Golf Club – and retains a timeless, glamorous atmosphere that feels perfectly suited to classic Mediterranean charter yachts such as CHRISTINA G. 

Within a short stroll of the pontoons, you’ll find elegant piazzas, world-class waterfront restaurants, spas, galleries and boutiques, and in summer you very much get the sense that this is one of the best places to visit in Sardinia.

3. Gourmet sunset dining and festivities at Phi Beach and other Sardinia beach clubs

A beach club famed for its stunning views and vogueish gatherings, Phi Beach is one of the island’s most fashionable hangouts. Arrive in the late afternoon aboard a sleek contemporary yacht such as ARROW for some relaxing lounging accompanied by a DJ-spun summery soundtrack, casual dining and handcrafted cocktails, before letting your hair down at one of the bar’s legendary sunset parties.

With a dedicated tender dock, Phi Beach has its yachting clientele’s needs in mind, while effortless arrivals can also be arranged for Nikki Beach and the Cone Club at 7Pines.

4. Private tour of Nora archaeological site 

Sardinia is an island drenched in local folklore and none more so than the 5th-century Roman city of Nora, located on a dramatic southern coastline, named after Hermes’ son, Norax, who it is said led the Iberians to the island here.

For one of the best cultural things to do in Sardinia, book a private guide for exclusive access to the city’s well-preserved mosaics and to hear the history of the Roman theatre that partially still stands – and where you can still see outdoor performances in summer. Your guide will also regale you with tales of older settlers such as the sea people known as the Sherden and the ancient Nuragic civilisation.

5. Spend a day in the protected lagoons of La Maddalena Archipelago 

One of the best places in Sardinia is sprinkled off the northeast coast, with a group of over 60 islands lapped by turquoise waters that are part of a protected marine park and offer some of the most secluded swimming and diving in the whole of the Mediterranean, best explored aboard an elegant cruising yacht such as BINA.

Entering the granite labyrinthine landscapes of the islands of Budelli and Spargi is like stepping into a lost world, while Budelli’s pink-tinged Spiaggia Rosa beach is one of the island’s most naturally beautiful features.

6. Cross the Strait of Bonifacio to Bonifacio and the Lavezzi Islands, Corsica

On a Sardinia yacht charter it’s a short (7 miles/11km) but spectacular cruise through the Strait of Bonifacio to Corsica.

This narrow passage is notorious among sailors due to strong winds, variable currents and a number of smaller islands, but you’ll be in safe hands with your captain, allowing you to take in the sublime scenery as steep, white limestone cliffs soar to the sky on both sides.

From Corsica, take time to visit the nearby Lavezzi Islands, which offer incredible snorkelling in a protected marine reserve.

7. Transfer inland to Gallura’s wine country

Sardinia’s northeastern wine region of Gallura can be reached by helicopter from the coast in under 30 minutes, offering the chance to explore the rugged granite hills and cork oak of the island’s interior, where the island’s only DOCG – Vermentino di Gallura – is produced.

At Vigne Surrau winery, you can enjoy tastings in a contemporary architectural setting, with huge windows overlooking the mountains that allows you to appreciate how the terroir contributes to each and every sip.

8. Dive the Tavolara marine protected area

Rising from the sea like a lonely mountain, the island of Tavolara is considered the world’s smallest kingdom, and has protected status allowing for largely undisturbed reef systems and regular visibility of beyond 30 metres, making for some of the best scuba diving in Sardinia.

There are more than 35 exceptional dives sites around Tavolara and the neighbouring isle of Molara, with the underwater limestone pinnacles of Secca del Papa regularly cited as one of the most beautiful dive sites in the Mediterranean and the sunlit cave system of Il Grottone a hotbed for marine life, from barracuda and large groupers.

On your Sardinia superyacht charter, your captain can also arrange for a post-dive lunch stop on the island of Tavolara itself, where in summer you can dine at Da Tontino, a restaurant owned by the King of Tavolara himself.

9. Enjoy Michelin-star dining

Sardinian food is influenced heavily by the natural larder of both the sea and the land and it boasts no fewer than four Michelin-starred restaurants, which will enhance any luxury yacht charter in Sardinia.

Its location in the heart of Porto Cervo overlooking the marina means Italo Bassi Confusion’s popularity with the superyacht set is assured. Featuring luxury ingredients served in their purest form, it’s a restaurant as known for its precision and technique as it is its fantastic flavours

Meanwhile, the newest restaurant to gain a star is Capogiro in Baja Sardinia, within the luxury 7Pines Sardinia resort, where Mediterranean cuisine is served against a backdrop of stunning Sardinian views.

10. Visit the Grotto del Bue and have a picnic at nearby Cala Mariolu

Located near Cala Gonone, in the Gulf of Orosei, this sea cave system takes its name from the rare monk seals that once lived here (bue marino). Sadly now extinct, the caves nevertheless provide extraordinary opportunities for exploration, with huge illuminated halls home to well-preserved stalactites and stalagmites, plus Neolithic wall carvings.

Anchor nearby the night before and you can take a tender tour before other visitors arrive for the day and afterwards ask your crew to arrange a picnic at Cala Mariolu, one of Sardinia’s most beautiful beaches.

Planning your luxury Sardinia yacht charter with Edmiston

The difference between a good yacht charter and an exceptional one lies in the planning. Edmiston’s charter specialists combine deep destination knowledge with longstanding relationships across Sardinia to create itineraries that go beyond the obvious.

Whether you want access to the Costa Smeralda’s most sought-after restaurants and beach clubs, family-friendly anchorages in the La Maddalena Archipelago, or complete privacy away from the summer crowds, our team will tailor every aspect of your experience around your preferences.

From selecting the right yacht to arranging every detail ashore, we ensure your Sardinia yacht charter is seamlessly executed, allowing you to experience the island with the confidence that every recommendation, reservation and route has been carefully considered. This is Sardinia at its most rewarding: experienced through insight, access and expert judgement. Contact your Edmiston broker to plan your luxury Sardinia yacht charter today.