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· Italy.

Top sailing areas for catamarans in Italy

Sardinia — Costa Smeralda & La Maddalena

Sardinia is the marquee Italian catamaran destination. Granite headlands, water in every shade of green, and the protected archipelago of La Maddalena make this the most booked region in our fleet. Most charters depart from Olbia, Portisco, or Cannigione and head north toward Spargi, Budelli, and the pink-sand beach behind Cala Coticcio on Caprera. Park permits are mandatory inside La Maddalena — our local team books them with your charter so you do not lose a half-day at the office.

Read the full Sardinia catamaran charter guide for sample routes, marina notes, and what to budget.

Sicily — Aeolian & Egadi Islands

Sicilian charters split into two classic loops. The Aeolian Islands north of Milazzo deliver volcanic drama — Stromboli erupting at night, the thermal springs at Vulcano, and the white pumice beaches of Lipari. From Trapani, the Egadi route is gentler: Favignana, Levanzo, and Marettimo are all within short hops, with sheltered anchorages and family-friendly distances.

Catamarans suit both loops. Shallow draft lets you tuck behind protective bays in the Aeolians where a deeper-keeled monohull would sit further offshore in the swell. See the Sicily charter destination guide for a week-by-week breakdown.

Campania — Amalfi, Capri & the Pontine Islands

Campania is the high-glamour route. Naples to Procida to Ischia to Capri to the Amalfi Coast is the classic 7-day arc, and a catamaran is the practical choice — most Amalfi towns have no marina, and you live at anchor or on managed mooring fields off Positano, Marina del Cantone, and the Faraglioni. Bring shoes for the cliffside steps in Positano and Praiano. Plan a long lunch at one of the family-run trattorias in Conca dei Marini.

See our Campania & Amalfi Coast catamaran guide for recommended stops, marina notes, and a sample 7-day route.

Tuscany — Elba, Giglio & the Tuscan Archipelago

Quieter, less crowded, and underrated. Tuscan charters depart from Marina di Scarlino or Punta Ala and reach Elba in under three hours of motorsailing. The Tuscan Archipelago National Park covers seven islands; Pianosa requires advance permits, and Capraia rewards the longer hop with wild diving and one harbour-side restaurant. Tuscany works best in shoulder season — late May, June, and September — when temperatures are still warm and the islands feel almost private.

Bareboat or crewed — picking the right setup

Around 86% of our charters go out bareboat, but the choice deserves real thought. To bareboat in Italy you need an ICC (International Certificate of Competence) or an accepted national equivalent, plus a VHF SRC certificate on board, and bases generally expect a second competent crew member named on the contract. Recent skippering experience on a similar-size catamaran is non-negotiable for base approval.

A skippered charter adds a captain (roughly €180–€220 per day plus food) and removes the licensing question entirely — useful if your group is mostly non-sailors, or if you want to focus on the experience rather than navigation. A fully crewed catamaran with captain and hostess (or chef) sits at the luxury end: provisioning, meals, and routing are handled, and you step on board to a stocked galley and a planned itinerary you can adjust day by day.

Our team can switch the contract type even after you have picked the boat. If you are unsure, send us your dates and group profile and we will recommend the setup that fits.

When to charter — season guide

Peak season — July and August

The hottest, busiest, and most expensive weeks. Anchorages around Capri and the Costa Smeralda fill by late morning; book mooring fields ahead where they are managed. Air temperatures sit at 28–32°C, water at 25–27°C, winds typically light to moderate. Reserve six to nine months in advance for prime weeks (15 July – 15 August).

Shoulder season — May, June, September, early October

Our recommended windows. Stable weather, water warm enough for swimming (21–25°C), marinas calm, and prices typically 25–40% below peak rates. June and September give you the best balance of warm sea, manageable crowds, and dependable wind. Late May and early October are wonderful for sailors but can bring the occasional unsettled front — flexible itineraries pay off.

Off-season — late October to April

Most catamarans winter ashore from late October. A handful stay available for warm- weather windows or specialty charters; talk to us if dates are flexible and you want a quieter experience.

What an Italian catamaran charter costs

Pricing depends on the model, the season, and whether the boat is bareboat or crewed. For a 4-cabin Lagoon 42 or Bali 4.2 in shoulder season, expect roughly €6,000–€9,000 per week bareboat; the same boat in peak season tends to land between €10,000 and €14,000. Larger 46–50 ft catamarans run €12,000–€20,000 per week peak. Skipper, hostess, fuel, marina fees, end-cleaning, and marine park permits are typically additional and listed transparently on every quote.

See the payment procedure page for the booking timeline (50% on confirmation, balance four weeks before departure) and a breakdown of refundable security deposits versus damage waivers.

Sample 7-day catamaran itinerary — Sardinia

Saturday — Olbia / Portisco. Check-in from 17:00, brief from the base, first night at the marina. Sunday — Spargi. Anchor on sand off Cala Corsara; afternoon hop to Cala Coticcio on Caprera. Monday — Budelli & Razzoli. Spiaggia Rosa is off-limits but the surrounding shelf is exceptional for swimming. Tuesday — Bonifacio (Corsica). Cross the Bocche di Bonifacio on a good-weather window and tie up under the cliff fortress. Wednesday — Lavezzi Islands. French side, granite reefs, no facilities, perfect lunch stop. Thursday — Santa Teresa Gallura. Refuel, restock, dinner ashore. Friday — Tavolara. Vertical limestone face, calm anchorage on the west side, last-night pasta with a view. Saturday — return Olbia by 09:00.

Frequently asked — catamaran charter Italy

How far in advance should I book a catamaran in Italy?

For July and August, book six to nine months ahead — the best Sardinian and Amalfi boats sell out by January for that summer. Shoulder season (May, June, September) is usually fine three to four months out, and last-minute deals open within four weeks of departure on boats the bases want to fill.

Do I need a sailing license to bareboat a catamaran in Italy?

Yes. Italian regulations require a recognised skipper licence (ICC, RYA Day Skipper or higher, or accepted national equivalent) and a VHF SRC certificate. Bases typically check documents at check-in. If your licence is in doubt, book a skippered charter instead — the captain handles all licensing and base sign-off.

Can I sail a catamaran one-way between Italian regions?

On selected routes and dates, yes. One-way charters between Naples and Salerno or within Sardinia are the most common. A one-way fee applies, calculated by the base depending on repositioning logistics. Send us your preferred start and end ports and we will check availability.

What is included in the charter price?

The base bareboat rate covers the catamaran with its standard inventory — sails, dinghy and outboard, bed linens, galley kit, and safety gear. Fuel, water, marina fees, marine-park permits, end-cleaning, and optional extras (skipper, hostess, water toys, early check-in) are quoted separately so you see exactly what you pay for.

Are catamarans a good fit for families with small children?

Yes — catamarans are the most family-friendly platform we charter. Stable on anchor, wide deck space, easy access to the water from the swim platforms, separate cabin layouts for parents and children. The Aeolians, Sicily's Egadi, and the protected bays around La Maddalena are particularly suited to younger crews.