
How do I plan a sailing route in Italy?
22 minute read

North Sardinia is a prime base for catamaran charter in Italy. Board in Olbia, Portisco, Cannigione, or Palau. Distances are short and the water is crystal clear. Granite coves and white sand suit families and mixed crews. The Mistral can blow hard from the northwest, so plan early starts and seek shelter by mid-afternoon.
Choose bareboat or a crewed catamaran. We handle route planning, park permits, and moorings. Briefings cover the Bonifacio Strait, La Maddalena rules, and no-anchor zones over Posidonia. In high season, reserve buoys and marina berths. Arrive early for the best spots.

Start from Olbia or Portisco and work up the Costa Smeralda. Stop at Cala Brandinchi and Capo Coda Cavallo for clear sand and easy swimming. Tavolara is a Marine Protected Area. Use mooring buoys where marked and avoid anchoring on seagrass. Porto Cervo offers full services, fuel, and a lively quay. In fresh Mistral, pick coves with northwest protection and shorten hops.

Enter the La Maddalena Archipelago with a park pass. Buy online or at kiosks before you arrive. Aim for Spargi, Santa Maria, and Caprera for turquoise water and sand patches. Cala Coticcio is stunning and small, arrive early and check current rules. Budelli’s Pink Beach is protected. No landing or swimming in the restricted zone. Use designated buoys and keep speed low. Nights here are quiet with bright stars and good holding.

Wait for a settled forecast to cross the strait. The wind can funnel between Sardinia and Corsica. Lavezzi and Cavallo have mooring fields and protected waters. Anchoring on Posidonia is restricted, follow marks. Bonifacio sits under dramatic cliffs with crosswinds in the harbor, fenders and lines ready. If you prefer to stay in Italy, base at Santa Teresa Gallura and explore Capo Testa, Rena Majore, and sheltered coves on the Sardinian side.