Motor Boat Rental Sardinia

Sardinia has over 1,800 kilometres of coastline — and most of the best bits are only reachable by water. Hidden coves tucked behind granite headlands. Beaches that don't appear on any road map. Archipelagos where the water shifts from emerald to sapphire in the space of a single bay.

A motor boat is the fastest, most flexible way to see it all. While sailing yachts drift at 6–8 knots, a motor boat cruises at 15–25 knots — covering twice the distance in half the time. That means more swim stops, more beaches, and more of the island in a single day.

Motor boats are the most popular choice for day charters — head out in the morning, visit 3–5 bays, have lunch at anchor off a deserted beach, and return to the marina by sunset. No overnight logistics, no provisioning, no sailing experience required.

Whether you're a family wanting a gentle day on the water, a group celebrating a birthday, or a couple chasing the famous turquoise of La Maddalena, a motor boat gets you there faster, more comfortably, and with enough deck space to actually enjoy it.

Small open motor boats (5–7m) — the classic Sardinian day boat. Open deck, centre console, outboard engine. Perfect for couples or small groups of 4–6 who want to explore independently. Many are available without a licence (under 40 HP) — ideal if you want total freedom without a skipper. Expect bimini shade, a cooler, basic snorkelling gear, and not much else. That's the charm. Prices start from €150–€300/day.

Mid-range motor boats (8–12m) — a step up in comfort and range. These boats typically have a small cabin, a toilet, a sun deck, and more powerful engines. Most are skippered — the captain knows the coast, the anchorages, and the best beach restaurants. Perfect for groups of 6–10. Day rates run €500–€1,500 depending on the boat and season.

Large motor yachts (13–25m+) — for luxury charters. Multiple cabins, saloon, flybridge, water toys, and crew (captain, hostess, sometimes a chef). These are floating hotels. Weekly rates start from €5,000 for entry-level and climb to €50,000+ for premium vessels. See our dedicated motor yacht charter and luxury yacht charter pages.

RIBs (rigid inflatable boats, 5–9m) — fast, fun, and surprisingly practical. RIBs are the workhorses of Sardinian charter fleets — reaching remote coves that larger boats can't access, cruising at speeds up to 35+ knots. Available from €200–€600/day.

Motor boat rental prices in Sardinia vary enormously depending on the size of the boat, whether it comes with a skipper, and the time of year. Here's a realistic breakdown:

Small open boat (5–7m): €150–€300/day · €900–€1,800/week · Skipper optional
Mid-range (8–12m): €500–€1,500/day · €2,500–€8,000/week · Skipper usually included
Large motor yacht (13–20m): €1,500–€5,000/day · €8,000–€30,000/week · Crew included
Luxury motor yacht (20m+): €5,000–€15,000/day · €30,000–€100,000+/week · Full crew
RIB (5–9m): €200–€600/day · €1,200–€3,500/week · Skipper optional

Fuel is almost always extra. This is the biggest hidden cost with motor boats. Unlike sailing yachts which use the wind, motor boats burn through fuel — and diesel in Sardinian marinas isn't cheap. For a typical mid-range day charter, budget an additional €200–€500 for fuel. Larger vessels can easily burn €800–€1,500/day at cruising speed.

Peak season pricing (July–August) runs 30–50% higher than shoulder months. If your dates are flexible, June and September offer the best value — warm weather, calm seas, quieter anchorages, and significantly lower rates. See our full cost guide for a complete breakdown.

We include a complete cost breakdown in every quote — boat hire, skipper, fuel estimate, port fees, and any extras — so there are no surprises.

Motor boats are available from virtually every marina in Sardinia. The marina you choose determines which coastline you'll explore — so it's worth picking based on where you want to go, not just where you're staying.

North-east — the Emerald Coast: Olbia, Porto Cervo, Cannigione, and Portisco are the main bases for the Costa Smeralda coast. This is Sardinia's most popular charter region — famous for pink granite islands, powder-white beaches, and celebrity-studded harbours. The water here is famously clear — visibility regularly exceeds 15 metres.

La Maddalena & Palau: Palau is the gateway to the La Maddalena Archipelago — a national marine park of seven major islands with some of the most jaw-dropping water in the entire Mediterranean. Motor boats are the ideal way to explore here — hopping between Spargi, Budelli (home of the famous Pink Beach), Santa Maria, and Razzoli in a single day.

South Sardinia — Cagliari & Villasimius: Cagliari is the launching point for the wild south coast — Villasimius, Costa Rei, the Sarrabus coast, and the remote Sulcis archipelago. Less crowded, wilder scenery, dramatic cliffs, and the Caribbean-like beaches of Chia and Tuerredda. Motor boats from Cagliari can reach Villasimius in under an hour.

North-west — Alghero & Stintino: Alghero offers a completely different charter experience — dramatic limestone cliffs, sea caves, and the famous Capo Caccia headland where Neptune's Grotto sits at the base of a 600-step staircase. Motor boats from Alghero can also reach the stunning Asinara Island — a former penal colony turned national park with wild albino donkeys and pristine waters.

In Italy, the rule is simple: if the boat has an engine under 40 HP (29.4 kW) and is under 10 metres long, no licence is required. These are typically small open boats — the kind you'll find at almost every Sardinian marina and beach club. See our boat rental without licence guide for the full breakdown.

For anything bigger or more powerful — which includes most of the charter fleet — you'll need either a valid boating licence (Italian "patente nautica" or an equivalent from your home country) or you can book a skippered charter where the captain handles everything.

The vast majority of motor boat day charters in Sardinia are skippered — not because guests lack licences, but because the local skippers know the coast intimately. They know which anchorages are sheltered from the maestrale wind, which coves are empty at noon, and which beachside restaurants have free mooring for lunch. That knowledge alone is worth the skipper fee.

A motor boat day trip is the quintessential Sardinia experience. Here are the most popular routes our guests book:

La Maddalena Archipelago (from Palau or Cannigione): The crown jewel. Depart Palau, cross to La Maddalena island, weave through the channels between Spargi and Budelli, stop at Spiaggia Rosa (Pink Beach — viewable from the water), swim at Cala Corsara, and lunch at Santa Maria island. Allow 6–8 hours for a proper exploration.

Costa Smeralda circuit (from Olbia or Porto Cervo): Cruise past the legendary beaches of Liscia Ruja, Romazzino, and Principe. Stop at Cala di Volpe bay for a swim in the turquoise shallows. Continue to the Mortorio and Soffi islands — tiny granite outcrops surrounded by water so clear it looks artificially coloured. Return via Porto Cervo for an evening passeggiata.

Villasimius & Capo Carbonara (from Cagliari): Head east from Cagliari along the Sarrabus coast to Villasimius. The marine protected area around Capo Carbonara has some of Sardinia's best snorkelling — expect grouper, barracuda, and the occasional bottlenose dolphin. Anchor at Punta Molentis, one of the most photographed beaches on the island.

Capo Caccia & Neptune's Grotto (from Alghero): Alghero's dramatic west coast is unlike anywhere else in Sardinia — towering limestone cliffs, sea caves, and the famous Grotta di Nettuno accessible by boat. Motor along the coral coast, visit the hidden coves between Alghero and Bosa, and spot the griffon vultures that nest in the cliffs above.

One of the great advantages of Sardinia's geography is its proximity to Corsica. The Strait of Bonifacio — just 7 nautical miles at its narrowest — separates the two islands. In a motor boat, that's a 20–30 minute crossing.

Bonifacio itself is spectacular: a medieval citadel perched on white limestone cliffs with the harbour nestled in a fjord-like inlet below. Approach by boat and the view is unforgettable. Many of our guests combine a La Maddalena day with a Bonifacio lunch stop — two countries in one day charter.

What you need to know: Corsica is France, so technically you're crossing an international border. You'll need passports for all guests and your charter agreement must permit international waters. The crossing can be choppy when the maestrale blows — your skipper will advise on the day. We can arrange Sardinia–Corsica itineraries on request.

Book early for peak season. July and August availability sells out months in advance — especially for popular mid-range skippered boats. If you're set on specific dates in high summer, book by March or April.

Ask about fuel costs upfront. This is the single most common surprise for motor boat renters. A full day covering serious distance in a mid-range boat can easily add €300–€500 to the bill. We always include fuel estimates in our quotes.

Choose your base marina carefully. Where you depart from determines what you can see in a day. Don't book a boat in Cagliari if you want to see La Maddalena — it's a 5-hour motor each way. Match the marina to the coastline you want to explore.

Consider a skippered charter. Even if you have a licence, local skippers transform the experience. They know the hidden coves that don't show up on charts, the best time to arrive at each beach, and which restaurants have dockside mooring for lunch. Read more on our skippered charter guide.