How Boat Hire in Sardinia Works
Boat hire in Sardinia is easier than most people expect. The process: choose your boat and dates on our platform, confirm the booking, and show up at the marina. For skippered hire, your professional skipper meets you at the boat and handles everything — from casting off to choosing the best anchorages to bringing you back safely. For bareboat hire, you complete a brief check-in, review the yacht's systems, and you are free to explore.
Day hire typically runs 4–10 hours. You depart in the morning, spend the day exploring the Maddalena Archipelago or the Costa Smeralda, and return to the marina in the late afternoon. Half-day hire (4–5 hours) is available on most boats.
Weekly hire runs Saturday to Saturday. Check-in is Saturday afternoon (17:00), you sleep aboard, depart Sunday morning, and return to base Friday afternoon. This gives you six full days of sailing, with the flexibility to anchor in a different bay every night.
All boats come equipped with safety gear, a dinghy (on yachts), and basic snorkelling equipment. Provisioning — food and drink for your trip — is either self-organised (supermarkets are near all charter bases) or pre-ordered and delivered to the yacht.
Types of Boats for Hire
RIBs (7–12m) — the day hire favourite. Fast, fun, and able to access shallow bays that yachts cannot reach. A 7–8m RIB with skipper is perfect for 4 guests. A 10–12m RIB with T-top shade accommodates 8–10 guests in comfort. The most popular hire format in Sardinia.
Motor yachts (35–80ft) — comfort and speed. Proper saloon, flybridge, air conditioning on larger models. Ideal for groups who want to combine sightseeing with luxurious relaxation. Day hire or weekly hire with crew.
Catamarans (40–50ft) — the weekly hire workhorse. Four cabins, four bathrooms, spacious cockpit, and the stability that makes extended time aboard genuinely comfortable. Perfect for families, groups, and anyone who wants their yacht to feel like a floating apartment.
Sailing yachts (36–50ft) — for the sailing purists. Wind-powered, quiet, responsive. Lower hire cost than equivalent catamarans. Best for couples and experienced sailors on weekly hire.
Do You Need a Licence to Hire a Boat?
It depends on the boat and whether you are hiring with or without a skipper.
With a skipper (skippered hire): No licence needed. The skipper is a licensed professional who handles all navigation, mooring, and safety. You are a passenger — you can take the helm if you want, but the skipper is responsible. This is the most popular format for day hire and the recommended option for anyone without boating experience.
Without a skipper (bareboat hire): In Italy, you need a boating licence for vessels over 40 horsepower or longer than 10 metres. For yacht hire (sailboats, catamarans, motor yachts), this means you need a valid licence — ICC, RYA Day Skipper, or an equivalent recognised by Italian port authorities. See our bareboat guide.
Small boats under 40hp and 10m: No licence required. This covers small RIBs and dinghies that some hire companies offer for self-drive. See our no-licence hire guide.
Where to Hire a Boat in Sardinia
Cannigione — the busiest hire base. Sheltered bay, easy provisioning, and direct access north to the Maddalena Archipelago and south to the Costa Smeralda. The widest selection of boats for hire.
Olbia — closest to the airport (15-minute taxi). Convenient for guests on tight schedules. The Olbia waterfront has good restaurants and a relaxed atmosphere. See our Olbia charter guide.
Palau — the jumping-off point for the Maddalena Archipelago. Fifteen minutes by boat to the first island. Best base for day hire focused on island hopping.
Porto Cervo — the glamour base. Higher marina fees but you are in the heart of the Costa Smeralda. Best for luxury motor yacht and RIB day hire. See our Porto Cervo charter guide.
Boat Hire Costs in Sardinia
RIB day hire (with skipper): €600–€1,800. The entry-level hire experience. Size, duration, and season determine the price.
Motor yacht day hire (with skipper): €1,500–€5,000. More comfort, more speed, more luxury.
Sailing yacht weekly hire (bareboat): €2,000–€5,000/week in peak season.
Catamaran weekly hire (bareboat): €4,500–€9,000/week. The 40–60% premium over sailboats reflects the higher demand and limited fleet.
Skipper add-on for weekly hire: €1,300–€1,800/week (€180–€250/day plus meals aboard).
June and September are 20–30% cheaper than July–August with arguably better conditions. See our full cost guide.
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Boat Hire Locations in Sardinia
The main hire bases — Cannigione, Olbia, Palau, and Porto Cervo — are all within 40 minutes of Olbia Airport.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I hire a boat in Sardinia?
Search our platform for available boats on your dates. Select your preferred boat, choose skippered or bareboat, and confirm the booking. We handle the rest — confirmation, marina logistics, and skipper coordination.
Can I hire a boat for just a few hours?
Yes — half-day hire (4–5 hours) is available on most RIBs and motor yachts. Full-day hire runs 8–10 hours. Weekly hire is Saturday to Saturday.
Is hiring a boat in Sardinia safe?
Very. The northeast coast has sheltered waters, short distances between safe harbours, reliable summer weather, and well-maintained boats. Skippered hire adds a professional who knows the coast intimately.
What if I have never been on a boat before?
Book a skippered day hire on a RIB or motor yacht. The skipper handles everything — you just enjoy the experience. It is the ideal introduction to boating in Sardinia.
Where is the best place to hire?
Cannigione for the widest selection and best access to both the Maddalena Archipelago and Costa Smeralda. Olbia for airport proximity. Palau for island hopping. Porto Cervo for luxury.
