One Week Yacht Charter Sardinia

A week is the standard charter duration in Sardinia for good reason. The distances in northeast Sardinia are compact — the entire area from Olbia to the top of the La Maddalena Archipelago is only about 25 nautical miles. You do not need two weeks to see the highlights, and you do not feel rushed in seven days.

With a week, you have enough time to settle into the rhythm of life on the water. Day one is for getting your bearings, provisioning, and a short shake-down sail. Days two through six are for exploring — a new bay every morning, a new anchorage every evening, with plenty of time for swimming, snorkelling, going ashore, and simply doing nothing. Day seven is the gentle return to base.

Most charter companies operate on a Saturday-to-Saturday schedule. Check-in is typically at 17:00 on the first Saturday (giving the crew time to clean and prepare the yacht after the previous charter). You sleep aboard that first night, then depart Sunday morning. Check-out is Friday evening or Saturday morning, depending on the operator. This gives you six full sailing days.

A week also works well with flight schedules. Saturday is the most common changeover day across the Mediterranean charter industry, and Olbia Airport has the most flight options on Saturdays during the summer season. Arriving Saturday afternoon and departing the following Saturday morning keeps logistics simple.

There is no fixed schedule on a charter — that is the whole point. But most weeks settle into a natural rhythm that balances sailing, exploring, and relaxing.

Morning (08:00–10:00): Wake up at anchor. Swim off the boat. Coffee and breakfast in the cockpit. Check the weather forecast and decide where to go today. Weigh anchor and set sail.

Mid-morning (10:00–13:00): Sailing. This is when the breeze is typically building — the Mistral fills in from the northwest through the morning and peaks in the early afternoon. Depending on your route, you might sail for 1 to 3 hours to your next destination. If you are on a catamaran or motor yacht, the trampoline or flybridge becomes the favourite spot.

Lunch (13:00–15:00): Anchor in a bay. Swim. Snorkel. Have lunch on board — salads, bread, local cheese, cold cuts, a glass of Vermentino. This is the hottest part of the day and most people are happy to stay in the water or in the shade.

Afternoon (15:00–17:00): A short sail to the evening anchorage or marina. Or stay where you are if the bay is beautiful enough. Explore on shore if there is a town or beach nearby. The dinghy becomes essential — it is your car for getting to shore, visiting other bays, and ferrying supplies.

Evening (17:00–21:00): If you are in a marina, walk the town, find a restaurant, have an aperitivo. If you are at anchor, sundowners on deck as the light turns golden. Cook on board or take the dinghy to a waterfront restaurant. Sardinian sunsets from the water are extraordinary — the sky goes pink and orange behind the islands.

Night: Sleep on the boat. The gentle rocking, the sound of water, the stars visible without light pollution. Most people say they sleep better on a yacht than anywhere else.

This is the classic northeast Sardinia itinerary and the most popular route for a one-week charter. It takes you through the La Maddalena Archipelago — a national park of stunning islands — and optionally across to Bonifacio on the southern tip of Corsica.

Day 1 (Sunday) — Cannigione to Caprera (8 nm). Depart Cannigione after provisioning. Gentle sail north past the islands of La Maddalena. Anchor at Cala Garibaldi or Porto Palma on Caprera's south coast. Swim in gin-clear water. First night at anchor.

Day 2 — Caprera to Spargi (6 nm). Short sail around the north of Caprera to Spargi island. Anchor in Cala Corsara — one of the most photographed bays in the Mediterranean. White sand, turquoise water, no buildings. Snorkelling is excellent here. Spend the day in the water.

Day 3 — Spargi to Bonifacio, Corsica (12 nm). Cross the Strait of Bonifacio to Corsica. The strait can be windy — depart early when conditions are calmest. Arrive in Bonifacio by late morning. The approach is dramatic — sheer white cliffs with the medieval citadel perched on top. Moor in the marina. Explore the old town, climb the King of Aragon's staircase, eat in a French-Corsican restaurant. This is a highlight day.

Day 4 — Bonifacio to Lavezzi Islands to Santa Maria (10 nm). Depart Bonifacio and stop at the Lavezzi Islands — a nature reserve with some of the clearest water you will ever see. Anchor, swim, snorkel among the granite boulders. Continue south to Isola Santa Maria in the Maddalena Archipelago. Anchor in the sheltered bay. Quiet evening at anchor.

Day 5 — Santa Maria to Budelli to La Maddalena town (5 nm). Morning visit to Spiaggia Rosa (Pink Beach) on Budelli — viewable from the water, landing is restricted. Sail to La Maddalena town for provisioning, gelato, and a wander through the colourful streets. Option to moor in the marina for shore power and a restaurant dinner.

Day 6 — La Maddalena to Porto Cervo (12 nm). The longest day, but still under 3 hours of sailing. Head south through the Maddalena channel and down to Porto Cervo. Arrive in the afternoon. This is the glamour stop — the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda, designer boutiques, the piazzetta, and some of the best restaurants on the island. Marina berth or anchor in the bay.

Day 7 (Friday) — Porto Cervo to Cannigione (8 nm). Final sail back to base. Stop at one last bay — Liscia Ruja or Cala di Volpe — for a farewell swim. Arrive Cannigione by 16:00–17:00. Check-out procedures. Dinner ashore to celebrate.

This route stays closer to the Sardinian mainland and is ideal for those who want more time in glamorous ports, on famous beaches, and within easy reach of restaurants and nightlife. It works particularly well for motor yachts and for groups who prefer marinas over remote anchorages.

Day 1 (Sunday) — Cannigione to Baia Sardinia (4 nm). A short hop down the coast to ease into the trip. Baia Sardinia has a lovely beach, a handful of good restaurants, and the famous Phi Beach club. Perfect first-night stop.

Day 2 — Baia Sardinia to Porto Cervo (6 nm). Cruise past the headlands of Capo Ferro to Porto Cervo. Spend the day in the port — shopping, lunch at the yacht club, people-watching. Evening aperitivo at the piazzetta.

Day 3 — Porto Cervo to Porto Rotondo (8 nm). Sail south along the emerald coast. Stop at Cala di Volpe for a swim — the bay made famous by the luxury hotel. Continue to Porto Rotondo, a quieter, more understated town with excellent restaurants and a pretty harbour.

Day 4 — Porto Rotondo to Tavolara (8 nm). Head further south to the dramatic island of Tavolara — a sheer limestone block rising 560 metres from the sea. Anchor in the sheltered bay on the west side. Snorkelling is exceptional around the reef. A marine protected area with abundant fish life.

Day 5 — Tavolara to Molara / Isola Molara (3 nm). Short hop to the island of Molara, nestled between Tavolara and the mainland. Pristine, quiet, and less visited than the Maddalena islands. Several anchorages with crystal water. A day for doing very little.

Day 6 — Molara to Golfo Aranci / Olbia (10 nm). Sail north to Golfo Aranci — a charming fishing town with a famous beach (Spiaggia Bianca) and excellent seafood restaurants. Or continue to Olbia's waterfront for a night in the town — lively bars, good shopping, and easy access to the airport for check-out day.

Day 7 (Friday) — Olbia/Golfo Aranci to Cannigione (12 nm). Final sail back to Cannigione. Stop at Spiaggia del Principe or another Costa Smeralda beach for one last swim. Return to base by late afternoon.

The yacht you choose defines the character of your week. All types work well for a seven-day charter in Sardinia — the question is what experience you want.

Catamaran (38–50ft) — the most popular choice for week charters. Catamarans offer the best balance of space, comfort, and sailing ability. The wide beam means generous cabins, a large saloon, and a cockpit that seats 8+ for dinner. The shallow draft opens up anchorages that deeper yachts cannot reach. Ideal for families, groups of friends, and anyone who values living space. A 42ft catamaran comfortably accommodates 6–8 people in 3–4 cabins.

Monohull sailboat (36–50ft) — for the purists. A monohull delivers a more authentic sailing experience — the heel of the boat, the sound of water rushing past the hull, the responsiveness at the helm. Less living space than a catamaran of the same length, but a more engaging time under sail. Ideal for experienced sailors and couples. A 42ft monohull suits 4–6 people in 2–3 cabins.

Motor yacht (40–80ft) — for comfort and speed. You will cover more ground, arrive earlier, and have more time at each destination. Motor yachts are typically more luxuriously appointed than sailing yachts — think proper beds, hot showers that never run out, air conditioning, and a flybridge for sundowners. Ideal for those who want the cruising lifestyle without the sailing. Higher fuel costs but lower physical effort.

Luxury crewed yacht (50–100ft+) — the full-service option. A crewed charter with captain, chef, and steward transforms a week charter into a floating boutique hotel. Every meal prepared for you, every anchorage chosen by an expert, every logistic handled. You simply enjoy Sardinia. Premium pricing but an incomparable experience.

How you charter matters as much as what you charter. The three options suit different skill levels, budgets, and holiday styles.

Bareboat — you are the skipper. You need a valid sailing licence (ICC, RYA Day Skipper, or equivalent recognised by Italian authorities) and demonstrable experience. Bareboat gives you complete freedom — you choose the route, the pace, and the anchorages. It is also the most affordable option since you are not paying for crew. Most bareboat charterers in Sardinia have at least 2–3 previous charters under their belt. If you are new to Mediterranean sailing, brush up on Med mooring (stern-to with anchor out) before you arrive. See our bareboat charter guide.

Skippered — a professional captain sails the boat while you relax. The skipper knows the coast, the best anchorages, the hidden restaurants, and how to handle changing weather. You can participate in sailing as much or as little as you want. The skipper sleeps on board (usually in the smallest cabin or the saloon). Cost is €180–€250/day plus meals. For families, first-time charterers, and anyone who wants a holiday rather than a working sailing trip, a skipper is the single best investment.

Crewed — full crew including captain, chef, and sometimes a steward. Every aspect of the week is handled — navigation, cooking, cleaning, provisioning, logistics. You wake up to fresh coffee, eat chef-prepared meals using local ingredients, and never wash a dish. Crewed charters are typically on larger yachts (50ft+) and are priced as all-inclusive packages. The premium is significant but the experience is transformative.

Check-in and check-out: Standard check-in is Saturday at 17:00 at the charter base (Cannigione, Portisco, or Olbia Marina). You complete paperwork, do a boat briefing, and sleep aboard. Departure is Sunday morning. Check-out is typically Friday evening (return to base by 17:00) with disembarkation Saturday morning by 09:00. Some operators offer flexible scheduling — ask when booking.

Provisioning: Stock up at the Cannigione or Olbia supermarket before departing. Buy enough for the first 3–4 days — water, food, snacks, wine, cleaning supplies. You can restock at La Maddalena town, Porto Cervo, or any port with a shop. Many charter companies offer pre-provisioning services — you submit a shopping list and the boat is stocked when you arrive.

Fuel: Sailing yachts and catamarans use minimal fuel if you sail — budget €100–€300 for the week for engine hours (entering/leaving marinas, motoring in calm conditions). Motor yachts consume significantly more — budget €500–€1,500 depending on size and cruising speed. Fuel is available at most marinas.

Marina fees: You do not need to stay in a marina every night. Free anchorage in bays is one of the joys of chartering. When you do use a marina, expect €50–€150/night depending on the port and yacht size. Porto Cervo is the most expensive (€100–€300+ in peak season). Cannigione and La Maddalena are more reasonable (€50–€100).

Weather: June to September offers reliable conditions — air temperature 28–34°C, sea temperature 23–26°C, wind 8–18 knots from the northwest (Mistral). Rain is extremely rare. The Mistral can occasionally blow 25+ knots, particularly in July — your skipper (or your own weather judgment) will adjust the itinerary accordingly. May and October are cooler (22–26°C) but still pleasant with fewer crowds.

What to pack: Soft bags only — no hard suitcases. Swimwear, sun protection (SPF 50, hat, sunglasses), reef shoes or deck shoes, light layers for evenings, a light waterproof jacket, snorkelling gear if you have your own (otherwise rent from the charter company). Pack light. Storage on boats is limited even on large yachts.

Getting there: Fly to Olbia Costa Smeralda Airport (OLB). Direct flights from most European cities, especially in summer. Taxi or pre-arranged transfer to the charter base — 20 minutes to Olbia Marina, 30 minutes to Portisco, 40 minutes to Cannigione.

A week charter in Sardinia spans a wide price range depending on yacht type, size, season, and crew. Here are realistic budget ranges for 2026.

Bareboat monohull 36–42ft: €2,000–€5,000/week in peak season (July–August). €1,500–€3,500 in shoulder season (May–June, September).

Bareboat catamaran 40–46ft: €4,000–€9,000/week peak. €2,800–€6,000 shoulder. Catamarans command a 40–60% premium over equivalent monohulls.

Skippered catamaran 42ft: Add €1,300–€1,800 to the bareboat price for a skipper (€180–€250/day × 7 days, plus meals).

Motor yacht 45–60ft with skipper: €5,000–€15,000/week depending on size and spec. Fuel is additional — budget €500–€1,500.

Crewed luxury yacht 55–80ft: €10,000–€35,000/week all-inclusive (crew, meals, fuel, marina fees). The price reflects the full-service experience — no hidden costs.

Additional costs to budget for: Security deposit (€2,000–€5,000, refundable), damage waiver insurance (€150–€400 to reduce or eliminate the deposit), final cleaning fee (€100–€250), bed linen and towels (€15–€25/person if not included), outboard fuel for the dinghy (€20–€50), marina fees for nights in port (€50–€150/night), and eating out (€40–€120/meal for 2–4 people at Sardinian restaurants).

Total budget estimate for a couple on a bareboat monohull: €3,500–€7,000 all-in for the week including yacht, provisions, fuel, marina fees, and eating out. For a family of four on a skippered catamaran: €7,000–€13,000 all-in. For a group of 8 on a crewed catamaran: €12,000–€20,000 all-in, split across the group.

For a detailed breakdown, see our complete cost guide.