Yacht Charter Porto Cervo

Porto Cervo sits at the heart of the Costa Smeralda, the 20-kilometre stretch of northeast Sardinia that the Aga Khan IV transformed from uninhabited granite coastline into one of the world's most exclusive resort destinations. The village itself is small — a crescent-shaped marina, a piazzetta lined with designer shops, a handful of restaurants, and the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda perched above it all. But its influence on Mediterranean yachting is outsized. Porto Cervo hosts the Rolex Swan Cup, the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup, and the Loro Piana Superyacht Regatta — events that draw the finest sailing and motor yachts in the world.

For yacht charter, Porto Cervo offers a unique combination. To the south, the famous Costa Smeralda bays — Cala di Volpe, Romazzino, Liscia Ruja, Capriccioli, Mortorio island — are all within 30 minutes by boat. To the north, the La Maddalena Archipelago begins just 8 nautical miles away, with Caprera and Spargi reachable in under an hour. This means a yacht charter from Porto Cervo gives you access to both the glamour of the coast and the wilderness of the national park in the same day.

Porto Cervo is also the natural base for luxury yacht charter in Sardinia. The marina accommodates vessels up to 100 metres, the service infrastructure (provisioning, fuel, maintenance) is world-class, and the social scene — dinner at the YCCS terrace, drinks at Billionaire, shopping at the piazzetta — completes the experience. If you want the full Costa Smeralda lifestyle alongside your charter, Porto Cervo is where it happens.

A day charter from Porto Cervo is one of the most popular yacht experiences in Sardinia. The format: depart the marina in the morning, spend 6–10 hours visiting the famous bays with swim stops, snorkelling, and a gourmet lunch (prepared by the onboard chef on crewed yachts, or at a beachside restaurant), and return to Porto Cervo by late afternoon or evening.

The Classic Costa Smeralda Day: Porto Cervo → Cala di Volpe (swim stop — the bay from the James Bond film) → Mortorio island (snorkelling over rocky seabed with grouper and bream, lunch aboard) → Romazzino (afternoon swim in shallow turquoise water) → Liscia Ruja or Capriccioli (final stop) → Porto Cervo. Approximately 15–20 nautical miles, 6–8 hours. This route covers all the iconic bays and works on any boat type — RIB, motor yacht, or sailing yacht.

Porto Cervo to La Maddalena: A longer day (8–10 hours) heading north to the archipelago. Caprera (Cala Coticcio — the 'Tahiti of Sardinia'), Spargi (Cala Corsara — pink granite and crystal water), and the channels between the islands. The contrast with the Costa Smeralda is dramatic — from glamour to pristine wilderness in 45 minutes. Best on a fast RIB or motor yacht to maximise time at the islands.

Sunset Charter: Depart Porto Cervo at 17:00 for a 3–4 hour evening cruise. A swim stop in golden light, aperitivo aboard with Sardinian charcuterie and Vermentino wine, then watching the sun set over the granite mountains. The light on the Costa Smeralda at golden hour turns the rocks pink and gold. One of the most popular yacht charter experiences from Porto Cervo, and one of the most affordable at €400–€1,200.

While most weekly yacht charters in Sardinia depart from Cannigione or Portisco (where marina fees are lower and the main charter fleets are based), Porto Cervo is a popular first-night or last-night stop — and some charters start and finish here directly.

The Classic Porto Cervo Week: Porto Cervo → Cala di Volpe → Spargi (Cala Corsara) → Budelli (Pink Beach) → Razzoli → Bonifacio (Corsica — one night of clifftop dining) → Lavezzi Islands → La Maddalena town → Baia Sardinia → Porto Cervo. 60–80 nautical miles, 6 sailing days. This is the definitive Sardinia itinerary starting from Porto Cervo, combining Costa Smeralda glamour with Maddalena wilderness and a Corsica crossing. See our full itinerary guide.

Costa Smeralda Intensive (5 days): For guests who want to stay on the glamorous coast rather than heading north. Porto Cervo → Porto Rotondo → Cala di Volpe → Tavolara (dramatic limestone island, excellent snorkelling) → Mortorio → Baia Sardinia → Porto Cervo. More time in marinas, more restaurant dinners, more of the social scene. The yacht charter for guests who want to combine sailing with the Porto Cervo lifestyle.

Luxury Crewed Week: A fully crewed motor yacht or premium catamaran (50–100ft) departing Porto Cervo with captain, chef, and steward. Every meal prepared from fresh Sardinian ingredients (the chef shops at Olbia fish market the morning you depart), every anchorage chosen by an expert, every logistic handled invisibly. This is the top tier of Porto Cervo yacht charter — and the way many returning guests choose to experience Sardinia. See our luxury charter guide.

RIBs (7–12m) are the most popular day charter vessel from Porto Cervo. Fast, fun, and nimble enough to reach shallow bays. A 7–8m RIB with skipper suits 4 guests for a day along the Costa Smeralda. A 10–12m premium RIB with T-top, sunpads, and sound system handles 8–10 guests in comfort. RIB charters from Porto Cervo start from €700/day.

Motor yachts (40–100ft+) are the signature Porto Cervo charter vessel. The presence of a motor yacht anchored in Cala di Volpe or docked at the Porto Cervo marina is the quintessential Costa Smeralda image. Crewed motor yachts with captain and chef are available for both day and week charters — the ultimate Porto Cervo experience. Brands in the fleet include Azimut, Sunseeker, Princess, and Ferretti.

Catamarans (42–52ft) are available from nearby Cannigione and Portisco (20–30 minutes by road from Porto Cervo) rather than from Porto Cervo marina itself — the marina fees for a week's stay in Porto Cervo make it uneconomical as a charter base for catamarans. Most catamaran charters include Porto Cervo as a one-night stop on their itinerary rather than a home base.

Sailing yachts (36–50ft) similarly depart from Cannigione or Portisco and visit Porto Cervo during the charter. The sailing into Porto Cervo harbour — with the YCCS on the hill and superyachts lining the quay — is one of the great arrivals in Mediterranean sailing.

The Marina di Porto Cervo is one of the most exclusive marinas in the Mediterranean. Operated by the Smeralda Holding Group, it accommodates approximately 700 berths for vessels from 10 to 100+ metres. The marina sits in a natural harbour — a crescent-shaped inlet that provides excellent shelter from the Mistral.

Facilities include fuel station, water and electricity on every berth, waste pump-out, Wi-Fi, 24-hour security, and a concierge service that can arrange anything from restaurant reservations to helicopter transfers. The marina village includes a chandlery, yacht provisioning service, and several yacht maintenance companies.

Marina fees in Porto Cervo are the highest in Sardinia — a 15-metre yacht pays approximately €150–€250/night in peak season. This is why most weekly charters use Cannigione or Portisco as their home base and visit Porto Cervo for one or two nights. For day charters, the cost is manageable and the experience of departing directly from Porto Cervo is worth the premium.

Porto Cervo punches well above its size for dining. The YCCS Terrace overlooking the marina is the place to be at sunset — fresh seafood, excellent wine list, and the spectacle of yachts coming and going below. Matsuri is the high-end Japanese option. Quattro Passi al Pescatore (a satellite of the Nerano original) offers Michelin-level Italian cuisine. For something more casual, the restaurants around the piazzetta serve solid Sardinian fare.

In July and August, Porto Cervo's nightlife is legendary in yachting circles. Billionaire (Flavio Briatore's club, now rebranded but still the main event) draws an international crowd. The late-evening energy around the piazzetta — yachts arriving from dinner anchorages, well-dressed crowds moving between bars — is the Costa Smeralda social scene at its most electric.

Your skipper can help with restaurant reservations — in peak season, the best tables at popular restaurants require booking days or weeks in advance. For a more relaxed evening, anchor in Cala di Volpe and have the chef prepare dinner aboard while the sun sets — an experience that no restaurant can match.

RIB day charter (with skipper): €700–€2,000. The entry-level yacht charter from Porto Cervo.

Motor yacht day charter (crewed): €2,500–€8,000 depending on yacht size. A 50ft Azimut with captain and chef for 8 guests: approximately €3,500–€5,000.

Luxury motor yacht week (crewed, 50–80ft): €10,000–€45,000/week all-inclusive.

Superyacht week (crewed, 80ft+): €45,000–€200,000+/week.

Sunset charter (3–4 hours): €400–€1,200.

Catamaran week (from Cannigione/Portisco, visiting Porto Cervo): €4,500–€9,000/week bareboat.

Porto Cervo charters command a 10–20% premium over equivalent charters from Cannigione or Olbia, reflecting the marina fees and the prestige positioning. For full pricing detail, see our cost guide.