Sardinia & Corsica
Two islands separated by a single strait — and one of the most beautiful cruising grounds anywhere. Granite, transparent water, and the social glamour of Porto Cervo.
A cruising overview
The Bocche di Bonifacio — the strait between Corsica and Sardinia — opens onto the La Maddalena archipelago: granite outcrops, white-sand beaches, and water that often passes for Caribbean. Porto Cervo and the Costa Smeralda offer Italian glamour at its most polished, while Corsica's wild west coast provides the perfect counterpoint.
A week here typically combines the lively north Sardinian marinas with the quieter Corsican anchorages of the Lavezzi islands and the southern coast around Bonifacio. With ten days or more, the route can extend up the Corsican west coast to the Scandola Nature Reserve. Distances are short, the water is exceptional, and the food on both sides is among the best in the Mediterranean.
May – October
Late June and early September are ideal. August is fashionable but busy in Porto Cervo and Porto Rotondo.
7 days
Minimum: 5 days
Recommended: 10 days to combine Costa Smeralda with the Corsican west coast
- Porto Cervo — the iconic Costa Smeralda base
- Porto Rotondo — elegant alternative to Cervo
- Olbia — main international airport, easy boarding
- Bonifacio (Corsica) — dramatic cliff-walled harbour
- Ajaccio (Corsica) — west-coast base, gateway to Scandola
The right yacht for these waters
Sailing Yachts 42–56ft
Reliable Mistral wind makes for memorable passages — Bavaria, Jeanneau, Beneteau bareboat or skippered from Olbia. From €3,000/week.
Catamarans 42–52ft
Ideal for the shallow turquoise of La Maddalena — Lagoon 46, Bali 4.6, Fountaine Pajot Astréa 42. From €6,500/week.
Motor Yachts 50–85ft
Princess, Azimut and Sunseeker — for fast hops along Costa Smeralda. From €18,000/week.
Luxury Crewed Yachts 80–180ft
Costa Smeralda is the spiritual home of the modern superyacht — Sanlorenzo, Benetti, Wally, Riva. From €80,000/week.
How Much Does a Sardinia & Corsica Charter Cost?
Weekly rates vary widely by yacht type and season. A bareboat or skippered sailing yacht starts from around €3,000/week, catamarans suited to the shallow waters of La Maddalena run from €6,500/week, motor yachts for fast hops along Costa Smeralda start from €18,000/week, and the crewed superyachts based in Porto Cervo start from €80,000/week.
Beyond the charter fee, budget for the Advance Provisioning Allowance (APA), which covers fuel, marina fees, food and drink and is reconciled against receipts at the end of the week. Marina fees in Porto Cervo and Porto Rotondo rise sharply in August and berths are scarce -- booking both yacht and marina space at least four months ahead for July and August is strongly recommended.
Crossing between Sardinia (Italy) and Corsica (France) involves no customs formalities within the Schengen area -- the crew handles the standard yacht documentation for both territorial waters.
Sardinia & Corsica, Region by Region
Northern Sardinia & Costa Smeralda
Porto Cervo and Porto Rotondo anchor the glamour end of the charter -- polished marinas, refined dining, and some of the most photographed coastline in the Mediterranean. Olbia, the main gateway airport, sits close by, which is why most charters start and end here.
La Maddalena Archipelago
A short hop from Costa Smeralda, La Maddalena's granite islands -- Spargi, Budelli, Razzoli -- offer protected anchorages in turquoise water often compared to the Caribbean. A highlight for swimming and snorkelling stops.
Strait of Bonifacio
The narrow channel separating Corsica and Sardinia can funnel the Mistral into strong gusts on summer afternoons -- a good captain plans the crossing around this. On calmer days it's simply spectacular sailing.
Bonifacio & Southern Corsica
Bonifacio's fjord-like harbour, cut into chalk-white cliffs, is one of the great Mediterranean arrivals by sea. From here, the wilder, quieter anchorages of the Lavezzi Islands and Corsica's south coast are close at hand.
Corsica's West Coast (for longer charters)
With ten days or more, the itinerary can extend north along Corsica's dramatic west coast to the Scandola Nature Reserve, a UNESCO-listed stretch accessible only by sea.
What you'll remember
La Maddalena archipelago
Spargi, Budelli, Razzoli — protected anchorages in turquoise water.
Bonifacio's cliffs
Sailing into Bonifacio's natural fjord is one of the great Mediterranean moments.
Lavezzi Islands
Granite, sand and snorkelling — uninhabited and protected.
Scandola Nature Reserve
UNESCO-listed Corsican coastline, accessible only by sea — best reached on a 10+ day itinerary up the west coast.
Porto Cervo dining
ConFusion, Quattro Passi, Spinnaker — a marina that takes food seriously.
Costa Smeralda nightlife
Phi Beach for sunset, Billionaire and Phi for late evenings.
Good questions, good answers
- Where should I board — Sardinia or Corsica?
- Most charters board in Olbia/Porto Cervo (Sardinia) — the international airport connections are stronger, and the loop naturally returns there.
- Is the Mistral wind a problem?
- The Mistral can blow strongly through the Bocche di Bonifacio in summer. A good captain will plan around it — typically two or three days of stronger sailing within a comfortable week.
- Can I include the French Riviera?
- Yes — with 10–14 days you can extend north to Saint-Tropez or south to Calvi. Ask us for a custom routing.
- Is this destination good for families?
- Excellent. La Maddalena and the Lavezzi islands offer safe swimming and short days at sea — ideal for children.
- How busy does Costa Smeralda get?
- Very busy in August. June and September feel almost private by comparison while still offering full weather and warm seas.
- Which airport should I fly into?
- Olbia is the main gateway and sits right next to the Costa Smeralda marinas, so most charters start and end there for easy boarding.
- How long do I need to see both Sardinia and Corsica properly?
- Seven days covers Costa Smeralda, La Maddalena and a taste of Bonifacio comfortably. Ten days or more lets you add Corsica's west coast up to Scandola without rushing.
- Is this itinerary suitable for a first-time charter guest?
- Yes. Distances between anchorages are short, the water is calm inside La Maddalena, and Olbia's easy access makes logistics simple -- a good introduction to Mediterranean yacht charter.
- What should I pack?
- Beach-elegant by day -- swimwear, linen, sandals -- with something smarter for dinner in Porto Cervo or Bonifacio in the evening.
- Can the crew handle both Italian and French formalities?
- Yes -- an experienced crew handles the standard paperwork for moving between Sardinia (Italy) and Corsica (France) as part of a normal charter; no action is needed from guests.
A bespoke yacht charter, personally arranged.
Tell us your dates and preferences. We'll return with a tailored selection of yachts and a proposed itinerary within 24 hours.