Sailing in Sardinia: itinerary in 5 stops to experience your seaside vacation

You cannot say that you have truly experienced the sea if you have never tried the experience of a sailing trip itinerary. What could be more poetic and revitalizing than relaxing lulled by the rocking of the sea, and waking up admiring the sun rising from the East? Or enjoying the charming sun diving beyond the horizon to the West? And why not, maybe spotting a dolphin!

The best destination for this magical travel experience is undoubtedly Sardinia, a land of natural wonders and picturesque seaside towns.

Prepare to live the day to the rhythm of the wind, with long sessions of swimming, snorkeling and exploring heavenly beaches and coves, and the sense of pleasure and well-being that only a plate of spaghetti on a boat followed by a nap in the shade can give you. Of course, don't forget the fun and adventure of diving from the bow, strolling along deserted beaches, and a relaxing kayak or SUP experience while the sun is up.

Are you daydreaming? Let's dream together, then: this summer join us on a wonderful itinerary and discover the beauty of the seaside and coast by sailing in Sardinia on a boat trip, the vacation you never knew you wanted!

If you have already tried a bathhouse holiday, and camping as a romantic getaway...all left to do is trying the sailing experience! An adventure certainly different and unusual, ideal for summer holidays 2026, maybe to join together with the events collected from the very rich calendar of Salude & Trigu, which we suggest you keep checking out before making plans for Sardinia!

Exploring Sardinia by sailing is a perfect option for group travel, to share an adventure with friends and family while collecting wonderful memories together, which will bond you even more.

Sailing is a lifestyle beyond a vacation formula, made up of cooperation, patience and moments of waiting, of attention and moments of immense amazement. You'll experience splendid landscapes, sunbathing, and the sensation of salty skin that you won't forget simply with a shower when you get home.

On this magical sea voyage we'll explore the coasts of North Sardinia from east to west, an itinerary that will thrill you with indescribable panoramic views, intense flavors and scents, authentic experiences to feel and share with folk festivals and concerts in enchanting locations.

So let's start for the vacation: all aboard, it's time to sailing in Sardinia!

Our sailing trip along the coasts of North Sardinia begins off the north-eastern seaside, not far from Olbia. We sail from Porto San Paolo (Tavolara) with a nice welcome glass of an ice-cold Vermentino.

This itinerary will make you full of memories, heading towards the majestic Island of Tavolara, with its yellow flowers spots between the green shrubs and the granite. It is also worth making a short stop for a stroll on the island, in permitted areas.

Along the majestic cliffs, discovering Sardinia on a sailing boat, you arrive at the splendid Island of Molara, a jewel of turquoise waters, among the most beautiful on the north-eastern coast.

A splendid stopping point for swimming and enjoying the view, before sailing towards the promontory of Capo Coda Cavallo, a naturalistic area, and ending in style by passing through the spectacular Cala Brandinchi.

The photo says it all, right?

The adventure continues off shore from Palau, among the splendid crystal clear waters of the La Maddalena Islands Archipelago.

A first stop in the quiet Bay of Cala Portese, with the possibility of various stops on the island to refresh at the restaurants, or walk on the beach.

We continue towards the splendid Giardinelli, and why not sleep under the stars, in the bay of Cala Garibaldi? We definitely recommend this journey in the low season, to better immerse yourself in the nature of the archipelago.

The next day we sail towards Budelli, where you can admire the famous Spiaggia Rosa, a true scenic spectacle; the beach is very fragile, after having been the subject of years of theft of the precious coral sand, so it can be admired from the boat only. Fortunately, in recent years there have been many anonymous returns by repentant "sand thieves", a small gesture of apology towards the island of Budelli.

At the moment the legal fate of the island is unclear, but for a long time access to the coast was prohibited, with very severe penalties. Many tourists decide to ignore this ban to take photos, but the fines are very high so be careful. In short, we recommend admiring it from on board, or asking specialized guides who are up to date on regulations.

After some spaghetti lunch and dives in the natural pools around Budelli, we sail towards Spargi and Cala Corsara. The sunset reflected on the granite rocks will be the best scenario to greet the day with a cold Sardinian beer. In addition to the sea, we recommend a visit to the Island of Caprera and the Museum dedicated to national hero Giuseppe Garibaldi, who is buried here, in a very suggestive compendium to explore.

A particularly loved destination, immersed in nature and capable of bewitching with its exclusive landscapes, is the Asinara National Park.

In addition to the sites of interest on the island, such as the former prison facility now a museum and the Sea Turtle Recovery Centre, the true beauty of this harsh island full of inebriating scents are its coves and deep blue sea, where it is not at all rare to encounter groups of dolphins and of course sea turtles.

If the encounter with the docile white donkeys, characteristic of the island, is always a welcome surprise, the sighting of groups of dolphins darting among the waves in search of play is truly exciting! Not to mention the astonishing schools of silvery fish, which curiously come ashore; be careful, because they love to nibble ankles, they are absolutely comfortable with human presence.

After docking at Cala Reale, to visit the island or dive to discover the remains of a underwater wreck, you can continue the coastal exploration of the magical coves of Asinara, such as Cala Barche and Cala d'Oliva, and then sail at sunset towards the next stop. You can relax and have a drink with the rest of your crew, because there's still half of this trip to go, and you won't go disappointed!

Sleeping under the stars and waking up at dawn with the spectacle of La Pelosa and La Pelosetta in front of you, is truly a breathtaking start to the day: all this is possible by visiting Sardinia by sailing!

That's right, good morning from Stintino and welcome to its wonderful - and very crowded! - beaches. The postcard-looking beach of La Pelosa is now a top attraction in the North Sardinia, and Stintino is literally invaded throughout the summer by those who are ready to make and spend any amount, including lido reservations and parking, just to take a bath in the characteristic turquoise water, with an unmistakable shallow and finely sandy seabed.

In this regard, sleeping on site will allow you to circumvent the difficulty of arriving on the beach at dawn, amidst long queues and crowds, and enjoying this spectacle from a safe distance on a sailing boat will offer you a completely different scenario.

In Stintino it is also possible to walk along the port and visit the Tonnara Museum, a piece of history of this fishing settlement. Furthermore, sailors feel at home here, because famous regatta Vela Latina has taken place in Stintino since 1983! In short, in addition to soaking in those splendid waters, if you want to touch land there is no shortage of entertainment and cultural options for the hottest hours of the afternoon.

Enjoy a day in the crystal clear waters of Stintino, with lunch on board (if you don't know stintinese octopus, you have to fix it!) and the excellent company of friends, remembering to respect the extraordinary environment in which you find yourself!

What better ending to this sailing itinerary than an aperitif in the setting of one of the most beautiful sunsets in North Sardinia? You have reached your destination, the port of Alghero, an historic commercial and tourist approach to Northern Sardinia, and there various possibilities open up.

It will be possible to sail towards the Porto Conte Regional Park and the Capo Caccia Marine Protected Area, where between the Gulf of Pischina Salida, Porto Conte and Capo Galera it will be possible to go on long immersions and snorkeling among the vast posidonia meadows (a kind of seaweed) and red coral settlements. Near this enchanting area, under the white overhanging cliffs - an area rich not only in fish but also in marine birds that nest here - dolphins can also be spotted chasing each other in the blue sea.

If the wind makes this route in open sea impracticable, there is the alternative of the Alghero South Coast, towards the Alghero-Bosa coast road. Saying goodbye to the castle villa of Las Tronas, an ancient and luxurious residence of nobles and prominent figures of the 20th century, you can relax in Cala Burantino, jewel of the coast inaccessible from land.

We continue towards the Poglina beach, and finally towards the lunar Le Croci cliff, where you can explore with a mask and take choreographed dives... paying attention to the jellyfish! This zone is particularly rich in these animals, sobe careful before diving in.

Thus we conclude this special itinerary to experience Sardinia on a sailing boat, taking a full vacation of one week at least, or better ten days.

We wanted to include a few extra stops to give you many ideas and make you dream, but we are sure that with the right skipper and the right group of friends it will be easy to make this boat itinerary a reality and truly unforgettable experience!

See you soon, Sardinia!

A summary of the five stages of the North Sardinia sailing boat itinerary, designed for a 7-10 days vacation.

1) Olbia - Porto San Paolo (Tavolara)

- Tavolara and Molara Islands

- Capo Coda Cavallo and Cala Brandinchi

2) Palau - La Maddalena Archipelago

- Cala Portese Bay

- Giardinelli, Cala Garibaldi

- Budelli, Spiaggia Rosa

- Spargi, Cala Corsara

- Caprera Island

3) Asinara National Park

- Cala Reale

- Cala Barche

- Cala d'Oliva

4) Stintino

- La Pelosa and La Pelosetta

- Stintino Marina

5) Alghero

- Porto Conte Regional Park

- Capo Caccia Marine Protected Area

- South Coast of Alghero, Alghero-Bosa

- Poglina Beach and Le Croci Cliff

Yes, it's absolutely possible to rent sailboats at tourist ports, either with a skipper (if you have no piloting experience) or bareboat (to sail independently if you have a boating license and the required experience). Prices vary depending on the season and the size of the boat. Many charter companies operate directly from marinas, offering complete packages that include the boat, equipment and services, and sometimes even accommodations for the first and last nights.

For a sailing trip bring with you lightweight and breathable clothing, a windproof/waterproof jacket, non-slip shoes, a swimsuit, a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen. Don't forget your documents, medicines (including seasickness), microfiber towels and soft bags (no hard suitcases), as well as a power bank and, if you love the sea, a mask and snorkel, to fully enjoy your onboard experience and have fun with a dive or a swim.