Sardinia: Costa Smeralda & Beyond
Emerald waters, exclusive beach clubs, and ancient Nuragic mysteries
- Duration
- 7 Days
- Embarkation
- Porto Cervo (Marina di Porto Cervo)
- Disembarkation
- Cagliari (Marina di Cagliari)
- Best season
- June – September
- Total distance
- 180 NM
Overview
Sardinia is the Mediterranean's best-kept secret — an island of extraordinary natural beauty where emerald waters lap against granite coastlines, ancient Nuragic towers dot the landscape, and the cuisine rivals anywhere in Italy. This 7-day itinerary takes you from the exclusive Costa Smeralda to the wild beauty of the east coast and the historic capital of Cagliari.
Highlights
- Porto Cervo superyacht scene
- La Maddalena archipelago
- Cala Luna beach
- Nuraghe Su Nuraxi (UNESCO)
- Cagliari's Castello quarter
- Sardinian wine and cuisine
Day by day
Day 1: Porto Cervo — Superyacht Capital
Porto Cervo
Morning: Board at Marina di Porto Cervo, the jewel of the Costa Smeralda. Welcome Vermentino wine reception.
Afternoon: Explore Porto Cervo's piazzetta, designer boutiques, and the Stella Maris church. Swim at Spiaggia del Principe, one of Sardinia's finest beaches.
Evening: Dinner at Phi Beach, a legendary clifftop club-restaurant with sunset views over the archipelago.
Day 2: La Maddalena Archipelago
Porto Cervo → La Maddalena · 12 nm
Morning: Cruise to the La Maddalena Archipelago National Park — seven main islands with some of the most beautiful beaches in the Mediterranean.
Afternoon: Visit Spiaggia Rosa (Pink Beach) on Budelli, Cala Coticcio on Caprera (the 'Tahiti of Sardinia'), and the Garibaldi Museum on Caprera.
Evening: Dinner aboard anchored in the archipelago, with the granite islands glowing pink in the sunset.
Day 3: Tavolara — Marine Reserve
La Maddalena → Tavolara · 20 nm
Morning: Cruise south to Tavolara, a dramatic limestone island rising 560 metres from the sea. It's the world's smallest kingdom (population: 11).
Afternoon: Snorkel the Tavolara Marine Protected Area — some of the best underwater visibility in the Mediterranean. Swim at the pristine beaches.
Evening: Dinner at a beachfront restaurant on the mainland coast, with Tavolara as the dramatic backdrop.
Day 4: Cala Gonone — Gulf of Orosei
Tavolara → Cala Gonone · 40 nm
Morning: Cruise down Sardinia's wild east coast to the Gulf of Orosei, one of the most spectacular stretches of coastline in the Mediterranean.
Afternoon: Visit Cala Luna, a crescent beach backed by caves and cliffs. Explore the Grotta del Bue Marino sea caves by tender. Swim in the turquoise waters.
Evening: Dinner at Su Gologone, a legendary restaurant in the mountains above Oliena, serving authentic Sardinian cuisine.
Day 5: Arbatax — Red Rocks
Cala Gonone → Arbatax · 25 nm
Morning: Cruise to Arbatax, famous for its dramatic red porphyry rocks rising from the sea (Rocce Rosse).
Afternoon: Take the Trenino Verde (Green Train) through the mountains — one of Italy's most scenic railway journeys. Visit a local winery for Cannonau tasting.
Evening: Dinner aboard featuring Sardinian specialities — porceddu (suckling pig), culurgiones (stuffed pasta), and seadas (cheese pastry with honey).
Day 6: Villasimius — Crystal Beaches
Arbatax → Villasimius · 45 nm
Morning: Cruise south to Villasimius, home to some of Sardinia's most beautiful beaches. The water here is Caribbean-clear.
Afternoon: Swim at Spiaggia di Simius and Porto Giunco. Snorkel the Capo Carbonara Marine Protected Area. Visit the Spanish watchtower.
Evening: Dinner at Cala Sinzias beach restaurant, with fresh lobster and local wines.
Day 7: Cagliari — Sardinian Capital
Villasimius → Cagliari · 22 nm
Morning: Cruise to Cagliari, Sardinia's vibrant capital. The approach past the flamingo lagoons is unexpected and beautiful.
Afternoon: Explore the Castello quarter — the Cathedral, the Bastione di Saint Remy, and the National Archaeological Museum with its Nuragic bronzes.
Evening: Farewell dinner at Dal Corsaro, Cagliari's Michelin-starred restaurant, in the Marina quarter.
Luxury Seekers · Beach Lovers · Foodies · Couples
Yachts cruising in Sardinia
- ETERNAL SPARK — 50 m · Bilgin · 12 guests · Home port: France | Antibes · Weekly charter rate from €337,590/week
- MAYVA — 48 m · Baglietto · 12 guests · Home port: Monaco | Port Hercules · Weekly charter rate from €161,400/week
- THUMPER — 40 m · Sunseeker · 12 guests · Home port: Mallorca | Marina Palma Cuarentena · Weekly charter rate from €157,500/week
- JOSEPHINE I — 36 m · Mulder · 12 guests · Home port: France | Cannes · Weekly charter rate from €116,667/week
- IRAMA — 42 m · Marine Concepts · 12 guests · Home port: France | Antibes · Weekly charter rate from €112,500/week
- GHOST III — 49 m · Custom · 12 guests · Home port: Mallorca | Palma Bay, Club de Mar · Weekly charter rate from €110,000/week
- JAZ — 51 m · Amel · 12 guests · Home port: Greece | Athens Marina · Weekly charter rate from €102,500/week
- SOUTH — 33 m · Ferretti · 12 guests · Home port: Italy | Naples, Marina Di Stabia · Weekly charter rate from €100,000/week
- SOULMATE — 34 m · Dreamline · 10 guests · Home port: Monaco | Port Hercules · Weekly charter rate from €75,000/week
- SOPHIE BLUE — 41 m · Other · 12 guests · Home port: Croatia | ACI Marina Split · Weekly charter rate from €70,833/week
- MARICAN FOREVER — 32 m · Ferretti · 12 guests · Home port: Italy | Sicily · Weekly charter rate from €67,500/week
- CATCH ME — 26 m · Sanlorenzo · 8 guests · Home port: Italy | Naples, Marina Di Stabia · Weekly charter rate from €65,833/week