After Sicily, Sardinia is the second-largest island in the Mediterranean. The Greeks called it Hyknusa meaning "footprint" because of the similarity Sardinia has to a human foot. The capital, Cagliari, is located in the South and is a perfect destination for launching sailing excursions all across Sardinia. The numerous quiet coves and tiny isles of Sardinia will provide a perfect background for an ideal sailing holiday.
Why choose Sardinia?
Sardinia has no high mountains because of the erosion caused by wind, rain and salt. In spite of this, Sardinia is characterized by rocky hinterlands and mountains terrain. The coast consists of jagged stone coves and bays, intersected with splendid sandy beaches. This coast is one of the purest shorelines in terms of water clarity and colour. The nature is lush and cultivated and the locals take excellent care of the beauties nature provides for them. This reflects on the whole experience of sailing around Sardinia because cruising in these waters refreshes the body, as well as the mind.
What to do and see on your yacht charter in Sardinia?
Sardinia hosts many marvellous works of art, in form of historic remains. Of the prehistoric era, the most noticeable are the megalithic "Tombs of the Giants". From the classical era, Roman remains can be found in Porto Torres and Cagliari. The National Archaeological Museum, located in Cagliar, features many ancient prehistoric Punic and Roman remains. When sea-bound around Sardinia, not to be missed are the islands of San Pietro and Sant'Antioco, near Cagliari. The beaches are numerous and all satisfy a harsh standard, in terms of beauty and water purity. The most famous beaches are located in Villasimius and Costa Smeralda (the Emerald Coast). Other locations worthy of a swim would be in Alghero, or in Ogliastra and Oristano provinces, where wild beaches are more popular than organized ones.
Cagliari is the largest city in Sardinia and the capital of this island for many hundreds of years. It is located in the Bay of the Angels (Golfo degli Angeli) and like Rome, it was built on seven hills. The old district of Cagliari is known as Castello, where ancient guard-towers still overlook the narrow streets and buildings of old like the Citadel of Museums (Cittadella dei Musei). The city hosts a long coastline called the Poetto. This popular stretch of shore is the most attractive beach in Cagliari and a hub of activity, both night and day. Outside the city, the Molentargius-Saline Regional Natural Park serves as a nesting ground for thousands of bird species.
Portisco is an Italian coastal city, located on the shores the Tyrrhenian Sea, in the north-eastern part of Sardinia. The marina is recognized as a valid maritime centre, focused primarily on renting and chartering for recreational purposes. Inside the old town, architectural wonders like the Basilica di San Simplicio or the Pozzo Sacro Sa Testa await to capture the imagination of visitors, while outside of the city are numerous beautiful beaches waiting to impress travellers.
Sailing season - When to charter in Sardinia, Italy?
Swimming and sunbathing in Sardinia is possible from May to October, but summer temperatures can exceed 35 degrees Celsius, meaning that for the weak-skinned, this is not the best time to visit. During March and April, temperatures don't climb over 20 degrees in the day. In May the weather warms up, but is comfortable, with sailing conditions being the best around Easter, when visibility is good and the winds are stable. Between June and August, temperatures climb drastically and hordes of tourists descend upon the towns and beaches of Sardinia. September and October are also good choices for sailing around these waters, because the sea is still warm and temperatures are hot enough for the beach, which are significantly less crowded.