A day through the Maddalena from Porto Cervo
A route built around calm water and short hops, the kind of day where the anchorage matters more than the distance covered.
From the port outwards
- 01
09:00 · Depart Porto Cervo marina
Leave the Aga Khan's marina early, before the day's boat traffic builds toward the Maddalena crossing; a 10 to 20 nautical mile run puts you inside the archipelago within the hour, well ahead of the midday crowds.
- 02
11:00 · Swim stop at Cala Corsara
This bay on Spargi island is a standard first anchorage for its clear, sheltered water; check with the crew on permit areas within the national park before dropping anchor, as some spots require prior clearance.
- 03
13:30 · Lunch adrift near Budelli
Budelli's pink-sand beach is a view-only stop — no landing is permitted — so lunch is taken at anchor offshore, admiring the coastline from the water while the crew handles the midday meal.
- 04
17:00 · Return leg, watching the Maestrale
The afternoon northwest wind picks up through the Sardinian Strait most reliably in July and August; the skipper will time the return to Porto Cervo or reroute via a more sheltered channel if it builds early.
About Sardinia
Sardinia's north coast gives a charter guest something rare: variety inside a short run. Out of Porto Cervo or Palau, the Maddalena Archipelago sits 10 to 20 nautical miles off, its granite islets and shallow bays sheltered enough for a family day of swimming stops. Head the other way along the Costa Smeralda and the same afternoon can turn into 30 nautical miles of villa-lined coast past Porto Rotondo and Cala di Volpe, better suited to guests who want distance and a faster pace. The fleet spans that range too, from compact day boats for a half-day out to superyachts such as the 56-metre Oceanco The Wellesley for a week afloat with guests who never need to touch land.
Booking here is not a single template stretched to fit every group. A day-rate and APA breakdown is set out before departure so it is clear what covers fuel, provisioning and crew, whether the trip is a half-day loop or a multi-day run with stops for restocking in Olbia or Palau. Charters can run from a few hours to a week or more, sleeping capacity and guest numbers vary by vessel — the Princess 64 Fly and Tecnomar Lamborghini 63 carry 10 guests, larger yachts up to 12 — and skippers plan around the season, tighter berth availability in July and August, and the afternoon Maestrale that can reshape an anchorage choice on the day.