The yachting.com sailing guide to Sardinia

Sailing Season in Sardinia

Sardinia experiences a Mediterranean climate of long, hot summers followed by mild winters. The most desirable time to sail there is between April and October. The sea is warm enough for swimming for most of this time.

Things to Keep in Mind

The Sardinian coast boast many ports and anchorages as well as modern and comfortable marinas.

The Mistral winds from the west and the hot Sirocco that comes from the south/southeast can create sport sailing conditions. The Strait of Bonifacio can frequently produce gale force winds and should be approached with due caution.

Marina fees for a 12 meter yacht range from 20€ to 200€ depending on area and day of the week you wish to stay. There are a large number of bays to anchor and less expensive mooring buoys options are plentiful.

The Italian summer holiday of Ferragosto takes place from the last week of July through the first 3 weeks of August during which tourist volumes on the island will increase significantly

In the rare instance that your boat’s captain does not have a passport issued by their country of citizenship, they will need to procure a card issued by the Italian authorities.

Current Sailing Conditions

General Information

Sardinia’s strong, persistent winds during summer months and small tidal range make it a favoured sailing destination.

The island is the second largest island in the Mediterranean after Sicily, and enjoys a fabled “6 month long” summer, white sand beaches, and crystal clear water. There are several hidden bays only accessible by boat to be explored.

Accommodation can be hard to come by during Ferragosto. It's best to schedule your holiday outside of those dates for convenience.

Sardinia is also a diving hotspot with its rocky shores being home to numerous tunnels and caves. There are also several wrecks to explore nearby.

While the east coast is popular for sailing as the sea state is smaller and more sheltered by mountains, the west coast of the islands possesses beautiful destinations as well such as Costa Paradiso and its lovely red rock coves.

While Sardinia is quite a popular destination for sport fishing, be advised that spearfishing with diving equipment is banned.