A week-long charter among the islands of the La Maddalena Archipelago, Italy

Imagine an Italian island, one of the largest in the Mediterranean, with breathtaking scenery and a millennia-old history and culture. Picture this island surrounded by dozens of smaller "satellite" islands, each unique in its own way. This itinerary presents a somewhat challenging sailing experience, as the Mistral wind can blow quite strongly in this area, making navigation suitable for experienced sailors. Consequently, the stops will be significantly shorter than usual.

Over seven days, you'll explore one of the most exciting yachting destinations in the world: the La Maddalena Archipelago.

Difficulty of the itinerary: Moderate  

Route: Marina di Portisco - La Maddalena - Caprera - Budelli - Razzoli - Spargi - Porto Rotondo - Portisco  

Length: 67 nautical miles

This tour is designed to immerse you in Mediterranean nature and picturesque beaches, offering a glimpse of Italian history at Caprera and a touch of luxury at Porto Rotondo.

Before setting sail, it's worth taking a moment to talk about the departure port: Marina di Portisco. 

Marina di Portisco is an important nautical facility located on the northeast coast of Sardinia, between Porto Cervo and Porto Rotondo, in the municipality of Olbia. This marina is renowned for its natural beauty, crystal-clear waters, and proximity to the famous tourist destinations of the Costa Smeralda. The marina is easily accessible from Olbia Airport and boasts excellent onshore services.

Surrounded by lush Mediterranean vegetation, the marina offers spectacular views of the sea and the surrounding islands. In addition to sailing, visitors can enjoy numerous recreational activities such as scuba diving, snorkelling, and fishing.

Great, it's time to embark, check in, manage a safety briefing, and set sail. Leaving the port, we head north, keeping the islands of Soffi and Mortorio to our right as we head out to sea. If we're lucky, a nice but not too strong Mistral wind will swiftly carry us towards Capo Ferro, navigating through the Passo delle Bisce, a channel over five hundred metres wide between Capo Ferro and Isola delle Bisce.

Although this passage is free of dangers, it's still advisable to keep clear of the southeast side of the island due to submerged rocks and shallows. Instead, we can confidently approach the mainland side.

Exiting the channel, we'll head west, crossing the Gulf of Arzachena to skirt around Isola di Caprera and Isola di Santo Stefano, finally arriving after a little less than 20 nautical miles of sailing at Marina di Cala Camiciotto.

Where to dock in La Maddalena?

Cala Camiciotto is located between the islet of Chiesa and Cala Camicia on the island of La Maddalena, immediately to the north-northeast of the island of Santo Stefano. Upon entering the cove on the left, there are floating docks for pleasure boats. Across from these docks, there is a pier designated for military use.

The Island of Maddalena, nature and history

The Island of Maddalena offers a stop immersed in the beauty of the sea and nature. Despite its modest 20 square kilometres, it is full of surprises, featuring beaches that rival those of the Caribbean, along with picturesque palaces and rich history and folklore. 

The island is perfect for water sports enthusiasts, as well as for hiking or strolls amidst the greenery. For shopping enthusiasts, traditional shops and boutiques offer plenty of opportunities to carefully select souvenirs. And just a stone's throw away lies Caprera Island, which was the home of Giuseppe Garibaldi, a legendary figure in 19th-century Italian history.

Beach lovers will find places reminiscent of the Caribbean with crystal-clear waters. There are dozens and dozens of spots where you should stop and take a swim. Let's start with Carlotto Beach, nestled in a beautiful cove. Next to it is Madonetta Beach. One of the most popular spots is Cala Lunga, located in the northern part of the island, known for its clear water and very fine, white sand. 

If you're seeking a unique rocky landscape, visit Bassa Trinità Beach, where you'll find spectacular sea views and soft sand. Testa di Polpo Beach is known for its pink granite rocks, clear waters, and captivating light play. 

Just in front of the Island of Maddalena lies Caprera, known in Italian history as the home of Giuseppe Garibaldi, and renowned among sailors worldwide as the location of the famous sailing school, Centro Velico Caprera. To be honest, the distance between La Maddalena and Caprera could be covered... on foot. There is indeed the Passo della Moneta, a bridge that connects the two islands at their closest point. However, we have a yacht at our disposal and will use this vessel to explore the shores of the island.

Along the rocky coast of the island, numerous enticing coves open up. Many choose to visit those of Due Mari and Spiaggia del Relitto to the south, where beautiful sandy shores are lapped by turquoise waters.

Where to dock in Caprera?

At this point, the question arises of where to spend the night; we can suggest Porto Palma, a beautiful inlet on the southern side of the island, home to the Centro Velico Caprera. Here, the seabed reaches 15 metres, there are mooring buoys available, and anchoring is permitted. The seabed provides good holding, and the natural protection offered by the bay is generally remarkable, in addition to being very picturesque.

Early in the morning, we set off from our anchorage to reach - and I write this without fear of exaggeration - one of the most beautiful destinations in the world: the group of islands Razzoli, Budelli, and Santa Maria.

Swimming, diving, and snorkelling in the paradise of Budelli

These three islands, very close to each other, form the lagoon of Porto Madonna, also known as Le Piscine (The Pools). This natural harbour offers truly unique views that can be enjoyed swimming or perhaps with a tender or a paddleboard.

The Pink Beach of Budelli is one of the most fascinating attractions in the world (again, we're not exaggerating). After years of unrestricted access that severely damaged it, in 1994 it became a strict nature reserve, closed and protected.

The unmistakable pink colour that has made this beach world-famous is due to the remains of a microorganism living in Posidonia Oceanica. Depositing itself in the bay due to its geographic formation, it gives the sand its characteristic hue.

By sea, you can only cruise past to admire it, keeping the Crocodile Rock to the left and being cautious of shallows under the point. It's also prohibited to anchor or swim near the buoys marking the bay's boundaries.

Where to anchor in Budelli?

Absolutely worth visiting and suitable for anchorage is Cala Santa Maria, where free buoys are also available for spending the night.

Today, we begin our journey southward, making landfall on the island that we left to our left as we headed towards Budelli. Let's explore the island of Spargi.

Along the granite nature of Spargi's coastline, you can admire numerous coves with incredibly white sand, dunes, and dazzling turquoise sea.

Due to its strategic position in the Mediterranean Sea, Spargi was used for military purposes as early as the 19th century, and numerous fortifications still remain on the island.

Today, the area has lost its military importance in favour of a healthier focus on tourism and natural beauty. The colours and scents of the island are breathtaking, characterized by Mediterranean vegetation, dunes, and beautiful beaches. Among many, it's worth remembering Cala Conneri Beach, Cala Ciaccaro Beach, Cala Granara Beach, and finally Cala Corsara Beach.

YACHTING.COM TIP: Interested in Tuscan Archipelago? Check out our 7-day itinerary around Elba and Capraia islands.

Where to anchor in Spargi?

Considered one of the most beautiful beaches in the entire archipelago, Cala Corsara features a long stretch of white sand kissed by turquoise waters and protected by high rocky promontories. It's an ideal spot for snorkelling and diving, and also a great place to spend the night anchored offshore.

Our destination today is the delightful harbour of Porto Rafael, a tiny marina nestled along this stretch of the Gallurese coast and surrounded by breathtakingly beautiful beaches. Here, we are close to the more glamorous Costa Smeralda.

Founded in the 1960s by the Spanish Count Rafael Neville de Berlanga del Duero, this tourist centre is characterized by a small square that overlooks Cala Inglese, also known as the "swimming pool of Porto Rafael," and by white houses surrounded by colourful gardens. It is a renowned destination for summer vacations, frequented by figures from the international jet-set scene, yet it's also suitable for families and those seeking relaxation and a social atmosphere.

In Porto Rafael, the dominant colours are the azure sea contrasting with the white houses of the village located at the northernmost tip of the island, in the territory of Palau.

As next stops approaches we emerge into the glamour of the Costa Smeralda.

Our bow is inevitably pointed towards the final destination, but first, let's indulge in a detour to the pearl of the Costa Smeralda: Porto Rotondo. The village and its well-equipped marina date back to the 1960s, with architecture inspired by a blend of Venetian and traditional Sardinian styles, creating a very pleasing mix.

Where to anchor in Porto Rotondo?

For those seeking a refreshing break, Punta Lepre Beach, located at the beginning of the harbour, is a true landmark for tourists and locals alike. In the evening, there's no shortage of choices for dining, enjoying a drink, or doing some shopping.

Today, our sailing is very short and concludes at our starting port, Marina di Portisco. Though brief, it's no less interesting if there's a desire to make a stop at the beaches of Mortorio Island, positioned like a crown in the gulf.

Mortorio Beach is located on the island of the same name, directly in front of the coast of Porto Rotondo. It's a stunning sandy beach surrounded by Mediterranean vegetation, overlooking unbelievably turquoise waters.

The island is completely uninhabited and lacks any facilities, so our yacht and its amenities will be invaluable in making our stop enjoyable.

This is a cruise characterized by very short legs, but which - under certain weather conditions - can become quite challenging. The proposed itinerary crosses one of the most beautiful stretches of sea and coastline in the Mediterranean and arguably in the world. It's a cruise with a decidedly naturalistic focus where visits ashore rarely involve inhabited centres. It's a total immersion in the colours and scents of Sardinia that will likely be unforgettable.