Sardinia by boat: what will take your breath away

One of the largest islands in the Mediterranean is full of breathtaking nature, thousands of years of history and rich culture. And you don't have to limit your cruise to the island itself. Sardinia is surrounded by dozens of unique islands. Which places will literally take your breath away in and around Sardinia?

In general, we would recommend sailing around Sardinia to more experienced skippers. This is because in this area a strong mainsheet or tramontana can come, even in summer. However, advanced sailors and their crew will find their own way here and apart from the super sailing, they will enjoy a great holiday at sea with breathtaking scenery, delicious food and plenty of opportunities for other activities.

Italian cuisine in general is delicious, and the Sardinian one is no exception. In our opinion, you shouldn't leave the area without tasting these local delicacies:

• Pecorino cheese
• Thin Pane Carasau bread to be eaten with cheese or wine
• Zuppa Gallurese, originally a village delicacy consisting of broth, cheese, bread
• Spezzatino con Piselli, a traditional dish of meat and peas
• Seafood, of which there is plenty everywhere in Sardinia
• Almond biscuits and amarettes

Which specific places should you not miss on your cruise if you want to taste the best of Sardinia?

The Marina di Portisco is worth a visit. Surrounded by lush Mediterranean vegetation, it offers a magnificent view of the sea and the surrounding islands. The centre is lively and you can arrange diving, snorkelling or fishing excursions. We recommend that you arrive early and enjoy an extra day here. In addition, there is a wonderfully clean beach nearby.

One of the most luxurious marinas in Europe, there are plenty of places to party in the local bars or just admire the big yachts. It's sheltered for almost all wind directions, so if you see stronger winds in the forecast, we recommend a trip here. But of course, expect a more expensive pier parking fee.

A port boasting an eco-friendly mindset is technically very interesting. It is floating. But it offers all the services you need, such as electricity, water and wifi.

Porto Conte Bay is formed by two capes, Punta Giglio and Capo Caccia. There are amazing stalactitecaves, some of the largest in Europe. You must not miss the most famous Neptune's Cave, where legend has it that the god of the same name resided. Also worth seeing are the Grotta di Nereo, dedicated to the father of the sea nymphs, Nereus, or the Grotta dei Ricami, with its white stone formations resembling lace, and the green Grotta Verde.

Olbia is an important centre for tourism and transport. There is an international airport and beautiful beaches nearby. We even offer a lot of boats directly from the Olbia marina. You should not miss a visit to the Basilica of San Simplicio, the Church of St. Paul or the remains of the Roman aqueduct.

The crystal waters near Villasimius and the Notteri water area with flamingos are worth a visit in this part of Sardinia. The beach is beautiful and there is plenty of room to anchor. In high season there are a lot of yachtsmen here.

In addition to its "mainland", Sardinia offers many great islands in its vicinity. By sailing a few miles, you will visit another absolutely unique landscape of the surrounding islands.

The island of Maddalena as such is only 20 ^km2, but it offers beautiful beaches similar to those in the Caribbean, space for water sports, hiking, shopping, in short, everything you expect from a boat holiday. For traditional bathing and swimming we recommend Madonetta, Carlotto, Cala Lunga or Bassa Trinità beach. From the photos on social media, the famouspink rocks can be found on Testa di Polpo beach.

Known in Italian history as the home of Giuseppe Garibaldi, the island offers beautiful bays. We recommend Porto Palma, located on the south side of the island, where the Centro Velico Caprera, the famous sailing school, is located. You can tie up at one of the mooring buoys or drop anchor.

You can see this island from afar because it is long and high. The local inhabitants are descendants of the ancient Bartoleoni family and consider this their ancestral and royal place. They even declared a mini kingdom here in the 19th century. We recommend anchoring in the bay of Spalmatore.

If you're planning a trip to the northern coast of Sardinia, you'll probably be tempted to visit the Corsican port of Bonifacio. Just arriving in this town is an experience, but we recommend it more for advanced skippers. The passage is relatively narrow and a strong mainsheet can blow through. Therefore, it is also possible to call the Capo Pertusato lighthouse to get an update on the conditions.

You don't just have to sail in Sardinia. You can have a truly active holiday by visiting the cliffs of Punta Giradilli and Cala Gonone, where rock climbing is practiced. Kitesurfing enthusiasts will enjoy spots such as Punta Trettu, La Cinta beach, Poetto Beach (in winter) and Petrol Beach (in summer) and Porto Pollo in the Cagliari area. Surfers should head to the Sinis peninsula. Lots of foreigners also take up agritourism in Sardinia, staying on farms and farmhouses. There are plenty of these on the island.