Sardinia: From La Maddalena to Wild South

If you’ve ever dreamed of sailing crystal clear waters, securing them in hidden coves, or discovering charming coastal towns, Sardinia is the place for you.

This Mediterranean gem offers everything a sailor wants. The charming bay of Costa Smeralda, the pristine beauty of the Ramaddalena Archipelago, the wild, untouched rugged East Coastline.

What truly unforgettable is the mix of freedom and surprise. The weather changes quickly, allowing you to turn carefully planned routes into spontaneous adventures. But it’s part of the magic, and of course change can bring you to a place that is even more spectacular than what you have in mind.

On our own trip we set out from Olbia with plans to explore La Maddalena, but when the weather changed we sailed south instead. What began as a detour became the highlight of our journey: quiet anchorages, dramatic cliffs, and small towns that captured our hearts.

So, if you’re interested in what a week of sailing in Sardinia looks like, here’s a glimpse of our route, the cove we swam, the harbor we docked, and the unexpected adventures we found along the way.

Day 1: Olbia to Golfo Pebello

I set out from Olbia as the sun rose and painted the sky with soft shades of pink and gold. The ocean was calm and the morning air was fresh, and it felt like the perfect start to a sailing adventure. It was magic to see the coastline disappear behind us as the day began. This is an unforgettable way to start your journey.

First we stopped by Cala Moresca in Golfo Aranci, an attractive little bay ideal for a swim.

We then marveled at the turquoise waters surrounding the island and dropped our anchor on the Isola di Mortrio.

By evening we had arrived at Golfo Pebello, a beautiful bay near Porto Cervo, known for its calm, clear waters and soft sandy beaches. It’s the perfect place to drop anchors and relax at night. A short trip to Porto Cervo is easy to make when you feel like you’re going for a walk or a bite. The whole area is a bit luxurious, but still very welcoming, with plenty of space to enjoy the ocean and the sun.

Day 2: Exploring the Ramaddalena Islands

The next morning we headed north towards Parconagionale del Cipela Godila Maddalena, eager to explore its famous cove. I revisited the Isola di Mortrio for another swim.

We then cruised to the breathtaking Kara Cotio and Kara Serena.

Cala Coticcio is one of the most beautiful spots in La Maddalena Archipelago. People often call it “Tahiti.” It is a small cove surrounded by pink granite rocks that can only be reached by boat or rather long hikes. Drop the anchor and the natural swimming pool, calm and crystal clear, perfect for swimming and snorkeling.

Cala Serena is a small peaceful cove in the La Maddalena Archipelago. The water here is calm and very clear, perfect for a relaxed swimming. It is surrounded by low cliffs and greenery, which really makes it feel private and quiet.

The day ended in the town of Ramaddalena. There we docked at night and surrounded by the quiet beauty of the archipelago.

Day 3: Chasing the Sun South

Unfortunately, the weather got worse along the way during our trip. To stay safe, we decided to head south. Our first destination was the gentle Spiagia di Capoda Cavallo Cove. It is a beautiful, calm cove with soft sand and crystal clear water. It’s the perfect place to drop anchors, swim and relax for a while.

We then went to Porto Ottior where we spent the evening walking along its lovely forested promenade.

Day 4: Along the East Coast

We continued our journey along the coast and found a medieval fortress of Posada, perched on a hill. After pinning it to La Carretta, we explored the town and immersed ourselves in a historic atmosphere.

Day 5: Caragonone and the stunning East Coast

We sailed further south and anchored near Grottoddil Galli and Kararuna, both incredible spots for snorkeling and photography.

We pushed ourselves to praise the dramatic cliff leading to Puntagorolizze, but the approaching storm forced us to turn back and search for a shelter in Caragonone.

Day 6: Return to Taborara and Olbia

On the last day, I woke up early to catch the calm morning waters and stopped by the Isola Tavolara, which anchors the Spiaggia spalmatore di Terra Cove. It was the perfect place to take advantage of the final swim and take advantage of the stunning coastline of Sardinia.

By the afternoon we had returned to Olbia and finished our journey with memories of unexpected adventures, chasing turquoise waters, hidden coves and the sun.

Thank you to the Sunset and Sails team. They made the overall experience easy, safe and unforgettable. Their guidance and local knowledge transformed their days at the sea into the best kind of Sardinian escape.

Dive into the complete collection of sailing adventures and be inspired by your next voyage.