7 nights · 8 days · Olbia round trip
Some places are best discovered slowly. Northern Sardinia is one of them. Set sail from the Olbia area and spend a week exploring a coastline scattered with tiny islands, hidden bays and impossibly clear water. Cruise on a private gulet charter through the La Maddalena Archipelago, slip across to Corsica for a taste of its wild southern coast, anchor beneath limestone cliffs and swim in secluded coves that are difficult to reach by land.
This is Sardinia gulet cruise at its most beautiful: unhurried, sun-warmed and surrounded by sea. Your crewed yacht becomes your private base for the week - a place to wake up to a different view each morning, swim straight from the boat, linger over lunch and decide whether the evening calls for dinner on board beneath the stars or a table ashore in one of the region's atmospheric coastal towns.
This yacht charter itinerary for Italy is intentionally flexible. Weather, sea conditions and your preferences can shape each day, allowing your captain to find the most beautiful anchorage and the best swimming spots along the way. Olbia is used as the main starting and finishing point, although the exact embarkation and disembarkation port may be adjusted to a nearby suitable port depending on the yacht's exact home port.
Day 1 — Arrive & Set Sail | Olbia area · Welcome aboard · Evening at anchor
Day 2 — The Islands of La Maddalena | Caprera · Giardinelli · Hidden bays and turquoise water
Day 3 — Across to Corsica | Cavallo · Southern Corsica · Sant'Amanza
Day 4 — Bonifacio & Limestone Cliffs | Piana · Bonifacio · Sunset ashore or on board
Day 5 — Back to Sardinia | Budelli · Razzoli · Santa Maria · Porto Puddu
Day 6 — Spargi & La Maddalena | Cala Corsara · Quiet coves · Evening in La Maddalena
Day 7 — One More Day at Sea before the Disembarkation| Santo Stefano · Secret anchorages · Return towards Olbia
Day 8 — Breakfast & Disembarkation | A beautiful al fresco breakfast on board & disembarkating afterwards
Day 1 — Welcome to Sardinia
Arrive in the Olbia area and step aboard your gulet, where the pace of the week immediately begins to slow. Settle into your cabin, meet the crew and enjoy your first swim in the warm Mediterranean before dinner. Depending on your embarkation point and conditions, the evening may be spent at anchor in a peaceful bay or close to shore. Your holiday starts here with nowhere else you need to be.
Day 2 — Into the La Maddalena Archipelago
Wake to the first of many shades of blue. Today takes you into the extraordinary island world north of Sardinia, where granite rocks, fragrant Mediterranean vegetation and transparent water create some of the region's most memorable scenery. Explore the coast of Caprera and the smaller islands around La Maddalena, stopping wherever the water looks too inviting to resist. There is time for swimming, snorkelling, paddleboarding or simply stretching out on deck. Come evening, choose between a relaxed dinner on board or heading ashore for a taste of island life.
Day 3 — Sardinia to Corsica
The horizon changes as you cross the narrow stretch of sea towards Corsica. The southern Corsican coast is a beautiful contrast to Sardinia, with rugged landscapes, pale granite, secluded bays and tiny islands that feel wonderfully untouched. Drop anchor around the island of Cavallo or in the sheltered waters of Sant'Amanza for an afternoon of swimming and exploring. For dinner, you may prefer to stay aboard and watch the sunset from the deck, or head ashore for an evening by the water.
Day 4 — Bonifacio, the Dramatic Finale of the Coast
Today brings one of the most striking sights of the journey: Bonifacio, perched dramatically above the sea on towering limestone cliffs. Before reaching the harbour, there may be time for a morning swim around the nearby islands and sheltered bays. Then cruise towards Bonifacio and take time to explore its atmospheric old town, narrow streets and spectacular viewpoints above the Mediterranean. It is a day that combines the pleasures of being at sea with the character of a historic Mediterranean town.
Day 5 — Back to Sardinia: The Islands of Dreams
Cross back towards Sardinia and into the heart of the La Maddalena Archipelago. Today is all about the water. Cruise among Budelli, Razzoli and Santa Maria, where shallow turquoise lagoons and brilliant white beaches create some of the archipelago's most recognisable scenery. Spend the afternoon swimming from the gulet, exploring by tender or simply enjoying the view from the deck. As the sun begins to soften, continue towards Porto Puddu or another sheltered anchorage for a relaxed evening.
Day 6 — Spargi & La Maddalena
If there is a day for lingering in the water, this is it. Explore the beautiful coves of Spargi, including the spectacular Cala Corsara, before continuing towards La Maddalena island. The captain can seek out quieter anchorages for swimming and snorkelling, while the afternoon is yours to enjoy at an easy pace. In the evening, step ashore in La Maddalena for dinner, drinks and a little island atmosphere or stay on board for a private dinner under the stars.
Day 7 — Your Last Day on the Water
Your final full day is deliberately unhurried. Cruise through the islands around Santo Stefano and the northern Sardinian coast, stopping for one last swim in a secluded cove or discovering a favourite anchorage you may have missed earlier in the week. There is no need to fill the day with sightseeing. This is the moment to simply enjoy being on the water: a long lunch, a snorkel, a book on deck and perhaps an afternoon nap in the shade. As evening approaches, the gulet begins its return towards the Olbia area, ready for your final night on board.
Day 8 — A Slow Goodbye
Enjoy one last yachting breakfast on board and take in the sea views before disembarking after breakfast. Depending on your yacht and the agreed port, disembarkation will take place in Olbia or a nearby suitable port. You leave with salty hair, sun-warmed skin and, hopefully, a new appreciation for how good a week can feel when measured in swims rather than hours.
This itinerary is ideal for travellers who want to experience the Mediterranean beyond the obvious, combining beautiful beaches and islands with the freedom and intimacy of a private gulet.
It works particularly well for:
This is not a sightseeing itinerary where every hour is planned. It is a sea journey with the freedom to change course, stay longer in a beautiful bay or follow the captain's recommendation when conditions reveal a better place to anchor.
The ideal season for a Sardinia gulet charter is generally late May through September, with the warmest sea temperatures and classic Mediterranean summer conditions in July and August. June and September are particularly appealing for travellers who prefer a little more space, softer temperatures and a quieter atmosphere while still enjoying excellent conditions for swimming. July and August bring the height of summer: warm seas, long sunny days and a lively Mediterranean atmosphere. These months are especially popular, so early planning is recommended.
The exact route is always subject to weather and sea conditions. Your captain will adapt the itinerary to make the most of each day while keeping the journey comfortable and safe.
Where does the charter start and finish? We use Olbia and the surrounding area as the main starting and finishing region. The exact embarkation and disembarkation port depends on the individual yacht and operational conditions and may be a nearby suitable port.
How long is the charter? The itinerary is 7 nights and 8 days. Guests embark on Day 1 and disembark after breakfast on Day 8.
Is this a Sardinia-only itinerary? The heart of the journey is Northern Sardinia and the La Maddalena Archipelago, but the route can also include the spectacular southern coast of Corsica, including the area around Bonifacio. Crossing between Sardinia and Corsica is one of the highlights of this part of the Mediterranean.
Is the itinerary fixed? No. The itinerary is a suggested route rather than a rigid schedule. Your captain may adjust the route according to weather, sea conditions, local restrictions and your preferences.
Can we choose where to swim and anchor? Within the limits of local regulations, weather and safe navigation, your captain will work with you to select the best anchorages and swimming spots. This flexibility is one of the great advantages of a private yacht charter in Italy.
Can we have dinner ashore? Yes. There are opportunities to dine ashore in places such as La Maddalena and Bonifacio, depending on the route and your preferences. Your crew can also arrange dinner on board for a more private evening.
Is this itinerary suitable for children? Yes. The calm bays and sheltered waters of Northern Sardinia and the La Maddalena islands can be excellent for families. The crew can adapt the pace and daily activities around your family's needs.
What can we do besides swimming? The week can include snorkelling, paddleboarding, tender excursions, exploring small islands, visiting coastal towns, walking ashore and simply enjoying the yacht. The exact activities depend on the yacht's equipment and your interests.
Will we visit all the islands mentioned? Not necessarily. The islands and anchorages listed are examples of the experiences available along the route. The final itinerary is determined by the captain based on weather, sea conditions, local regulations and your preferences.
What happens if the weather changes? Your captain will continuously monitor conditions and may change the route or anchorage when necessary. The priority is always a comfortable and safe journey while finding the best possible experience on the water.
Is this a private charter? Yes. A private gulet charter means the yacht, crew and itinerary are dedicated to your group, giving you much more freedom than a fixed group cruise.
Why choose a gulet for Sardinia? A gulet offers the best of both worlds: the romance and space of a traditional sailing yacht with the comfort of a private floating hotel. You can wake up in a different bay each morning, swim directly from the boat and move between islands without packing and unpacking.
There is a particular kind of freedom to travelling by gulet in Sardinia. You wake up somewhere beautiful, swim before breakfast, spend the afternoon following the coastline and watch the colours of the sea change as the sun moves across the sky. Some evenings belong to a harbour town; others belong to the quiet of the deck, a glass in hand and nothing but the sound of the water. Seven nights. Countless shades of blue. One week at sea. This is Northern Sardinia, best experienced slowly.
This is more than a holiday, it is a private journey through one of the Mediterranean’s most beautiful island chains, experienced at the perfect pace: yours. Availability is limited during the summer season, especially for peak weeks in July and August. Enquire now to check availability, receive yacht options, and start planning your private Sardinia gulet charter. Let us match you with the perfect gulet and craft your ideal week at sea.
