What to know about Sardinia.
The granite coves of the Costa Smeralda. The clearest water in the Mediterranean.
The Costa Smeralda was built by the Aga Khan in the 1960s as a private superyacht ground, and it largely still functions as one. Porto Cervo is the staging marina; the Maddalena archipelago immediately offshore is a national park of granite islets and water that reads turquoise from a thousand feet.
The week the desk runs
Day one: aboard at Porto Cervo. Day two: Cala di Volpe and Liscia Ruja. Day three to five: the Maddalena — Spargi, Budelli (the pink beach), Razzoli. Day six: across the Strait of Bonifacio to Corsica for the cliff-top dinner. Day seven: back to Porto Cervo via Caprera.
Frequently asked.
Where in Sardinia should I charter?
Costa Smeralda in the north — Porto Cervo as the staging port, the Maddalena archipelago for the granite coves, Bonifacio (Corsica) for the cliff-top dinner. The south of Sardinia is quieter and cheaper but less iconic.
What does it cost?
Sardinia is at the upper end of Italian rates. 50m motor in August: €130,000–€180,000/wk base + APA 30%. Mid-shoulder (June, September) saves 20–30%.
When should I go?
May through October. August is peak (and Porto Cervo is wall-to-wall); the desk's pick is the second week of June or the first of September.