Riva 88' Folgore88' 4" (26.92 m)
View Specs & ReviewGranite coves and regatta season — Porto Cervo to the Maddalena park
Yachting in Sardinia & Costa Smeralda
A Minted Location · Sardinia & Costa Smeralda, Italy
If your idea of a season is granite coves, a stern-to berth under the Porto Cervo piazzetta and a national park of anchorages one headland north, the Costa Smeralda is the coast that delivers it. The run is short and dense: Olbia is the gateway — Marina di Olbia's 270 berths take yachts to 492 ft (150 m), three minutes from Costa Smeralda International Airport by the marina's own count — then Porto Rotondo, IGY Portisco's 589 berths, Cala di Volpe, Porto Cervo's 700 moorings with 100 reserved for megayachts, and finally the La Maddalena archipelago at the Bocche di Bonifacio.
Minted Yachts is the American buyer's broker in these waters, and everything below comes from each port's, park's or venue's own published information — the same standard behind every yacht review on this site.
For an owner the coast is really three waters: Porto Cervo's marina-and-piazzetta stage, the working mid-coast basins at Portisco and Olbia where the big infrastructure lives, and the Maddalena park, where a permit bought before you enter turns Italy's most protected cruising ground into your backyard for the day. Know the rules of each and the Med's most famous twenty miles run on your terms.
Where to keep a yacht in Sardinia & Costa Smeralda
Costa Smeralda dockage sorts into three clusters. Porto Cervo is the stage: 700 moorings including 100 megayacht berths on floating pontoons, max draft 26 ft (8 m), VHF channel 9, with customs and immigration and an on-site shipyard — the Old Port runs seasonally June through September while the New Marina works year-round with 24/7 VHF service. The mid-coast is the capacity: IGY Portisco's 589 berths to 295 ft (90 m) with 33 ft (10 m) of draft, Poltu Quatu's floating-buoy moorings to 246 ft (75 m) in the fjord-like inlet, and Marina di Porto Rotondo's 652 berths, 25 of them for megayachts. And Olbia is the gateway: Marina di Olbia's 270 berths to 492 ft (150 m) beside the airport, the largest marine fuel berth on the northern coast of Sardinia by the marina's own description, and the Porto Interno pleasure basin inside the commercial port. Figures below are what each facility publishes about itself.
Marinas
| Name | Where | Max yacht | Slips | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marina di Porto CervoThe Costa Smeralda's stage: floating pontoons with natural all-wind protection, customs and immigration, ship chandler and the on-site Cantiere Porto Cervo shipyard. Old Port seasonal June–September; New Marina year-round with 24/7 VHF. Max LOA is a recorded conflict — the marina's own site states 393 ft (120 m), operator IGY's page 525 ft (160 m); confirm with the dockmaster. | Porto Cervo — IGY Marinas network | — | 700 | High-speed fuel pumps on site |
| IGY Portisco MarinaThe mid-coast workhorse: IGY-operated and Blue Flag certified, outer-breakwater protection, 24-hour security and provisioning delivered to the boat, about 20 minutes from Olbia airport by the operator's count. Figures from the IGY operator page (the marina's standalone site was unreachable at research time). | Portisco — between Porto Rotondo and Cala di Volpe | 295 ft | 589 | Fueling service on site |
| Marina di Porto RotondoThe southern bookend of the classic day run, owned by Gruppo Molinas since 1997 and flying the Bandiera Blu. The site notes dedicated berths for boats over 30 m and a professional diver on staff, but publishes no max-LOA or depth figure — those cells stay blank. | Porto Rotondo — Golfo di Cugnana, Olbia | — | 652 | — |
| Marina di Olbia (MOYS)The gateway berth: 3 minutes from Costa Smeralda International Airport and 5 from the city center by the marina's own count, with a year-round bar, bistro and restaurant, free shuttle, and cited access to over 50 dockyards for repairs and maintenance. | Olbia — facing the Isola Bianca Ferry Terminal | 492 ft | 270 | — |
| Olbia Porto InternoThe recreational basin inside one of the Mediterranean's busiest passenger ports — over three million passenger presences a year and 10 ro-ro/cruise quays at Isola Bianca, managed by the Autorità di Sistema Portuale del Mare di Sardegna. No berth count published on the authority's page. | Olbia — inside the Port of Olbia, alongside Isola Bianca | — | — | — |
| Poltu Quatu Mooring FieldThe fjord-like inlet moors on exclusive floating buoys rather than anchors to protect the marine habitat — Area A: 2 berths at 75 m, 3 at 50 m, 8 at 12 m; Area B: 26 at 8 m, 15 at 12 m — with tender assistance, waste disposal, technical support and provisioning on request. Waterfront dining and the resort village sit at the head of the inlet. | Poltu Quatu fjord — between Porto Cervo and Baja Sardinia | 246 ft | — | — |
Yacht clubs
| Name | Where | Max yacht | Slips | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yacht Club Costa SmeraldaFounded 1967 by S.A. the Aga Khan and renowned, in its own words, for organizing international regattas for superyachts, maxi yachts and one-design classes. Clubhouse with hotel, wellness center and spa, a federation-recognized sailing school, the Young Azzurra youth program, and the environmental project that became the One Ocean Foundation. The members-only marina is an honest trade-off worth knowing before you plan around it. | Porto Cervo — Via della Marina; Sailing Center at Marina Nuova | 66 ft | 14 | — |
Fuel docks
| Name | Where | Max yacht | Slips | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marina di Olbia Fuel DockDescribed by the marina as the largest marine fuel berth on the northern coast of Sardinia — the practical reason big boats top off in Olbia before the run north. | Olbia — inside Marina di Olbia | — | — | Dedicated ~656 ft (200 m) fuel dock — up to 7 vessels at once, each to 150 m |
Figures are as each facility publishes them on its own site; blank cells mean the facility doesn't state a number. Confirm slip availability and current rates directly — or ask us to make the calls.
Cruising from Sardinia & Costa Smeralda
The park permit. Every recreational boat entering the Parco Nazionale dell'Arcipelago di La Maddalena needs the park permit before entering park waters — it covers sailing, mooring and anchoring within 300 m of the coast, priced per linear meter of boat. The 2026 daily tariff: €2.00/m for boats to 10 m, €3.00/m for 10.01–24 m, €4.50/m for 24.01–35 m, €5.00/m for 35.01–200 m; weekly permits run €34 to €760, and sailboats get 40% off. Buy online at autorizzazioni.lamaddalenapark.it (PagoPA) for a further 5% off — entering without one adds 40% to the fee when a control regularizes you at sea.
Anchoring and speed in the park. Ordinanza n. 33/2026 of the Capitaneria di Porto di La Maddalena, in force seasonally 1 June to 30 September, bans anchoring on Posidonia oceanica meadows and other sensitive habitats — sand or mud bottoms only — and sets 7 knots within 500 m of the coast and 10 knots between 500 and 1000 m, in displacement trim. Mooring on the park's buoy fields follows Ente Parco rules, swimming is allowed within 5 m of the moored boat, and the designated corridors of Allegato 1 stay anchor-free for rescue traffic. Knowing this regime before you clear Capo Ferro is what separates a good Maddalena day from a fine.
The coast. Cala di Volpe is the signature lunch bay of the run — its namesake hotel is the landmark you steer by — but no official anchoring figures are published for the bay itself, so treat it as local-knowledge water and ask before you plan a night there. Poltu Quatu's inlet uses exclusive floating buoys instead of anchors to protect the marine habitat, with tender assistance and concierge on call. At Porto Cervo, stern-to (Med-moor) berthing is the house discipline and the natural all-wind protection is the reason the harbor was built where it is.
The season. The rhythm is set by the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda, founded 1967 by S.A. the Aga Khan: regattas concentrate in late May–June and September, and August is the squeeze month for berths everywhere on this coast. The park's seasonal navigation measures run the same June-to-September window. Outside it, the New Marina at Porto Cervo and Marina di Olbia work year-round.
- La Maddalena Archipelago Park Waters — La Maddalena, Caprera, Santo Stefano, Spargi, Budelli, Santa Maria, Razzoli & the Soffi–Mortorio groupItaly's most protected cruising ground: the permit covers sailing, mooring and anchoring within 300 m of the coast, and entering without one adds 40% to the fee at a control. Ordinanza 33/2026 (seasonal 1 Jun–30 Sep) bans anchoring on Posidonia meadows — sand or mud only — with 7 knots inside 500 m of the coast and 10 knots to 1000 m; buoy-field mooring per Ente Parco rules. Permits online (PagoPA) or at Ufficio Ambiente Autorizzativo, via Giulio Cesare 7, La Maddalena.
Service, refit & supplies
Shipyards & refit
| Name | Where | Max yacht | Dockage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cantiere Porto CervoThe marina's on-site shipyard — refit, maintenance, engine and electronic-systems repair a pontoon away from the berth. No lift-capacity tonnage published, so none is claimed. Tel +39 0789 91456, info@cantiereportocervo.com. | Porto Cervo — inside Marina di Porto Cervo | — | Refitting and maintenance of vessels of every dimension, in the yard's own words |
On the Sardinia & Costa Smeralda calendar
Range Rover Sardinia Cup — May 31 to June 7, 2026, Yacht Club Costa Smeralda, Porto Cervo.
Rolex TP52 World Championship — June 15–20, 2026, raced off Porto Cervo under the YCCS burgee.
Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup — September 6–12, 2026, the maxi fleet's week on the Costa Smeralda.
Rolex Swan Cup — September 13–19, 2026, closing the YCCS season back-to-back with the maxis.
The club that runs all four describes itself as renowned for organizing international regattas for superyachts, maxi yachts and one-design classes — book September berths accordingly.
Yachts we'd shortlist for Sardinia & Costa Smeralda
Reviewed the same way as everything on this site — specifications verified against the builder's own numbers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to cruise the La Maddalena archipelago?
Yes — every recreational boat needs the park permit before entering the waters of the Parco Nazionale dell'Arcipelago di La Maddalena, priced per linear meter. The 2026 daily tariff: €2.00/m to 10 m, €3.00/m for 10.01–24 m, €4.50/m for 24.01–35 m, €5.00/m for 35.01–200 m; weekly permits run €34–€760. Sailboats get 40% off, buying online at autorizzazioni.lamaddalenapark.it adds 5% off, and entering without one raises the fee 40% when a patrol regularizes you at sea. Kayaks and windsurf boards are exempt.
Where can a yacht be serviced on the Costa Smeralda?
Cantiere Porto Cervo, the shipyard inside Marina di Porto Cervo, handles refitting and maintenance of vessels of every dimension — its own words — plus engine and electronic-systems repair, a pontoon away from the berth (tel +39 0789 91456). It publishes no lift-capacity tonnage, so ask with your specs. Down the coast, Marina di Olbia cites access to over 50 dockyards for repairs and maintenance, which makes the gateway port the deep bench for bigger work.
Which Costa Smeralda restaurants can I reach by boat?
Phi Beach is the direct answer: the Forte Cappellini sunset club states its own reserved buoys to 98 ft (30 m) and a free tender ashore — book by email or WhatsApp. Everything else works from a berth: Marina di Porto Cervo puts Novikov Porto Cervo and the piazzetta on foot, with Spinnaker at Liscia di Vacca a short hop away — neither publishes patron dockage, so check local dockage options. Poltu Quatu pairs its bookable buoy moorings with the resort's waterfront dining at the head of the fjord.
Where do yachts dock near Olbia airport?
Marina di Olbia (MOYS) — by the marina's own count it is 3 minutes from Costa Smeralda International Airport and 5 from the city center, facing the Isola Bianca Ferry Terminal. It runs 270 berths for boats to 492 ft (150 m) with 17 ft (5.20 m) of draught on VHF channel 9, a year-round restaurant, a free shuttle, and a dedicated ~656 ft (200 m) fuel dock serving up to 7 vessels at once — the largest marine fuel berth on Sardinia's northern coast, by its own description.
When is regatta season in Porto Cervo?
Two windows, set by the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda's 2026 calendar: late spring — the Range Rover Sardinia Cup May 31 to June 7 and the Rolex TP52 World Championship June 15–20 — and September, when the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup (September 6–12) runs back-to-back with the Rolex Swan Cup (September 13–19). The club, founded in 1967 by S.A. the Aga Khan, organizes international regattas for superyachts, maxis and one-designs; berths across the coast book out for both windows.
Can I anchor in the La Maddalena park?
Yes, with the permit and on the right bottom. Ordinanza 33/2026 of the Capitaneria di Porto di La Maddalena — seasonal, 1 June to 30 September — bans anchoring on Posidonia oceanica meadows and sensitive habitats: sand or mud only. Speed is capped at 7 knots within 500 m of the coast and 10 knots from 500 to 1000 m in displacement trim, the park's buoy fields follow Ente Parco rules with swimming allowed within 5 m of the moored boat, and the Allegato 1 corridors stay anchor-free for rescue traffic.
Is the Costa Smeralda a good base for an American owner?
If the mission is the Med at its most concentrated, yes: 700 berths in Porto Cervo, a national park of anchorages one headland north, year-round berthing at the New Marina and Olbia, and a regatta calendar that gives the season its shape. The trade-offs are real — August scarcity, per-meter park fees, Posidonia anchoring bans and stern-to (Med-moor) discipline. Minted Yachts is the American buyer's broker in these waters: send a Broker Request from this page, or TS@MintedYachts.com / +1 (404) 805-9819.
Where can I berth a 100-foot yacht on the Costa Smeralda?
Porto Cervo first: Marina di Porto Cervo runs 700 moorings including 100 reserved for megayachts, with 26 ft (8 m) of draft, VHF channel 9, customs and immigration on site. Its published max LOA is a recorded conflict — 393 ft (120 m) on the marina's own site, 525 ft (160 m) on operator IGY's page — so confirm with the dockmaster. IGY Portisco adds 589 berths to 295 ft (90 m), and Marina di Olbia takes yachts to 492 ft (150 m).