North Sardinia and Southern Corsica Sailing Itinerary from Portisco: A 7-Day Cruise Through the Maddalena Archipelago and Bonifacio
Sardinia & Corsica, IT
7 days cruise, 46 dates available
Sailboat
Price may vary depending on the cruise date.
Reservations are subjected to acceptance after availability checks. In case, the selected cruise is not available we will contact you with similar offers.
A one week sailing holiday from Portisco along the Costa Smeralda, navigating through the Maddalena Archipelago National Park and crossing the Strait of Bonifacio to reach Cavallo Island, Rondinara Bay and the limestone cliffs of southern Corsica.
The cruise departs from the marina in Portisco, in the Gulf of Cugnana between Porto Rotondo and Porto Cervo, and moves progressively north through the Maddalena Archipelago before crossing the Strait of Bonifacio into southern Corsica and returning along the same granite coastline at the end of the week.
The Maddalena Archipelago National Park forms the core of the route, a protected marine area of seven main islands and dozens of smaller islets rising from transparent water over a granite seabed. Sailing here means alternating short coastal passages with long hours at anchor in coves best reached by boat. The light conditions, the color of the water and the sculptural quality of the granite formations give this part of Sardinia a visual character that is immediately recognizable.
The crossing into Corsica brings a sharp contrast in landscape. Where Sardinia presents low granite headlands and pale sand beaches, Corsica rises from the sea in vertical limestone cliffs, particularly around Bonifacio, where the medieval citadel sits directly above the harbor entrance on a narrow promontory. The arrival through the narrow channel flanked by white cliffs is one of the striking moments of the route.
The area between the two coastlines, known as the Bocche di Bonifacio, is also where the privately owned island of Cavallo and the natural bay of Rondinara offer sheltered anchorages with clear water on the Corsican side of the strait, well suited to a full afternoon at anchor. The return leg through Spargi, with its string of hidden coves, and the stop in La Maddalena town complete a week that moves between wild anchorages and genuinely lived-in island harbors.
Days follow a consistent rhythm of morning departures, midday stops for swimming and lunch at anchor, and quieter evenings either moored in a small island port or anchored under an open sky. Most days alternate short coastal passages with regular stops, while the crossings of the Strait of Bonifacio are longer open-water legs, and the route is adapted to the sea conditions of the day.
Itinerary
Day1
Portisco and the Gulf of Cugnana
Boarding takes place at the marina in Portisco in the afternoon, with time for cabin allocation, provisioning and a briefing covering safety, onboard routines and the week ahead. Once the boat is ready, a short evening passage of around thirty minutes leads to a sheltered bay near Porto Rotondo or another anchorage along the Costa Smeralda coastline. The first night is spent at anchor, giving guests time to settle in, swim and adjust to life on board before the main route begins.
Day2
Caprera and Porto Madonna
After breakfast, the boat sails north into the Maddalena Archipelago National Park toward Caprera Island. The morning is dedicated to Cala Coticcio, a bay set between white granite boulders with water shifting from pale turquoise in the shallows to deep blue further out, one of the most consistently cited anchorages in Sardinia for swimming and snorkeling. After lunch at anchor, navigation continues toward the cluster of islands formed by Budelli, Razzoli and Santa Maria, arriving at Porto Madonna, a natural harbor enclosed by low rocky headlands. The evening and overnight are spent at anchor within the national park, with the landscape changing color through the last hours of daylight.
Day3
Cavallo Island and Bonifacio
Morning departure takes the boat north across the Strait of Bonifacio toward Cavallo Island, a small privately owned island on the Corsican side of the strait known for its white sand coves, low granite coastline and clear water. Time is available for swimming and a walk ashore where access is permitted before continuing to Bonifacio in the early afternoon. The entrance to Bonifacio passes through a narrow channel flanked by white limestone cliffs rising steeply from the water, with the medieval citadel visible above. The evening is spent in the marina with time ashore to walk through the old town and the streets of the haute ville.
Day4
Isola Piana and Rondinara Bay
Leaving Bonifacio after breakfast, the boat sails east along the southern Corsican coast toward Isola Piana and the protected bays near Capo Sperone, a stretch of clear, shallow water. After a midday stop and lunch on board, the route follows the southeastern Corsican coast to Rondinara Bay, a semicircular natural bay with a curved sand beach, one of the scenic and popular anchorages on the island. The afternoon is spent swimming and, with optional equipment where available, paddleboarding before a quiet evening under a sky with minimal light pollution.
Day5
Cavallo Island and Spargi
The boat heads south in the morning for a second stop at Cavallo Island, approaching from a different angle to explore coves not visited on the outward crossing. After lunch, the route returns across the strait into Italian waters, sailing toward Spargi Island in the Maddalena Archipelago. Spargi is uninhabited, its interior covered by low Mediterranean scrub and granite outcrops that reach the sea at irregular angles, creating a series of small hidden bays with no road access. The afternoon is spent swimming, snorkeling or following the coastal paths above the water before dinner at anchor in one of the island's quieter coves.
Day6
Spargi Coves and La Maddalena
The morning is spent exploring the bays of Spargi, including Cala Corsara, Cala Soraya, Cala Granara and Cala Conneri, each with its own character in terms of depth, exposure and the shape of the surrounding granite. After lunch at anchor, the boat sails toward La Maddalena, the main town of the archipelago, mooring in the harbor if conditions and availability allow. La Maddalena offers a different side of the week, a working island town with a historic center, restaurants serving local fish and a seafront that is lively in the evening without being dominated by tourism infrastructure.
Day7
Costa Smeralda and Return to Portisco
The final sailing day begins with departure from La Maddalena heading south along the eastern side of the archipelago toward the Costa Smeralda. A last swimming stop in the Gulf of Pevero or a nearby sheltered bay precedes the return to the marina in Portisco, with arrival expected in the late afternoon. The final night is spent on board, and disembarkation takes place the following morning.
Important Note
This itinerary may vary depending on weather conditions, sea state and operational requirements. The person in charge of the boat may adjust the route, anchorages and overnight stops, following the briefing at the base, to ensure safety and comfort.
Cruise price details
Entire yacht price
€ 3432
€ 3089
Book the entire yacht for a private trip
Included in the price
Entire boat rental
Standard boat equipment
Tender
Insurance for navigation
Yacht additional fees
Mandatory additional expenses of EUR 380 per booking (Charter Pack and Maddalena Park Ticket, confirmed on booking)
Charter Pack: €300. Cleaning, sanification, bed linen and first gas bottle
Maddalena Park Ticket: €80
Security deposit: €2,800, refundable
Fuel according to consumption
Provisioning, food and drinks
Mooring fees and water and electricity in ports and marinas, according to use
Extra services
Damage Waiver, with an €800 deposit, not available for flotillas or charters longer than 2 weeks: €220
Outboard engine: €130
Safety net, to be reconfirmed: €160
Early check-in at 2:00 pm, to be reconfirmed, guaranteed except for unforeseen technical events: €300
Second gas bottle: €30
Sanification with ozone: €80
Inflatable kayak, to be reconfirmed: €110
Stand up paddle board: €110
Inflatable floating platform: €250
Navbow seascooter, deposit €600, to be confirmed: €399
A modern, easy-to-sail monohull with three double cabins, a bright saloon and a comfortable cockpit, ideal for a small group or a family.
A well-balanced cruising sailboat that is a pleasure to handle, with a deck layout designed so the crew can move around easily and a wide cockpit where everyone can sit together under the bimini. Below deck the saloon is bright and open, with a full galley and a large dining table.
Three double cabins give each pair its own space. Eight berths in total, six in the three guest cabins; the saloon converts to extra berths when needed. Furling sails and a bow thruster make manoeuvring simple, so the days can be about swimming stops, quiet anchorages and long lunches on board.
What to pack for a sailing holiday?
Pack smart for your yacht charter: choose a soft bag instead of a hard suitcase, bring lightweight layers, reef-safe sunscreen, and non-slip shoes for onboard use. A couple of swimsuits and motion sickness remedies can also make a big difference. Each boat has limited storage, so pack light but wisely! Need help building the perfect list? Read our full guide: What to pack in a suitcase for a yacht charter
What’s a Typical Day Like on a Yacht Charter?
Start your day with a swim in a quiet bay, sail to hidden beaches or seaside villages, and enjoy a slow lunch on deck. Afternoons mean snorkeling, sunbathing, or exploring ashore. As the sun sets, your boat anchors in a scenic cove or near a harbor ready for a relaxed dinner and a night under the stars. Curious about the full experience? Discover more in our guide: What’s a typical day like on a sailing holiday?
Who Handles Cooking and Cleaning on a Yacht Charter?
On bareboat charters, guests handle sailing, cooking and cleaning on board themselves: think salads, pasta, and good teamwork. With a skipper on board, the skipper looks after the sailing while guests usually still share the meals and tidying; if there's a hostess, light meals and tidying are taken care of. On fully crewed yachts, a chef and crew manage everything. Want to know what’s included in your setup? Read the full guide: Who takes care of cooking and cleaning on a sailing charter?
What Happens in Case of Bad Weather During a Sailing Holiday?
Sailing holidays rarely face major weather issues, but when the sea gets rough, the route is adjusted for safety by the skipper or, on a bareboat charter, by the guest in charge of the boat, following the indications of the base. Expect protected bays, marina stops, or a change in plan. These moments often lead to unexpected gems: local towns to explore, time to relax on board, or cozy dinners ashore. Curious about how these changes are handled? Read the full FAQ: What to do in case of adverse weather conditions or changes to the itinerary
Reservations are subjected to acceptance after availability checks. In case, the selected cruise is not available we will contact you with similar offers.
