Sailing in La Maddalena.
La Maddalena sailing tours

Are you planning a sailing trip in La Maddalena? We help with itineraries, ports, yacht rental options & other useful information. We are happy to help! La Maddalena is the perfect starting point to discover the nearby Costa Smeralda, the stunning Emerald Coast. If you are visiting, you can drop anchor at the neighbouring islands, which also boast breathtaking natural surroundings. In this article, we will show you when it is best to go sailing in La Maddalena. In addition, we will help you put together a 1-week sailing itinerary.

This article gives you an overview of the following topics:

• Weather in La Maddalena: The best time for sailing
• Ports around La Maddalena
• Sail in La Maddalena! La Maddalena sailing tours:
• Sailing in La Maddalena: 1-week sailing itinerary
• 7 days La Maddalena sailing trip (longer)
• Marine gas near La Maddalena, boat gas stations in Costa Smeralda

Weather in La Maddalena: The best time for sailing

This holiday resort has a pleasant, Mediterranean climate. Summers are hot and dry, winters are mild. July is the hottest month, the maximum temperature can reach up to 30°C. We recommend visiting La Maddalena from May to October. Moreover, if you like swimming, you should visit La Maddalena in August when the average temperature of the sea is around 24°C.Check the sailing conditions and wind rose diagram of La Maddalena.

Ports around La Maddalena

Cala Gavetta (La Maddalena)

The port in La Maddalena is known as Cala Gavetta or Porto Turistico Comunale di Cala Gavetta. It offers 140 berths for boats with a maximum length of 50 metres. The sea is 5 metres deep here. On the other hand, there is a restaurant, a fuelling station, and WiFi is available.

Porto di Santa Teresa Gallura

The port can be found in the Santa Teresa Gallura holiday resort. They have 700 moorings for yachts with a maximum length of 45 metres. The depth of the water is 5 metres. It is a protected port with several great services offered, and there is also a bar and a restaurant here

Marina di Porto Rafael

This small port in the northern part of Sardinia provides 80 berths for boats up to 30 metres long. The maximum depth of water is between 2 and 5 metres. Although small in size, the port is safe, well-equipped and popular among sailors. It is a perfect starting point from where you can explore the smaller islands of the La Maddalena archipelago

Marina di Cannigione

The natural port in Arzachena Bay can accept 400 yachts with a length of up to 25 metres. The maximum depth is 4.5 metres. They have drinking water, electricity as well as bars and restaurants. Their great services also include laundry and maintenance. Cannigione sailing, Cannigione boat rental

Poltu Quatu

Arzachena, located near Cannigione, is very popular among sailboat and yacht owners today. Poltu Quato, which opened in 1987, provides 305 berths for boats with a length of 8-35 metres. The depth of water is 3 metres around the entrance and 2 metres in the inner dock

Porto di Santa Teresa Gallura

The port can be found in the Santa Teresa Gallura holiday resort. They have 700 moorings for yachts with a maximum length of 45 metres. The depth of the water is 5 metres. It is a protected port with several great services offered, and there is also a bar and a restaurant here. Santa Teresa Gallura sailing, Boat rental Santa Teresa GalluraInformation about sailing in Santa Teresa Gallura , or boat rental in Santa Teresa Gallura

Porto Cervo Marina

This is one of the best equipped and most welcoming ports on the Adriatic Sea. There are 700 berths available, 100 of which are preserved for yachts passing through. The depth of the water is 1.7-7 metres. Every berth has running water and electricity.

Marina di Portisco

The port of the city has 589 berths for yachts with a length of 4-90 metres. It is perfectly protected and has all the necessary services sailors may need: running water, electricity, Wi-Fi and fuel supply. Information about sailing in Portisco, or yacht charter in Portisco

Marina di Porto Rotondo

The beautiful port of Porto Rotondo has 650 berths for yachts as long as 90 metres. The depth of the water is 5.5 metres. The port offers several good-quality services, such as running water, electricity, Wi-Fi, fuel and maintenance. You can even require medical assistance.

Marina di Golfo Aranci

The private dock is only 20 metres from the town centre. They have 30 berths for boats as long as 5-16 metres. The depth of the water is 1.5-5 metres. Thanks to the breakwater built-in 2017, the port provides protection against the northeastern and southwestern winds dominant in the bay. You can find a bar and a restaurant in Marina di Golfo Aranci, and they also have electricity and Wi-Fi.

Marina di Olbia

The port in Olbia provides 270 berths for yachts up to 80 metres long. The maximum depth is 5.2 metres. The protected port offers many great services. If you get hungry, there is a restaurant, and they have a bar as well. Olbia sailing, Olbia boat rental

Sail in La Maddalena! La Maddalena sailing tours:

Sailing in La Maddalena: 1-week sailing itinerary

Our journey starts from La Maddalena, and after discovering the gorgeous towns and islands of the area, we will return here.

Day 1. La Maddalena (Cala Gavetta) – Palau (Porto Turistico)

4, 17 km (2, 59 nm)

First, we are sailing to Palau, which is an important port town and holiday resort. Its beautiful beach, which is ideal for swimming, attracts a lot of tourists. If you visit the place, you should definitely see the rugged mountains, unique valleys and giant granite rocks. For instance, there is the Capo d’Orso or “Rock of the Bear”, which got its name from bear-shaped granite rock. During the main season, you must see the craft market or take part in the cultural programmes.

Day 2. Palau (Porto Turistico) – Porto Pozzo (Pontile Angelo)

13, 57 km (8, 43 nm)

Our next destination is Porto Pozzo, located near the mouth of the Riu Val di Mela river. You can relax in an unspoiled natural environment in a pleasant atmosphere. If you are here, try the local seafood prepared from the classic recipes at the L’Osteria di Porto Pozzo. All dishes are prepared with fresh fish of the highest quality. Spend the night in the port of Porto Pozzo.

Day 3. Porto Pozzo (Pontile Angelo) – Santa Teresa Gallura

15, 83 km (9, 83 nm)

Our next destination is Santa Teresa Gallura, the northernmost town in Sardinia. It used to be a fishing village, and today it is a popular resort with beautiful beaches. Capo Testa is located 4 kilometres from here; you can admire granite rocks with a unique shape. Interestingly, this is the only place where several of these special formations can be seen in one spot. Spend the night in the port of Santa Teresa Gallura.

Day 4. Santa Teresa Gallura – Bonifacio

16, 45 km (10, 22nm)

Bonifacio is the most beautiful town in Corsica, with an exceptional location. It is close to Costa Smeralda. Built on a 65-metre high limestone plateau, you can reach the old town from the beach by walking the 187 steps of the Aragon staircase.
The view is spectacular from here, you can even see the north coast of Sardinia in clear weather. The most important monument is the Romanesque church of the Virgin Mary, built-in the early 13th century.

Day 5. Bonifacio – Lavezzi (Plage de la Cala Sderenaia)

12, 88 km (8, 00 nm)

You can find the Lavezzi Islands a few kilometres south of Corsica, in the Bonifacio Strait. The islands are uninhabited, so if you are looking for some peace and quiet, it is worth visiting here. The crystal clear waters and snow-white stones look stunning. Spend the night in the bay called Plage de la Cala Sderenaia.

Day 6. Lavezzi (Plage de la Cala Sderenaia) – Cala Santa Maria

15, 05 km (9, 35 nm)

After that, we are going to sail to the island of Santa Maria near Corsica, where you can choose to dock at two places. Cala Muro Bay is located in the northeastern part of the island, and Cala Santa Maria is in the southeastern region. The latter is one of the most significant coastal sights on the island where you can enjoy peace and quiet in a beautiful environment. The bay has crystal clear water known for its turquoise colour. You can explore some very interesting spots on the island, for instance, the remains of a medieval monastery. They say that Benedictine monks used to use the place as a shelter.

Day 7. Cala Santa Maria – Caprera – La Maddalena (Cala Gavetta)

31, 29 km, (19, 44 nm)

The island of the La Maddalena archipelago include Caprera; you can find the house of the Italian freedom fighter, Guiseppe Garibaldi here. In the house, which functions now as a museum, exhibits simple furniture, family portraits and personal items.

After we returned our yacht and we have some time, it is worth taking a look around La Maddalena. The town is also known as the Paris of Sardinia thanks to its 18th-century palaces, narrow little streets and stunning stairways.
If you want to try the local delicacies, we recommend Ristorante Il Gotto, Sottovento and Ristorante Pizzeria Roby’s.

7 days La Maddalena sailing trip (longer)

Day 1. La Maddalena (Porto Massimo) – Cannigione 21, 27 km (13, 21 nm), Day 2. Cannigione – Porto Cervo 13, 48 km (8, 37 nm), Day 3. Porto Cervo – Golfo Aranci 27, 02 km (16, 79 nm), Day 4. Golfo Aranci – Olbia 13, 09 km (8, 13 nm), Day 5. Olbia – Budoni 39, 68 km (24, 65nm), Day 6. Budoni – La Caletta (Gold Hook Marina Services) 13, 18 km (8, 19 nm), Day 7. La Caletta (Gold Hook Marina Services) – Tavola Island (Spalmatore di Terra) – La Maddalena (Porto Massimo) 85, 58 km (53, 18 nm)

More Costa Smeralda sailing itineraries

Marine gas near La Maddalena boat gas stations in Costa Smeralda

• LA MADDALENA – Cala Gavetta: Depth: 5 m, Working time: 0-24, GPS Coordinates: 41.211471, 9.404426
• LA MADDALENA – Cala Camiciotto: Depth: 3 m, Working time: 0-24, GPS Coordinates: 41.2147, 9.42679
• CAPRERA – Porto Palma: Depth: 9 m, Working time: 0-24, GPS Coordinates: 41.191088, 9.449766
• BONIFACIO: Depth: 3, 5 m, Working time: 0-24, GPS Coordinates: 41.387925, 9.163037
• PORTO VECCHIO: Depth: 4 m, Working time: 0-24, GPS Coordinates: 41.59104, 9.28352
• SANTA TERESA GALLURA: Depth: 5 m, Working time: 0-24, GPS Coordinates: 41.2448, 9.20658
• PALAU: Depth: 4 m, VHF: 09, GPS Coordinates: 41.1811, 9.3852
• ARZACHENA – Marina dell’Orso or Poltu Quatu Marina: Depth: 3 m, Working time: in summertime it’s open every day from 8.30-20.30, GPS Coordinates: 41.139006, 9.495669
• CANNIGIONE: Depth: 4, 5 m, Working time: 0-24, GPS Coordinates: 41.109322, 9.440733
• PORTO CERVO: Depth: 7 m, Working time: 0-24, GPS Coordinates: 41.136078, 9.527144
• PORTISCO: Depth: 12 m, Working time: 9-19.30, GPS Coordinates: 41.033888, 9.523888
• PORTO ROTONDO: Depth: 5, 5 m, Working time: 0-24, GPS Coordinates: 41.029393, 9.543547
• GOLFO ARANCI: Depth: 5 m, Working time: 8-20, GPS Coordinates: 40.996165, 9.622444
• OLBIA: Depth: 5, 2 m, VHF: 09, GPS Coordinates: 40.916963, 9.524358
• OLBIA – Circolo Nautico: Depth: 2, 5 m, VHF: 12, GPS Coordinates: 40.923281, 9.509794
• ARBATAX: Depth: 10 m, Working time: 0-24, GPS Coordinates: 39.937412, 9.704896

If you love sailing, La Maddalena is a great destination due to the pleasant climate and crystal clear waters. Visit the surrounding holiday resorts and neighbouring islands, which also boast many gorgeous tourist attractions.Find more Costa Smeralda sailing itineraries.