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Every Island Packet Is…

After a successful showing of our new Island Packet 349 at the 2018 Annapolis Boat Show, we had the opportunity to take the 349 out for a test with…

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At Island Packet, when they talk a lot about cruising comfort and livability, they mean a boat with a gentle, comfortable, less fatiguing motion. This…

Arrival in Provo(Turks and Caicos) after a 36 hr motor sail from Georgetown. The weather window for winds was calm and the east trades were laid down…

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A HANDCRAFTED AMERICAN LEGACY

With a rich history and unrivaled passion, Cruisers Yachts creates American-made boats for the world.

American Luxury Meets Innovation

WHY CRUISERS YACHTS?

OUR CORE BELIEFS

No other boatbuilder in the world can match the level of innovation, seaworthiness, and luxury seen on a Cruisers yacht. Our lineup, which includes models from 34 to 60 feet, has everything a boater could wish for, be it the unmatched comfort and seaworthiness of the Cantius Series or the sizzle and excitement of our GLS Series. Cruisers Yachts does it all.

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Introducing an All-New Flybridge Series

Explore more about the upcoming launch of the all-new groundbreaking Flybridge series, a brand-new evolution of our popular Cruisers Cantius series. Stay tuned for an exciting launch in Summer 2024. Make sure you are subscribed to our emails to not miss out and get the latest updates from Cruisers Yachts.

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About Cruisers Yachts

No other boatbuilder in the world can claim the pedigree, passion, and innovation that is found at Cruisers Yachts. We draw from over 70 years of experience to create high-quality, American-made boats that push boundaries when it comes to both substance and style.

Regardless of what you want out of your boat, Cruisers Yachts has you covered. With over 600,000 square feet of facilities, plus our own test tank, Cruisers Yachts guarantees products manufactured with unmatched expertise and attention to detail. We have the capacity to build boats up to 73-feet length overall, and in nearly any style. Whether you desire the comfort and luxury of our much-loved Cantius line, or the performance and flair of our groundbreaking GLS models, Cruisers Yachts has everything you could want. We welcome you to have a look around, and get to know more about our boats, and our people.

• Catalina 12.5 Expo
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A legacy built on precision, innovation and unmistakable American craftsmanship.

Elevate your sailing experience with a touch of true American Luxury.

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A key to our success and longevity is the relationship and communication with our owners, dealers and team. For more than 50 years they have propelled us forward as America’s largest sailboat builder.

We are a Catalina family.

MEET OUR FLEET

We’re not just building sailboats; we’re creating experiences that resonate with the essence of American Luxury. Our fleet is a testament to a legacy built on precision, innovation, and the spirit of adventure, with the unmistakable touch of American craftsmanship.

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We have a roster of dealers across the country who represent the Catalina fleet and there’s a good chance they’re planing a show, event or open house to showcase their in-stock Catalina models.

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From the past 50 years, and to the next 50, Catalina is devoted to providing owners and dealers with quality and value that has made Catalina America’s largest sailboat builder.

Frank Butler’s vision and philosophy carries forward with Sharon Day, who worked alongside Frank for 48 years, at the helm of a veteran leadership team.

TRUE NORTH BY CATALINA

True North initiates Catalina’s entry into the growing market segment of Downeast-style powerboats and promises traditional style with great performance and Catalina value.

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Sailing America: 10 of the best spots to cruise in the US

• Steve Walburn
• May 6, 2022

Sailing America opens up wide and varied cruising grounds, taking in the Pacific and Atlantic oceans, as well as temperate and tropical locations to explore under sail. Steve Walburn shares his 10 best spots

Santa Catalina, one of California’s Channel Islands, offers cruisers wildlife, dive sites and Mt. Orizaba, its highest peak. Credit: Getty

From the Pacific and Atlantic oceans to the Gulf of Mexico, America boasts the world’s eighth-longest coastline.

Throw in an abundance of freshwater sailing in the Great Lakes, along with myriad tropical destinations accessible from US waters, and the United States presents nearly endless cruising opportunities for visiting sailors.

Lake Michigan, one of the five Great Lakes, offers plenty of sailing, including Chicago Harbor, guarded by the automated lighthouse on the northern breakwater. Credit: Getty

Whether you sail across the Atlantic or fly to the States and charter a boat, UK cruisers will find sailing adventure as varied as the country itself.

With both major coastlines stretching north and south, there is always year-round cruising at one latitude or another.

Starting in the Northeast during summer and working clockwise around the country, here are ten great destinations to set sail in the New World and beyond.

Penobscot Bay, Maine

Maine has a strong boat building heritage and you will see plenty of examples as you cruise the bay, including Casco. Credit: Getty

With its craggy coastline and rich maritime heritage, Maine may be the ultimate US cruising ground.

From Casco Bay in the south to the Bay of Fundy in the north, a labyrinth of wilderness islands, picturesque villages, and secluded anchorages await adventurous mariners.

Roughly in the middle of that ragged coast are the celebrated waters of Penobscot Bay.

There Maine’s tradition of wooden boat building thrives in places like Brooklin Boat Yard and Center Harbor.

Pink granite outcrops and evergreen forests line the scenic coast.

Gunkhole in a private cove for a day or two, then grab a mooring ball or a slip in any of dozens of Penobscot Bay harbors.

Excellent hiking and camping await on islands such as Warren Island State Park, where in summer the lush maritime woodlands are ripe with wild blueberry and raspberries.

Sailing America: Getting to Penobscot Bay, Maine

Peak Maine cruising season is July through August. During that time, the prevailing wind is a light southerly of about 5 knots.

The bay’s 20-mile breadth poses little difficulty entering either west or east Penobscot Bay.

However, a big tidal range, frequent fog , and a gauntlet of lobster pots make for challenging sailing.

Granite headlands call for vigilance against underwater ledges and obstructions.

Provisioning opportunities can be limited, so stock up in ports such as Rockland or Camden before venturing out.

Bareboat charters are available through Johanson Boatworks in Rockland ( www.jboatworks.com ) and Northpoint Yacht Charters in Rockport ( www.northpointyachtcharters.com ).

Buy Waterway Guide—Northern Edition 2022 at Amazon (US)

Buy A Visual Cruising Guide to the Maine Coast by James Bildner at Amazon (US)

Buy A Visual Cruising Guide to the Maine Coast by James Bildner at Foyles (UK)

Buy A Visual Cruising Guide to the Maine Coast by James Bildner at Amazon (UK)

Buy Cruising Guide to the Maine Coast by Hank and Jan Taft at Amazon (UK)

Sailing America: Newport, Rhode Island

The harbour at Newport is usually crowded but there are plenty of places to anchor in the bay. Credit: Getty

Newport, Rhode Island, is arguably the capital of US sailing. Nautical influences on this classic New England town range from the world’s largest fleet of 12 Metres to the Golden Age of Sail.

Consistent winds in relatively protected Narragansett Bay make for pleasant sailing in a light chop. The local climate is warmed by proximity to the Gulf Stream, and the sailing season can run through October.

Downtown Newport offers world-class dining, haul-out and repair facilities, and a bustling city centre full of diverse American architecture.

The Herreshoff Marine Museum and America’s Cup Hall of Fame are in nearby Bristol, and the famed Newport International Boat Show is in September.

Just outside Narragansett Bay lie the famed cruising grounds of Martha’s Vineyard, Nantucket, and Block Island, all within a day’s sail.

The entrance to Long Island Sound (and New York Harbor via the East River) is about 40 miles south.

Sailing America: Getting to Newport

Narragansett Bay is divided into three sections: West Passage, East Passage, and the Sakonnet River. Conanicut Island lies in the middle and offers shelter on either side during strong southerly or northeasterly blows.

There are various mooring fields in all three sections of the bay, with popular anchorages off the east shore of Aquidneck Island.

Upon entering the bay from Rhode Island Sound, Newport Harbor is just beyond a relatively narrow channel south of Castle Hill Lighthouse at the mouth of East Passage.

The water widens inside, with plenty of room to maneuver until you enter the harbor proper, which is usually crowded with moored vessels.

Sail in a 12 Metre regatta with www.12meteryachtcharters.com .

Bareboat in Narragansett Bay through www.bareboatsailing.com.

Buy A Cruising Guide to Narragansett Bay and the South Coast of Massachusetts by Lynda Morris Childress, Patrick Childress and Think Martin at Amazon (US)

Buy A Cruising Guide to Narragansett Bay and the South Coast of Massachusetts by Lynda Morris Childress, Patrick Childress and Think Martin at Amazon (UK)

Buy A Cruising Guide to Narragansett Bay and the South Coast of Massachusetts by Lynda Morris Childress, Patrick Childress and Think Martin at Foyles (UK)

Sailing America: Chesapeake Bay

Spring and fall are the best times to cruise Chesapeake Bay. Credit: Getty

Chesapeake Bay is the largest inlet on the Atlantic Coast.

Its massive watershed drains six states and the District of Columbia, but the saltwater ecosystem is confined primarily to Virginia and Maryland.

With more total shoreline than the entire US west coast, scores of major cities and small towns line the bay.

The upper reaches are highlighted by Annapolis, Maryland, famous for its sailing heritage and annual boat show.

Baltimore Harbor is a little farther north, and Washington DC is just to the west on the Potomac River.

In contrast to the west side of the bay, the Eastern Shore is mostly farmland, with endless creeks, bays, and narrows offering a gunkholer’s delight.

Popular small ports on the eastern side include St. Michaels on the Miles River and Oxford on the Tred Avon River.

The southern bay is home to busy Virginia ports such as Virginia Beach and Norfolk, the site of a huge US naval station.

Sailing America: Getting to Chesapeake Bay

Offshore sailors enter the bay at the 17-mile-long Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel connecting mainland Virginia Beach to the Eastern Shore.

For inshore travellers, the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway joins the bay with protected North Carolina waters farther south.

The Chesapeake and Delaware Canal connects the upper Chesapeake Bay to Delaware Bay. Both stretches are important ICW corridors for snowbird cruisers migrating with the seasons.

Mid-summer brings stifling heat and humidity, but spring and fall offer pleasant sailing in temperate climates.

Bareboat rentals with Waypoints Annapolis ( www.waypoints.com ).

Buy Cruising the Chesapeake: A Gunkholers Guide by William Shellenberger at Amazon (US)

Buy Cruising the Chesapeake: A Gunkholers Guide by William Shellenberger at Amazon (UK)

Buy Cruising the Chesapeake: A Gunkholers Guide by William Shellenberger at Waterstones (UK)

Buy Waterway Guide Chesapeake Bay 2022 at Amazon (US)

Buy Waterway Guide Chesapeake Bay 2022 at Amazon (UK)

Beaufort to Beaufort, The Carolinas

Beaufort, North Carolina is a good base for exploring the Outer Banks to the north

A cruise from Beaufort, North Carolina, to Beaufort, South Carolina, features the historic ports of both cities, as well as the antebellum city of Charleston, SC.

On the northern end lies Beaufort, NC (pronounced Bō-fert), with its quaint waterfront, maritime history museum, and quick access to the wild Outer Banks.

Beaufort’s immediate neighborhood includes the pristine Rachel Carson marine reserve, Shackleford Banks and its herd of wild horses, and Cape Lookout National Seashore, the southern terminus of one of the longest undeveloped coastlines on the Atlantic seaboard.

South Carolina’s identically named town (pronounced Bū-ferd) is home to classic Lowcountry marshes graced with vibrant green spartina grasses and an afternoon light that is downright ethereal.

In between lies Charleston, a sprawling seaport of historic antebellum homes, world-class restaurants, and graceful southern charm.

Sailing America: Getting to Beaufort to Beaufort

It is roughly 350 miles between the Beauforts, which can also include stops at salty towns like Wilmington, NC, and Myrtle Beach, SC. Well-travelled sections of the ICW connect all three cities.

Extra caution is advised when entering or exiting any of the inlets that bisect the mid-Atlantic barrier islands, especially on strong southeasterly winds or at low tide.

Frying Pan Shoals off the cape at Bald Head Island extends well offshore and deserves a very wide berth.

Transient boat slips are available in all three harbours through Safe Harbor Marinas ( www.shmarinas.com ).

Buy Waterway Guide Atlantic ICW 2022 at Amazon (US)

Florida Keys

There are hundreds of islands to cruise in the Florida Keys including Wisteria Island in Key West. Credit: Getty

The Florida Keys are often perceived as simply a jumping-off point for passage to the Caribbean , but they offer excellent cruising in themselves.

Charter a boat in Miami, and you have more than 800 islands and islets stretching 150 miles from Key Biscayne to Key West.

Beyond that lie the Marquesas and Dry Tortugas island groups, both US territories and the centrepieces of a US national wildlife refuge and a national park.

The 70-mile passage from Key West to Dry Tortugas is a popular trip accessible to most intermediate-level cruisers.

The Keys are also home to the only barrier coral reef in North America, and the third largest in the world.

Ashore any of the Keys you will find a kitschy, flip-flop vibe unlike anywhere else in the States. And best of all, the Keys are indeed a great staging area for any itinerary that takes you deeper into the Caribbean.

Sailing America: Getting to the Florida Keys

Most marine areas from Key Biscayne to the Dry Tortugas are protected by the 3,800-square mile Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.

There are mooring balls located up and down the reef. Contact the sanctuary for a free map of mooring ball locations ( www.floridakeys.noaa.gov ).

If anchoring , keep in mind that much of the Keys is marl bottom, which can make getting a good anchor set difficult.

When in doubt, use the clear waters to dive on your anchor. Bareboat charters are available through Miami Yacht Charters ( www.miamicharters.com ).

Buy Waterway Guide Florida Keys at Amazon (US)

Buy Waterway Guide Southern 2022 at Amazon (US)

Buy Waterway Guide Southern 2022 at Amazon (UK)

Continues below…

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Confined to quarters during the pandemic, many sailors are itching to slip their lines and sail for the sun. Elaine…

Offshore sailing skills: All you need to know

Will Bruton finds out what coastal cruisers should consider before taking their small yacht on an offshore adventure

Exploring the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway

Stephanie and I had left Cape Verde on the 6 January 2020, on a blustery and wet morning almost exactly…

Sailing Mexico: a fiesta afloat

Sailing Mexico was the start of Joshua Shankle and Rachel Moore's plan to circumnavigate the world. They find bustle and…

US Virgin Islands

St John is a popular sailing destination in the USVIs, but you can find a quiet anchorage, off Hawksnest Bay. Credit: Getty

The US Virgin Islands (USVI) offer classic cruising in cerulean water against a backdrop of green volcanic islands.

Distinct from the flatter and more arid Bahamas to the north, the USVI is a tropical paradise lying at the dividing line between the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea.

In addition to the group’s three main islands, there are scores of smaller islets and cays scattered throughout the archipelago.

They are renowned for sandy white beaches and lush tropical forests. Maho Bay on St. John is one of the more popular destinations, known for the opportunity to snorkel with green and hawksbill sea turtles.

There are numerous national parks, monuments, and marine preserves throughout the islands. More than half of St. Thomas is a US national park.

Point your bow toward the USVI, and you will end up at the centre point of the entire Virgin Islands archipelago, with the British VI lying due east and the lesser-known Puerto Rican VI to the west.

Sailing America: Getting to the US Virgin Islands

There are several ways to sail to the Virgin Islands. A rhumb line from the US mainland at Miami is known as the Thorny Path due to the labyrinth of islands, reefs, shoals, currents, and upwind slogs complicating the route.

This nearshore passage is best handled in short hops over a long period of successive weather windows. That means taking several weeks instead of days.

The alternative is known as the I-65 Expressway, so named because it takes you east of Florida offshore to longitude 65°W.

From there you sail south across the trades in true offshore conditions. Or you can just fly into St. Thomas and charter with Waypoints USVI ( www.waypoints.com ).

The Cruising Guide to the Virgin Islands 2022 by Simon Scott at Amazon (US)

The Cruising Guide to the Virgin Islands 2022 by Simon Scott at Amazon (UK)

Channel Islands, California

All moorings at Avalon harbor on Catalina, one of the Channel Islands, are allocated on a first-come, first, serve basis. Visiting yachts should stand by the harbor entrance to be assigned a mooring. Credit: Getty

California’s Channel Islands consist of eight major islands divided into a northern group and a southern group.

Cruisers visiting southern California will find either destination a short sail off the mainland.

Characterised by arid, rugged terrain and abundant wildlife, this pristine area presents challenging sailing that rewards mariners with stunning scenery in remote anchorages.

A menagerie of whale, dolphin, sea lion, and seal species inhabit these waters, most of which are encompassed in the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary.

Onshore you will find scattered beaches, sea caves, and excellent hiking in places such as the Pelican Bay Trail on Santa Cruz Island. Flora and fauna range from cacti to buffalo.

Because much of the Channel Islands are protected or private, you may need a permit to go ashore.

When you are ready to regroup in port, check out the scenic town of Avalon on Catalina Island.

At a population of only 3,460, it is the most developed town in these otherwise pristine islands and a great place to re-provision, shop, or dine out for a night or two.

Sailing America: Getting to the Channel Islands

The closest of the Channel Islands is less than 15 miles from the mainland, but the entire archipelago is known for ocean swell, confused seas, and strong winds.

To the north, Point Conception is sometimes referred to as the “Cape Horn of the Pacific” due to frequent gales that threaten seas in the northern group.

And the downslope Santa Ana “Devil Winds” blowing offshore from the mainland are a force to be closely monitored

All the islands offer plenty of anchorages, but relatively few are fully protected.

Perfect your anchoring technique and ground tackle before setting sail to the Channel Islands.

Charter or bareboat from Santa Barbara Sailing Center ( www.sbsail.com ).

Buy the Cruising Guide to California’s Channel Islands by Brian Fagan at Amazon (US)

Buy the Cruising Guide to California’s Channel Islands by Brian Fagan at Amazon (UK)

Buy the The Cruising Guide to Central and Southern California: Golden Gate to Ensenada, Mexico, Including the Offshore Islands by Brian Fagan at Amazon (US)

Buy the The Cruising Guide to Central and Southern California: Golden Gate to Ensenada, Mexico, Including the Offshore Islands by Brian Fagan at Amazon (UK)

San Francisco Bay, California

It is best to sail under the Golden Gate Bridge on the slack before the flood. Credit: Getty

When you have had your fill of California’s wild coastal islands, head north for some urban cruising in beautiful San Francisco Bay.

Sailing under the Golden Gate Bridge is a milestone for any mariner.

Host of the 2013 America’s Cup, the bay is a colourful mix of cityscape and nature, from local green spaces to surrounding recreation areas, parks, and mountains.

Hip and progressive, America’s iconic west coast city reflects cultural influences ranging from the Beat Generation to nearby Silicon Valley.

At the nautical epicentre are Aquatic Park, Fisherman’s Wharf, and the San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park, including its flagship Balclutha , a 301-foot square-rigger built in 1886.

Take a couple of days or a couple of weeks to cruise past the exhilarating port cities lining the bay, and you’ll find plenty of sightseeing—and wind—to keep any sailor entertained.

Sailing America: Getting to San Francisco Bay

Most cruisers chart a counterclockwise route through the bay, always mindful of the powerful winds running through the narrows under Golden Gate Bridge, a long fetch known as The Slot.

Notorious for fog and chill ocean winds, even in the peak of summer bay sailing is a bracing experience.

Major shipping lanes, stacked seas, and strong currents add to the challenge (and accomplishment) of sailing in San Francisco Bay.

Some of the more popular anchorages include Clipper Cove, Richardson Bay off of Sausalito, Ayala Cove at Angel Island State Park, and Aquatic Park Cove on the northern edge of the city.

Bareboat or skippered charters are available through Spinnaker Sailing ( www.spinnaker-sailing.com ).

Buy Cruising Guide to San Francisco Bay by Bob and Carolyn Mehaffy at Amazon (US)

Buy Cruising Guide to San Francisco Bay by Bob and Carolyn Mehaffy at Amazon (UK)

San Juan Islands, Washington

Lummi in the San Juan Islands offers a sheltered anchorage, with a view of Mount Baker, an active volcano. Credit: Getty

What Maine sailing is to America’s northeast coast, the San Juan Islands are to its Pacific Northwest.

This archipelago of temperate rainforests scattered between Washington State and Vancouver Island, British Columbia, offers some of the best cruising in North America.

Situated above the Strait of Juan de Fuca in the Salish Sea, the islands also mark a starting point for passages farther north along the magnificent BC coast and up the Inside Passage to Southeast Alaska.

The San Juans are former British territory charted in 1792 by Royal Navy officer George Vancouver, after whom many of the region’s most prominent landmarks are named.

Today, the islands are a serene outpost of sparse human inhabitation coexisting with towering fir and hemlock trees, black-tailed deer, sea otters, shorebirds, migrating waterfowl, and America’s highest concentration of its national symbol, the bald eagle.

Pods of resident orcas roam the myriad passes and inlets in pursuit of salmon and seals.

Cruisers needing to stretch their legs ashore will find pebble beaches and excellent hiking on nearly every island.

Sailing America: Getting to the San Juan Islands

You can spend a week and see plenty of the San Juans or spend years and still not see it all.

These compact islands are a labyrinth of passages, coves, and bays that make for world-class anchorages.

There are 11 Washington state marine parks in the San Juans, all of which offer moorings, campsites, and other essential facilities.

Underwater rocks and strong tidal flows abound, so large-detail charts and tide tables are a must. Shore-tying skills are also critical in anchorages that are too confined to permit standard anchoring.

Charters are available from San Juan Sailing ( www.sanjuansailing.com )

Buy Waggoner Cruising Guide 2021 Volume 2 at Amazon (US) Buy Waggoner Cruising Guide 2021 Volume 2 at Amazon (UK) Buy Waggoner 2022 Cruising Guide

Hawaiian Islands

Yachts can only stay 72 hours in a single anchorage before moving on in Hanalei Harbor on Kauai, and the rest of the Hawaiian Islands. Credit: Getty

Although Hawaii is more than 2,000 miles from the American mainland, no US cruising guide would be complete without a nod to this storied Pacific destination.

Surrounded by steady trade winds, Hawaii offers year-round sailing in azure waters against a backdrop of lush volcanic islands.

Cruising sailors share the waters with humpback whales, spinner dolphins, monk seals, manta rays, green turtles, and a kaleidoscope of reef fishes.

Onshore, these isolated islands present a spectrum of micro-climates determined by altitude, wind, topography, and weather patterns.

The result is a rich diversity of ecosystems ranging from tropical forests to desertscape and alpine slopes.

The state is also among America’s most culturally diverse because of its central location between North America and East Asia. Its state flag still incorporates the Union Jack.

Sailing America: Getting to the Hawaiian Islands

The trade winds in Hawaii average about 15 knots from the east. However, wind accelerating through the passes between islands can make things very spicy.

The leeward or western side of the archipelago offers calmer seas most of the time.

Sailors depart for the Hawaiian Islands from all corners of the Pacific, including Mexico , Australia, New Zealand, and Alaska.

And, of course, you can always sail across from the US mainland. But that is a whole other story!

Bareboat options are limited in Hawaii due to the challenging conditions.

For a skippered charter, check out Yacht Charters Hawaii ( www.charter-hawaii.com ) or Honolulu Sailing Company ( www.honsail.com )

Buy Cruising Guide to the Hawaiian Islands by By Carolyn and Bob Mehaffy at Amazon (US)

Buy Cruising Guide to the Hawaiian Islands by By Carolyn and Bob Mehaffy at Amazon (UK)

Buy Charlie’s Charts: Hawaiian Islands by Charles and Margo Wood at Amazon (US)

Buy Charlie’s Charts: Hawaiian Islands by Charles and Margo Wood at Amazon (UK)

Sailing America: Hidden Attractions

Museum hopping.

Herreshoff Marine Museum’s Hall of Fame is a must visit. Credit: Getty

Herreshoff Marine Museum and America’s Cup Hall of Fame

Brothers Nathanael and Francis Herreshoff are America’s most celebrated naval architects.

They built everything from canoes to torpedo boats but are best remembered as the authors of hundreds of sailing designs, five of which won America’s Cup titles.

Located in Bristol, RI, the museum is easily visited during a cruise of Narragansett Bay.

www.herreshoff.org

Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum

Immerse yourself in Chesapeake Bay’s nautical history by sailing to St. Michaels, Maryland.

The local maritime museum consists of 35 buildings and 85 vessels, including the last working log-bottom bugeye, Edna Lockwood, a Chesapeake Bay oyster dredger declared a National Historic Landmark in 1994.

www.cbmm.org

North Carolina Maritime Museums

This network of state history museums is dedicated to the story of North Carolina’s rich nautical history.

One of the best in the system is in Beaufort, NC, where you will find colorful exhibits of maritime history ranging from pirate ships to wooden skiffs.

www.ncmaritimemuseums.com

San Francisco Maritime National Historic Park

Encompassing 50 acres, this US National Park Service facility is one of the west coast’s most important nautical history centres.

Among other attractions, it includes a museum, a fleet of six historic vessels, and a research centre housing thousands of photographs, articles, books, artwork, and naval drawings.

www.nps.gov/safr/index.htm

Bonus Cruising Grounds

Sanibel Island is a good place to stop for cruisers sailing up and down the Intracoastal Waterway, with direct access to the Gulf of Mexico. Credit: Getty

The Great Lakes

Straddling the US and Canadian border, the world’s largest group of inland lakes presents myriad freshwater cruising opportunities.

There is even access from the Great Lakes to the Atlantic Ocean via the St. Lawrence Seaway.

The grandaddy of them all, Lake Superior, offers stellar freshwater sailing around Isle Royale National Park, The Apostle Islands, and St. Ignace Island (in Canadian waters).

Gulf of Mexico

Oil and gas development and a relatively homogenous coastline tend to steer cruisers away from the Gulf of Mexico.

Yet America’s best white-sand beaches are found along the Gulf Coast. If you are cruising the tip of Florida, consider tucking around to its southwest side.

There you will find shallow-water cruising along the edge of Everglades National Park, 10,000 Islands National Wildlife Refuge, and the sugar-white beaches of Sanibel Island, Captiva, and Pine Island Sound.

Sailing America: What you need to know

Credit: Getty

All temporary visitors to the US are required to have a passport, but not necessarily a visa.

Visit the US State Department website ( Travel.State.Gov ) and search ‘Visa Waiver Program’ for a list of participating countries.

Whether you clear in at the helm of your own vessel or plan to charter for a few days or weeks, here are some additional tips to keep in mind.

Clearing In

Cruising sailors must clear in at an official port of entry. A list of ports is available on the U.S. Customs and Border Protection website ( www.cbp.gov/contact/ports ).

Arriving sailors should have the standard portfolio of passport and visa (if required), boat registration, insurance documentation, crew lists, free pratique, and port clearance from their previous destination.

Keep these and other documents well organised and backed up by photocopies or stored in the cloud. Have your boat stamp at the ready and maintain the vessel in inspection condition.

While cruising, monitor VHF 16 as a listening channel. Visit the US Coast Guard Navigation Center web page for additional VHF radio channel information.

There you will find a wealth of cruising resources, including links to the frequently updated Local Notice to Mariners available by region.

Another great resource is the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) United States Coast Pilot Series.

This free downloadable booklet gives a written summary of all navigation standards, hazards, and highlights throughout the country.

Find the guides online here .

Bareboat Chartering

Bareboat charter requirements vary according to location and company policy.

In general, the US standard is certification from either the American Sailing Association (ASA) or US Sailing.

The ASA bareboat certification is course 104, which can be obtained only after completing the organisation’s basic keelboat and coastal cruising courses.

Be ready to produce a sailing resume with at least 80 hours of experience.

Consult your charter company to find out whether other credentials, such as the International Certification of Competence, are acceptable.

The bottom line is to conduct your research specific to the location you plan to visit.

Regardless of experience or coursework, the decision on whether to rent a boat to you will ultimately be up to the individual charter operator.

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• January 5, 2022

How do you choose the right yacht for you? We highlight the very best bluewater sailboat designs for every type of cruising

Which yacht is the best for bluewater boating? This question generates even more debate among sailors than questions about what’s the coolest yacht , or the best for racing. Whereas racing designs are measured against each other, cruising sailors get very limited opportunities to experience different yachts in real oceangoing conditions, so what is the best bluewater sailboat?

Here, we bring you our top choices from decades of designs and launches. Over the years, the Yachting World team has sailed these boats, tested them or judged them for European Yacht of the Year awards, and we have sifted through the many to curate a selection that we believe should be on your wishlist.

Making the right choice may come down to how you foresee your yacht being used after it has crossed an ocean or completed a passage: will you be living at anchor or cruising along the coast? If so, your guiding requirements will be space, cabin size, ease of launching a tender and anchoring closer to shore, and whether it can comfortably accommodate non-expert-sailor guests.

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All of these considerations have generated the inexorable rise of the bluewater catamaran – monohulls can’t easily compete on these points. We have a full separate feature on the best bluewater multihulls of all time and here we mostly focus on monohulls. The only exceptions to that rule are two multihulls which made it into our best bluewater sailboats of 2022 list.

As so much of making the right choice is selecting the right boat for the venture in mind, we have separated out our edit into categories: best for comfort; for families; for performance; and for expedition or high latitudes sailing .

Best bluewater sailboats of 2022

The new flagship Allures 51.9, for example, is a no-nonsense adventure cruising design built and finished to a high standard. It retains Allures’ niche of using aluminium hulls with glassfibre decks and superstructures, which, the yard maintains, gives the optimum combination of least maintenance and less weight higher up. Priorities for this design were a full beam aft cabin and a spacious, long cockpit. Both are excellent, with the latter, at 6m long, offering formidable social, sailing and aft deck zones.

It likes some breeze to come to life on the wheel, but I appreciate that it’s designed to take up to five tonnes payload. And I like the ease with which you can change gears using the furling headsails and the positioning of the powerful Andersen winches inboard. The arch is standard and comes with a textile sprayhood or hard bimini.

Below decks you’ll find abundant headroom and natural light, a deep U-shape galley and cavernous stowage. For those who like the layout of the Amel 50 but would prefer aluminium or shoal draught, look no further.

Allures 51.9 price: €766,000

The Ovni 370 is another cunning new aluminum centreboard offering, a true deck saloon cruiser for two. The designers say the biggest challenge was to create a Category A ocean going yacht at this size with a lifting keel, hence the hull had to be very stable.

Enjoyable to helm, it has a practical, deep cockpit behind a large sprayhood, which can link to the bimini on the arch. Many of its most appealing features lie in the bright, light, contemporary, clever, voluminous interior, which has good stowage and tankage allocation. There’s also a practical navstation, a large workroom and a vast separate shower. I particularly like the convertible saloom, which can double as a large secure daybed or pilot berth.

Potentially the least expensive Category A lift keel boat available, the Ovni will get you dreaming of remote places again.

Ovni 370 price: €282,080

There’s no shortage of spirit in the Windelo 50. We gave this a sustainability award after it’s founders spent two years researching environmentally-friendly composite materials, developing an eco-composite of basalt fibre and recycled PET foam so it could build boats that halve the environmental impact of standard glassfibre yachts.

The Windelo 50 is an intriguing package – from the styling, modular interior and novel layout to the solar field on the roof and the standard electric propulsion, it is completely fresh.

Windelo 50 price: €795,000

Best bluewater sailboat of 2022 – Outremer 55

I would argue that this is the most successful new production yacht on the market. Well over 50 have already sold (an equipped model typically costs €1.6m) – and I can understand why. After all, were money no object, I had this design earmarked as the new yacht I would most likely choose for a world trip.

Indeed 55 number one Sanya, was fully equipped for a family’s world cruise, and left during our stay for the Grand Large Odyssey tour. Whereas we sailed Magic Kili, which was tricked up with performance options, including foam-cored deckheads and supports, carbon crossbeam and bulkheads, and synthetic rigging.

At rest, these are enticing space ships. Taking one out to sea is another matter though. These are speed machines with the size, scale and loads to be rightly weary of. Last month Nikki Henderson wrote a feature for us about how to manage a new breed of performance cruising cats just like this and how she coaches new owners. I could not think of wiser money spent for those who do not have ample multihull sailing experience.

Under sail, the most fun was obviously reserved for the reaching leg under asymmetric, where we clocked between 11-16 knots in 15-16 knots wind. But it was the stability and of those sustained low teen speeds which really hit home  – passagemaking where you really cover miles.

Key features include the swing helms, which give you views from outboard, over the coachroof or from a protected position in the cockpit through the coachroof windows, and the vast island in the galley, which is key to an open plan main living area. It helps provide cavernous stowage and acts as the heart of the entertaining space as it would in a modern home. As Danish judge Morten Brandt-Rasmussen comments: “Apart from being the TGV of ocean passages the boat offers the most spacious, open and best integration of the cockpit and salon areas in the market.”

Outremer has done a top job in packing in the creature comforts, stowage space and payload capacity, while keeping it light enough to eat miles. Although a lot to absorb and handle, the 55 offers a formidable blend of speed and luxury cruising.

Outremer 55 price: €1.35m

Best bluewater sailboats for comfort

This is the successor to the legendary Super Maramu, a ketch design that for several decades defined easy downwind handling and fostered a cult following for the French yard. Nearly a decade old, the Amel 55 is the bridge between those world-girdling stalwarts and Amel’s more recent and totally re-imagined sloop designs, the Amel 50 and 60.

The 55 boasts all the serious features Amel aficionados loved and valued: a skeg-hung rudder, solidly built hull, watertight bulkheads, solid guardrails and rampart bulwarks. And, most noticeable, the solid doghouse in which the helmsman sits in perfect shelter at the wheel.

This is a design to live on comfortably for long periods and the list of standard features just goes on and on: passarelle; proper sea berths with lee cloths; electric furling main and genoa; and a multitude of practical items that go right down to a dishwasher and crockery.

There’s no getting around the fact these designs do look rather dated now, and through the development of easier sail handling systems the ketch rig has fallen out of fashion, but the Amel is nothing short of a phenomenon, and if you’ve never even peeked on board one, you really have missed a treat.

Photo: Sander van der Borch

Contest 50CS

A centre cockpit cruiser with true longevity, the Contest 50CS was launched by Conyplex back in 2003 and is still being built by the family-owned Dutch company, now in updated and restyled form.

With a fully balanced rudder, large wheel and modern underwater sections, the Contest 50CS is a surprisingly good performer for a boat that has a dry weight of 17.5 tonnes. Many were fitted with in-mast furling, which clearly curtails that performance, but even without, this boat is set up for a small crew.

Electric winches and mainsheet traveller are all easy to reach from the helm. On our test of the Contest 50CS, we saw for ourselves how two people can gybe downwind under spinnaker without undue drama. Upwind, a 105% genoa is so easy to tack it flatters even the weediest crewmember.

Down below, the finish level of the joinery work is up there among the best and the interior is full of clever touches, again updated and modernised since the early models. Never the cheapest bluewater sailing yacht around, the Contest 50CS has remained in demand as a brokerage buy. She is a reassuringly sure-footed, easily handled, very well built yacht that for all those reasons has stood the test of time.

This is a yacht that would be well capable of helping you extend your cruising grounds, almost without realising it.

Read more about the Contest 50CS and the new Contest 49CS

Photo: Rick Tomlinson

Hallberg-Rassy 48 Mk II

For many, the Swedish Hallberg-Rassy yard makes the quintessential bluewater cruiser for couples. With their distinctive blue cove line, these designs are famous for their seakindly behaviour, solid-as-a-rock build and beautifully finished, traditional interiors.

To some eyes, Hallberg-Rassys aren’t quite cool enough, but it’s been company owner Magnus Rassy’s confidence in the formula and belief in incremental ‘step-by-step’ evolution that has been such an exceptional guarantor of reliable quality, reputation and resale value.

The centre cockpit Hallberg-Rassy 48 epitomises the concept of comfort at sea and, like all the Frers-designed Hallberg-Rassys since the 1990s, is surprisingly fleet upwind as well as steady downwind. The 48 is perfectly able to be handled by a couple (as we found a few years back in the Pacific), and could with no great effort crack out 200-mile days.

The Hallberg-Rassy 48 was launched nearly a decade ago, but the Mk II from 2014 is our pick, updated with a more modern profile, larger windows and hull portlights that flood the saloon and aft cabin with light. With a large chart table, secure linear galley, heaps of stowage and space for bluewater extras such as machinery and gear, this yacht pretty much ticks all the boxes.

Discovery 55

First launched in 2000, the Discovery 55 has stood the test of time. Designed by Ron Holland, it hit a sweet spot in size that appealed to couples and families with world girdling plans.

Elegantly styled and well balanced, the 55 is also a practical design, with a deep and secure cockpit, comfortable seating, a self-tacking jib, dedicated stowage for the liferaft , a decent sugar scoop transom that’s useful for swimming or dinghy access, and very comfortable accommodation below. In short, it is a design that has been well thought out by those who’ve been there, got the bruises, stubbed their toes and vowed to change things in the future if they ever got the chance.

Throughout the accommodation there are plenty of examples of good detailing, from the proliferation of handholds and grabrails, to deep sinks in the galley offering immediate stowage when under way and the stand up/sit down showers. Stowage is good, too, with plenty of sensibly sized lockers in easily accessible positions.

The Discovery 55 has practical ideas and nifty details aplenty. She’s not, and never was, a breakthrough in modern luxury cruising but she is pretty, comfortable to sail and live on, and well mannered.

Photo: Latitudes Picture Library

You can’t get much more Cornish than a Rustler. The hulls of this Stephen Jones design are hand-moulded and fitted out in Falmouth – and few are more ruggedly built than this traditional, up-for-anything offshore cruiser.

She boasts an encapsulated lead keel, eliminating keel bolts and creating a sump for generous fuel and water tankage, while a chunky skeg protects the rudder. She is designed for good directional stability and load carrying ability. These are all features that lend this yacht confidence as it shoulders aside the rough stuff.

Most of those built have had a cutter rig, a flexible arrangement that makes sense for long passages in all sea and weather conditions. Down below, the galley and saloon berths are comfortable and sensible for living in port and at sea, with joinery that Rustler’s builders are rightly proud of.

As modern yachts have got wider, higher and fatter, the Rustler 42 is an exception. This is an exceptionally well-mannered seagoing yacht in the traditional vein, with elegant lines and pleasing overhangs, yet also surprisingly powerful. And although now over 20 years old, timeless looks and qualities mean this design makes her look ever more like a perennial, a modern classic.

The definitive crossover size, the point at which a yacht can be handled by a couple but is just large enough to have a professional skipper and be chartered, sits at around the 60ft mark. At 58ft 8in, the Oyster 575 fitted perfectly into this growing market when launched in 2010. It went on to be one of the most popular models from the yard, and is only now being superseded by the newer Rob Humphreys-designed Oyster 565 (just launched this spring).

Built in various configurations with either a deep keel, shoal draught keel or centreboard with twin rudders, owners could trade off better performance against easy access to shallower coves and anchorages. The deep-bodied hull, also by Rob Humphreys, is known for its easy motion at sea.

Some of the Oyster 575’s best features include its hallmark coachroof windows style and centre cockpit – almost everyone will know at first glance this is an Oyster – and superb interior finish. If she has a flaw, it is arguably the high cockpit, but the flip side is the galley headroom and passageway berth to the large aft stateroom.

This design also has a host of practical features for long-distance cruising, such as high guardrails, dedicated liferaft stowage, a vast lazarette for swallowing sails, tender, fenders etc, and a penthouse engine room.

Privilege Serie 5

A true luxury catamaran which, fully fitted out, will top €1m, this deserves to be seen alongside the likes of the Oyster 575, Gunfleet 58 and Hallberg-Rassy 55. It boasts a large cockpit and living area, and a light and spacious saloon with an emphasis on indoor-outdoor living, masses of refrigeration and a big galley.

Standout features are finish quality and solid build in a yacht designed to take a high payload, a secure walkaround deck and all-round views from the helm station. The new Privilege 510 that will replace this launches in February 2020.

Gunfleet 43

It was with this Tony Castro design that Richard Matthews, founder of Oyster Yachts, launched a brand new rival brand in 2012, the smallest of a range stretching to the flagship Gunfleet 74. The combination of short overhangs and centre cockpit at this size do make the Gunfleet 43 look modern if a little boxy, but time and subsequent design trends have been kind to her lines, and the build quality is excellent. The saloon, galley and aft cabin space is exceptional on a yacht of this size.

Photo: David Harding

Conceived as a belt-and-braces cruiser, the Kraken 50 launched last year. Its unique points lie underwater in the guise of a full skeg-hung rudder and so-called ‘Zero Keel’, an encapsulated long keel with lead ballast.

Kraken Yachts is the brainchild of British businessman and highly experienced cruiser Dick Beaumont, who is adamant that safety should be foremost in cruising yacht design and build. “There is no such thing as ‘one yacht for all purposes’… You cannot have the best of all worlds, whatever the salesman tells you,” he says.

Read our full review of the Kraken 50 .

Wauquiez Centurion 57

Few yachts can claim to be both an exciting Med-style design and a serious and practical northern European offshore cruiser, but the Wauquiez Centurion 57 tries to blend both. She slightly misses if you judge solely by either criterion, but is pretty and practical enough to suit her purpose.

A very pleasant, well-considered yacht, she is impressively built and finished with a warm and comfortable interior. More versatile than radical, she could be used for sailing across the Atlantic in comfort and raced with equal enjoyment at Antigua Sailing Week .

A modern classic if ever there was one. A medium to heavy displacement yacht, stiff and easily capable of standing up to her canvas. Pretty, traditional lines and layout below.

Photo: Voyage of Swell

Well-proven US legacy design dating back to the mid-1960s that once conquered the Transpac Race . Still admired as pretty, with slight spoon bow and overhanging transom.

Capable medium displacement cruiser, ideal size and good accommodation for couples or family cruising, and much less costly than similar luxury brands.

Photo: Peter Szamer

Swedish-built aft cockpit cruiser, smaller than many here, but a well-built and finished, super-durable pocket ocean cruiser.

Tartan 3700

Designed as a performance cruiser there are nimbler alternatives now, but this is still an extremely pretty yacht.

Broker ’ s choice

Discovery 55 Brizo

This yacht has already circumnavigated the globe and is ‘prepared for her next adventure,’ says broker Berthon. Price: £535,000 + VAT

Oyster 575 Ayesha

‘Stunning, and perfectly equipped for bluewater cruising,’ says broker Ancasta International. Price: £845,000 (tax not paid)

Oyster 575 Pearls of Nautilus

Nearly new and with a high spec, this Oyster Brokerage yacht features American white oak joinery and white leather upholstery and has a shoal draught keel. Price: $1.49m

Best bluewater yachts for performance

The Frers-designed Swan 54 may not be the newest hull shape but heralded Swan’s latest generation of displacement bluewater cruisers when launched four years ago. With raked stem, deep V hull form, lower freeboard and slight curve to the topsides she has a more timeless aesthetic than many modern slab-sided high volume yachts, and with that a seakindly motion in waves. If you plan to cover many miles to weather, this is probably the yacht you want to be on.

Photo: Carlo Borlenghi

Besides Swan’s superlative build quality, the 54 brings many true bluewater features, including a dedicated sail locker. There’s also a cockpit locker that functions as a utility cabin, with potential to hold your generator and washing machine, or be a workshop space.

The sloping transom opens out to reveal a 2.5m bathing platform, and although the cabins are not huge there is copious stowage space. Down below the top-notch oak joinery is well thought through with deep fiddles, and there is a substantial nav station. But the Swan 54 wins for handling above all, with well laid-out sail controls that can be easily managed between a couple, while offering real sailing enjoyment to the helmsman.

Photo: Graham Snook

The Performance Cruiser winner at the 2019 European Yacht of the Year awards, the Arcona 435 is all about the sailing experience. She has genuine potential as a cruiser-racer, but her strengths are as an enjoyable cruiser rather than a full-blown liveaboard bluewater boat.

Build quality is excellent, there is the option of a carbon hull and deck, and elegant lines and a plumb bow give the Arcona 435 good looks as well as excellent performance in light airs. Besides slick sail handling systems, there are well thought-out features for cruising, such as ample built-in rope bins and an optional semi-closed stern with stowage and swim platform.

Outremer 51

If you want the space and stability of a cat but still prioritise sailing performance, Outremer has built a reputation on building catamarans with true bluewater characteristics that have cruised the planet for the past 30 years.

Lighter and slimmer-hulled than most cruising cats, the Outremer 51 is all about sailing at faster speeds, more easily. The lower volume hulls and higher bridgedeck make for a better motion in waves, while owners report that being able to maintain a decent pace even under reduced canvas makes for stress-free passages. Deep daggerboards also give good upwind performance.

With bucket seats and tiller steering options, the Outremer 51 rewards sailors who want to spend time steering, while they’re famously well set up for handling with one person on deck. The compromise comes with the interior space – even with a relatively minimalist style, there is less cabin space and stowage volume than on the bulkier cats, but the Outremer 51 still packs in plenty of practical features.

The Xc45 was the first cruising yacht X-Yachts ever built, and designed to give the same X-Yachts sailing experience for sailors who’d spent years racing 30/40-footer X- and IMX designs, but in a cruising package.

Launched over 10 years ago, the Xc45 has been revisited a few times to increase the stowage and modernise some of the styling, but the key features remain the same, including substantial tanks set low for a low centre of gravity, and X-Yachts’ trademark steel keel grid structure. She has fairly traditional styling and layout, matched with solid build quality.

A soft bilge and V-shaped hull gives a kindly motion in waves, and the cockpit is secure, if narrow by modern standards.

A three or four cabin catamaran that’s fleet of foot with high bridgedeck clearance for comfortable motion at sea. With tall daggerboards and carbon construction in some high load areas, Catana cats are light and quick to accelerate.

Sweden Yachts 45

An established bluewater design that also features in plenty of offshore races. Some examples are specced with carbon rig and retractable bowsprits. All have a self-tacking jib for ease. Expect sweeping areas of teak above decks and a traditionally wooded interior with hanging wet locker.

A vintage performer, first launched in 1981, the 51 was the first Frers-designed Swan and marked a new era of iconic cruiser-racers. Some 36 of the Swan 51 were built, many still actively racing and cruising nearly 40 years on. Classic lines and a split cockpit make this a boat for helming, not sunbathing.

Photo: Julien Girardot / EYOTY

The JPK 45 comes from a French racing stable, combining race-winning design heritage with cruising amenities. What you see is what you get – there are no superfluous headliners or floorboards, but there are plenty of ocean sailing details, like inboard winches for safe trimming. The JPK 45 also has a brilliantly designed cockpit with an optional doghouse creating all-weather shelter, twin wheels and superb clutch and rope bin arrangement.

Photo: Andreas Lindlahr

For sailors who don’t mind exchanging a few creature comforts for downwind planing performance, the Pogo 50 offers double-digit surfing speeds for exhilarating tradewind sailing. There’s an open transom, tiller steering and no backstay or runners. The Pogo 50 also has a swing keel, to nose into shallow anchorages.

Seawind 1600

Seawinds are relatively unknown in Europe, but these bluewater cats are very popular in Australia. As would be expected from a Reichel-Pugh design, this 52-footer combines striking good looks and high performance, with fine entry bows and comparatively low freeboard. Rudders are foam cored lifting designs in cassettes, which offer straightforward access in case of repairs, while daggerboards are housed under the deck.

Best bluewater sailboats for families

It’s unsurprising that, for many families, it’s a catamaran that meets their requirements best of increased space – both living space and separate cabins for privacy-seeking teenagers, additional crew or visiting family – as well as stable and predictable handling.

Photo: Nicholas Claris

Undoubtedly one of the biggest success stories has been the Lagoon 450, which, together with boats like the Fountaine Pajot 44, helped drive up the popularity of catamaran cruising by making it affordable and accessible. They have sold in huge numbers – over 1,000 Lagoon 450s have been built since its launch in 2010.

The VPLP-designed 450 was originally launched with a flybridge with a near central helming position and upper level lounging areas (450F). The later ‘sport top’ option (450S) offered a starboard helm station and lower boom (and hence lower centre of gravity for reduced pitching). The 450S also gained a hull chine to create additional volume above the waterline. The Lagoon features forward lounging and aft cockpit areas for additional outdoor living space.

Besides being a big hit among charter operators, Lagoons have proven themselves over thousands of bluewater miles – there were seven Lagoon 450s in last year’s ARC alone. In what remains a competitive sector of the market, Lagoon has recently launched a new 46, with a larger self-tacking jib and mast moved aft, and more lounging areas.

Photo: Gilles Martin-Raget

Fountaine Pajot Helia 44

The FP Helia 44 is lighter, lower volume, and has a lower freeboard than the Lagoon, weighing in at 10.8 tonnes unloaded (compared to 15 for the 450). The helm station is on a mezzanine level two steps up from the bridgedeck, with a bench seat behind. A later ‘Evolution’ version was designed for liveaboard cruisers, featuring beefed up dinghy davits and an improved saloon space.

Available in three or four cabin layouts, the Helia 44 was also popular with charter owners as well as families. The new 45 promises additional volume, and an optional hydraulically lowered ‘beach club’ swim platform.

Photo: Arnaud De Buyzer / graphikup.com

The French RM 1370 might be less well known than the big brand names, but offers something a little bit different for anyone who wants a relatively voluminous cruising yacht. Designed by Marc Lombard, and beautifully built from plywood/epoxy, the RM is stiff and responsive, and sails superbly.

The RM yachts have a more individual look – in part down to the painted finish, which encourages many owners to personalise their yachts, but also thanks to their distinctive lines with reverse sheer and dreadnought bow. The cockpit is well laid out with the primary winches inboard for a secure trimming position. The interior is light, airy and modern, although the open transom won’t appeal to everyone.

For those wanting a monohull, the Hanse 575 hits a similar sweet spot to the popular multis, maximising accommodation for a realistic price, yet with responsive performance.

The Hanse offers a vast amount of living space thanks to the ‘loft design’ concept of having all the living areas on a single level, which gives a real feeling of spaciousness with no raised saloon or steps to accommodation. The trade-off for such lofty head height is a substantial freeboard – it towers above the pontoon, while, below, a stepladder is provided to reach some hatches.

Galley options include drawer fridge-freezers, microwave and coffee machine, and the full size nav station can double up as an office or study space.

But while the Hanse 575 is a seriously large boat, its popularity is also down to the fact that it is genuinely able to be handled by a couple. It was innovative in its deck layout: with a self-tacking jib and mainsheet winches immediately to hand next to the helm, one person could both steer and trim.

Direct steering gives a feeling of control and some tangible sailing fun, while the waterline length makes for rapid passage times. In 2016 the German yard launched the newer Hanse 588 model, having already sold 175 of the 575s in just four years.

Photo: Bertel Kolthof

Jeanneau 54

Jeanneau leads the way among production builders for versatile all-rounder yachts that balance sail performance and handling, ergonomics, liveaboard functionality and good looks. The Jeanneau 54 , part of the range designed by Philippe Briand with interior by Andrew Winch, melds the best of the larger and smaller models and is available in a vast array of layout options from two cabins/two heads right up to five cabins and three heads.

We’ve tested the Jeanneau 54 in a gale and very light winds, and it acquitted itself handsomely in both extremes. The primary and mainsheet winches are to hand next to the wheel, and the cockpit is spacious, protected and child-friendly. An electric folding swim and sun deck makes for quick fun in the water.

Nautitech Open 46

This was the first Nautitech catamaran to be built under the ownership of Bavaria, designed with an open-plan bridgedeck and cockpit for free-flowing living space. But with good pace for eating up bluewater miles, and aft twin helms rather than a flybridge, the Nautitech Open 46 also appeals to monohull sailors who prefer a more direct sailing experience.

Made by Robertson and Caine, who produce catamarans under a dual identity as both Leopard and the Sunsail/Moorings charter cats, the Leopard 45 is set to be another big seller. Reflecting its charter DNA, the Leopard 45 is voluminous, with stepped hulls for reduced waterline, and a separate forward cockpit.

Built in South Africa, they are robustly tested off the Cape and constructed ruggedly enough to handle heavy weather sailing as well as the demands of chartering.

Photo: Olivier Blanchet

If space is king then three hulls might be even better than two. The Neel 51 is rare as a cruising trimaran with enough space for proper liveaboard sailing. The galley and saloon are in the large central hull, together with an owner’s cabin on one level for a unique sensation of living above the water. Guest or family cabins lie in the outer hulls for privacy and there is a cavernous full height engine room under the cabin sole.

Performance is notably higher than an equivalent cruising cat, particularly in light winds, with a single rudder giving a truly direct feel in the helm, although manoeuvring a 50ft trimaran may daunt many sailors.

Beneteau Oceanis 46.1

A brilliant new model from Beneteau, this Finot Conq design has a modern stepped hull, which offers exhilarating and confidence-inspiring handling in big breezes, and slippery performance in lighter winds.

The Beneteau Oceanis 46.1 was the standout performer at this year’s European Yacht of the Year awards, and, in replacing the popular Oceanis 45, looks set to be another bestseller. Interior space is well used with a double island berth in the forepeak. An additional inboard unit creates a secure galley area, but tank capacity is moderate for long periods aboard.

Beneteau Oceanis 473

A popular model that offers beam and height in a functional layout, although, as with many boats of this age (she was launched in 2002), the mainsheet is not within reach of the helmsman.

Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 49

The Philippe Briand-designed Sun Odyssey range has a solid reputation as family production cruisers. Like the 473, the Sun Odyssey 49 was popular for charter so there are plenty of four-cabin models on the market.

Nautitech 441

The hull design dates back to 1995, but was relaunched in 2012. Though the saloon interior has dated, the 441 has solid practical features, such as a rainwater run-off collection gutter around the coachroof.

Atlantic 42

Chris White-designed cats feature a pilothouse and forward waist-high working cockpit with helm position, as well as an inside wheel at the nav station. The Atlantic 42 offers limited accommodation by modern cat standards but a very different sailing experience.

Best bluewater sailing yachts for expeditions

Bestevaer 56.

All of the yachts in our ‘expedition’ category are aluminium-hulled designs suitable for high latitude sailing, and all are exceptional yachts. But the Bestevaer 56 is a spectacular amount of boat to take on a true adventure. Each Bestevaer is a near-custom build with plenty of bespoke options for owners to customise the layout and where they fall on the scale of rugged off-grid adventurer to 4×4-style luxury fit out.

The Bestevaer range began when renowned naval architect Gerard Dijkstra chose to design his own personal yacht for liveaboard adventure cruising, a 53-footer. The concept drew plenty of interest from bluewater sailors wanting to make longer expeditions and Bestevaers are now available in a range of sizes, with the 56-footer proving a popular mid-range length.

The well-known Bestevaer 56 Tranquilo  (pictured above) has a deep, secure cockpit, voluminous tanks (700lt water and over 1,100lt fuel) and a lifting keel plus water ballast, with classically styled teak clad decks and pilot house. Other owners have opted for functional bare aluminium hull and deck, some choose a doghouse and others a pilothouse.

Photo: Jean-Marie Liot

The Boreal 52 also offers Land Rover-esque practicality, with utilitarian bare aluminium hulls and a distinctive double-level doghouse/coachroof arrangement for added protection in all weathers. The cockpit is clean and uncluttered, thanks to the mainsheet position on top of the doghouse, although for visibility in close manoeuvring the helmsman will want to step up onto the aft deck.

Twin daggerboards, a lifting centreboard and long skeg on which she can settle make this a true go-anywhere expedition yacht. The metres of chain required for adventurous anchoring is stowed in a special locker by the mast to keep the weight central. Down below has been thought through with equally practical touches, including plenty of bracing points and lighting that switches on to red light first to protect your night vision.

Photo: Morris Adant / Garcia Yachts

Garcia Exploration 45

The Garcia Exploration 45 comes with real experience behind her – she was created in association with Jimmy Cornell, based on his many hundreds of thousands of miles of bluewater cruising, to go anywhere from high latitudes to the tropics.

Arguably less of a looker than the Bestevaer, the Garcia Exploration 45 features a rounded aluminium hull, centreboard with deep skeg and twin daggerboards. The considerable anchor chain weight has again been brought aft, this time via a special conduit to a watertight locker in front of the centreboard.

This is a yacht designed to be lived on for extended periods with ample storage, and panoramic portlights to give a near 360° view of whichever extraordinary landscape you are exploring. Safety features include a watertight companionway door to keep extreme weather out and through-hull fittings placed above the waterline. When former Vendée Globe skipper Pete Goss went cruising , this was the boat he chose to do it in.

Photo: svnaima.com

A truly well-proven expedition design, some 1,500 Ovnis have been built and many sailed to some of the most far-flung corners of the world. (Jimmy Cornell sailed his Aventura some 30,000 miles, including two Drake Passage crossings, one in 50 knots of wind).

Futuna Exploration 54

Another aluminium design with a swinging centreboard and a solid enclosed pilothouse with protected cockpit area. There’s a chunky bowsprit and substantial transom arch to house all manner of electronics and power generation.

Previous boats have been spec’d for North West Passage crossings with additional heating and engine power, although there’s a carbon rig option for those that want a touch of the black stuff. The tanks are capacious, with 1,000lt capability for both fresh water and fuel.

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What Sailboats Are Made In The USA?

Last Updated by

Daniel Wade

June 13, 2023

‍ Key Takeaways

• Catalina and J/Boats are proud of their American standard of creating sailboats
• Sailboats made in the US follow a strict consistency to craftsmanship and performance
• Many US branded sailboats rival top competitors across the world
• There are various reasons why many sailors believe American made sailboats are best
• The US has a long history of sailing and you could say it is in their blood

‍ The United States has some of the best sailboats in the sailing world. But what sailboats are made in the USA?

Some of the most popular sailboat brands made in the US are Catalina Yachts, J/Boats, and Hinckley. Other top US made sailboat brand companies include Island Packet Yachts and Tartan Yachts. The US is known for its robust sailing manufacturing and rich maritime history.

In my experience, casual sailors or those wanting to explore more can find quality boats that are made in the US. Many of the boats made in the US have developed an outstanding reputation with some lasting over five decades.

Table of contents

‍ Top 10 Sailboats Made in the USA

A lot of boaters want to know exactly where their sailboat was created. Many favor a boat that was made from an American company that sets an industry standard versus cheaper comparable overseas. Not to say that all boats made elsewhere are bad but consistency is key in the US.

In a lot of situations buying an American made sailboat is best for those that live near the company. It makes it a thousand times easier to order parts or to get first hand knowledge of your boat when the company that built it is right around the corner.

The Catalina lineup offers plenty of options to choose from when it comes to casual sailing boats or yachts. The company is located in Largo, Florida and has sustained a good reputation for their durable and performance on the water.

Since 1969 they have become America’s largest sailboat builder. They also rival top competitors such as Nautor’s Swan for the sailboat market.

J/Boats are unique and set themselves apart from other types of sailboats like their J/22 and J/70 models. They have been established in Newport, Rhode Island since 1977.

They have everything you can think of for sailboats with the customer in mind. These luxury and sleek designs that they offer help to combat anything the water has in store.

Hinckley Yachts

Hinckley had their sailing origins date back to 1928 in Southwest Harbor, Maine but is now headquartered in Rhode Island. Many sailors are drawn to the craftsmanship and luxury attributes of these sailboats.

The Bermuda 40 for example are timeless classics that use high quality materials. Many of their designs have proven to be fan favorites.

Island Packet Yachts

Island Packet has been aiming towards making sailboats in Largo, FLorida that are treasured among various generations. Their IP 349 and IP 439 models are some of the best sailboats you can find on the market.

Sailors love these American made sailboats. These are typically due to their reliability and comfort you can achieve while exploring blue water areas.

Tartan Yachts

Tartan has been around since 1960 in Ohio and has developed beloved sailboats. Their most popular models are the 3400 and 4000 but they also have new classics in the making.

They even have a program where you can bring your old Tartan and talk with the team to see about restoring your old classic for a given price. This allows you to hang onto your treasured sailboat and potentially one day have it restored to its former glory.

Morris Yachts

Morris has roots in Maine around 1972. They are owned by Hinckley and they make some excellent modern models for sailboats.

The M36 and M42 are classics that many agree are excellent options for any level of sailor. They feature other models that are geared towards larger families or you are wanting more living space throughout the boat.

Viking Yacht Company

Viking is based in New Jersey and has some of the best yachts you can possibly imagine. Their 44C and 48C are some of their best moderate sized models but they get even crazier with their 92C offering.

If you want a true American experience on a yacht you cannot go wrong with anything Viking has in store. They have a wide range of models to suit your needs for luxury on the ocean.

Oyster Yachts

Oyster Yachts have been around for over 50 years and have dominated the Rhode Island area for yachts. One appealing feature that stands out compared to other sailboat brands is that you can customize a majority of your boat online before having to pick it up. Oyster has a boat for you that is able to handle blue water capabilities and luxury.

Broward Yachts

Broward is actually a superyacht builder that often gets lumped into the sailboat category since they are luxury boats that are blue water capable. This shipyard is located in Fort Lauderdale, Florida and has designed over 300 yachts to date since 1948.

In fact they earn the business of sailboat owners that are on the fence about other sailboat brands that are looking for a yacht. They are a one of kind yacht brand that deserves a shout out from the sailboat community.

Boston Whaler

Boston Whaler is not exactly a modern sailboat either but is a blue water cruiser that is perfect for any situation out on the water. These boat builders from Florida helped make the perfect boat for fishing or cruising in blue water territories. You can find various models such as the Vantage or Conquest to help fit your blue water needs.

Are Sailboats Made Better in the US?

Quality and performance are very important for a sailboat brand to remain in business. Many boat brands in the US have been around for several decades and you do not do that by accident. Boat builders have to create something special for a good price or depending on the market value.

Rich History

The US has a rich maritime history that bodes well with their craftsmanship and dedication to making the perfect sailboat. Many companies such as Catalina and Island Packet have established themselves as some of the best in the US that many boat owners would agree with.

What Makes a Brand Unique

Many sailboat brands offer various models to cater to a wider range of buyers. These could be a cruiser series or sport series for example. Some even consider it their house on the water as long as it is seaworthy.

The design team will also need to factor in living space and effortless performance to be considered a luxury sailboat. If a brand offers a lot of options to fit many needs then that boat brand is one step ahead of the competition.

Rivals Across the Globe

It is important to understand that there are other top quality sailboat brands in the world and that some American made brands rival those found in France and Sweden. Nautor’s Swan and Dufor are to name a few.

Your Sailing Desires and Budget

Claiming that one brand is better than another is simply based on market opinion and your current situation. Your budget and sailing goals will ultimately help shape what you believe is the best sailboat or whether or not the US has the best ones period.

Why is Sailing Popular in the US?

Sailing has been popular around various parts of the world for centuries. As technology and attention to detail has evolved over the years it has created the foundation for the love of sailing.

Florida is Home to Sailing

Many boat builders aim to make the best boats in places where sailing should thrive. Florida for example is the highest rate of boat owners in the US. You will likely see many brands of boats especially a French brand or two.

People Love the Water

There are roughly 12 million registered boats in the US for recreational purposes. There are many purposes for boats on the water such as racing or fishing. A sailboat will help you cover a lot of those activities on the water and Americans tend to spend a lot of time on the ocean.

Recreational use is a driving force for Americans that want to spend more time on the water. Sailboats are likely the reason for most of these numbers especially in parts of Maine or further up the east coast of the US.

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I've personally had thousands of questions about sailing and sailboats over the years. As I learn and experience sailing, and the community, I share the answers that work and make sense to me, here on Life of Sailing.

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Welcome to American Sail

Builder of small sailboats, catamarans, and daysailers.

Small sailboats are our specialty! We've made fun family sailboats for over 40 years.

American Sail got its start over 40 years ago in 1976 with the purchase of the Aqua Cat catamaran.  Over the years we have grown to offer many more sailboats in our line including a larger version of the Aqua Cat and four daysailers that are the Aqua Finn Daysailer, Pennant Daysailer, American 14.6,  and American 18 Daysailer.

If you're looking for the best small sailboats you've come to the right place.  All of our family daysailers are designed for fun and not hard-core racing. Any of our boats can be rigged by one person in under 20 minutes.

We are factory direct. If you have any questions regarding pricing or parts orders please do not hesitate to give us a call at 800-844-2399 or use our CONTACT FORM .

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The luxury YALLA yacht is a multi-award-winning yacht built by CRN Yachts. The YALLA was delivered from CRN’s Ancona shipyard in 2014.

The award-winning interior was designed by CRN’s interior design team in collaboration with Droulers Architecture.

Omega Architects contributed to the exterior design of the yacht. The YALLA is the very definition of a luxury experience on the water.

YALLA yacht interior

The stunning interior of the YALLA yacht was designed by Droulers Architecture in collaboration with CRN’s in-house Interiors and Design Office.

There is accommodation for 12 guests in 6 deluxe staterooms, including an owner’s suite and VIP staterooms.

The guest accommodations all have the best quality furnishings, amenities, and en-suite bathrooms.

There are facilities for 22 highly trained crew members, making the yachting experience of the highest quality for guests.

The yacht has many features that include a beach club that creates an area for indoor-outdoor living level with the water.

There is a pool, a well-equipped gym, and plenty of areas for socializing and al fresco dining opportunities.

There is an abundance of options for sunbathing on the YALLA. The garage has a limousine tender and many water toys that offer fun and action while aboard the yacht.

The interior of the YALLA yacht was a finalist for The ShowBoats Design Awards 2015 for Interior Design in a Motor Yacht over 500GT.

The exterior of the YALLA yacht was a finalist for the Naval Architecture Award on a Displacement Motor Yacht and the Exterior Design & Styling Award on a Motor Yacht over 500GT at The ShowBoats Design Awards 2015.

With its four spacious decks and sleek and sporty lines, the YALLA is an eye-catching yacht on the water. She was delivered in 2014 with a steel hull and an aluminum superstructure.

The design was penned by Omega Architects and built at the CRN shipyard in Ancona, Italy. CRN is a builder of luxury superyachts, and YALLA was a custom build for the shipyard.

Specification

The 73m YALLA yacht is powered by 2 Caterpillar engines , which gives her a top speed of 18.5 knots and a cruising speed of 12.5 knots. The YALLA has a range of 5500 nautical miles at her cruising speed.

She has a beam of 12.8m and a draft of 3.4m, with a displacement of 1709 gross tons.

She features at-anchor stabilizers that afford guests exceptional comfort levels by reducing the rolling motion of the yacht on the water.

The YALLA costs $5 – $8 Million per annum to operate.

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YALLA is a bespoke superyacht characterized by sleek, slender and sporty lines, which make the profile particularly streamlined. With 5 decks, M/Y she can host up to 12 guests in her six cabins, including the Owner Suite and VIP cabins, together with a crew of 22.

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The external profile of this vessel has been designed by Omega Architects, in close collaboration with the CRN Engineering Department which developed the naval project, while their interiors have been created by Droulers Architecture, which has worked in close collaboration with the shipyard’s Interiors and Design Office.

The new megayacht, the first to be built by CRN on the new naval platform of 12.50 metres in width, is characterized by sleek, slender and sporty lines, which make the profile particularly streamlined. With 5 decks, M/Y CRN 132 73 m can host up to 12 guests in its six cabins, including the Owner Suite and Vip cabins, together with a crew of 22 members.

The construction of this new jewel of the sea, which includes the best design solutions realized by CRN, has required around 430,000 hours of work from the shipyard workers and subcontractors and the daily contribution of over 150 direct and indirect workers.

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YALLA a CRN Superyacht

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If you have any questions about the YALLA information page below please contact us .

YALLA hit the water in 2014 at the CRN shipyard in Ancona. She was built under the shipyard build number CRN 132 is a luxurious 73-metre displacement vessel. Her main characteristics include sleek, slender and sporty exterior lines by Omega Architects, in close collaboration with the CRN Engineering Department. Her beautifully executed interior design has been created by Droulers Architecture, with tight collaboration with the yard’s in-house Interiors and Design Office. In 2014, YALLA received an award for the ‘Best Exterior Design’ at the Invictus Yachts Trophies competition.

YALLA’s NOTABLE FEATURES: Sleek, sporty lines ~ Award-winning design by Omega Architects ~ Great socialising areas ~ Fantastic al fresco dining possibilities ~ Excellent beach club ~ Pool ~ Well-equipped gymnasium ~ Beautiful limousine tender ~ Plenty of sunbathing option

Spreading over four spacious and magnificent decks, the this 73-metre vessel offers accommodation for up to 12 guests in six deluxe staterooms overnight, including the sumptuous Owner Suite and Vip staterooms. There is also accommodation for a numerous and highly trained crew of 22 members, taking care of guests every need with exceptional attention to detail and guests on board.

YALLA Specifications

YALLA was designed with numerous exceptional design solutions to promote on board entertainment, social life and relaxation. One of the main features must be the onboard wellness situated on the lower deck, that includes a beach club, large swimming pool as well as a well-equipped fitness area.

Made of steel and aluminium, YALLA is fitter with twin Caterpillar 3512B diesel engines. She is ABS classed and MCA compliant.

Yacht Accommodation

Accommodation is spread over six beautifully appointed staterooms, including one spacious deluxe owner accommodation. All staterooms over private en suite bathroom facilities and best quality furnishings and amenities.

Amenities and Extras

Custom made limousine tender by Younique Yachts amongst others, as well as a selection of water toys for guests entertainment.

YALLA Disclaimer:

The luxury yacht YALLA displayed on this page is merely informational and she is not necessarily available for yacht charter or for sale, nor is she represented or marketed in anyway by CharterWorld. This web page and the superyacht information contained herein is not contractual. All yacht specifications and informations are displayed in good faith but CharterWorld does not warrant or assume any legal liability or responsibility for the current accuracy, completeness, validity, or usefulness of any superyacht information and/or images displayed. All boat information is subject to change without prior notice and may not be current.

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“We reinvented the idea of Bespoke”. 'CRN devotes maximum attention to craftsmanship and style, representing the true added value of Designed & Made in Italy products.'

73M CUSTOM SUPERYACHT | From EUR€ 553,000/wk

NAIA | From EUR€ 595,000/wk

QUANTUM OF SOLACE | From EUR€ 574,000/wk

Off the hook yachts acquires georgetown yacht basin.

Jan 10, 2023

Off the Hook Yachts Acquires 300-Slip Marina in Georgetown Maryland  

The Acquisition 

Off the Hook Yachts is proud to announce the acquisition of Georgetown Yacht Basin (GYB) now rebranding under Georgetown Yacht Haven – a 300-boat slip full-service marina located on the Sassafras River in Georgetown, MD.  Off the Hook plans to restore the yacht basin to its former glory and reconnect with the local community in order to establish it as a household name in the area. 

As our founder is originally from Maryland, this will complement our current presence in the area, along with our MD sales team, which currently operates out of Bay Bridge Marina. The acquisition of the marina will allow us to expand on sales, service, and custom-built Nor-Tech Performance Boat sales in the region. Georgetown Yacht Haven has 300 slips, two paint sheds that can hold up to a 110-foot yacht, a 110-ton travel lift, a fuel dock, a swimming pool, bathhouses, and a complete ship store, along with many other amenities. GYH controls the largest travel lift in Northern Chesapeake Bay.

About Off the Hook Yacht Sales

Off The Hook Yacht Sales NC, LLC, based in Wilmington, North Carolina, was founded in 2012 by Jason Ruegg and has now become the largest marine wholesaler in North America. The company provides wholesale purchasing services for brokerages, new boat dealers, and private individuals, and has become a household name at the largest brokerages and dealerships in the Country. Off the Hook Yachts headquarters is in Wilmington, North Carolina, where it remains today. We have 12 other locations currently in the USA, with expansion plans for 2023. Additionally, OTH is proud to represent Nor-Tech Hi-Performance Boats from Georgia to Maine and Yellowfin Boats from Miami to the Florida Keys.  

About Georgetown Yacht Haven 

Georgetown Yacht Haven was originally constructed in 1949. The marina is situated on 14.26 acres along the Sassafras River.  This river is known for its very deep brackish to freshwater – making it ideal for boating in the Upper Chesapeake area.  Georgetown Yacht Haven is a full-service marina and shipyard with a restaurant and hotel on site.  For more information contact Tristan Price at (410) 648-5112 / [email protected] .

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COCOA BEAN YACHT CHARTER

73.99m  /  242'9   trinity yachts   2014 / 2020.

• Previous Yacht

Cabin Configuration

Special Features:

• Full-beam master suite with option for private lounge
• Custom-designed Jacuzzi
• Convenient guest elevator
• Generous sea-level beach club
• Huge choice of water sport toys
• Wheelhouse gym
• Generous exterior deck areas

The biggest delivery in the US in 2014, there are no end of well-equipped, luxurious living spaces on board the magnificent superyacht 'Cocoa Bean'.

The 73.76m/242' 'Cocoa Bean' motor yacht built by the American shipyard Trinity Yachts is available for charter for up to 12 guests in 6 cabins. This yacht features interior styling by British designer Evan K Marshall.

Built in 2014, Cocoa Bean is custom-built for world-class luxury yacht chartering, offering a wealth of spacious living areas and fabulous amenities, you'll be in for a treat from the moment you step on board. She has sensational features such as an elevator, beach club and gym.

Guest Accommodation

Cocoa Bean offers guest accommodation for up to 12 guests in 6 suites comprising a master suite located on the main deck, one VIP cabin, two double cabins and two twin cabins. There are 6 beds in total, including 4 king and 4 singles. A crew of nineteen, who specialize in creating exceptional charters, are on hand to provide guests with a yacht charter vacation to remember.

Onboard Comfort & Entertainment

Keeping comfortable and entertained on Cocoa Bean is easy thanks to the available amenities, particularly a beach club for you to relax on the edge of the water. Maintain your fitness routine and work out in the well-equipped gym or soak up the bubbles in style in the deck jacuzzi.

Whatever your activities on your charter, you'll find some impressive features are seamlessly integrated to help you, particularly an elevator, making any part of the yacht quickly and easily accessible. Whether you want to work, use social media or stream movies on board this yacht, you can with Wi-Fi connectivity or guests will experience complete comfort while chartering thanks to air conditioning.

Performance & Range

Cocoa Bean is built with a steel hull and aluminium superstructure. Powered by twin Caterpillar engines, she comfortably cruises at 14 knots, reaches a maximum speed of 15 knots with a range of up to 6,000 nautical miles from her 242,266 litre fuel tanks at 13 knots. An advanced stabilisation system on board reduces the side-to-side roll of the yacht and promises guests exceptional comfort levels at anchor or when underway.

Cocoa Bean knows a thing or two about fun on the water, with a selection of water toys and accessories for you and your guests to enjoy whilst on charter. Take to the sea on the Jet Skis offering you power and control on the water. Also there are waterskis that are hugely entertaining whether you are a beginner or a seasoned pro. Additionally, there are two kayaks - a tranquil and relaxing way to pass the time. If that isn't enough Cocoa Bean also features scuba diving equipment, inflatable water toys, paddleboards and snorkelling equipment. Cocoa Bean features two tenders, but leading the pack is a 7.62m/25' Chapman RIB to transport you in style.

Cocoa Bean is available upon request for charter this winter. She is already accepting bookings this summer for cruising in the Mediterranean.

This ocean-going luxury charter motor yacht carries up to 19 professional crew who will cater to your every need.

TESTIMONIALS

There are currently no testimonials for Cocoa Bean, please provide .

Cocoa Bean Photos

Amenities & Entertainment

For your relaxation and entertainment Cocoa Bean has the following facilities, for more details please speak to your yacht charter broker.

Cocoa Bean is reported to be available to Charter with the following recreation facilities:

• 1 x 7.62m  /  25' Chapman Transition RIB Volvo 300 HP engine
• 1 x Riva Iseo Tender Yamaha 260 HP engine

For a full list of all available amenities & entertainment facilities, or price to hire additional equipment please contact your broker.

• + shortlist

For a full list of all available amenities & entertainment facilities, or price to hire additional equipment please contact your broker.

'Cocoa Bean' Charter Rates & Destinations

Summer Season

May - September

€550,000 p/week + expenses Approx $597,000

High Season

€650,000 p/week + expenses Approx $706,000

Cruising Regions

Mediterranean Croatia, France, Italy, Monaco, Montenegro

HOT SPOTS:   Amalfi Coast, Corsica, French Riviera, Sardinia

Winter Season

October - April

€600,000 p/week + expenses Approx $651,500

Please enquire .

Charter Cocoa Bean

To charter this luxury yacht contact your charter broker , or we can help you.

To charter this luxury yacht contact your charter broker or

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SEASONAL CHARTER RATES

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73m superyacht Yalla launched by CRN

Italian yacht builder CRN has launched its 73m superyacht Yalla .

CRN welcomed more than 1,000 guests to the launching ceremony of CRN 132 Yalla , held late this morning at its shipyard in Ancona, Italy. The launch ceremony included speeches from Alberto Galassi, new CEO of the Ferretti Group , Lamberto Tacoli, Chairman and CEO of CRN, Xinyu Xu, Vice-chairman of Weichai Group, and the Mayor of Ancona Valeria Mancinelli.

Part of the Ferretti Group,  CRN  specialises in custom yachts up to 90 metres in steel and aluminium. Yalla is the first yacht built by CRN on its new 12.5m beam platform. More than 430,000 hours from CRN and its subcontractors were spent on Yalla 's build, with contributions from 150 employees.

Exterior styling comes from Omega Architects in The Netherlands, in close collaboration with the CRN Engineering Department. The five-deck motor yacht features sleek, sporty lines and a streamlined profile. Superyacht Yalla 's interiors are by Droulers Architecture, working with CRN's Interiors and Design Office. She hosts up to 12 guests in its six cabins, including an owner's suite and VIP cabins, along with 22 crew members.

'Following the launch of CRN 133 61m superyacht a few months ago, we are proud to celebrate the launch of the new Yalla of 73m, which represents a challenge and an objective for the whole CRN shipyard,' says Lamberto Tacoli, Chairman and CEO of CRN. ' Yalla will mark another important result for the development of CRN in the world. A sincere thanks for the trust of the owner and for the work of all employees and subcontractors who have worked on the project, to the architects Franck Laupman of Omega Architects and to Droulers Architecture. I also thank our shareholder Weichai Group and the new CEO of the Group Alberto Galassi for their participation in this important event for CRN and for the whole Ferretti Group.'

The Ferretti Group currently has five superyachts underway at the Ancona shipyard, including the 74m CRN 131, 55m CRN 134, a Ferretti Custom Line CL 124, the 61m CRN 133 and the Riva 122 Mythos , which are at the delivery stage.

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Strange Glow Over Moscow Skies Triggers Panic as Explosions Reported

B right flashes lit up the night sky in southern Moscow in the early hours of Thursday morning, new footage appears to show, following reports of an explosion at an electrical substation on the outskirts of the city.

Video snippets circulating on Russian-language Telegram channels show a series of flashes on the horizon of a cloudy night sky, momentarily turning the sky a number of different colors. In a clip shared by Russian outlet MSK1.ru, smoke can be seen rising from a building during the flashes lighting up the scene.

Newsweek was unable to independently verify the details of the video clips, including when and where it was filmed. The Russian Ministry of Emergency situations has been contacted via email.

Several Russian Telegram accounts said early on Thursday that residents of southern Moscow reported an explosion and a fire breaking out at an electrical substation in the Leninsky district, southeast of central Moscow.

Local authorities in the Leninsky district told Russian outlet RBC that the explosion had happened in the village of Molokovo. "All vital facilities are operating as normal," Leninsky district officials told the outlet.

The incident at the substation in Molokovo took place just before 2 a.m. local time, MSK1.ru reported.

Messages published by the ASTRA Telegram account, run by independent Russian journalists, appear to show residents close to the substation panicking as they question the bright flashes in the sky. One local resident describes seeing the bright light before losing access to electricity, with another calling the incident a "nightmare."

More than 10 villages and towns in the southeast of Moscow lost access to electricity, the ASTRA Telegram account also reported. The town of Lytkarino to the southeast of Moscow, lost electricity, wrote the eastern European-based independent outlet, Meduza.

Outages were reported in the southern Domodedovo area of the city, according to another Russian outlet, as well as power failures in western Moscow. Electricity was then restored to the areas, the Strana.ua outlet reported.

The cause of the reported explosion is not known. A Telegram account aggregating news for the Lytkarino area described the incident as "an ordinary accident at a substation."

The MSK1.ru outlet quoted a local resident who speculated that a drone may have been responsible for the explosion, but no other Russian source reported this as a possible cause.

Ukraine has repeatedly targeted Moscow with long-range aerial drones in recent months, including a dramatic wave of strikes in late May.

On Sunday, Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said the region's air defense systems had intercepted an aerial drone over the city of Elektrostal, to the east of Moscow. No damage or casualties were reported, he said.

The previous day, Russian air defenses detected and shot down another drone flying over the Bogorodsky district, northeast of central Moscow, Sobyanin said.

There is currently no evidence that an aerial drone was responsible for the reported overnight explosion at the electrical substation in southern Moscow.

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M/Y Yalla. M/Y Yalla is a luxury yacht built by CRN Yacht and designed by Omega Architects, with interior design by Droulers Architecture. The yacht was delivered to its owner in 2014 and measures 73 meters in length. This superyacht has the capacity to accommodate 12 guests in 6 suites and is equipped with facilities for 22 crew members.

DNV (Det Norske Veritas) 1A1 LC Yacht R0 classification. Private beach club. The 46.7m/153'3" motor yacht 'Yalla' was built by Heesen in the Netherlands at their Oss shipyard. Her interior is styled by design house Art Line and she was delivered to her owner in July 2004. This luxury vessel's exterior design is the work of Omega Architects.

This 47 m (153 foot) luxury yacht was made by Heesen Yachts in 2004. Motor Yacht YALLA is a capacious superyacht. The yacht is a recent full displacement yacht. The naval architect that made this yacht's design details with respect to this ship was Heesen Yachts Design Team. Her initial interior design work is the brain child of Art-Line ...

YALLA Yacht - Impressive $80M Superyacht. Home > Superyachts. December 27, 2022. 1. The luxury YALLA yacht is a multi-award-winning yacht built by CRN Yachts. The YALLA was delivered from CRN's Ancona shipyard in 2014. The award-winning interior was designed by CRN's interior design team in collaboration with Droulers Architecture.

Designed for waterfront living with beach club. The 73m/239'6" motor yacht 'Yalla' was built by CRN in Italy at their Ancona shipyard. Her interior is styled by design house Droulers Architecture and she was delivered to her owner in August 2014. This luxury vessel's exterior design is the work of Omega Architects.

Performance and Capabilities. Yalla has a top speed of 15.00 knots and a cruising speed of 12.00 knots. She is powered by 2 6125a diesel lugger engines and uses a twin screw propulsion system. Yalla has a fuel capacity of 60,000 litres, and a water capacity of 17,000 litres. She also has a range of 3,500 nautical miles.

Yalla is a motor yacht with an overall length of m. The yacht's builder is Heesen Yachts from The Netherlands, who launched Yalla in 2004. The superyacht has a beam of m, a draught of m and a volume of . GT.. Yalla features exterior design by Heesen Yachts and interior design by Art Line. Up to 10 guests can be accommodated on board the superyacht, Yalla, and she also has accommodation for 12 ...

Westport • $10,250,000 • 34.14 m • 8 guests. WIDER 210. Wider • €62,400,000 • 64.01 m • 14 guests. YALLA is a 46.7m superyacht built by Heesen Yachts in Netherlands and delivered in 2004. Explore her photos and specifications here.

YALLA es un superyate hecho a medida caracterizado por líneas elegantes, esbeltas y deportivas, que hacen que el perfil resulte especialmente fluido. Con sus 5 puentes, el megayate puede alojar en sus seis cabinas -la suite del armador y cinco cabinas VIP- hasta 12 invitados junto con los 22 miembros de la tripulación.

Yalla has a top speed of 35.00 knots and a cruising speed of 28.00 knots. She is powered by a twin waterjets propulsion system. Yalla is a custom motor yacht launched in 2006 by Overmarine in Massarosa, Italy and most recently refitted in 2019. Design. Yalla measures 33.40 metres in length, with a max draft of 1.27 metres and a beam of 7.06 metres.

YACHT ID NUMBER CRN 132 YEAR LAUNCHED 2014 LENGTH OVER ALL 73.00 m / 239 ft 5 in ... YALLA is a bespoke superyacht characterized by sleek, slender and sporty lines, which make the profile particularly streamlined. With 5 decks, M/Y she can host up to 12 guests in her six cabins, including the Owner Suite and VIP cabins, together with a crew of 22.

Send Media. Fleet Search. Length 73.0m. Year2014. Yalla. 2014. |. Motor Yacht. The external profile of this vessel has been designed by Omega Architects, in close collaboration with the CRN Engineering Department which developed the naval project, while their interiors have been created by Droulers Architecture, which has worked in close ...

YALLA is a 33.3 m Motor Yacht, built in Italy by Overmarine and delivered in 2023. She is one of 11 Mangusta GranSport 33 models. Her top speed is 25.0 kn and she boasts a maximum range of 330.0 nm when navigating at cruising speed, with power coming from four Volvo Penta diesel engines. She can accommodate up to 12 guests in 5 staterooms, with ...

Westport • $10,250,000 • 34.14 m • 8 guests. YALLA is a 73m superyacht built by CRN in Italy and delivered in 2014. Explore her photos and specifications here.

ALASKA OF GEORGETOWN is a 43.89m an exceptional motor yacht build by Shipworks Brisbane in 2004 to the highest standards. She was designed by Bernie Cohen with Burness Corlett developing the naval architecture. With a massive volume of 457GT she offers ample space for Owner and guests, she can accommodate up to 10 people with 9 crew members.

YALLA a CRN Superyacht. If you have any questions about the YALLA information page below please contact us. YALLA hit the water in 2014 at the CRN shipyard in Ancona. She was built under the shipyard build number CRN 132 is a luxurious 73-metre displacement vessel. Her main characteristics include sleek, slender and sporty exterior lines by ...

The 33.3m/109'3" motor yacht 'Yalla' was built by Overmarine in Italy at their Viareggio shipyard. Her interior is styled by Italian designer design house Overmarine and she was delivered to her owner in April 2023. This luxury vessel's exterior design is the work of Alberto Mancini.

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travel from milan to sardinia

How to get from italy to sardinia (and vice versa).

Flying from Italy to Sardinia

• Cagliari Elmas Airport (CAG) – Sardinia’s main airport
• Olbia Costa Smeralda Airport (OLB) – Closest to the popular Costa Smeralda, hub airport for Meridiana Fly
• Alghero Fertilia Airport (AHO) – In northwest part of island
• Tortolì-Arbatax (TTB) – A small regional airport, open primarily during high season
• Oristano Fenosu Airport (FNU) – A small regional airport

Because Meridiana Fly is actually based at Olbia’s airport, it has a frequent schedule of flights to and from the island. Other budget carriers that fly to Sardinia from airports in Italy and elsewhere in Europe include Air One , easyJet , Ryanair , Jet2.com , Air Berlin , and Germanwings . Bigger airlines like Alitalia also make the journey, but may not offer tickets as cheaply as the discount airlines. Some sample flight routes and prices I found as I was writing this article are:

• Milan Malpensa-Cagliari – easyJet, Alitalia, or Meridiana Fly; one-way flights from €22; flight time of roughly 1.5 hours
• Milan Malpensa-Alghero – Air One; one-way flights from €45; flight time of roughly 1 hour 15 minutes
• Milan Malpensa-Olbia – Air One, easyJet, or Meridiana Fly; one-way flights from €22; flight time of roughly 1 hour 15 minutes
• Rome Fiumicino-Cagliari – Meridiana Fly; one-way flights from €57; flight time of roughly 1 hour
• Rome Fiumicino-Olbia – Merdiana Fly; one-way flights from €72; flight time of roughly 50 minutes
• Venice-Cagliari – Alitalia, Meridiana Fly or Ryanair; one-way flights from €55; flight time of roughly 1.5 hours

Taking a Ferry from Italy to Sardinia

• Golfo Aranci
• Porto Torres
• Arbatax Tortolì

The main departure points on the Italian mainland for Sardinia are:

• Civitavecchia (Rome’s cruise port)
• La Spezia (near the Cinque Terre)

The ferry companies which connect Sardinia with mainland Italy are:

• Corsica/Sardinia Ferries
• Grandi Navi Veloci
• Moby Lines *

Some sample ferry routes and prices I found when writing this article are listed below (please note that in some cases there’s more than one ferry company that makes the trip between the two cities listed – I used only one for an example):

• Civitavecchia-Cagliari – Tirrenia Ferries; one-way from €140 for 2 people in a double cabin with no vehicle; crossing time of roughly 9 hours (overnight)
• Civitavecchia-Olbia – SNAV; one-way from €180 for 2 people in a double (external) cabin with a small vehicle; crossing time of roughly 8 hours
• Genoa-Olbia – Moby Lines*; one-way from €162 for 2 people with a small vehicle plus a double (internal) cabin; crossing time of roughly 11.5 hours (overnight)
• Livorno-Golfo Aranci – Corsica/Sardinia Ferries; one-way from €95 for 1 person in a small vehicle plus 1 bed in a 4-bed cabin; crossing time of roughly 10.5 hours (overnight)
• Livorno-Olbia – Moby Lines*; one-way from €60 for 1 person with no vehicle plus a seat on board (no cabin/bed); crossing time of roughly 9.5 hours (overnight)
• Naples-Cagliari – Tirrenia Ferries; one-way from €220 for 2 people with a small vehicle plus a double (internal) cabin; crossing time of roughly 16 hours (overnight)

* It has come to my attention that in mid-2011, Moby has announced a massive increase on the cost of trips between Italy and Sardinia. In some cases, the cost of the journey is twice what it was when I originally checked rates for the routes listed above. Be very sure to check the current prices on ferries – and explore all ferry company options – before settling on a method of transportation. There are daytime crossings from Italy to Sardinia on some routes, but this is primarily during the high summer season only. A few websites you can consult for ferry bookings, all of which will let you book trips on more than one ferry line, are Il Portale Sardo , TraghettiWeb , and iTraghetti .

Driving from Italy to Sardinia

Now that you’re in Sardinia…

Here are a few links to resources that may help you plan your stay in Sardinia.

• Top 10 Things to Do in Sardinia
• Sardinia Town Tops “Emerging Destinations” Worldwide List in 2009
• Cheap Hotels in Cagliari
• Cheap Hostels in Cagliari

photos, top to bottom, by: Heather on Her Travels (from this photo on Flickr ), migclick , archer10 , robad0b

ABOUT | PRESS | FAQs | CONTACT | VIDEOS | GALLERIES

• SARDINIA BY CAR
• SARDINIA BY BUS & TRAIN
• SARDINIA IN LOW SEASON
• SARDINIA IN ONE WEEK ITINERARIES
• TOP SARDINIA BEACHES
• SARDINIA FOR COUPLES
• SARDINIA FOR SOLO TRAVELERS
• SARDINIA GUIDES
• WORK WITH ME
• GETTING AROUND
• GENERAL INFO
• BACK TO MAIN SITE

Contents - Open To Read

If you love traveling, there’s a great chance you’ve heard about my amazing island and are wondering how to get to Sardinia. Don’t worry, I got you covered. As a local I know exactly how to guide you, so read on!

You have two main options for getting to Sardinia:

• FLIGHTS: There are flights to Sardinia , and getting on a plane is fast and relatively cheap.
• FERRY: Taking a ferry from mainland Italy is a great way to get to Sardinia if you wish to travel with your car and enjoy the slow ride.

Getting to Sardinia is one thing, but moving around once you’re on the island is another, so let’s also talk about that. I will tell you everything I know to guide you, including how to get from the airport to the city center, and more.

Read more on the topic:

• How to Move around Sardinia by Public transport
• How To reach The main destinations by car
• The Ultimate Guide to Rent a car in Sardinia

Below is a recap of what I will cover in this article. Click on the topic you want to read to get directly to that chapter

1) Flights to Sardinia

• Major Airports
• Flights To Sardinia from the US
• Direct Flights To Sardinia from the UK
• Getting to Sardinia from Outside Europe
• Cheap Flights to Sardinia

2) Ferry to Sardinia

• How long is a ferry ride to Sardinia?
• Major Sardinia Ports

Ferry from Italy to Sardinia

• Ferry from Rome to Sardinia
• Ferry from Sicily to Sardinia

3) Getting Around Sardinia FAQs

• Is it worth renting a car in Sardinia?
• Sardinia Public Transport: How to get around the island without a car (by bus and train).
• Is Sardinia easy to get around?
• Can you get around Sardinia without a car?
• How do people get around in Sardinia?
• How long does it take to get around Sardinia?
• What are the roads like in Sardinia?
• Driving in Sardinia: All you need To know

Flights to Sardinia-Italy

With more and more tourists choosing Sardinia as their next summer destination, recent years have been marked by an increasing frequency of flights to Sardinia .

With three major airports, Sardinia is now well connected. Not only are there Rome, Milan, and Naples to Sardinia flights, Sardinia is now easily accessible with flights from many Italian cities and cities from other parts of Europe.

How to Book A flight To Sardinia

SKYSCANNER : Since this is my N.1 choice for 90% of my flights around the world, I highly recommend it . I never had any issues and it saved me hours of research online. It’s easy to use and compares every possible airline for the route you need. It is also convenient if you can’t book a direct flight to Sardinia.

My honest review: I compared the prices when booking with Skyscanner or directly through the airline website, and sometimes you pay a bit more when booking with Skyscanner. This doesn’t apply to all the flights and routes, so if you have time, do some research (especially for direct flights), for non-direct flights It’s better to just go with it, as the research can be exhausting!

BOOK YOUR FLIGHT TO SARDINIA HERE

Direct Flights To Sardinia From Europe

Yes, Sardinia also has direct flights from Paris, London, Barcelona, Madrid, Stockholm, Munich, Frankfurt, Amsterdam, Dublin, Brussels, Geneva, Budapest, and many more which I’ll talk about below. Let me guide you on a detailed tour of each of Sardinia’s airports and other helpful tips when choosing to fly to Sardinia.

Direct Flights to Sardinia From The UK

Ryanair :  Routes covered from Stansted, Luton, and Dublin to Alghero, and from Gatwick to Cagliari.

Local’s tip: check out for additional taxes and fees and restrictions on luggage when booking! Ryan air might be cheap but is not convenient if you stay on the east coast, as the roads from Alghero to Olbia are not easy to figure out. Maybe it’s better to spend a bit more with other companies and travel stress-free!

 EasyJet:    Gatwick, Luton and Bristol to Olbia and from Stansted to Cagliari.

Tips: I used Easy Jet when I lived in London and they have very convenient prices. In winter they just fly on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday , whilst from May on they have daily flights. Be careful as the prices are shown don’t include the check-in baggage (around 20 euros for 20kg). They will also ask you to choose your seat, insurance, car, hotels, etc. I usually decline.

British Airways:   Heathrow to Olbia and Cagliari.

Tips: The flights to Cagliari are only on Mondays , Thursdays, and Saturdays. To Olbia, they only operate on Wednesdays and Saturdays. The prices are inclusive of taxes, no hidden fees, and are pretty similar to the low costs companies.

Thomson Flights:  London Gatwick to Alghero. 

Tips: Honestly? I don’t recommend them. They only fly on Saturdays and the prices are VERY expensive.   I give you this choice just in case everything else is fully booked and you don’t have a fixed budget. Ps: If you happen to book with them, and you don’t find “Alghero” on the choices is because they put it under “Sardinia- Alghero”.

How to Get to Sardinia From the US

All flights from the United States to Sardinia require a stopover in London or another European city. You can take the Rome to Sardinia flights or another option like Milan before continuing to one of the three airports without a layover.

The airport for Sardinia with the most flight and airline options is Cagliari, which serves the island’s southernmost region.

Which Airlines Fly To Sardinia From the US and Canada 

From the US

American Airlines, ITA Airways (Ex Alitalia), and Delta have direct flights to these possible layover airports, not only from New York but also from Boston, Miami, Atlanta, Philadelphia, Chicago, and Los Angeles.

From Canada

If you are coming from Canada, you can fly from Toronto or Montreal with Alitalia and AirCanada with one stopover in Europe before a direct flight to Sardinia.

Visa Requirements for Sardinia

As long as you don’t intend to stay for longer than 90 days, US citizens or Canadians can visit Sardinia and mainland Italy as tourists without a visa. However, you must have a passport with at least six months of remaining validity after the date of arrival into the country and enough blank pages for entry stamps.

How to Get To Sardinia from Outside Europe

The same with coming from the United States, there are no direct flights from other countries outside of Europe like North America, Australia, New Zealand, and Asia to Sardinia, so you will have to fly to other major airports in Italy. Getting to Sardinia from Rome or Milan is your best option.

How to Find Cheap Flights to Sardinia

Are you looking for a cheap flight to Sardinia ? (Who isn’t, right?) 🙂

You can find plane tickets from New York for $587 one-way and $1,052 round-trip. You need to reserve at least three weeks before your planned departure to receive a discounted rate, especially if you plan to fly during the summer.

1) Find The Best Time To Travel To Sardinia

The months of September, October, and November are still high/mid-season (price-wise), but from mid-October on, it’s mainly middle to low season, and the prices finally decrease. May is the cheapest month to travel to Sardinia (and one of the most incredible months to do so, not only for the cheap flights!).

2) Fly with Low Cost/Cheap airlines to Sardinia

If you want cheap flights to Sardinia , take advantage of low-cost airlines. To find the cheapest flights to Sardinia, keep an eye out for special offers from budget airlines like Ryanair and EasyJet. During their recurring flight sales, prices frequently drop dramatically. Also, consider traveling to Sardinia during the low season . The benefits will surprise you.

• One word of advice regarding these low-cost companies: The ticket might be cheap, but they try to rip you off by adding surcharges for the luggage and other little things. Careful when you book your flight. If you notice that the final price is much higher than the starting price, you probably left the insurance box or other extras selected. If you genuinely want to stay cheap with them: travel light and never tick any unnecessary boxes 🙂

3) Fly to Sardinia in Off season /winter

Even though there are fewer flights during the off-peak winter months, there are still at least once weekly flights to all of Sardinia’s major airports. Before booking your trip, check out the flights first. Some direct flights are canceled during the off-season.

FIND YOUR CHEAP FLIGHT TO SARDINIA HERE

Airports in Sardinia:

Which Sardinia airport is better? It all depends on where you decide to stay in Sardinia or, at least, where you will start your holiday.

There are three main airports in Sardinia you could fly into:

• Cagliari Elmas Airport , just a few kilometers away from the city of Cagliari – South of Sardinia,
• Olbia Costa Smeralda Airport at the north-eastern part of Sardinia
• Alghero Fertilia Airport in the north-western part.

All three airports are a quick ride from their city center, so no worries, I’ll tell you how to get to the city center from each one below.

Cagliari Elmas Airport

IATA Airport Code: CAG

Cagliari Airport is 7 km northwest of Sardinia Island, nearby Elmas town, thus the name Cagliari Elmas Airport (little curiosity: I live 15 min from the airport, my town is the next one after Elmas, very convenient :).

Cagliari airport is the busiest airport in Sardinia , with 5 million passengers. If you’re spending time in South Sardinia, this is your airport of choice.

Direct Flights To Sardinia -Cagliari Airport

There are direct flights to Cagliari to over 30 cities, and airlines like British Airways, EasyJet, Luxair, Air Berlin, and Ryanair fly to and from Sardinia. Rome to Sardinia flights for Cagliari Airport directly are at 247 flights monthly, followed by direct flights to these cities:

National Flights From Italy To Cagliari

International Flights From Italy To Cagliari

• London Gatwick
• Basel Mulhouse

Cagliari Airport Amenities

This airport in Sardinia is equipped with all essential facilities for your comfort and includes ATMs, business centers, shops, cafes, restaurants, and executive lounges. You can also take advantage of the parking space for long-term and short-term use (click here for the rates). There are rental car service desks at the arrivals area of the airport from companies like Europcar, Hertz, Firefly, and Goldcar.

Main Airlines flying into Cagliari Airport: 

Presently, 20 airlines offer flights to Cagliari (Sardinia). Ryanair, which connects 39 airports to Cagliari (Sardinia), runs most of the flights, with Volotea as the second airline with the most flights. Other airlines flying to Cagliari include EasyJet, Alitalia ( recently rebranded as ITA Airways), Neos, Eurowings, and Wizzair.

How to get from Cagliari Airport to the city center

There are a few ways you can get to the city as soon as you arrive in Sardinia. The choice depends on whether you want to stay comfortable or make one last effort and drag your luggage up and down the bus or train.

It only takes about a 10 to 15- minute and 25 euro (taxi) ride to get to the city center. Consider paying an additional charge for the nighttime service, from 10 pm to 6 am.

Buses depart for the City Center every half-hour; this method is the least expensive mode of transportation. There are two bus terminals at the airport.

The buses that depart from the area directly outside the arrivals area operate between 8.40 am and 11.30 pm, while the buses from the departures area run between 5.20 am and 10.30 pm. You must buy the tickets before boarding at the newsstand in the arrival area and at the McDonald’s in the departure area.

• From Cagliari To The Airport

Suppose you are traveling to the airport from Cagliari. In that case, you must board the buses on platform eight at the ARST bus terminal (located near the train station in Piazza Matteotti) and pay 0.67 euros for a single journey. For inquiries, ARST bus company has toll-free numbers: 800 865042 or 070 4098327 (I doubt they will speak good English, but you can try or ask a local if needed, we are always ready to help if we can!) 🙂

You can also use the train service from the airport from 5:00 am to 11:45 pm, with a 20-minute waiting time before each departure. You will reach the center of Cagliari in 7 minutes at most. Purchase train tickets from the train station or a machine located at the airport’s arrivals area for € 1.30 per way.

You can easily walk to the train station outside the airport’s arrivals. As soon as you get out, head on your left towards the multi-level parking space; you’ll find it there. It takes around 5 to 8 minutes to get there (considering your luggage too).

B UY YOUR TRAIN TICKET IN ADVANCE HERE

Alghero Airport

IATA airport code: AHO

Alghero Airport, also called Alghero Fertilia, 8 km northwest of the city center, is the leading international gateway o Northwest Sardinia.

Direct Flights To Sardinia -Alghero Fertilia

Direct flights are coming from the following cities (helpful in planning your trip if you arrive from the US, another country, or even from Italian towns without direct flights):

National Flights from Italy To Alghero

• Venice Marco Polo

International Flights From Italy To Alghero

• Brussels Charleroi
• London Stansted
• Other Cities with less than ten flights a month

Main Airlines flying into Alghero Airport: 

• Alitalia ( now Ita Airways)

How to get from Alghero Airport to The city Center

Being Alghero Airport quite close to the city, it’s easy to find the perfect option for your needs; let’s see how:

This airport in Sardinia also uses ARST (Regional Bus Service ). Route 9373’s last stop is at Via Catalogna- Alghero. The same bus travels back to the airport and is available every hour from 05:20 am to 11:00 pm. They have a seasonal route to Stintino and Santa Teresa Di Gallura from June to September. Very useful if you decide to stay in one of these lovely locations and don’t want to rent a car in Sardinia.

You can buy the bus tickets for local connections from an automatic vending machine, which is open 24 hours a day at the airport. For more information, you may call (+39) 079 2639200 or email [email protected] (again, I can’t guarantee their English is up to your expectations, but you can try)

You can also find taxis immediately outside the airport’s arrivals area. The fare to the city center is around 25 €. (But always ask beforehand to avoid scams)

RENTING A CAR

If you wish to rent a car in Sardinia, you can find companies that offer car rentals, assistance, and information like road conditions and routes. You’ll find their offices inside the terminal right outside the arrivals lounge.

• Local’s Tip: Don’t wait to rent the car upon arrival in Sardinia; likely, you won’t find much availability. I recommend you book in advance using a reputable comparing tool. Then you can go straight to your stand at the airport and show them your booking. No-fuss or extra stress!

BOOK YOUR CAR DIRECTLY HERE!

Olbia Airport

IATA airport code: OLB

Olbia Costa Smeralda Airport, 5 km from downtown Olbia, is the central hub on the northeast coast of Sardinia.

Olbia is a city in the famous Sardinian region of Gallura. The city, located nearby the Costa Smeralda touristy area, is known for its beaches, historic sites, and year-round mild temperatures (all over Sardinia except for the mountain areas in the hinterland).

The airport has numerous connections to mainland Italy and locations in continental Europe and the UK. For example, there is Rome to Sardinia flights direct to Olbia.

Below is the list of cities with direct flights from Olbia

National Flights from Italy To Olbia

International Flights from Italy To Olbia

• London Heathrow
• Basel Mulhouse Freiburg

Main Airlines flying into Olbia Airport: 

• Alitalia (now ITA Airways)

How to get from Olbia Airport to Olbia city Center 

This airport is also well located, and it’s easy (and cheap) to get to the city by public transport

To get to Olbia city center, ride buses n. two and n. ten which will take you into town in around 10 minutes. They depart every 10-20 minutes. You can purchase the tickets for €1.50 at the information desk inside the airport terminal. You will find the bus stop 50 meters away outside the airport near the arrivals area.

Should you decide to take a taxi, you can find them near the arrivals area, just outside the terminal building. The minimum fare is € 3.50; after that, the cost is € 2.60 for the first 5 km and €1.90 per kilometer for the last 35 km. The average fare to the city from Olbia Airport is € 15.00. But, as usual, ask for an approximate price in advance.

You will find car rental agencies, like Dollar, Auto Europa, Europcar, Avis, Budget, and Hertz (to name a few) upon getting to the terminal. Most of them are close to the arrivals area at the Terminal Autonoleggi, while others have nearby depots and will arrange pick-up services for you.

If you want to rent a car for your trip to Sardinia, make your reservations well in advance since there may not be as much of a selection available during major holidays and the summer.

If you can’t find a direct flight to your preferred airport in Sardinia , you can still travel the entire length of the island in three max four hours (depending on the route, traffic, and speed). The scenery along the way is sometimes breathtaking, and it wouldn’t be entirely a disadvantage.

Ferry to Sardinia

What if you wish to take your car with you? After all, having it will give you more freedom to roam around and explore the island without the need to rent a car in Sardinia.

The good news is that Sardinia ferries will take you and your car to the island. However, it is essential to note that the ferry to Sardinia can be more expensive, so you will have to book way in advance if you wish to lower the price.

BOOK YOUR FERRY TO SARDINIA HERE

How long is the ferry ride to Sardinia?

In short, it depends on the port of departure, the route, and the type of ferry: Travel duration is five to 6 hours and a half for day trips. If you travel at night, it can take from 10-12 hrs. Travel time also varies because daytime ferries include fast ferries (more expensive).

If you want to save money, you’d better go for the conventional slower ferry. It may take longer, but you won’t mind too much if you’re in a comfortable cabin or while you’re enjoying the sight of the clear blue waters from the ferry dock.

Sardinia ports cater all year round to ferries going to and from Naples, Civitavecchia, Palermo, Livorno, Piombino, Salerno, and Savona. There are also ferries going to Sardinia from other European locations like Barcelona, France, and Corsica with connecting ports of Toulon, Nice, Ajaccio, Bastia, and Bonifacio. The ferry operation increases in frequency during summer.

Sardinia Major Ports:

There are 5 main ports catering ferries to Sardinia , namely:

Port of Arbatax – Tortolì

Port of cagliari.

• Port of Golfo Aranci

Port of Olbia

Port of porto torres.

Sardinia also has other smaller ports, namely:

• Port of Santa Teresa di Gallura
• Port of Stintino
• Port of Alghero
• Port of La Caletta
• Port of La Maddalena
• Port of Palau
• Port of Calasetta
• Port of Carloforte
• Port of Porto Vesme
• Port of Santa Maria Navarrese

Usually, the smaller ports mentioned above serve as private and tourist ports from where the touristic boat tours depart in summer.

• Local’s Tip: The most famous ones are Palau for the trip to Arcipelago della Maddalena boat trip, Santa Maria Navarrese for the Golfo Di Orosei tours (also served by Arbatax Port), Stintino and Porto Torres main Port to reach the Asinara Island, and Porto Vesme, Carloforte and Calasetta to reach the Isola di San Pietro and Carloforte town.

The Port of Arbatax in the municipality of Tortolì is the best choice if you are traveling with a car, camping van, caravan, and trailer and visiting the east coast of Sardinia.

• Civitavecchia – Arbatax
• Genova – Arbatax

Ferry Companies:

Tirrenia company and Grimaldi provide service to the port, with operation from 2:00 pm to 0:00 am, but the frequency of the ferries may vary according to the high and low seasons. Grimaldi Lines runs ferries weekly, Tuesdays and Saturdays, between Civitavecchia and Arbatax. The departures are often in the evening, and the crossing takes about nine hours.

Tourist Attractions Nearby:

• The most beautiful beaches of Golfo di Orosei and Ogliastra
• Porto Frailis
• Red Rocks celebrated with music festivals

The Port of Cagliari is southern Sardinia’s direct access by sea. You’ll see the city from the ferry, first at a distance, and up-close when your ferry docks. The bus and train station are just 200 meters away from the harbor; you can’t miss them!

If you get slightly confused exiting the pier, head towards Piazza Matteotti, on the left; everything you need is there, from the main bus and train station to an ample parking space.

The Cagliari harbor is one of the most prominent Italian seaports for those traveling with a car, camper, caravan, and trailer. Besides the convenient ferry from Naples to Sardinia, the port also caters to other useful routes.

• Civitavecchia – Cagliari
• Naples – Cagliari
• Palermo – Cagliari

The Grimaldi Lines is currently the only company serving Cagliari port with daily and weekly ferry trips from South Sardinia to Civitavecchia (Rome) and Southern Italy (Naples and Palermo- Sicily). No ferries are traveling to Cagliari from outside Italy.

Tirrenia and Moby Lines are not serving Cagliari port anymore. If you’ve traveled to Sardinia in the past, you know they used to for many years. But you don’t have to worry about these details.

In May 2022, I planned a fantastic trip to Rome and Tuscany by car and quickly booked online my return tickets from and to Sardinia using a useful comparative searching tool . You insert the route/port you need, and it finds you all the ferry companies serving that route so that you can immediately book the best deal!

If you have already decided to take the ferry, my advice is to book your ticket sooner rather than later.

Tourist locations nearby:

• Southern Sardinia Coast:Villasimius, Costa Rei, Pula, Chia, Tuerredda beach
• Sulcis Iglesiente: Porto Flavia, Cala Domestica, Nebida
• Oristano: San Giovanni Di Sinis, Santa Caterina, Tharros, Is Arutas beach and more

Port of Golfo Aranci -Sardinia

Port Golfo Aranci, located merely 20km from Olbia, serves as another gateway to Costa Smeralda and surrounding areas. If you wish to avoid the crowd in the bigger city, this port is a good choice for you.

Golfo Aranci Port is a great access point to many breathtaking beaches and tourist attractions, such as:

• Sardinia Northeast: Costa Smeralda, Arzachena, La Maddalena,Sand Santa Teresa Di Gallura
• Sardinia Southeast: San Teodoro / Budoni.

Routes to and from Golfo Aranci:

• Civitavecchia – Golfo Aranci
• Livorno – Golfo Aranci
• Piombino – Golfo Aranci
• Savona – Golfo Aranci
• Ajaccio – Golfo Aranci
• Bastia – Golfo Aranci
• Porto Vecchio (Corsica, France) – Golfo Aranci
• Nizza and Tolone (France) – Golfo Aranci

Ferry Companies: 

Port Golfo Aranci is served by Corsica Ferries , which operates a fleet of cozy and up-to-date ships.

One of Sardinia’s most prominent ports is Olbia’s port. Olbia-Costa Smeralda Airport is a short 4.7 km, 8-minute ride by car from the Port of Olbia.

The port on the island’s northeast coast is the closest one from which you can reach Sardinia by ferry from Italy. The ferries can take you there in less than 5 1/2 hours. There are nine wharves in the Isola Bianca sector of the port of Olbia where fast ferries and passenger ships can dock.

You can quickly get to the central and southern part of Sardinia from the port of Olbia by taking the SS 131 bus to Abbasanta (or renting a car and driving). From there, you can opt to head east or west.

EAST: The SS 125, also known as Orientale Sarda is ideal for traveling to popular coastal tourist destinations, including Olbia, San Teodoro, the Golfo di Orosei, up to Costa Rei, Villasimius and Cagliari.

It takes a little longer but will gift you with breathtaking panoramic views. Probably, for this reason, some tourists renamed it “Sardinian Route 66” 🙂

WEST: Going west means you will be driving along SS131/E25, which has a speed limit of 110 km/h from km 35.000 to km 108.300, the fastest speed limit on the island, so it is also the quickest way to reach your destinations in Sardinia. SS131 (also known as “Carlo Felice”) is considered the island’s main artery and, starting from Olbia, connects the city with Oristano and Cagliari.

The road is ample in some traits and a bit less in others. Currently (update 2022), there are many deviations in the trait close to Nuoro and Oristano due to undergoing structural works, and it can get slow at times. Apply caution when driving, especially at night, and always follow the signs to Cagliari.

• Civitavecchia – Olbia
• Genova-Olbia
• Livorno-Olbia
• Piombino-Olbia

Tourist locations nearby: (very similar to the ones nearby Golfo Aranci port, they are 20 min away by car)

Grandi Navi Veloci (GNV), Tirrenia, Moby Lines, and Grimaldi Lines are the four ferry companies that run the routes to Olbia. Each week, they provide up to 79 ferry and hydrofoil crossings (fast ferries). The duration of the rides might range from 5 to 12 hours, depending on the port of departure.

Another major port for ferries in Sardinia is the Port of Porto Torres. Located on the Northwest Sardinia coast and easily accessible by plane, car, or train. Many ferries come and go from the mainland towards this port, including international ones, with the following routes:

Porto Torres- Sardinia Routes

• Civitavecchia – Porto Torres
• Livorno – Porto Torres
• Génova – Porto Torres
• Toulon – Porto Torres
• Ajaccio – Porto Torres
• Porto Vecchio – Porto Torres
• Marseille – Porto Torres
• Nizza – Porto Torres
• Barcelona – Porto Torres

Some of the best Sardinia places to visit when arriving by Ferry at Porto Torres are:

• Stintino with its famous “La Pelosa Beach,”
• Asinara Island
• Costa Paradiso
• Castel Sardo (to name a few)

Grandi Navi Veloci and Tirrenia are the companies that guarantee the frequency of the routes, with an increased frequency during the peak season and a reduction during the low season. Nevertheless, there is at least one daily connection.

Suppose you intend to remain in northern Sardinia. In that case, Porto Torres is an excellent harbor to dock at because it will be convenient for you to reach the Asinara Archipelago and Alghero/ Stintino and many other lovely Sardinia places.

Up to 133 ferries go to Italy each week, 41 of which depart from Rome (Civitavecchia port) for various ports in Sardinia, making them some of the busiest and most frequently traveling ferries.

You have a wide range of options when choosing your ferry route because there are many other ports in Italy that you can depart from, such as Genoa or Napoli. If you are on an Italy Road Trip ) and want to include Sardinia -which you should 🙂 -you’ll have plenty of choices!

Ferry Sicily to Sardinia

Can you get a ferry from Sicily to Sardinia? Yes, you can! ( Ferry Sicily to Sardinia has one route, the “Palermo-Cagliari,” with three weekly connections. Palermo to Cagliari is one of the routes Grimaldi Lines runs once daily, while the Tirrenia route to Palermo- Sicily runs twice daily.

• Local’s Tip: You should conduct a live search for crossings from Sicily to Sardinia to acquire the most recent information because the frequency and length of crossings on some routes vary.

Getting Around Sardinia

You have two main options to get around Sardinia:

• By renting a car beforehand and collecting it upon arrival in Sardinia
• By using Sardinia public transport

Each option has pros and cons, which I will cover in a breeze, so stay tuned because being a local, I can give you some helpful tricks and valuable information to decide what’s best for your needs!

Is it worth hiring a car in Sardinia?

The easiest and best way to travel around Sardinia and explore the island is exploring by car , so to be very straightforward, my answer, as a local, is YES, is it worth all the money you spend to hire a car in Sardinia, trust me on that. 

Having a car offers a world of possibilities to explore even the most remote places and beaches in Sardinia. Although Sardinia’s public transportation is reasonably priced, it is not, let’s put it this way, “ideal” 🙂

This means it can be difficult or impossible to visit Sardinia’s most picturesque places by going off the major roads. Sardinia’s public transportation system needs a massive “redo” and provides better connections, so your options for travel will understandably be limited.

Sardinia Car Rental: 

Car rental service is available as soon as you land at any of the three major airports. But it’s also best to book in advance to save money and, even more importantly, find a car available!

When my friends want to visit Sardinia and are planning to rent a car at the airport, I shiver in horror, knowing that they probably won’t find any availability on short notice.

As with any other place, off-season auto rental in Sardinia costs less than in peak season, and the availability shouldn’t be an issue in this case, but it better be safe than sorry.

Check availability and book your car directly here!

What type of car should you rent:

Are you planning an adventurous trip? Best to rent a small SUV or a 4-wheel drive vehicle because going off the beaten track to explore more rural areas equates to more challenging roads.

Sardinia Family Holyday: Make sure the car is equipped with a seat for the kids, or bring your own if you can. The cost might be relatively higher for this extra feature.

Car Rental in Sardinia and Insurance:

Like car renting in other places, check the vehicle before hitting the road and don’t hold back spending extra euros for insurance. It’s best to be prepared for any eventuality, especially on vacation. I always choose the one that includes everything and with the possibility of changing the driver.

More about everything you need to know to hire a car in Sardinia in an upcoming article. If you want to know when it’s up, please subscribe to my newsletter (no spam), and you’ll get an email when it’s ready!

Public Transport Sardinia: How To Get Around Without A Car.

Without a car, you can travel around Sardinia by public transport ( (by train, bus, or a combination of the two). And if you are more adventurous, you can explore Sardinia by bike.

• SARDINIA BY TRAIN

Trenitalia officially operate s trains in Sardinia (we have jokes about this company in terms of being on time, but I digress) 🙂

If you are quite the romantic, you’ll probably imagine an idyllic setting of you relaxing on a train as it creeps along the hinterland, observing the splendid Sardinian view from the window, going from one enchanting village to the other.

The reality is just a bit different 🙂 if you plan to reach multiple destinations, this will not be an easy undertaking.

Sardinia railway network is not as extensive and organized as you would want it to be (alas!). The connections between the east and the west are non-existent, and the railway is missing in most coastline villages and cities.

Sounds adventurous? Perhaps! Practical? Not really, unless you are traveling Sardinia with a backpack and nothing else.

Nevertheless, If you are an adventurous backpacker or want to stay put in one place, then using the train in Sardinia might be an option.

Train routes in Sardinia

The rail network connects all the main towns, with some trains running on more minor local routes. The main line goes through Cagliari-Oristano-Porto Torres and (with a change of trains in Chilivani) To Olbia as well. That’s it.

Train Costs in Sardinia

Several daily departures go from the southern part of Sardinia to the northern region and vice versa. The tickets are cheap, and you can buy them online. The longest route from Olbia to Cagliari can be completed in 4 hours and costs around 18/19 Euros.

Where to buy a Train Ticket

You can buy your Train tickets (to the main cities) directly online at the OMIO website or the official Trenitalia website . I mentioned Omio first because I find it much easier to navigate, it’s more precise on the changes of trains and the times of layovers, plus it gives you the visual route.

• Local’s Tip: Do Not forget to validate the ticket at the train station (insert it into the machine at the beginning of each platform). If you don’t validate the ticket, it is not valid, and you will get a fine. This rule applies to every train in Italy.
• SARDINIA BY BUS 

ARST operates the public buses in Sardinia, runs along with the major cities, and stops at the villages and towns on the way. Gladly, given the lack of trains 🙂

• Local’s Tip: There are fewer buses on weekends and during the holidays. So plan if you wish to travel to remote villages during these times, and find another traveling method if you don’t want to get stranded.

Purchase the tickets in advance from tobacco kiosks or at newsagents near the bus stop. You can buy your ticket from the bus driver on some routes but expect a small surcharge.

The official ARST website is complicated to navigate, even for a local, and it doesn’t have an English version. That’s why I’m here. In my following guide on how to get around Sardinia by public transport, I will help you with all the details you might need. Don’t worry 🙂

• SARDINIA BY BIKE 

Finally, if you have the strength, stamina, and spirit of adventure, you can bike around the breathtaking places in Sardinia. You can only expect the roads to be busy in the high seasons.

Bike Rentals Sardinia

Bike rentals are available at resorts and in major cities of Olbia, Alghero, Cagliari, Palau, Santa Teresa Gallura, and La Maddalena at € 10 per day. But note that cycling on the main road of the island SS131 is not allowed.

Taking the bike with you in Sardinia: Costs

If you wish to take the bike with you on regional trains, you can purchase a separate ticket good for 24 hours at € 3.5. The ferry charge bikes an additional fee of € 3 to € 10.

Read more (coming soon): Public Transport in Sardinia: How to move around without a car

The Takeaway of Flying To & Getting Around Sardinia

If you have read this far, congratulations! It was quite a long read, I know. I wanted to be as detailed as possible. And if you feel this guide is lacking in some areas, no worries, more detailed, in-depth articles on how to get around Sardinia are coming. I got you covered!

In need of vital information not covered here? Comment below, and I’ll do my best to help you!

Sardinia is not only rich in crystal-clear waters, soft white sand, and delicious food. The island will also seduce you with its people’s innate sense of hospitality (bragging much?? :D).

So you can expect help from the friendly locals when you need it. We, Sardinians, cannot wait to welcome you (the foreigner or “strangiu” in the Sardinian language) to our fabulous island!

PS: Do you know that Sardinian is not an Italian dialect but a different language? My friends from mainland Italy never understand a word when my parents talk with each other 😉

“A Si Biri!” ( See You soon)!

Read My Articles about Sardinia:

• Where To stay in Sardinia for Everyone (Couples included)
• One week in Sardinia: the Best Itinerary For you!
• Best Sardinia Beaches You can’t miss on Your Trip
• Fabulous reason to Visit Sardinia in Low Season
• Amazing Things To Do In Sardinia in Summer
• Unique Things To Discover in Sardinia During Winter
• Best Costa Smeralda Beaches With Map
• Sardinia By Car: The Ultimate Guide on How To Get Around the Island!
• Sardinia Photos: My 15 favorite Instagram Pictures!
• Sardinia Travel Guide: Unmissable Places To See and Things To Do!
• Sardinia Holidays for Families: Where To Stay with your kids!
• Sardinia Solo Travel: A Backpackers guide by a Local!
• Sardinia Camping: Your Guide (By a Local)
• Sardinia Travel Guides
• Sardinia in 2 weeks: Best Itinerary
• Sardinia in 3 weeks: Best Itinerary

Hi clelia I was hoping you could help me – we’re heading to Sardinia in late August flying in and out of Olbia. I was wondering if it’s possible to get a bus from Olbia to Palau, from Palau to Cala Gonone and then Cala Gonone to Olbia. Thanks!

Hey Lauren, sorry for the super delayed response, I’ve been having some IT issues with my website! So… good question. It is not impossible but tiring and not easy. The Olbia-Palau is pretty easy using the ARST buses(see timetables and stops in the link) From Palau to Cala Gonone, there is not a direct bus for sure, and you’ll have to go back to Olbia, change bus to Nuoro and change again from Nuoro to Cala Gonone (and same for the way back). From Olbia to Cala Gonone by bus (via Nuoro) it takes almost 5 hours, but you will have to be extra careful to catch the connecting buses so you might wait for the second one for a while or having to rush depending on the timetable you choose. As you can see it’s not ideal, but if you don’t mind a little adventure, it is possible.

I hope this helps! Cheers Clelia

Hi Clelia , I’m traveling with wife and two kids one 13 and 5 years old on Aug 2 for 10 day can you please tell me where should be a great fun area for kids to visit and stay , I was planning to rent a car as well to go around island do I need more than 10 days Thank you Tony

Sorry for the super late reply but I’m having some IT issues to sort out on my website! Regarding your question, tricky one as it depends on what your kids love to do the most…I’m guessing that water parks, the miniature of Sardinia, seeing the donkeys and simply enjoying their time on the beach will be great for them. For this reason, I’d recommend the south part of Sardinia, you can base yourself in Cagliari and take day trips to the water park near Pula, the Sardegna in Miniatura (pretty cool for adults as well),and then just visit the awesome beaches around Villasimius on the south east and Chia/Cala Cipolla/Tuerredda Beaches on the south west. You can also ass a boat trip to Porto Flavia ( an old fascinating mine site and see the famous rock and then visit the site itself) by booking a day trip. Possibilities for kids are truly endless. I hope you’ll have a great time!

Cheers Clelia

Hi Clelia, I am considering going to Alghero 23rd May for 8 nights with my Son. Do buses run regularly to the beaches down the coast as want to try and keep the cost down. Regards

Hi Joanna, sorry for the late reply, I hope you will still read it! As for your question, being Alghero a city where local lives all year round, there are bus services to the main beaches yes. Obviously what I recommend is to rent a car, as you will see a lot more but if you can’t, in between public transport and maybe a tour or two, you might be able to see nice things. Regards Clelia

Hello Clelia, we (1 couple, no kids) are planning a week in Sardinia in mid September. Flying into Cagliari, We would like to visit Villasimius, then Gola Su Gorropu, then coastal for a few nights – maybe Cala Gonone or Teodoro, then back to Cagliari for our flight home. All on public transport. I am finding it difficult to find out online if there are public buses up the east coast to do all this. Could you advise? We love snokelling in shallow waters (not strong swimmers) so advise on any other good beaches would also be welcomed….

HI Maeve, Ahi ahi public transport in Sardinia! 🙂 You can certainly do some of the activities and visit some of the places but the best parts will be out of reach. Still, you can take the bus from Cagliari to reach Villasimius quite easily, but be aware that depending on the company they might leave you at a stop in the main road and you’ll have to walk. The main company servicing this route is ARST . Unfortunately, the website is just in Italian and even for Italian people is super disorganized if you ask me. You can’t book online anyway so you’ll have to go from the airport to Cagliari Piazza Matteotti (don’t worry, every bus/train from the airport stops in there as it is the main hub for train and buses) and from there, there is the ARST station on the right of the train station. You go there and buy your ticket, not sure if they will understand English, it really depends on who is doing the shift that day 🙂 Ask if the bus stops in Villasimius center or not.

For Cala Gonone… unfortunately you are not in luck. It’s not impossible to get there but not easy either. No way you can catch a bus from Villasimius to Cala Gonone, so far there are no buses that connect the two villages. You’ll have to go back to Cagliari and take either the train passing via Oristano, then stop and take another train or bus and finally a taxi that will cost you a fortune for a total of God only knows how many hours on the road.

A Better Option would be to Go directly to San Teodoro bu Bus. I used it a couple of times with a private company called Turmo Travel. Usually it stopped in the center of San Teodoro but I was having a look at their website now and it says that the stop is on the main road. Weird. I should call them and ask 🙂 But yet again you can ask them prior to purchasing the ticket. You can find them in the same bus station as ARST.

For Su Gorropu, bad to say it like that but if you are not in the Golfo di Orosei area, forget about it as even the organized tours only depart from the nearby villages.

You found it difficult to find buses on the east coast because… after Villasimius/Costa Rei there are very few options. As I told you, public transport in Sardinia is somehow embarrassing so my suggestion is to rent a car if you can or to just chose one place (either Villasimius or San Teodoro) and stay there, they are the best options and bets connected villages on the east coast with the possibility of booking day excursions so that you don’t have to stay stuck in the same beach for the whole trip.

Sorry to give you so many bad news but it’s our reality, unfortunately!

Clelia, thank you so much for your precise and prompt reply!! Unfortunately it is not what I wanted to hear :-). I will look at rental cars so……I do want to see as much as possible of your beautiful island….

Thanks Maeve,

I know… I feel bad when I have to give “bad news” and it truly drives me crazy that in an Island like Sardinia, the connections to the best places are that bad. It’s not good for the tourists but especially for the locals who have to move and don’t have a car.

I hope you’ll find a good deal and will enjoy my Island as much as you can! Clelia

Hy which is the best way to travel in sardinia bus or train? We are coming in August and we are havbing kids with us

Thanks for stopping by! It all depends on your Itinerary really. I usually don’t recommend public transport, to be honest. Especially if you have kids, it is only good for solo adventure travelers with a backpack or 1 piece of luggage as, unfortunately, we don’t have the greatest public transport network. If you still can’t rent a car, then you will have to carefully plan your itinerary and only choose locations that are well served by buses (like Villasimius, San Teodoro, Santa Teresa di Gallura).

By Train in even more trickier as we have a direct train from Cagliari to Oristano and then if you want to go all the way up north you have to change trains in Chilivani, not exactly ideal as you will have to stay with their timeline (not exactly ideal), sometimes waiting hours for the next train, and sometimes they even suspend the trains and put you on a random bus instead. That’s why I discourage people to use this method if they are traveling with kids and more than one piece of luggage.

I hope I could be of help.Let me know if you need more info.

What a page you have created! It’s just fantastic

My boyfriend and I are coming to Sardinia for the last week of September. Our intention is to fly into Olbia and stay one night then travel by train to Cagliari for 2 nights then back to Olbia for 4 nights.

Our plan was to stay in Cagliari and visit Villasimius for the day. Then return to Olbia, by train and spend time visiting La Maddalena, San Teodoro, Costa Smeldarada taking day trips from the centre of Olbia. I have noticed in your other responses to people that you don’t advise staying in Olbia. We are having a couple of nights at the end of our trip staying just outside Olbia at the Hotel Luna Lughente.

Given your comments on public transport do you think our itinerary is achievable? And if the city centres are not ideal where (town) would you advise we are best staying given we are reliant on public transport.

I shall look forward to reading your reply.

Hi Jane, sorry! I just saw your comment now (IT issues with the comment section!) I hope you had a great stay in Sardinia! Cheers Clelia

Natalie, Fantastic website, so full of information that I feel I can trust your advice. We are coming to Sardinia for two weeks in September. Where should we stay? We are happy to spend a week in one area and a week in another. Overlooking a harbour would be good as would a village with several eateries. We will hire a car. Requirements include; local culture, history, walking distance to several bar/cafes. Village squares are great, we travel for food. NOT required are beaches, swimming pools, Irish pubs, bingo, night clubs. Thanks in anticipation IanNatalie, sito web fantastico, così pieno di informazioni che ritengo posso fidarmi del tuo consiglio. Stiamo venendo in Sardegna per due settimane in settembre. Dove dovremmo rimanere? Siamo felici di trascorrere una settimana in un’area e una settimana in un’altra. Affacciato su un porto sarebbe bello come un villaggio con diversi ristoranti. Noleggieremo un’auto. I requisiti includono; Cultura locale, storia, a pochi passi da diversi bar / caffetterie. Le piazze del villaggio sono ottime, viaggiamo per il cibo. NON sono richieste spiagge, piscine, pub irlandesi, bingo, night club. Grazie in anticipo Ian

Sorry for the late reply, just trying to catch up with the several comments, emails and private messages about Sardinia! Difficult to answer your question without having a budget first, but I don’t know if you had the time to read my other article with 9 ideas for itineraries in Sardinia (even if it says in one week you can obviously adjust it to your needs and combine 2 itineraries together as many people in the comments did).

However, if you are traveling for the food and culture, my best bet would be the Golfo di Orosei Area including also the inland small villages that will provide you with an authentic cultural experience and great nature. If you have time you can spend one week in there and the second week nearby Oristano/Tharros (to visit the ruins) with a day trip to the Barumini Nuragic complex, which is by far the best historical/cultural site in Sardinia and has been added to the Unesco heritage site official website.

Hope it helps! Cheers Clelia

Thanks Clelia V. much looking forward to Sardinia. Budget was not an issue. What was important was Sardinia and somewhere in walking distance of an evening. Beaches were not needed, local food was very important. Have booked self-catering. Winrent car at Olbia airport. One night in Olbia (late arrival.) 5 nights Alghero 5 nights ​Cagliari 5 nights San Pantaleo

I love your useful comments. My boyfriend and I are visiting Sardinia for 10 days. We are flying in to Cagliari and leaving from Olbia. What is the best itinerary for our stay? Where would you recommend we could go explore without needing a car? We would like to rent bikes and visit nice beaches and enjoy some nice mountain views too.

Hey Dahlia, thanks for your comment! You didn’t tell me when you are going to visit Sardinia, so it is not easy for me to give you specific advice. What I know is that if you want to have a fulfilling ecperience, you will need to rent a car. My brother is passionate about biking and even him uses the car to reach certain destinations in Sardinia, he brings the bike with him in the car and then starts exploring the nearby areas. Biking all around Sardinia is quite impossible, given the luggage, you’ll have to take with you etc. Areas you can explore without needing a car? Not many… I don’t know how many kilometers you can bike, but if you’re talking about places where you can reach the mountains and the beach in 10 minutes… I’d only say San Teodoro, Santa Teresa di Gallura and Villasimius for the beaches. For the mountains is a bit trickier as you should base yourself in Cala Gonone/Dorgali/baunei but biking in there would take some more effort than just an easy stroll.

Sorry for the bad news, but I don’t want to give false expectations to the people who wish to visit Sardinia!

Hi Clelia! I love your website and your name! 🙂 I just booked a bargain easyjet flight for me andmy partner into Oblia on 30th sept, return on 7th October so will have 7 days to explore the island! I’m going to book an air b and b and a car but I wondered if you could tell me if there will be any way to get to Maddelena at this time of year? The tour I saw that takes you around the Maddelena archipelago only runs until September. Is there any boats that still go there in October?? I would be very sad to miss out on seeing the island but will have fun touring and exploring coves of Sardinia if it’s not possible. Will we be able to hire our own boat and discover the coves ourselves in October? Thank you for your website!

Hey Julie, it’s hard to say really. It all depends on the weather. If the companies see that the weather is still good in October, some of them might be able to still be taking you for the boat trip. September is more predictable, October becomes tricky for the boats because of the sea, so you can only wait and see if you’re lucky! Regarding renting your own boat, if you have the skills and don’t need anyone to guide you, it might be an alternative solution but yet again, if the weather is not favorable I would not recommend it. Some year people still go to the beach in Sardinia until mid-October, other years at the end of September is already a bit cold with showers here and there. Good luck!!! 🙂

Hello, Thank you for this amazing blog! Best quality I’ve ever seen! I understand that it is an absolutely “must” to rent a car, so could you please recommend any car rental company? We are looking for a company that offers full insurance (no excess) for a reasonable price and if possible admits payment in cash, as I would like to avoid freezing 2,000EUR on my credit card that I may never see back (we travelers all know bad practices of car rental companies…)

Thank you very much for all the information you shared with us!

Hey Caroline, I get where you are coming from! Renting a car is almost like playing the lottery, there are several car rentals that provide good services but I can not tell you a specific one at the moment. The times I have rented a car I always checked Rentalcars (which is on the sidebar of my blogs about Sardinia). In there you can check out and compare several car companies and please also check out their individual policies. I think the best practice is to either contact them or give them a call asking for details (I prefer the email so that I have a record of what has been said should I need to contest something with the company later on). I hope you will have a great time in Sardinia!

Hello! Thank you so much for producing this website, it is incredible. I was wondering if you could provide me with a little more specific advice? My friend and I are both 22 and we will be in Sardinia from the 4th of July for 10 days. We are flying into Olbia and out of Cagliari. Could you suggest the best places to visit within this time frame? I have looked into car hire and I think it is too expensive for our budget, so we will have to rely on public transport. Any help would be greatly appreciated!!! Thank you

Hey Rebecca, sorry for the late reply but as usual I’ve been overwhelmed by requests! Since you don’t want to rent a car I would suggest you base your holiday in Sardinia either in Villasimius or San Teodoro as they are the best-connected places by bus and have a local beach usually at walking distance from your hotel/apartment. Or you can rent a bike and it’s still doable. Also, they have local buses that will take you to the closest destinations and beaches and plenty of night life if you want to have a bit of fun. I did both when I was penniless in my twenties and had an absolute blast!

Dear Clelia,

First of all thank you for this super informative blog! We are three university students who would like to visit Sardinia for nearly 4 days between June 3-7. We haven’t booked our flights yet as they don’t really differ much in terms of price and times. So we can fly to Alghero, Cagliari or Olbia and are hoping that you can help us figure out which region would suit us the best. We are into cultural sightseeing and devouring copious amounts of delicious local food, but I think beautiful beaches with calm waters(swimming is the absolute priority when visiting the beaches) are also a must in Sardinia. We can’t drive, so renting a car is out of question and we are limited to public transport. Which region would be the better option for us?

We would appreciate your help very much, thank you! Cansu

Sorry guys, I just saw the message 🙁 I hope you had an amazing time in Sardinia

Hi Clelia, we are going to Sardinia for only two days in June. If you only had two days there what would you do and where would you stay? Thank you David

if you only have 2 days (I’m guessing you will fly to Sardinia), your best options are to stay near the airport, so: Cagliari: discover the beaches of Villasimius and Chia/Tuerredda by renting a car, check out the lovely old town, the view from the Bastione di San Remi’ and have a walk / hike to La Sella del Diavolo to admire Cagliari from the top!

Olbia: You can book a place nearby (I wouldn’t suggest Olbia town as it’s not the best), I’d rather stay in San Teodoro or Palau/Arzachena and rent a car to visit Cala Brandinchi and possibly a day trip to Tavolara. If you can hike, there is an incredible trek to the top. The village of San Teodoro has everything you need to enjoy your 2 days (bars, restaurants)

Alghero: Visit the beautiful “La Pelosa beach” during a day trip in Stintino, enjoy the beautiful sunsets over the coast and visit the Nettuno Grotto, either by boat or walking tour.

There are a few articles where I go into details for these 3 cities: 1) Top 10 Sardinia beaches (check out San Teodoro) 2) Sardinia for couples: For Alghero and Cagliari 3) Sardinia in one week: Again for San Teodoro (in here some details are still missing but there are many information that can be useful for you

I’m really surprised with your website. I love it. We´re a couple who wants to visit the island and enjoy its beaches, gastronomy and customs. We don´t like the crowds but not staying in an isolated place. We want to go 15 days in July (6 to 20). In what areas do you advise us to stay in order to know the island well?

Many thanks in advance for your help.

Martín (Spain)

Hey Martin! Ahhh what a question you asked me! July is the high season so it’s nearly impossible to avoid the crowds I’m afraid! As I always say when I get to a place and it’s full of other people I have the mindset that I AM PART OF THE CROWD too! So where you should go? The places that are slightly (and I repeat… slightly!!) less crowded during high season are on the west coast, so everywhere near Oristano (San Giovanni di Sinis and Tharros ruins to name the most popular ones), going further south in the “Iglesiente” (near Iglesias town), you can see the beautiful Masua and Pan di Zucchero, experiencing the local Sardinian vibe of a small village called Nebida. Not much is in there but it is still an experience for itself.

Another place that is “slightly” less crowded is Costa Paradiso and Budoni beach. I’m not a super huge fan of that beach because I’m very spoiled, but it’s a nice big beach with a quiet village (I used to go to the beach by bike).

Last but not least, another option is a village that I truly loved, Baunei in the Golfo di Orosei area. It’s not on the sea but has beautiful views and the traditional Sardinia vibe. If you have a car you can explore super interesting areas, the villages of Dorgali, Orosei and Cala Gonone, each for a day trip, and Baunei is a perfect place for hiking to the marvelous Cala Goloritze which is a must in my opinion, especially if you go there super early in the morning. The area will be obviously more crowded than it is now in July but at least it will be 10000% worth it, I can guarantee you!

The rest of Sardinia, at least where the sea is involved, is pretty much packed with tourists, nothing we can do about it, everyone wants a little piece of paradise for themselves, right? 🙂

I hope it helps!

Hello, I am traveling to Sardinia near the middle of May through a cruise. From what I understand is the port is in Cagliari. What types of transport is available to travel from there to Cala Mariola, or Cala Goloritze beach?

Hey Matthew,

If you are in Cagliari, and on a Cruise, it’s basically impossible to get to Cala Mariolu and Cala Goloritze in a day. You would need AT LEAST one night and 2 days, even better if you have 2 nights near Baunei,where you can trek down to Cala Goloritze. So from Cagliari: Car—-> Baunei—–> Trek to Cala Goloritze (I wouldn’t recommend the bus for this, it would take forever) For Cala Mariolu, the only way to reach the beach is by boat, so from Cagliari: car or bus to Arbatax Pier (which is the nearest to Cagliari)—-> boat trip to Cala Mariolu.

As you can see, it’s quite a trip, Sardinia is way bigger than people imagine. Why don’t you take the time you have to visit the Sputhern nearby beaches? Villasimius or Chia/Tuerredda area are also very good choices and can both be reached by bus, with Villasimius being a lot better because of the proximity of the Village to the beaches, while in Chia you would have to walk quite a lot to get there if you only use the bus.

Hope it helps Cheers Clelia

I was more than happy to discover this great site. I want to to thank you for your time just for this fantastic read!!

I definitely savored every little bit of it and i also have you book-marked to see new things in your site.

Thanks so much lulur! I’m so overwhelmed by comments and requests via email and it’s refreshing to see that all the work and passion I’m putting into helping people with their Sardinian holidays is appreciated 🙂

Thank you for your excellent blog. My wife and I are thinking of spending 2 weeks in Sardinia from November 28 to December 11. However, it seems that is not advisable as many hotels and restaurants are closed, and many towns empty out. What do you think? And what places would you recommend for a December trip? Thank you so much for your help.

Hi Ernie! Thanks for stopping by!In December the main touristic villages are a bit dead of course but you can still enjoy the beauty of Sardinia! I’d say to make the most of it you would need to base yourself in the bigger cities where the local usually live (hey we go to restaurants in December!) 🙂 Cagliari could be the perfect starting point for your holiday, everything will be full functioning, you might even be lucky and have a few sunny days, and even if it’s relatively cold you can stll enjoy walking on the beaches nearby with the bonus that they will be completely deserted. Cagliari also has a lot to offer in terms of History, traditions and lovely spots like the old city center, the bastione with its spectacular view and much more. If two weeks in there seem too much and you want to change a bit, I recommend you go to either Oristano or Alghero. Both big cities, so everything will be functioning and so much to discover in the surroundings.

Anyway, my main suggestion is: stick with big cities and rent a car to discover the surrounding villages/beaches and historical/cultural sites. Sardinia is beautiful all year round!

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Hello Clelia, We will be coming to your island for just a short trip of three nights in May. We will be on our Honeymoon! What we have planned is to fly into Olbia an renting a car an driving to Cala Gonone for a few nights. The plan is to rent a boat on go to some of the beaches like Cala Luna. Do you have any tip or ideas we should know?

Thanks Keith F.

Hi Keith, sorry I’ve just seen your comment now! If you are still in time, you can have a look at my huge guide on Sardinia for couples where I give away all the necessary tips for Cala Gonone! Cheers

Hi from Sydney, Australia! My partner and I have only 4 nights – any suggestions on where we should base ourselves in Sardinia? We are arriving from Milan and need to fly to Rome after our stay, any recommendations on flights/ferries would also be very useful! We have quite a jam-packed month in Europe, so these 4 nights will be our downtime – looking for beautiful swimming beaches, restaurants with atmosphere and perhaps a bit of nightlife as well. Planning to hire a car to see as much as possible. Any suggestions at all would be much appreciated! Thank you, Lara

Hi Lara, sorry just saw your comment! when are you coming to Sardinia? Did you also check out my article Sardinia for couples? In there I give a lot of useful tips for different locations and you could choose one from there. From what you say, I think either San Teodoro or Cala Gonone would be great choices! Cheers Clelia

hi i am going to sardinia from the 6 to the 9 of october 2015 i am arriving from corsica so the only port available during that time period is santa teresa

i wanted to stay in Olbia near a beach do you have any recommendations? also i wanted to know how i could get around from santa teresa port to Olbia near a beach

Bus? Train?

thank you for your help steph

Hi Stephanie, to be honest I think that sicne you are arriving in Santa Teresa di Gallura, that could also be a great base for you, without the need of going to Olbia, where there are no great beaches (I’m talking in the immediate surroundings of the city).

i I were you i’d check out Rena Bianca beach, which is the main one in Santa Teresa and from there go by bus to the nearby Palau area. Unfortunately, I can’t guarantee that there will still be boats to the Arcipelago della Maddalena in October (it all depends on the weather). If they are still available, I highly recommend the trip, if not you can just relax at the beach. The public transports to the beaches in low season are not ideal but if you ask the local tourism office they will give you some information about which beaches are reachable by bus from Santa Teresa.

I wouldn’t count on trains to be honest,the buses are usually more and cover more routes! Good luck!

HI CLELIA! AWESOME BLOG! I LOVE IT … SUPER USEFUL! IM FROM VENEZUELA AND I HOPE SOME DAY HAVE THE TIME TO DO THE SAME WITH MY COUNTRY …

WELL, IM PLANNING TO VISIT SARDINIA WITH MY BOYFRIEND AT THE END OF AUG FOR ONLY 5 DAYS. WE LIVE IN LONDON AND WE HAVE OPTION TO TRAVEL TO ALL THE AIRPORTS IN THE ISLAND. HOWEVER, AS WE ONLY HAVE FEW DAYS, I WOULD LIKE TO FOCUS IN JUST ONE AREA…. WHICH AREA WOULD YOU RECOMMEND ? AND WHICH AIRPORT WE SHOULD ARRIVE?

THE MOST IMPORTANT FOR US IS THE BEACH AS SUCH… CLEAR WATER AND WHITE SAND…. ROMANTIC BUT NOT SUPER QUITE…. AND OF COURSE GOOD FOOD / RESTAURANTS…

PLEASE, HELP ME…. THANK YOU SO MUCH!! XX

Hi Catherine, sorry I’ve missed your comment! I hope you had a great stay! 🙂 Note for the other people commenting: If you don’t receive a reply within 7 days, feel free to add an extra comment with a reminder as I’m literally overwhelmed! Thank you 🙂

No sobs needed, boyfriend has decided to spend holiday apart from me 2 days before I arrive , fri 24th, at elmas, cagliari airport. I am determined to go for a shorter version of about 5 days. Want to stay somewhere easy to get to, preferably family, run, friendly b&b or hotel so I have someone to talk to AND where I can go to beaches- I need a rest. I do not want to drive. I speak good italian, tho’ not your dialect ( yet!) Caroline Ps I am a young 52, I work with children so have a mental age of about half that, and am sporty – could hire a bike?!

Hey Caroline,

Sardinia by yourself can also be a very rewarding experience if you speak a bit of Italian (don’t worry Sardinian people speak Italian not just our language)! If I were you I’d go to places like Costa Rei or Villasimius where you can easily rent a bike and have a chance to talk to the locals and visit the nearby beaches. I don’t suggest other nice areas as they would be difficult to visit without the car!

There are plenty of B&B and small hotels everywhere in Sardinia (unfortunately I don’t know them all). All I can say it’s that the beaches easy to reach by bike are also the more touristy so you’ll have to sacrifice a bit of traditional vibe. To get that you’ll have to go inland or to places like Dorgali, Baunei or Orosei, but I honestly don’t recommend using the bike there if you don’t know the road…

Hope it helps (even if you’re leaving tomorrow) sorry but I’ve been overwhelmed with work these days and I’m just catching up with all the messages now! Cheers Clelia

Hi! Me and my family are visiting Sardinia for 2 weeks in august. I’m trying to figure out how long it’ll take to drive from Olbia to Sant’Antioco? Many thanks and kind regards, Boel

Hey Boel, thanks for stopping by! Going from Olbia to Sant’Antioco is a hell of a ride 🙂 (about 3-4 hours). You’ll have to drive to Nuoro first then head towards Oristano and from there follow the indications to Carbonia. If you have a GPS it will be much easier to plan your itinerary in advance and don’t get lost! Cheers Clelia

You really have a great website with a lot of helpful information :). We (2 p) are flying into Alghero end of July and we have approx. 11 days. We are planning on retning a car but not sure where to stay? Maybe 2-3 different places? As we are a bit late many places seem fully booked and i am having some problems finding priceworthy accomodation, do you have any tips? Thank you in advance!! Regards, Natalie

Hi Natalie, Thanks for your message! I know, now the best places are clearly fully booked but you can still try and find some last minute offers. What I noticed is that when I use booking.com for my trips (and also to check the availability for people who use my consultancy services), they usually have discounted prices for good places when there are some last minute cancellation and the hotel/resort wants to fill in the spot.

As per the itinerary, with 10/11 days I’d stay in 2 places max for a relaxing holiday where you can actually see more of a place and 3 places if you want to discover more about Sardinia.

Since you are flying into Alghero I’d recommend the northern part. My favorite places in the North are Stintino, San Teodoro, Santa Teresa di Gallura and Golfo di Orosei. For Stintino and San Teodoro you can even stop for just 1 day on the way, visit La Pelosa (stintino) and Cala Brandinchi beach (San Teodoro) and then stay put in the other locations. The must is the boat trip in Cala Gonone, everyone knows that I’m obsessed with that and you can’t leave Sardinia without this experience!

As for the Accommodation, you can try and check if they have special offers in here (I always look at the reviews to choose my place!)

Alghero Orosei Baunei San Teodoro Santa Teresa Cala Gonone Stintino

My husband and I are going to Sardinia on July 4 for 10 days. This is our second trip. Three years ago we were in Costa Esmeralda and loved it. This time we are going to stay in San Teodoro because we saw the La Cinta beach and decided that we must visit it. We are renting a car to visit some nearby places and beaches, any special must see nearby? And what about restaurants near San Teodoro? Can you recomend us some reasonable ones, preferable where the locals eat? We spent a lot of money eating in Porto Cervo the last time, and we do not intend to spend that much this time. Is San Teodoro as nice and fun as they describe it? I am a regular contributer to Tripadvisor and I like your website. It comes from local with plenty of knowledge that I feel I can trust, Thank you.

A bit delayed with my reply, but here I am 🙂 I bet you spent a lot eating in Costa Smeralda as it’s the most expensive part of Sardinia! San Teodoro is definitely cheaper and you can find good resturants serving local dishes for a decent price like in here and here .

San Teodoro, together with Villasimius is one of the best places for its nightlife, I’ve been there on holidays a few times and loved it. La Cinta and Cala Brandinchi are very nice even if during peak season can get quite crowded so my advice here is to go early in the morning and use a car to move away from La Cinta (visit Capo Coda Cavallo, Lu Impostu, Budoni) as La Cinta is a place where people without a car tend to stay and even if it’s quite big it fills up with tourist pretty quickly during the day.

I still love it, but some people expect to find it deserted and quiet during the summer month, so their expectations can be totally wrong. I know Sardinia and I also know that to find a beautiful beach not crowded in peak season is almost impossible (not to mention the weekends), so I just deal with it and still enjoy the beauty of the beach even if I have to share it with other people 🙂

I think it’s quite important to point this out so that people know what to expect.. I hope you’ll have a great time here!

I would like to say the site is amazing.

I am due to fly this saturday to Olbia and we are looking to stay in near Pittulongu Beach & Pellicano Beach – After looking at your guide I was little worried that I will miss out on the best beaches you have outlined. This is my second visit and we stayed on algero – I must say the beaches we visited were amazing. I cant remember the exact name of them.

I am trying to create an itenaray and will be staying for 6 nights. I dont really want to drive but I was trying to understand a fairly central location on the east cost so we not to far from olbia but not miles away from the south. Can you please advise. or make any suggesstions.

I am looking for a nice clean beach holiday, golden sands, to relax. I assume the beaches above will do this? Im i positioning myself in terms of location to go to the your no1 choice in your best beaches section? if not what would you suggest? would you stay around olbia? are you aware of any boat trips from the beaches outlined above or nearby?

Thank you so much

Glad you liked my website 🙂 Unfortunately, I’ll have to rush all the requests these days as I’m traveling and the internet is not very good, so I’d say my n.1 choice is Golfo di Orosei without any doubt. But for white sand beaches the ones around Olbia /Costa Smeralda are awesome. I also created another great guide with all the info on some more beaches (it’s a guide for couples but you can get A LOT of info even if you are not going for a romantic Holiday), check it our as it’s basically a book of the best places in Sardinia, How to get there, boat trips and more!

Near Olbia there is the Boat trip to Arcipelago della Maddalena and I talk about that one too on my new guide 🙂 Hope this helps!

We are thinking to come to Sardegna, we shall stop in Cagliari I am lookng for somewhere relaxing but at the same time not isolated and happy not to be too far away from centre etc. Where is best to stay? I would like a nice resort, yet as I said before don’t want to be isolated Thanks 🙂

Hey Stephanie! Sorry, I’ve been incredibly busy these weeks as I’m traveling non stop until the end of June! You can check out my new guide (it’s for couples but I go into great detail for the Cagliari area with advice on EVERYTHING!), it took me one month to put it together and I’m sure you will find the help you need in there! If not, write a comment below the guide and I’ll try to help 🙂

I just stumbled across your site and this is VERY short notice but I am flying into Olbia tomorrow late afternoon and have 6 nights on the Island ( travelling solo) and wanted to mix up some time on the coast visiting some nice beaches if it’s warm enough, with some hiking nothing too far inland. Would you recommend I base myself somewhere for the entire 6 nights or perhaps split it between two towns say, and if so, where would you recommend that’s no more than 1-1.5 hrs from Olbio airport? Thanks so much and I appreciate your help at such short notice. Sally

I guess this was bad timing as I couldn’t reply to any message for the past few days as I was traveling too! I hope you have a great time in Sardinia! 🙂

Hi First congrats to the amazing website super useful!!

i am going there 10 days beginning of august with my best friend (2 girls 30 years old)

We have many questions such as: – how much does it cost to rent a car for 10 days (all included insurance and whatever hidden costs?) – is it worth renting a car or is it easy to move around? – there is so much to see, is 10 days sufficient to see most of the island? – or shall we plan to only stay in 1 area for 10 days (north OR south?) – would you find it useful to stay 5 days north and 5 days south? – how long does it take from north to south in car?

thanks so much

Hey Julie, Thanks for your message! I’m writing a short note to all of you who asked me for some tailored itineraries to let you know that I’ll be replying to everyone in 3-4 days as tomorrow I’ll be heading to Rimini to speak at a conference, so no time to work o the blog, but stay tuned! 🙂

Hi Julie! Thanks for your message!

I loved it as it reminded me of the times I spent driving around Sardinia with my best friends! such good times!! Ok, straight to your questions! 🙂

-how much does it cost to rent a car for 10 days (all included insurance and whatever hidden costs?)

Since I never rented a car in Sardinia (I have my own), I’m still studying the best options for my readers and at the moment my best advice would be, check it online, there are a few very good websites for renting cars and they offer you the major companies which are in my opinion also the most reliable. What I usually do when I try something new is google the name of the company adding “reviews” or “scams”, this way you’ll see immediately if the company has some major issue. Obviously I’d expect every company to have a few complaints here and there, but the majority of the reviews have to be good to convince me!

– is it worth renting a car or is it easy to move around?

Straight answer: YES! it’s definitely worth it. Public transport in Sardinia is not ideal and not easy to understand (even for the locals!). Don’t get me wrong, when I was younger I traveled around Sardinia by bus and trains so it’s doable but it’s not the best way, also considering that the best beaches are usually only reachable by car, so you’re going to miss out if you don’t rent a car!

– there is so much to see, is 10 days sufficient to see most of the island?

I know, right!? Unfortunately, Sardinia is not a small island (some people tend to think that you can see everything in one week…I wish!!), so 10 days are good enough to see 2 max 3 places without rushing too much

– or shall we plan to only stay in 1 area for 10 days (north OR south?)

If you want an absolutely relaxing vacation or want to discover a specific area more, be social and meet new people, then this is a great option. I stayed even 2 weeks in the same place and I had the opportunity to really discover the surrounding areas and meet some great people! If you wish to see more than one place, 10 days are Ok, which leads to the next question!

– would you find it useful to stay 5 days north and 5 days south?

In my opinion, yes it could certainly be done, but if I had to follow my preferences, I’d stay in 2 places that are relatively close to each other and possibly on the same coast. I usually recommend to check out the Golfo di Orosei area for the boat trips (awesome) and then head up north to Cannigione/Arzachena for the other smashingly beautiful boat trip to the Arcipelago della maddalena. If you want to have a bit more of social life, San Teodoro is also a good choice, but it can be very crowded in peak season, so it depends on what you want to get from your holiday. For relaxing times, maybe San Teodoro is not the right choice, for fun times, definitely yes!

Visiting the North and the south is also possible in 10 days (splitting the holiday in 2) but it’s more stressful and I’d recommend only 2 places as a base so you can actually see something. A possible itinerary including North and South could be :

1) Palau Area and Villasimius (located on the same coast) 2) Stintino/Alghero and Chia/Tuerredda beach 3)Santa Teresa Di Gallura and Costa Rei

There are so many combinations really, but I particularly like these ones to get to see some of the best beaches around

– how long does it take from north to south in car?

From Alghero (west coast) to Cagliari is 3 hours max (going slow and including a few stops) from Olbia (east coast) to Cagliari is also around 3 hours if you take the main road 131 passing through Oristano, and this is also the easiest and fastest way, but if you want to stop to check out some nice spots, there is the coastal road passing through San Teodoro, Nuoro and then the Muravera/Costa Rei and Villasimius areas.

This route is longer and you can choose it only if you plan to stop for a day or 2 in one of these places, and it’s also a bit wilder and panoramic in some places, but there are more turns and it’s more stressful (but I love to drive and stop in random wild places, so I prefer this route actually).

If you don’t want to be too adventurous, just go for the main road and you’ll cross Sardinia in 3 hours max.

hope this helps! Cheers Clelia 🙂

Hi ! I came across your website and decided to book a week in Sardinia in end of July for me and my family. Do you have any recommendations for good restaurants? We are staying in Stintino, Alghero and La Maddalena.

Btw, we love your tips on beaches, hopefully we can visit a few of them. Have a nice day ! / Olle

I’m just about to finish a massive guide which will cover some restaurants in Alghero and some other places. MY recommendations for restaurant is to always ask around when you’re there, that’s because sometimes they might have changed the management over time so the locals know the new trends and the best places to eat out!

Usually, the Hotels and resorts are the best places to ask, but if you are able to communicate with the locals is obviously even better! I always found the best places by chatting with people.

But still, stay tuned as In one day (hopefully) I’ll be publishing the new guide whit tons of new info. It was meant to be addressed to couples, but it’s so detailed that it can be easily used by anyone!

Hiya! My husband and I weren’t really sure where to go this year on holiday, but after coming across your website and the Best Sardinian Beaches page, it made our mind up! Anyway, we have booked to go to San Teodoro. The picture of the beach just won us over! But I wonder if you can help us with one little thing? We have booked flights and a hotel but now need to arrange our transfers from Oblia airport to the hotel. We’ve looked on line and it looks as though this is an hours drive but the companies are charging around £150 return. Is that about the going rate or would we be better to jump in a taxi when we get there (around 8pm on a Saturday night)? Many thanks for your help Claire

Hey Claire, glad I “convinced” you to visit my island! 🙂 As for the transport, which companies did you check out? as 150£ is way too much to get to San Teodoro from Olbia! Did you check ARST website? It’s the most popular bus transport in the Island and the prices are not that high! I checked out for you as their website is not only just in Italian, but even Italian people find it hard to understand it.

So there is a bus departing from Olbia Airport at 9:50pm and arriving at S. Teodoro at 22: 26 PM. A single ticket for that distance (a little more than 30 km) doesn’t cost more than 5 euros (and it’s an inflated fare if you buy the ticket directly on the bus).

This bus is available from mid-June until mid-September. Paying 150£ is getting scammed!!! Hope it helps! 🙂

I love the site. Great info. I am looking to visit Sardinia in july. Family of 3. 1 Adult and two children. Where would you recommend

Thanks in advance

Hi Emmanuel it all depends on what you want to do, how long you want to stay and what you’d like to see the most. I suggest you to check out my other articles (and replies on the first one as they are very detailed, depending on the needs): Top Sardinia Beaches Sardinia for Families (This one gives you general info and I’m going to add more info in the next few weeks!)

Hope it helps! Ps: A reminder for everyone leaving a comment: the more specific you are, the better is for me to give you a helpful answer as people have different needs and Sardinia has so much to offer!

Thank you 🙂

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How To Get To Sardinia

Table of Contents

The Best Ways To Get To Sardinia

Find out how to get to Sardinia from mainland Europe and other countries. Should you fly to Sardinia or take the ferry? See the different ferry options and departure times from Italy, Barcelona, and France.

There are two main ways to get to Sardinia by Air or by Sea. Flying is by far the quickest way to reach the island, and much cheaper when compared to any rail-to-ferry options. 

Travelling by ferry gives you the option of bringing your vehicle with you. Conveniently, most ferries to Sardinia travel through the night, so you can head to sleep in a cabin, and begin your first day in Sardinia after the sun has risen.

Travelling To Sardinia By Air

In recent years the frequency of flights to Sardinia has increased. Sardinia is connected by International airlines to a host of cities across Europe including London, Paris, Barcelona, Stockholm, Madrid, Munich, Frankfurt, Dublin, Brussels, Oslo, Basel, Prague, and Amsterdam.

There are plenty of flights from the Italian mainland and Sicily to Sardinia, which connect all of Italy’s main cities to the three airports of Sardinia . Cities including Rome, Milan, Naples, Bari, Bologna, Turin, Venice, Verona, and Parma.

During the summer period, there is an increase in flights as many Italians and tourists alike arrive on the island to enjoy their holidays.

Each airport is not far from their respective city centre, and can easily be reached by taxi, as well as by public transport. Alghero Airport has a bus service travelling to the city centre that runs in sync with the arriving flights. During the summer a coach connects Oblia Airport to a number of towns along the Costa Smeralda.

Getting To Sardinia From The United Kingdom

Flights From The UK

EasyJet flies from London Gatwick to Olbia all year round. During the summer they also fly from Luton , Manchester and Bristol.  British Airway s and AirItaly fly from London Gatwick between April and October.

Ryanair flies from London Gatwick to Cagliari, all year round. EasyJet flies from London Stansted to Cagliari, all year round. British Airways flies from London Gatwick to Cagliari between April and October.

Ryanair flies from London Stansted to Alghero between April and October. Thomson Airways flies from London Gatwick and Manchester between May and October.

Getting To Sardinia From North America

There are no direct flights from North America to Sardinia ; the best option is to fly to Rome, Milan, or a major European hub like London or Paris. Alitalia, Delta, and American Airlines connect Rome and Milan to several American cities, including New York, Boston, Maimi, LA, and Chicago.

From the East Coast, you can anticipate a journey time of 10 hours to the mainland, then another couple of hours to reach Sardinia, depending on the transfer time.

From Canada, there is a daily connection from Toronto to Rome by Alitalia. Also, AirCanada flies from Toronto and Montreal to Rome and Milan.

Getting To Sardinia From Australia And New Zealand

There are no direct flights from Australia or New Zealand into Italy. The quickest and cheapest option may be to transfer to Singapore, Hong Kong, Beijing or a middle eastern airport hub, to fly to Rome or Milan, or to change again for a regional flight to Sardinia.

Sardinia Has Three Airports, Which One Is Best For Arriving In Sardinia?

Sardinia has three main airports that serve the island with domestic and international flights​, Cagliari Elmas Airport , Aeroport di Olbia Costa Smeralda & Alghero Airport.

​Cagliari Elmas Airport

Cagliari Elmas Airport is the main international gateway to Sardinia , it is connected to most major European destinations . The airport handles 3 million passengers a year. It s erves the south of Sardinia and tourist destinations such as Carloforte, Iglèsias, The Costa Verde, Carbonia and Pula.

Getting to the city from Cagliari Airport

The quickest way to reach the city centre is to take the train . It takes 5-7 minutes to reach the city centre. A one-way ticket is €1.30, which can be purchased in the arrival hall and at the station, as well as from online ticket merchants. The trains operate from 5 am to 9 pm and one train departs for the city every 20 minutes.

Alternatively, there are taxis . It takes 10-15 minutes to drive into the city centre of Cagliari and the taxi fare is between €15-20.

There is also a bus service to the city centre . The first bus leaves from the airport at 8:40 am and the last bus leaves at 23:30 pm. A single one-way ticket costs €0.67, which you must have before boarding the bus, it can be purchased from the airport terminal or from newsstands. The bus stop is outside the terminal building and can be located by a black and white ARST sign. The bus station in Cagliari is at Piazza Matteotti.

Olbia Costa Smeralda Airport

The Olbia Costa Smeralda Airport links 14 countries to the Island. It’s a great entry point to explore the north of Sardinia , the Costa Smeralda and tourist destinations such as Budoni, Golfo Aranci, La Maddalena, Palau, and Santa Teresa di Gallura.

Getting to the town from Olbia Airport

A bus is the best way to reach the city of Olbia. The journey takes 10 minutes; you can buy your tickets on the bus for €1.50 or €1 at the information desk inside the terminal. Bus services numbers 2 & 10 depart to the town every 10-30 minutes. Taxis into the town charge about €15.

Alghero-Fertilia Airport

This Airport is 8km northwest of Alghero, named after the village of Fertilia nearby. It is a small airport that is a gateway to the northwest regions of Sardinia . It is near to Castelsardo, Sassari, Stintino, Bosa, S’Archittu and Porto Torres.

Getting to the town from Alghero Airport

Taking the bus is the best way to reach the city of Alghero. The journey takes 30 minutes. The bus departs o nce every hour from 5 am to 10:30 pm. You can purchase tickets from one of the machines located in the terminal for €1 or when boarding the bu s for €1.50. Taxis into the town centre of Alghero cost €20-25

Flying To Sardinia On A Budget 

Many budget airlines connect European cities to Sardinia, airlines such as EasyJet , RyanAir , and WizzAir . The most economical flights are from Berlin, London, Bratislava, and Barcelona.

I recommend that you search for flights using comparison websites such as Skyscanner or Omio for discounted scheduled flights. Summer is the most expensive time to travel to Sardinia, due to high demand, it is also essential to book in advance during these months to ensure a ticket. The Easter holidays & the Christmas period also see an influx in demand and therefore cost. In the low season, you can find some extraordinarily cheap flights from Europe. Flights are much more infrequent during the off-season.

Getting To Sardinia By Ferry

Numerous ferry routes connect Sardinia to the Italian mainland, Sicily, France, and Spain . The crossing can take up to 16 hours if you are travelling from Naples to Cagliari, for instance. There are some faster, but more expensive ferries able to half the journey time.

During the summer months, the ferries will become crowded as everyone makes their way across to Sardinia.

Sardinia has five ports, Porto Torres , Olbia , Cagliari , Arbatax , and Golfo Aranci.

Taking The Ferry To Sardinia – From The Italian Mainland

Grimaldi lines, tirrenia ferries, grandi navi veloci (gnv), corsica ferries sardinia ferries, getting to sardinia by ferry from france and spain, la méridionale.

Travelling To Sardinia From The UK With A Car

The simplest way to reach Sardinia with a car from the UK is to drive through France, and take the ferry from Marseille. The ferry takes between 11-17 hours, depending on whether it stops at Corsica on the way.

However, the route through France is packed with toll roads. So many opt for a more scenic route travelling through Switzerland before taking a ferry from Genoa, Livorno, or Civitavecchia.

It is also possible to take a short ferry to Corsica, then drive down through the island before hopping across to reach Sardinia. 

If you are able, I recommend splitting the journey from the UK into stages, visiting some of the most beautiful parts of Europe on the way. A short stay in Switzerland or Northern Italy before heading down to a port. It helps remove the stress of trying to make it to the port in time for your ferry.

PerfectSardinia

Hikes & Tous to Live the Perfect Sardinia Experience

How to plan a trip to Sardinia

Planning a new trip is always a cause for great excitement, but how can you not feel overwhelmed by all the practical staff ?

With so many things to organise to make your trip run smoothly and easily, we are here to help!

How to plan your trip to Sardinia , with answers to the most important questions you might have.

Just a small preliminary remark: time passes slowly in Sardinia . There’s no stress of city life and the people are particularly relaxed and accommodating.

So please take your time! You don’t have to stick to a specific itinerary , but can fully engage with the mood of the moment.

But whether you are a lover of improvisation or a good organiser, there are a few tips for a more pleasant journey.

How to plan a trip to Sardinia: practical advices

First thing: How to get to Sardinia?

Easy question. Sardinia is an island so you basically have only two options: getting by boat or by plane.

There are 3 airports: Alghero (north-west coast) Olbia (north-east coast) and Cagliari airport (south coast).

Arriving By Plane

All three airports are well connected to many European cities by the main low-cost airlines: Ryanair, Vueling, Wizzair, Volotea, to name a few.

Go to the airline’s website and search for your direct flight to any Sardinia airport . Alternatively, you can make a stopover at one of the Italian airports: most flights are from Rome and Milan.

Main routes from Europe

• Madrid-Alghero from 22€
• Lisbon-Alghero from 14€
• London-Alghero from 15€
• Barcelona-Olbia from 40€
• Amsterdam-Olbia from 36€
• Berlin-Olbia from 46€
• London-Cagliari from 34€
• Paris-Cagliari from 34€
• Zurich-Cagliari from 90€

Main routes from Italy

• Milan-Cagliari from 26€
• Rome-Alghero from 39€
• Milan-Olbia from 30€
• Rome-Olbia from 30€

Ferries and Boats

The ferry is the best choice if you prefer to travel with your own car . It allows you to move around the island with ease.

There are easy drives and no busy areas (apart from some city centres). The main ports are:

Porto Torres (north-west)

Olbia and Golfo Aranci (north-east)

Cagliari (south).

The international ferry connections are to Spain, France and Corsica .

Main ferry-routes to Sardinia . See the prices

• Genoa-Porto Torres
• Civitavecchia-Olbia
• Barcelona-Porto Torres
• Bonifacio-Santa Teresa di Gallura

Local transport: how to get around Sardinia

This is the most challenging part while planning a trip to Sardinia. How do I get around? What is the best way to move around? Is there a public transportation?

Let’s clarify a fact immediately: Sardinian local transport is not the best . So if you decide to rely on it you must have to consider some critical aspects.

Travelling by Bus

Travelling by bus is only recommended if you want to cover short distances and reach nearby places.

It’s not recommended if you want to make a round trip around the island and if you want to go to several stops and places.

ARST is the main bus line in Sardinia. Unfortunately their website is not in English and the timetables are in pdf (not always understandable).

Better to use Google for timetable information. Tickets can be bought on the app Drop ticket or at the tobacco kiosks.

Travelling by Trains

The Sardinian railway network is very dated and not well organized. Trains often take longer than buses. However you can reach Cagliari from Olbia by train or vice versa. In this case it will take about 4h.

If for example, you want to reach Alghero from Cagliari by train , it will be a bit more complicated and this how it will look like:

From Cagliari take the line to Olbia (there is a change at Ozieri-Chilivani). Than a train to Sassari. From Sassari take a regional train to Alghero. Up to Sassari, the trains are operated by Trenitalia, while for the Sassari-Alghero route you have to buy a regional train ticket.

Duration of the trip: no less than 8h, if you are still lucky to get all the connections!

Conclusion: If you decide to stay close to your destination, it is perfectly fine to use public transport. On the other hand, if you want more freedom to explore the island, it is better to have your own car or get a rental car .

Renting a car online and well in advance is very much recommended (the local companies usually have higher prices). This is one of the best car rental sites in Sardinia.

Accommodations: how to book a Villa or a Hotel

In Sardinia there are thousands of accommodation facilities so you will not have particular problems in booking one. You can find accommodation for every type and budget.

From luxury hotels to classic holiday apartments or b&bs. You can book it through the largest platforms like Airbnb, Vrbo and Booking .

On Booking.com you can choose the type of accommodation (hotel, flats, B&B), determine the location and read reviews. It is certainly one of the best sites to book accommodation in Sardinia, because here you can find the best deals and free cancellation options.

DEALS FINDER

OK but, what’s best: North or South?

This is a too difficult question to answer. Who do you love most mum or dad?

North Sardinia : Olbia and the amazing Costa Smeralda on the east coast with dream beaches, unique landscapes such as the wonderful Maddalena archipelago . All around charming villages and incredible resorts.

On the opposite side Alghero , a very popular destination for families and couples. It has the uniqueness of its Catalan history and the convenience of alternating a beach holiday with cultural experiences and interesting activities.

Central Sardinia : this is the less touristic area and in some ways still very authentic. Beautiful inland locations are worth visiting: the small villages of Oliena, Orgosolo, Mamoiada, Fonni . You can breathe the ancient atmosphere of Sardinian culture. The wild Supramonte is an ideal destination for hikers as well as the Ogliastra region, where you can find some of the most spectacular trails on the entire island.

South Sardinia: there is a high concentration of dream beaches. It’s common knowledge that the beaches in the south (some say!) are among the most beautiful on the island. Cagliari , the capital of Sardinia, offers places rich in history such as the ancient Phoenician city of Nora and the Nuragic village of Barumini.

So who do you love mom or dad most?

What budget for a holiday in Sardinia?

The correct answer is: it depends. Sardinia is neither an expensive nor an economic destination and it fits any budget. There’s an old belif about Sardinia being expensive, but this is because most people will visit exclusively in August which is the peak season.

With low-cost airlines you can actually find quite cheap airline tickets and book you accommodation based on your budget.

What matters, however, is the period in which you intend to travel.

In general, July and August are the most expensive months of the year where prices go up a lot compared to the norm.

Mid-August (15 August, called Ferragosto ) is the height of summer and Sardinia is literally stormed during these days.

On the contrary: May, June, the first two weeks of July, September have more affordable prices and in general all places are much liveable.

Tip: if you are looking for more calm, avoid the central weeks of August!

How to book the best activities in Sardinia?

The island is a popular destination for trekking , cycling and water sports enthusiasts. There are many things you can practice especially if you are a nature lover, Sardinia has a world to explore.

Our advice is to book your activity a few days in advance – especially in the high season – in order to find the best option. If you change your mind, many activities include free cancellation up to 24 hours before the tour.

Among the most popular activities:

• The boat trip in the Maddalena archipelago (sold-out quickly!)
• Costa Smeralda tuk tuk trip
• Cooking class in Aghero
• Wine tour & olive oil tasting

These are just some suggestions to better plan a trip to Sardinia . But if you have any doubts or special requests, we can offer you the right thing thanks to our network of young partners scattered all over the island.

Contact us and we will be happy to provide you with useful information and advice!

Note to bloggers and copywriters: any copied, duplicated, “remodelled” content will be reported directly to Google and all affiliate programmes. Be original, it’s much better!

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Cheap flights from Milan to Sardinia

Good to know, when is the cheapest time to fly, popular airports near milan.

• Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP) Milan 56 min 40 km
• Milan Bergamo Airport (BGY) Milan 55 min 45 km
• Milan Linate Airport (LIN) Milan 26 min 7 km
• Treviso Airport (TSF) Venice 3 hr 10 min 234 km

Popular airports near Sardinia

• Cagliari Elmas Airport (CAG) Cagliari 1 hr 57 min 97 km
• Olbia Costa Smeralda Airport (OLB) Olbia 1 hr 51 min 96 km
• Alghero Airport (AHO) Alghero 1 hr 59 min 83 km
• Leonardo da Vinci–Fiumicino Airport (FCO) Rome 13 hr 42 min 328 km

Frequently asked questions about flying from Milan to Sardinia

Search more flights, popular trips from milan.

These suggestions are based on the cheapest fares to popular destinations in the next six months.

Prices include required taxes + fees for 1 adult. Optional charges and bag fees may apply.

• Dublin RUB 4,554 Apr 18 — Apr 21 Nonstop 2 hr 25 min Ryanair
• Barcelona RUB 5,062 Apr 4 — Apr 8 Nonstop 1 hr 40 min Ryanair
• Madrid RUB 6,023 Jun 15 — Jun 17 Nonstop 2 hr 20 min Ryanair
• Paris RUB 3,019 Jun 6 — Jun 10 Nonstop 1 hr 25 min Ryanair

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Travel to Sardinia Guide

Information on ways of getting to the mediterranean island..

Travel to Sardinia either by air or by sea.

The two principal ways of getting to the island are by flying or by a ferry crossing.

In some cases it can also be a combination of the two especially when people are looking for a cheap way to travel and don’t really mind the fact that the journey may take that little longer.

There are three airports on the Island which provide nonstop international flights from Europe.

Each airport offers routes from different European cities.

Although you have a good choice of routes from many European cities, there is always a chance you don’t find a direct from your departure location to one of the Islands airport.

In this case another alternative is flights one or more stops.

The main airports in Italy , Rome and Milan offer more connections with Europe as well as intercontinental  flights to Rome and are an excellent place to look for flights with connections.  

My own personal experience of air travel to Sardinia has been from the UK and on a number occasions I have used Milan and Rome as connecting airports.

Travel to Sardinia by road and ferry can be a long and tiring journey but it also has its advantages.

• Having your own car for exploring the Island
• Travelling in a camper van having your accommodation on hand
• Travelling by motor bike, enjoying the haven of the windy mountain roads
• More space to bring your necessities in vacation
• More space to take lots of goodies made in Sardinia  home 

The Island is connected by ferry to Italy mainland Island of Sicily, France, and Spain.

There are five shipping ports to choose from in Sardinia.

Ferries to the port of Arbatax, brings you straight into the heart of Ogliastra, on the East coast. One of the least visited Provinces that has much to be discovered.

Ferries to Cagliari a more limited from the South end of Italy, so if you’re travelling from North Europe you will be better off looking at ferries to Porto Torres, Olbia.

Sardinia is also connected with the Island of Corsica (France).

Travelling from Corsica is made easy with two ports offering this service.

Hope you have a safe journey and enjoy your Sardinia holidays.

Remember you can always come back here and let us in on your Sardinia travel adventures.

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8 unmissable places to visit in Sardinia, Italy

Mar 20, 2024 • 6 min read

If you like the sound of hiking to a remote beach, Supramonte is the place for you © Andrea Lobina Photography / Getty Images

Sitting pretty between Spain , Tunisia , the French Riviera and the Italian mainland, Sardinia is one of Europe's most alluring Mediterranean getaways. With its splendid white sands and translucent turquoise waters, the island is justifiably famed as a beach holiday destination – but it's well worth digging deeper to discover Sardinia's walking trails, urban attractions and unique cultural heritage. 

1. Cagliari

Best for urban excitement

Sardinia's capital and largest city makes a great place to begin or end your trip. Stroll through the narrow lanes of Il Castello , Cagliari's medieval hilltop citadel, to admire the dizzying mix of architectural styles at Cattedrale di Santa Maria and the far-reaching views atop Torre dell'Elefante . Get a feel for Sardinia's multi-layered history at the magnificent Museo Archeologico Nazionale , then ogle the artwork at the Galleria Comunale d'Arte . 

For shopping, dining and nightlife, head for the bustling Marina district down by Cagliari's palm-fringed waterfront. When you're ready for something more tranquil, get away to the fountains and gardens of the Orto Botanico , or hop a bus out to the sweeping sands of Poetto Beach .

2. Golfo di Orosei

Best for dramatic coastlines and scenic boat trips

With limestone escarpments plunging headlong into the sparkling Mediterranean, the Golfo di Orosei is one of Europe's most dramatic coastal destinations. The meeting of land and sea here is so abrupt that the gulf's best beaches, such as Cala Mariolu , are accessible only by boat or foot. The most straightforward way to explore this stretch of coast is on a boat tour from the holiday resort of Cala Gonone, which will take you dipping in and out of caves and coves all day, with ample opportunities to sunbathe and swim. 

Hikers with the stamina to explore further will be richly rewarded by one of Sardinia's finest coastal trail networks, extending south of Orosei from Cala Luna to Cala Sisine . For climbing enthusiasts, the ultimate prize is Selvaggio Blu , a multi-day route that takes you up cliff faces into idyllic seaside landscapes that few tourists ever see. 

Planning tip: For a demanding but unforgettable all-day hike, catch an early boat to Cala Sisine, then hike the 12km one-way back up the coast to Cala Gonone, pausing midway for the obligatory photo op at Arco di Lupiru, a massive natural stone arch.

3. Arcipelago della Maddalena

Best for island-hopping

Sprinkled across the placid seas of northeastern Sardinia is this stunning archipelago, preserved since 1994 as a national park . From the tiny coastal resort of Palau , small boat operators offer island-hopping day trips to watch dolphins and explore remote beaches, while ferry boats make the 15-minute crossing to the archipelago's two largest islands, Maddalena and Caprera. 

For an easygoing Mediterranean buzz, wander the pedestrianized Via XX Settembre in La Maddalena's historic center and pause for an aperitivo  (aperitif) during the evening passeggiata (stroll). By day, head 7km east across the causeway to the Compendio Garibaldino , the sprawling former estate of Italy's national hero Giuseppe Garibaldi; afterward, stop in for a swim at Due Mari or Spiaggia del Relitto. 

4. Supramonte

Best for hiking

Hikers will adore the Supramonte, a rugged limestone massif punctuated by deep gorges and remote valleys, and crisscrossed by spectacular walking trails. Just south of Dorgali, the 8km round trip hike to Gola Su Goroppu passes through an enchanting valley perfect for swimming or riverside picnicking, then abruptly narrows into a spectacular gorge where you can boulder-hop upstream between sheer, polychrome cliffs. 

Equally evocative is the nearby hike to the prehistoric village of Tiscali , whose stone walls and ruined edifices slumber under the shade of holm oak and turpentine trees, embraced by the collapsed remains of a massive cave that once served as a mountaintop lookout for Bronze Age Sardinians. Fans of remote beaches should switchback up to the Altopiano del Golgo north of Baunei to hike the Cala Goloritzé trail, which drops dramatically to a pristine cove presided over by a dagger-shaped rock. 

Planning tip: To avoid the tour boats at Cala Goloritzé, hit the trail early in the morning, when the weather's cooler and you'll have the beach largely to yourself. 

Best for couples

Gazing west across the Mediterranean towards Spain, charming Alghero feels equal parts Iberian and Sardinian. The city's official language is Catalan, while its golden-hued 16th-century ramparts hearken back to the days of Aragonese rule. Climb the Campanile next to the cathedral for panoramic views of the cobbled streets and Gothic palazzi of the historic center, backed by the shimmering waters of the Riviera del Corallo. 

To fully appreciate Alghero's easygoing holiday vibe, take an early evening stroll along the Sea Walls , framed by a trio of picturesque towers and lined with open-air restaurant terraces; at sunset, it's the perfect spot to watch the world go by over a bottle of Vermentino and a plate of aragosta alla catalana (lobster with olive oil, tomatoes, onions and lemon juice).

6. Barbagia

Best for traditional Sardinian culture

The rugged hill country south of Nuoro was the last Sardinian outpost to be conquered by the Romans, earning it the name Barbagia (akin to "barbarian"). Ancient traditions still persist in the region's festivals, most notably mid-January's Festa di Sant'Antonio Abate, when bonfires illuminate the village streets of Mamoiada and masked men draped in sheepskins and cowbells parade through town. 

If you miss the main event, Mamoiada's Museo delle Maschere Mediterranee is the next best thing, with fabulous displays of masks, costumes and video footage. The nearby village of Orgosolo is another fascinating place to explore. Grab a multi-lingual audio guide at the tourist office and head for Corso Repubblica to explore Orgosolo's amazing collection of 200 murals depicting a range of political and historical themes.

Planning tip: Fall is another wonderful time to visit Barbagia; during the Autunno in Barbagia festival (September to December), the region's villages invite visitors to discover local cultural and culinary traditions.

7. Nuraghe Su Nuraxi

Best for history

Sardinia's abundance of prehistoric archaeological sites, known as nuraghi , offer a captivating glimpse of the island's prehistory. If you only have time to visit one, set your sights on Nuraghe Su Nuraxi, about an hour north of Cagliari. The four conical towers that once dominated the landscape have been worn down by time, but it's easy to conjure up visions of the Bronze Age village that once stood here as you clamber down stone steps and navigate narrow passageways. The site's centerpiece is an imposing 18m-high tower fragment surrounded by a circular courtyard with walls up to 7m thick.

Planning tip: To discover Sardinia's thousands of other nuraghi , explore the map at Nurnet .

8. Parco Nazionale dell’Asinara

Best for wildlife

Secluded off Sardinia's northwestern tip, the Parco Nazionale dell'Asinara is an island oasis where nature still rules the roost. Albino donkeys, wild boar and silky-haired mouflon sheep prowl through the macchia (Mediterranean scrub), while peregrine falcons soar overhead and loggerhead turtles ply the surrounding waters. Access is restricted to day trippers only; to make the most of the island's untrammeled beaches and granite coves, catch an early ferry from Porto Torres or sail across on a catamaran from the summer resort of Stintino, where you can also lounge on the dreamy sands of Spiaggia della Pelosa .

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A travel guide to Sardinia, Italy

S ardinia’s ritzy resort towns are sought-after spots for a slice of la dolce vita . but that’s just the tip of the iceberg on this sun-drenched mediterranean masterpiece….

What image does your mind conjure when you think of Sardinia? Sweeping golden beaches lapped by inviting turquoise waters? Plucked-from-a-postcard Porto Cervo, with its designed boutiques and upscale restaurants? Once sleepy marinas now dotted with mega yachts, each the floating playground of someone rich and famous? While all of these enhance Sardinia’s allure, it’s not all glitz and glam. There’s so much more soul to this central Mediterranean jewel.

Thanks to a new seasonal direct flight route with flydubai , accessing this breathtaking islet has never been easier from the UAE. The seasonal route, which operates three times per week until September 30, lands you at Olbia Costa Smeralda Airport. This serves as a gateway to northeastern Sardinia, where endless glamour and rugged natural beauty are the surprise siblings that give this island its unique magic.

Where to stay

Hotel capo d’orso.

It’s easy to see why the secluded luxuries of this five-star resort have the rich and famous flocking to its shores. Nestled within the picturesque Cala Capra National Park, its appeal extends from the verdant, landscaped grounds, to the rustic luxe aesthetic and the charming staff. Honeymooners dine on a romantic floating deck, couples relax lazily in hammocks that billow gently under the dappled shade of the trees, while the Thalasso and spa is a pampering oasis where guests can truly switch-off. For something with a little injection of Porto Cervo glamour (the glitzy town is a mere 20 minutes drive away), dining on the terrace of Il Paguro is a sensory voyage that encapsulates the sights, sounds, aromas and flavours of the ocean it overlooks. Its fresh oysters spritzed with lemon and giant bowls of lobster pasta are each excuses to cancel any further plans for a long, leisurely lunch.

Rates from Dhs1,935 per night. hotelcapodorso.com

Resort Valle dell’Erica

With its impressive array of restaurants, collection of swimming pools and best-in-class wellness facilities, you’d be forgiven for never leaving the resort when checking-in to Valle dell’Erica. Its sprawling 70 acres of private grounds and almost mile-long coastline are aching to be explored. Essentially two resorts in one – the newer La Licciola leads into the historic Erica – around each corner you’ll find saltwater swimming infinity pools that appear to drift into the sea, sandy beaches dotted with parasols, and some half dozen restaurants. The best way to soak it all in is by getting lost among it all, although electric buggies are on-hand to help you to your final destination should you wish. The resort’s aesthetic appeal comes from its ability to blend seamlessly into its surroundings, and local wood, cork and stone are large parts of keeping the traditional charms of this former tourist village alive. From the impressive culinary array, don’t miss an aperitivo in the picturesque square at Nemo, served up to soulful live music.

Rates from Dhs1935 per night, hotelvalledellerica.com

Hotel Airone

Designed to feel like a quaint Italian village wrapped around a central swimming pool, this family-friendly stay from Felix Hotels is a handily located spot whatever your vacation style. Both the high fashion boutiques and swanky bars of Porto Cervo, located 20 minutes away; and the array of natural trails and golden beaches that dot the coast, are within easy reach. Guest rooms are simply styled and sit in neat rows around the swimming pool, and the grounds are also home to tennis courts and a play area for little ones. A continental breakfast of fresh pastries and local fruits is a great way to fuel up for a day of exploring.

Rates from Dhs625. felixhotels.it

Where to eat

A taste of the local flavour at… frades.

A Michelin-pedigree celebration of Italian ingredients, Frades hails from Milan but packs its bags for a lofty terrace in Porto Cervo during the balmy Italian summer. The resulting restaurant is a near-faultless amalgam of stunning views, thoughtful Italian hospitality, and local flavours taking centre stage in dishes like culurgiones ravioli with black truffle and Milanese style turbot.

@fradesportocervo

A global haute-spot… Zuma

Known and loved for its delectable Japanese fare, Zuma is a staple fine dining destination in the UAE. At its counterpart in Porto Cervo, it lands as a seasonal pop-up that pairs a cool and contemporary ambience with sweeping vistas of the Tyrrhenian Sea. Expect energetic DJ sets, a selection of aperitifs designed for the jet-set locale, and an exceptional array of sushi.

@zumaportocervo

A stunning place to party… Phi Beach

Part-restaurant, part-beach club, part-bar – whether you go to Phi Beach to drink, dine or party, just make sure you go. The best way to experience this breathtaking see-and-be-seen spot, arranged around the craggy rocks of the Baja Sardinia coastline, is with drinks at sunset to watch the golden orb meld into the ocean, its sorbet hues illuminating the sky. But you’ll want to stay until late into the night, with a regular rotation of international DJs headlining some of the island’s biggest parties against the backdrop of the ocean.

@phibeachofficial

Things to do

Go island hopping to la maddalena.

A beach in La Maddalena island.

The impossibly aquamarine waters that flank the northeast coast of Sardinia are well documented on Sardinian travel itineraries. But it’s not enough to simply see the endless shades of azure. Hop aboard one of Poseidon Charter’s expertly-crewed boats and set sail on a tour of the unspoiled landscape of La Maddalena National Park. Make pit stops at breathtaking hidden bays like Cala d’Alga and Spiaggia Rosa (pink beach), where impressive rock formations keep Centuries-old secrets, before docking in the archipelago of marvels for an inviting dip in the cool waters.

poseidonfishing.net

Soak up the sun at Nikki Beach

A slightly more rustic iteration of the hedonistic beach club brand where every day is a celebration of life, Nikki Beach Costa Smeralda is set within the rugged Cala Petra Ruja bay. The adventure begins before you’ve event reached this stunning spot, which is accessible via Nikki Beach’s swish boat shuttle – or your own private yacht. Signature white day beds line the gently lapping shore, where guests happily while away afternoons soaking up the ambience and sipping on fresh Spritz. Beyond the beach there’s the restaurant, where energetic DJ sets provide the high-octane soundtrack to a menu of indulgent Mediterranean flavours.

@nikkibeachcostasmeralda

Shop for local crafts at Cannigione Street Market

A sleepy Costa Smeralda town fronted by one of the best beaches on the island, visitors may be drawn to Cannigione’s untouched coastal charms for crystalline waters and golden sands, but you won’t want to leave without stopping by one of the markets. From June, the night market that takes place infront of the marina is a popular spot for picking up pieces that evoke memories of the island, from local ceramics to jewellery.

Restaurant & Bars

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Hotel, Resort & Villas

• Hotel de Russie
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• Rocco Forte House
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• Villa Igiea
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• Hotel Amigo

United Kingdom

• The Balmoral
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Future Openings

• Costa Smeralda, Sardinia
• The Carlton, Milan
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• Stravinskij Bar
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St. Petersburg

• Astoria Restaurant
• Lichfield Bar

Win a Puglian Hideaway for two at Masseria Torre Maizza

Rocco Forte Hotels and British Airways are pleased to offer a truly unique experience at Masseria Torre Maizza, the the most glamourous destination on the Italian Adriatic coast. Enjoy a memorable stay blending local heritage with contemporary luxury and unparalleled service.

The prize includes a two-night stay, daily breakfast for each guest, and a hotel credit of Euros $100 to spend. Airport transfer and a return flight from London for two are also included in the prize.

Prize full description

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Storing Renewable Energy, One Balloon at a Time

To decarbonize the electrical grid, companies are finding creative ways to store energy during periods of low demand.

A carbon dioxide storage prototype built by Energy Dome in Ottana, Sardinia. Credit... Gaia Squarci for The New York Times

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By Amos Zeeberg

• March 18, 2024

Central Sardinia is not generally considered a hotbed of innovation: Arid and rural, some of its road signs riddled with bullet holes made by target-practicing locals, the setting recalls a Clint Eastwood western. Yet in Ottana, on the brownfield site of a former petrochemical plant, a new technology is taking shape that might help the world slow climate change. The key component of this technology is as unlikely as the remote location: carbon dioxide, the chief cause of global warming.

Energy Dome, a start-up based in Milan, runs an energy-storage demonstration plant that helps to address a mismatch in the local electricity market. “In Sardinia during the day, everyone goes to the sea,” Claudio Spadacini, chief executive of Energy Dome, said. “They don’t use electricity, but there’s a lot of supply,” he added, referring to the Italian island’s abundant sunlight.

Energy Dome uses carbon dioxide held in a huge balloon, the “dome” in the company’s name, as a kind of battery. During the day, electricity from the local grid, some produced by nearby fields of solar cells, is used to compress the carbon dioxide into liquid. At night, the liquid carbon dioxide is expanded back into gas, which drives a turbine and produces electricity that is sent back to the grid.

Solar and wind power are fast-growing renewable sources, but they rely on nature’s intermittent schedule to produce electricity. Many researchers and policymakers say that storing such energy until needed, for hours or even days, is key to transitioning economies away from fossil fuels. “Advancing energy-storage technologies is critical to achieving a decarbonized power grid,” Jennifer M. Granholm, the U.S. energy secretary, said in a 2022 statement , when her department announced that it would commit more than $300 million for long-duration energy storage.

Companies are developing and marketing varied and creative ways to store renewable energy: liquefying carbon dioxide, de-rusting iron, heating towers filled with sand to temperatures almost hot enough to melt aluminum. But predicting our energy-storage needs in the future, after a huge energy transformation, is a daunting prospect, and which of these approaches, if any, will prove effective and profitable is unclear.

“There is a real urgency around decarbonizing electricity on a timeline that is much faster than we’ve contemplated in the past,” said Elaine Hart, founding principal with Moment Energy Insights LLC, a clean-energy consultancy. “We don’t need technologies like long-duration energy storage or hydrogen today, but we might need them on a large scale in the next 15 to 20 years, so we’re in a critical time for their development.”

Supplanting the Standards

For decades, many electric utilities responded to fluctuating demand by using pumped hydroelectric storage, which generates electricity when demand for electricity is high, then pumps water from a lower reservoir to a higher one to store energy when there is excess supply. Some utilities are now installing new pumped hydroelectric storage to balance solar and wind production. Many other utilities are installing arrays of lithium-ion batteries to store excess energy produced by renewables, and that market is booming.

But these storage methods have limitations. Pumped hydroelectric requires — and alters — hilly landscapes, and the facilities cost a lot to build. Lithium is a limited resource that is often dirty to mine, and it becomes excessively expensive when designed to store energy for much more than four hours, which may be an important capability if intermittent sources provide the majority of a grid’s power.

“Long-duration storage generally doesn’t become necessary until you get to high levels of wind and solar,” said Scott Murtishaw, executive director of the California Energy Storage Alliance, an industry group that advocates more storage on electric grids. “But it is critical if you’re committed to really decarbonizing the grid.”

Westinghouse Electric, a supplier of products and services to nuclear plant operators, says that its new energy-storage technology , which depends on carbon dioxide, like Energy Dome’s approach, is an improvement on pumped hydro and lithium-ion. The company’s technology works like a heat pump, using carbon dioxide in a supercritical state — at such high temperature and pressure that it acts like a hybrid of a liquid and a gas — to transfer heat, produced by excess electricity, into concrete blocks. Later on, the heat stored in the blocks is used to generate electricity. “It’s kind of ironic that carbon dioxide is the material that led to a lot of the innovation here,” John Battaglini, Westinghouse’s vice-president of new market development for the Americas, said.

In September, Westinghouse announced that it would build a 100-megawatt storage facility in Alaska, enough to supply about 80,000 average American homes with electricity for up to 12 hours. He added that the facility would cost about half that of one using lithium-ion batteries: “We feel very, very good about the economics.”

Some companies are anticipating a time when most of our electricity comes from renewables and grids that require much longer-duration storage. Form Energy, based in Somerville, Mass., aims to provide electricity for 100 hours, after some studies found that grids based on renewables would need to be able to provide backup energy for about that long.

To provide that much capacity affordably, Form had to find a very low-cost storage process, so the company turned to a cheap, ubiquitous material that undergoes a well-understood reaction: the oxidation, or rusting, of iron. As iron rusts, it produces energy; by feeding energy back into the system, Form can reverse the reaction and store energy, which can be released later by rusting the iron again.

Form’s storage system uses a specially tuned form of iron to maximize reversibility and durability. “That’s where there’s been a lot of invention on our side,” Mateo Jaramillo, Form’s co-founder and chief executive, said. “That’s one of the key tricks — our trade secret.”

Form says it can install storage capacity at a price that’s roughly one-tenth that of lithium-ion batteries. “The trade-off is lower cost, lower efficiency,” Mr. Jaramillo said. “Our modeling shows we’ve reached the right level of cost and efficiency.”

Last year, Form announced agreements to build plants in six states, each with 100-hour capacity, providing 55 total megawatts. The company is also building a battery-manufacturing facility in Weirton, W.Va., on the site of a former steel plant that declined in recent decades, depressing the local economy. West Virginia’s governor, Jim Justice, a Republican, visited the site last December for the signing of a bill that appropriated $105 million from the state to help build the facility.

The Dunkelflaute and Schwarzenegger Effects

Corre Energy, based in the Netherlands, is working on storing energy for several days by compressing air to high pressure inside salt caverns, where natural underground salt deposits are dissolved away to leave large empty pockets.

In June, Corre announced a deal in Germany to provide up to 640 megawatts of electricity, enough to supply about 1.6 million German homes, for up to 125 hours, at about one-tenth the cost of lithium-ion. Corre’s partner is developing four caverns there now, with two set to go into operation in 2027.

Corre says that the demand for long-duration storage is high in Northern Europe, which is keen on renewables but prone to multiday periods of little wind and sunlight, known in green-energy circles (and German) as dunkelflaute.

“We’re addressing that accelerating demand” for long-duration storage, Keith McGrane, chief executive of Corre, said. “It’s the dunkelflaute effect.”

Some companies are pursuing approaches that can sound surprisingly simple. A Finnish start-up called Polar Night Energy uses excess electricity to heat sand to temperatures as high as 1,100 degrees Fahrenheit. The sand can later be used to provide up to 100 hours of heat to local homes and businesses. Earlier this month, the company announced a deal to build a storage facility for the town of Pornainen, with a projected reduction of emissions by nearly 70 percent. The company is also developing a method to start providing electricity in addition to heat.

Tommi Eronen, the chief executive of Polar Night Energy, spoke in May at a climate conference in Vienna . He promoted the company to other green-leaning attendees, including the conference founder, Arnold Schwarzenegger. “It was fun to hang out with Arnold for three days. He was a nice guy,” Mr. Eronen said. “Of course, we disagree on some points. I’m more into cycling than driving cars.”

Making a New Market

The road from concept to company and infrastructure is always precarious, and long-term energy storage faces particular challenges.

Utilities have used short-term storage for decades, but there has never been much of a market for storage over many hours or days. It’s not clear how storage companies could make enough money to pay for the huge increase in storage that proponents say is necessary. “The biggest challenge with long-duration energy storage is that the economics are lousy,” said James Bushnell, an economist at the University of California, Davis, who studies energy. “If your storage is sitting charged for weeks or months, that’s much less revenue.”

Mr. Battaglini of Westinghouse said the company was exploring this challenge with regional utilities and independent system operators, the nonprofit groups that oversee electric grids. Form Energy has created models to show electric utilities how to use long-duration batteries so that they’re profitable.

“You can’t know what you need if you can’t model it,” Mr. Murtishaw said. “It’s like the iPhone — a product you didn’t know you needed until someone made it.”

Another issue for the new storage approaches is the dominance and continued improvement of lithium-ion batteries. As manufacturers improve the design of batteries and scale up their production, the cost continues to decrease, gradually making lithium-ion more economical for longer durations.

These challenges have hurt some makers of long-term storage. Azelio, a company that stored energy as heat in an aluminum alloy inside modular units, declared bankruptcy in July .

Still, some providers of long-duration storage say that the market is growing fast and that they are ramping up construction to meet the demand.

In Ottana, diggers are clearing away blackened rubble from the remains of old industrial buildings to make room for a commercial-scale Energy Dome storage facility that will hold 40 times as much energy as the adjacent pilot plant. Despite the superficial differences, Mr. Spadacini described the shiny Energy Dome facility as a sort of descendant of the dirtier oil-fueled generator that used to run on the same site. “The energy of oil was energy from the sun , and it was stored at some efficiency in oil,” he said, noting that oil derives mostly from photosynthetic plants. “We need to store and use that energy as directly and efficiently as possible.”

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Two-night stay in a Superior Room. Daily breakfast for two. A hotel credit of EUR100 during the stay. Airport transfer. Two return flights from London

To decarbonize the electrical grid, companies are finding creative ways to store energy during periods of low demand. A carbon dioxide storage prototype built by Energy Dome in Ottana, Sardinia ...