Sardinia’s Best Anchorages: The Definitive Skipper’s Guide

There is a specific kind of silence that settles over a boat at anchor in Sardinia. It arrives about twenty minutes after you cut the engine — once the anchor has set, the chain has stopped chattering, and the only sound is the hull moving softly against the water. You look down through water that seems almost impossibly clear, see your anchor lying on white sand six metres below, and understand immediately why experienced skippers return to Sardinia’s anchorages season after season.

This is the definitive Sardinia sailing guide for skippers — written from the water, for skippers who want real information. Depths, holding quality, seasonal considerations, the bays worth fighting for in July, and the ones worth saving for June. No hotel recommendations, no tourist board photography. Just the guide you actually need.

Understanding Sardinian Waters Before You Sail

Sardinia sits roughly 200 kilometres west of the Italian mainland, with its northern tip separated from Corsica by the narrow Strait of Bonifacio. The island’s 1,800-kilometre coastline is a relentless parade of coves, sea caves, and wide turquoise bays — but the sailing conditions are less uniformly benign than they appear on the chart.

The dominant wind is the Maestrale — the northwest mistral — which can build from nothing to 25 knots within two hours and reach 30–35 knots during prolonged episodes. Posidonia seagrass meadows are extensive, particularly in the south and east, and anchoring in or over them is both ecologically damaging and increasingly subject to enforcement. Load Navionics with anchoring overlays enabled and look for clearly defined sandy patches before you drop.

The Sardinia sailing season runs May through October. July and August bring settled weather but serious crowds. June and September offer the best balance: warm water, lighter anchorage density, and the Maestrale less likely to pin you in a bay for three days.

The Top 10 Sardinia Anchorages

1. Cala Coticcio, Caprera — The Crown Jewel

Location: Caprera Island, Maddalena Archipelago (41°12′N, 9°30′E) | Depth: 4–7 m | Holding: Mixed sand and rock — set carefully | Best months: June, September

Locals call it “Tahiti” and after one visit you will not argue. Cala Coticcio is a narrow fjord-like inlet cut into Caprera’s pink granite coast, accessible only by sea. The water is fluorescent turquoise — one of the most extraordinary colours in the Mediterranean. The bay provides good shelter from the north and northwest; the risk is the shallow approach near the entrance, which demands a current chart and slow speed. Drop anchor in 4–5 metres on the sandy patch in the inner section. Arrive before 0900 in peak season or anchor off and dinghy in. One of the sardinia best anchorages, full stop.

2. Cala Corsara, Spargi

Location: Spargi Island, Maddalena Archipelago (41°13′N, 9°21′E) | Depth: 3–8 m | Holding: Excellent sand | Best months: May–June, September–October

Spargi is the westernmost of the main Maddalena islands, and Cala Corsara on its southern coast is among the finest anchorages in the whole archipelago. Two pristine sandy beaches framed by juniper and wild rosemary, anchoring in 3–8 metres over excellent holding sand. The snorkelling along the rocky headlands is exceptional — large sea fans, moray eels, and abundant fish life protected by the national park. In September this bay still holds warm water at a fraction of the August crowd density.

3. Cala Brigantino, Budelli — The Pink Beach View

Location: Budelli Island, Maddalena Archipelago (41°17′N, 9°21′E) | Depth: 4–6 m | Holding: Good sand | Best months: Any, weather permitting

Landing on Budelli’s famous Spiaggia Rosa (Pink Beach) has been prohibited since 1994, but you can anchor offshore and the view from the water is extraordinary — the coral and shell fragments that tint the sand blush pink are clearly visible. Anchor in 4–6 metres over clean sand and take the dinghy for a closer look. Watch for ferry wash from vessels transiting the Bocche di Bonifacio. One of those sardinia anchorages that justify the passage north.

4. Cala di Volpe, Costa Smeralda

Location: Costa Smeralda (41°06′N, 9°30′E) | Depth: 4–8 m | Holding: Good sand | Best months: May–June, September

The Costa Smeralda is Sardinia’s most famous stretch of coast, and Porto Cervo marina commands €150–400 per night for a 12-metre boat in high season — which is one very good reason to anchor in Cala di Volpe instead. The Bay of the Fox sits just inside the headland, sheltered from the northwest, with clean holding in 4–8 metres over sand. Drop anchor before 0900, explore the shallows by paddleboard, and dinghy ashore for dinner without paying marina prices.

5. Cala Luna, Golfo di Orosei

Location: Golfo di Orosei, East Coast (40°11′N, 9°39′E) | Depth: 3–6 m | Holding: Good sand | Best months: June–September (calm only)

The Golfo di Orosei on the east coast is dramatic limestone cliff country, inaccessible by land and known only to sailors and kayakers. Cala Luna is the most famous of its hidden beaches: a wide arc of pale sand backed by wild tamarisk, reached through a narrow gap in the cliffs. Anchor in 3–6 metres and take the dinghy through the sea cave to the beach. Note: the bay is exposed to southeast — check the forecast carefully. Any southerly swell makes this an uncomfortable overnight berth.

6. Cala Goloritze, Golfo di Orosei

Location: Golfo di Orosei (39°58′N, 9°38′E) | Depth: 5–10 m | Holding: Mixed rock and sand — set well | Best months: June, September

A UNESCO World Heritage Site: a pristine shingle beach beneath a 143-metre limestone pinnacle accessible only by sea or a challenging mountain trail. Anchor in 5–10 metres with proper scope — the bottom is mixed so set carefully before leaving the helm. Swim ashore and climb the rocks to the viewpoint for a perspective on just how extraordinary this east-coast cruising ground is. An absolute must if you are working this stretch of sardinia sailing guide territory.

7. Cala Domestica, Southwest

Location: Sulcis region, SW Sardinia (39°10′N, 8°25′E) | Depth: 4–10 m | Holding: Good sand | Best months: May–October

Few cruising boats make it this far south and west, which is precisely why Cala Domestica is worth the detour. A dramatic fjord-like inlet flanked by ruins of old zinc mine workings that give it an unexpected industrial-gothic character, it offers excellent shelter from all directions except the south. Anchor in 4–10 metres over clean sand and spend an afternoon exploring the ruins by dinghy. You may well have the anchorage entirely to yourself even in August.

8. Is Mortorius, South Coast

Location: South coast, near Cagliari (39°07′N, 9°12′E) | Depth: 3–5 m | Holding: Good sand | Best months: May–October

Not one of the Sardinia anchorages that will appear in a photograph, but a reliable, well-sheltered overnight spot with excellent holding and easy access to Cagliari’s provisioning and fuel. Useful as a staging post before or after rounding Capo Carbonara heading southwest. Wide sandy bay with good northwest protection.

9. Cala Cipolla, Chia

Location: South Sardinia (38°55′N, 8°51′E) | Depth: 3–5 m | Holding: Fine sand, excellent | Best months: May–October

One of Sardinia’s best-kept sailing secrets: a small sandy bay just north of the Chia peninsula, with a Saracen watchtower on the headland and glassy, shallow water. Anchor in 3–5 metres over fine sand — holding is among the best we have encountered on the island. The adjacent Laguna di Chia is a flamingo habitat. On a calm evening you can watch a flock of pink flamingos from the cockpit while the sun sets behind the tower. One of those sardinia anchorages that makes you grateful you sail.

10. Porto Ferro, Northwest

Location: NW coast, north of Alghero (40°41′N, 8°16′E) | Depth: 4–6 m | Holding: Good sand | Best months: June–September, fair weather only

A vast, remote bay wide open to the west and northwest — strictly a fair-weather anchorage, but in the long settled spells that characterise Sardinian midsummer, the pale sand, dune backdrop, and complete absence of development make Porto Ferro feel genuinely remote. This is the sort of anchorage that nobody on a charter flotilla ever finds. Anchor in 4–6 metres, take the dinghy along the beach at sunset, and enjoy what the island is like without the crowds.

Best Months to Visit Sardinia by Boat

• May: Excellent. Anchorages uncrowded, maquis in bloom, water 18–20°C. Some Maestrale windows can be tight but the sailing conditions are often outstanding.
• June: The sweet spot. Warm water (21–23°C), reliable weather, limited crowds. The Maddalena is glorious — arrive early and you’ll share the best spots with a handful of boats.
• July–August: Busy, hot, expensive. Porto Cervo and the Maddalena fill completely. Weather usually settled but Maestrale episodes occur. Anchor rather than marina wherever possible and arrive early.
• September: Arguably the best month. Water still warm (24–26°C), crowds thinning, charter fleets returning home. The best sardinia anchorages become accessible again without 0700 alarm calls.
• October: For experienced skippers only. Weather increasingly unpredictable but the island is extraordinary when it is yours.

Sardinia Marinas: Practical Notes

The main Sardinia marinas for visiting skippers:

• Porto Cervo Marina — Superyacht hub of the Costa Smeralda. Expect €150–400+ per night for a 12m boat July–August. VHF Ch 9. Excellent facilities, wallet-punishing prices.
• Marina di Olbia — Practical base for the Maddalena Archipelago. €60–100/night for 12m. Fuel dock, boatyard, good chandlery nearby. VHF Ch 9.
• Porto Palau — Popular gateway for the Maddalena. Often full in August. Fuel dock, basic provisions. VHF Ch 9.
• Marina di Cagliari (Marina Piccola) — Useful for south coast passages. Good city access for provisioning. VHF Ch 16.
• Cannigione — Quieter alternative to Porto Cervo for the Costa Smeralda area. More reasonable prices, solid facilities.

Customs, Fuel & Provisioning

Customs: EU vessels arriving from another EU country have no formal entry requirements, but keep ship’s papers, insurance certificates, and crew passports ready for inspection. Non-EU vessels must complete formalities at a port of entry — Cagliari, Olbia, or Alghero.

Fuel: Diesel available at Porto Palau, Olbia, Cagliari Marina Piccola, and Porto Cervo. Always carry enough range to reach an alternative — Sardinian fuel docks are occasionally closed mid-season. Expect approximately €1.70–1.90/litre.

Provisioning: Alghero and Cagliari have excellent supermarkets within reach of the marina. Olbia has a Conad within walking distance. In the Maddalena, La Maddalena town has good shops and a daily market. In remote east and southwest coast anchorages, carry three to four days’ provisions — there are no shops ashore.

Extending Your Cruise: Sicily and Croatia

Sardinia sits at a natural junction in the western Mediterranean. The best anchorages of Sicily and the Aeolian Islands are a natural extension — the passage from Cagliari to Sicily takes approximately 24–36 hours. For those heading east, the Croatian islands of Hvar, Vis, and Brač offer their own extraordinary cruising ground. Many skippers complete a full western Mediterranean circuit: Sardinia → Sicily → Greece → Croatia. Corsica’s best anchorages are an easy day’s sail north of the Maddalena.

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