Catamaran Hire in Olbia, with or without a Skipper

Types of catamarans for hire in Olbia

Olbia is one of the finest bases for catamaran hire in Italy. Depending on your sailing plans in Sardinia, two main families of catamarans are available to you from Olbia:

• The sailing catamaran: this is the most popular option at this destination. Spacious, comfortable and stable, it offers generous living spaces on board and pleasant sailing, even for families or less experienced crews. It's ideal for enjoying the anchorages of the Maddalena archipelago and the Costa Smeralda with complete peace of mind. If you prefer the feel of a monohull, take a look at our sailboat hire in Italy range too.
• The power catamaran: faster and easier to handle, it appeals to those who want to hop between coves without worrying about the wind. A good option for a short cruise or for beginners who want to enjoy the comfort of a catamaran without the demands of sailing.

Services available for your catamaran hire in Olbia

Here are the various services available for your catamaran hire from Olbia:

• Bareboat catamaran hire: if a member of your crew holds a boating licence and has sufficient sailing experience, they can skipper the catamaran. This gives you total freedom and a more attractive rate to explore Sardinia at your own pace.
• Catamaran hire with skipper: ideal if you don't hold a licence or have the necessary experience, or if you simply prefer a fully relaxing holiday. The professional skipper takes care of the sailing and shares their knowledge of the island's best anchorages and spots.
• Catamaran hire with professional crew: this service is available as an option on the larger boats (from around fifteen metres upwards). The crew can include a skipper, a hostess and sometimes a sailor, for a top-of-the-range cruise where everything is taken care of.

How much does catamaran hire cost in Olbia?

The table below gives you an idea of the average prices for a week's catamaran hire in Olbia. These prices may change depending on the season, availability, the boat model and its age.

The price includes: the boat hire and the main equipment on board (sails, crockery, wifi, dinghy, bedding and outboard motor).

The price does not include: insurance, port and mooring fees, the skipper, the hostess, cleaning (often included in a compulsory package), extras (kayak, paddleboard, etc.) and provisioning.

We recommend taking out our cancellation insurance for your catamaran hire in Olbia. It covers all members of the crew, whereas an individual or bank-card cancellation policy only covers the policyholder.

We also encourage our customers to take out damage waiver insurance. On a boat, mishaps happen even to the best sailors. This insurance allows you to recover a significant part of your security deposit in the event of sailing-related damage.

Where to sail from Olbia?

From Olbia, you're perfectly placed to explore the finest anchorages in north-east Sardinia. Here are the must-sees in the area:

• The Maddalena archipelago: a national park spread across more than 60 granite islands and islets, just a few miles north of Olbia. Don't miss Cala Coticcio on the island of Caprera, often nicknamed the "Tahiti" of Sardinia, as well as the turquoise waters of Cala Corsara on the island of Spargi.
• The Costa Smeralda: between Portisco and Porto Rotondo, this coastline renowned for its luxury is home to spectacular anchorages such as Cala di Volpe or the Pevero cove, with emerald-blue waters that gave the region its name.
• The island of Tavolara: an impressive granite block rising 565 metres from the sea opposite Olbia. An unusual anchorage and a silhouette found nowhere else in the Mediterranean.
• Cala dei Sardi: located between Portisco and Porto Rotondo, this marina makes an ideal stopover in the heart of the Costa Smeralda for a well-earned break.
• Budelli and Santa Maria: further north in the Maddalena archipelago, these islands offer sheltered coves and, in the case of Budelli, the famous Spiaggia Rosa (landing on the beach itself is prohibited, as it's protected).

When to sail in Olbia?

• High season (July–August): the best temperatures of the year, a warm sea between 24 and 25°C, ideal for making the most of the beaches and swimming. It's also the busiest and most expensive time.
• Low season (April, October): better prices and far fewer people on the water, but a cooler sea (15 to 20°C) and milder temperatures.
• Shoulder season (May, June, September): the best compromise between mild weather, a pleasant sea and reasonable numbers of visitors. This is often the period favoured by more experienced sailors.

Here's an average of the temperatures recorded in recent years in Olbia:

Sailing conditions in Olbia

Sailing in the north of Sardinia is renowned for being easy and suits all levels of experience.

The prevailing wind in summer is the thermal breeze, which picks up in the afternoon and generally stays moderate. In spring and autumn, expect the Maestrale (Sardinia's equivalent of the Mistral), a cool, dry wind from the north-west that can blow more strongly but only for short spells, bringing clear skies with it. The Scirocco, a warm wind from North Africa, can also make an appearance, generally damper and less predictable.

The waters around Olbia and the Maddalena archipelago are deep and very clear, with an essentially granite seabed — there are no coral reefs in this area, but particular care should be taken around rocky shallows when approaching some coves. Crossings between the islands are short and mostly done by sight.

Documents required to hire a catamaran without a skipper in Olbia

In Italy, regulations require a boating licence (a coastal licence or international equivalent, the ICC) for bareboat catamaran hire, even for sailing exclusively under sail. A VHF radio certificate is also often required or strongly recommended, in order to communicate with port authorities and other vessels.

If you lose your licence during your stay, report it immediately to the local authorities (the carabinieri): with the official declaration, you'll be able to continue your hire through to the end.

Useful information for your catamaran hire in Olbia

What language is spoken in Olbia?

The official language is Italian, but English is widely spoken in tourist areas and among nautical professionals, particularly on the Costa Smeralda.

What currency is used in Olbia?

The currency used in Italy is the euro (€).

How do you get to Olbia?

Olbia has its own international airport, Olbia Costa Smeralda Airport (OLB), about 15 minutes from the port, with numerous direct flights from major UK and European cities during the summer season.

Can I sail to Corsica from Olbia?

Yes — this is actually one of the great advantages of this base: Corsica, and in particular the natural harbour of Bonifacio, is just a few hours' sailing north of the Maddalena archipelago. Many itineraries therefore combine northern Sardinia and southern Corsica in a single week's cruise. Just remember to check with your advisor that the boat you're hiring is authorised to sail in French waters.

How do I finalise the booking of my catamaran in Olbia?

Once we've received your hire request, an advisor will contact you by phone to understand your sailing plans. They will then send you boat suggestions by email. Once you've found the right boat, you can pay a deposit in your customer area to confirm the hire and secure the boat.

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