Catamaran hire in Sardinia, with or without a skipper

Catamaran rental in Sardinia

Spacious, stable and perfectly suited to shallow waters, the catamaran is the ideal vessel for discovering Sardinia from the sea. It offers particularly appreciated on-board comfort, with large outdoor spaces and smooth circulation, ideal for making the most of every stop.

Sailing by catamaran in Sardinia provides easy access to the most beautiful sailing areas in the Mediterranean, from the turquoise waters of the Costa Smeralda to the beaches of southern Sardinia, via the wild islands of the La Maddalena archipelago.

Sardinia is a particularly suitable destination for catamaran cruises: accessible anchorages, short distances between stops and numerous shallow coves. A large proportion of catamarans available locally are offered with a skipper, particularly in high season.

If you prefer more sporting sailing, you can also browse our sailboat charter offers in Sardinia.

In Sardinia, Filovent offers you a selection of recent and fully equipped catamarans, ideal for a boat hire in Sardinia, suited to Mediterranean sailing: frequent anchorages, comfortable on-board living and an alternation between sailing and swimming.

Depending on your sailing project, we offer:

• The sailing catamaran: this is the most common option in Sardinia. It allows you to enjoy the sensations of sailing whilst benefiting from the comfort and stability specific to the catamaran. Ideal for a balanced cruise between sailing and relaxation.
• The motor catamaran: faster and independent of the wind, it allows you to cover greater distances in a day. It is an interesting option for exploring several areas in a week, whilst enjoying even more generous living spaces on board.

The catamarans available in Sardinia are modern vessels, designed for cruising in the Mediterranean. You will find in particular Bali, Lagoon, Fountaine Pajot (Samana, Lucia…) models or Sunreef for the most high-end units.

Services offered for your catamaran rental in Sardinia

Here are the various services we offer:

• Catamaran rental without skipper: if one of the members of your crew holds the required experience and licences, you can sail independently. The catamaran is entirely privatised and you explore Sardinia at your own pace, depending on the weather and your wishes.
• Catamaran rental with skipper: this is the most popular option in Sardinia. The professional skipper takes charge of the navigation and guides you to the most beautiful anchorages, often difficult to identify without local knowledge. He also adapts the itinerary according to the wind, particularly in exposed areas such as the Strait of Bonifacio.
• Rental with crew: offered on the most spacious catamarans, this package generally includes a skipper, a hostess and sometimes a chef. It allows you to fully enjoy the cruise without any constraints, with a level of service close to that of a hotel.
• Cabin cruise: you book a cabin on board a catamaran shared with other travellers. The crew takes care of the navigation, meals and on-board service. An excellent option for discovering Sardinia without privatising a boat.

What is the price for a catamaran rental in Sardinia?

The table below gives an order of magnitude for a one-week rental in Sardinia. Rates vary according to the season, the year of the boat, the model and availability.

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

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

For the rental of a high-end catamaran or a yacht in Sardinia, we invite you to contact us directly for a personalised estimate.

We strongly advise you to take out our cancellation insurance, covering the entire crew, as well as an excess waiver insurance, particularly useful in the event of a breakdown.

Where to sail by catamaran in Sardinia?

Sardinia offers varied sailing areas, particularly suited to the catamaran:

• The Costa Smeralda and the La Maddalena archipelago (North-East): this is the most iconic area. The turquoise waters, white sandy beaches and shallow anchorages make it an ideal playground for the catamaran. The islands of Caprera, Budelli or Spargi are unmissable and fit perfectly into a Sardinia sailing itinerary, as does the discovery of typical villages of northern Sardinia, between small fishing harbours and lively alleyways.
• Southern Sardinia (Cagliari and Villasimius): in Southern Sardinia, sailing is wilder and less crowded. You will discover long beaches, unspoilt coves and open anchorages, perfect for peaceful sailing.
• The west coast (Alghero, Bosa): more authentic and unspoilt, it offers rawer landscapes with cliffs and sea caves. Conditions can be slightly more challenging depending on the wind. Further south, the Sinis Peninsula in Sardinia stands out as a remarkable stopover, with wild beaches, shallow waters and crystal-clear seas. Heading north-west, the island of Asinara, classified as a national park, is discovered as a unique stopover, between intact nature and crystal-clear waters.Facing the open sea, this coastline also looks towards the largest Mediterranean island west of Sardinia, offering a more remote and untouched sailing atmosphere.
• Sailing towards Corsica: from the north of Sardinia, it is very easy to reach the south of Corsica (Bonifacio, Lavezzi islands). The distances are short and easily allow you to consider a Corsica and Sardinia cruise, ideal for varying the landscapes in the same week.

When to sail by catamaran in Sardinia?

The sailing season runs from April to October.

Spring (May-June) and early autumn (September-October) offer the best conditions: pleasant weather, fewer visitors and more accessible anchorages.

In July and August, visitor numbers are higher, particularly in the Costa Smeralda. Conditions remain excellent, but some areas can be busier.

Here is an average of temperatures recorded in recent years in Sardinia: 

Sailing conditions in Sardinia

Sardinia benefits from generally favourable sailing conditions, with short distances between stops.

The prevailing wind is the Mistral, coming from the north-west, which can be strong particularly in the Strait of Bonifacio. Regular thermal breezes also develop in summer.

The catamaran is particularly well suited to these conditions: its stability and shallow draught allow comfortable sailing and easy access to shallow anchorages. It also allows exploration of preserved areas, including some spaces classified as nature parks in Sardinia.

Documents required to hire a catamaran without a skipper in Sardinia

To hire a catamaran without a skipper in Italy, you must have:

• A coastal boating licence (or equivalent),   
• Sufficient sailing experience.
• A nautical CV may be requested by the hire company.

Useful information for your catamaran rental in Sardinia   

What language is spoken in Sardinia?

The official language is Italian. In tourist areas such as the Costa Smeralda, Olbia or Alghero, English is widely spoken, particularly in marinas, restaurants and shops.

In some more authentic areas, particularly in the south or inland, exchanges may be more in Italian. However, this is rarely an obstacle for travellers.

What currency is used in Sardinia?

Sardinia is part of the euro zone (€).

Bank cards are accepted in the vast majority of ports, marinas, restaurants and shops. However, it is advisable to always have some cash on board, particularly for smaller anchorages or secondary ports, certain mooring buoys, and more isolated restaurants.

How to get to Sardinia?

Sardinia is easily accessible from France and Europe, with several well-served airports:

• Olbia (OLB): ideal for sailing in the Costa Smeralda and the La Maddalena archipelago 
• Cagliari (CAG): entry point for exploring the south of the island 
• Alghero (AHO): perfect for the west coast, which is wilder

In high season, many direct flights are available from Paris, Lyon, Marseille or Nice.  

How to finalise your catamaran booking in Sardinia?

After receiving your enquiry, a Filovent adviser will contact you to understand your project precisely: dates, budget, crew composition, level of experience and expectations (comfort, itinerary, skipper…).

You will then receive several catamaran proposals suited to your project, with personalised recommendations on sailing areas and options (skipper, hostess, equipment…).

Once the boat has been chosen, payment of a deposit secures the booking.

Are there navigation taxes in Sardinia?

In Italy, there is no navigation tax equivalent to the Greek TEPAI for rental boats. However, certain fees should be anticipated:

• Port fees: variable depending on the marina (higher in the Costa Smeralda in high season)
• Mooring buoys: chargeable in certain protected areas
• La Maddalena National Park: regulated access with entry fees for boats

Good to know