Catamaran charter Olbia with or without a skipper

Types of catamarans for charter in Olbia

Olbia is one of the best bases for a catamaran charter in Italy. Depending on your sailing plans in Sardinia, two main types 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 space 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, also check out our sailboat charter in Italy options.
• 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 charter in Olbia

Here are the different services available for your catamaran charter from Olbia:

• Bareboat catamaran charter: if a member of your crew holds a boating license and has enough sailing experience, they can captain the catamaran. This gives you total freedom and a more affordable rate to explore Sardinia at your own pace.
• Catamaran charter with skipper: ideal if you don't hold a license or don't have the necessary experience, or if you simply prefer a fully relaxing vacation. The professional skipper handles the sailing and shares their knowledge of the island's best anchorages and spots.
• Catamaran charter with professional crew: this service is available as an option on larger boats (starting at around fifty feet). The crew can include a skipper, a hostess, and sometimes a sailor, for a top-of-the-line cruise where everything is taken care of.

How much does a catamaran charter cost in Olbia?

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

The price includes: the boat charter and the main equipment on board (sails, dishware, 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 mandatory package), extras (kayak, paddleboard, etc.), and provisioning.

We recommend purchasing our cancellation insurance for your catamaran charter in Olbia. It covers the entire crew, whereas an individual or credit card cancellation policy only covers the cardholder.

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

Where to sail from Olbia?

From Olbia, you're perfectly positioned to explore the most beautiful anchorages in northeastern 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 known for its luxury is home to spectacular anchorages such as Cala di Volpe or Pevero cove, with emerald-blue waters that gave the region its name.
• The island of Tavolara: an impressive granite block rising 565 meters from the sea across from Olbia. An unusual anchorage and a silhouette found nowhere else in the Mediterranean.
• Cala dei Sardi: located between Portisco and Porto Rotondo, this marina is an ideal stopover in the heart of the Costa Smeralda for a well-deserved 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 (going ashore is prohibited, as the beach is protected).

When to sail in Olbia?

• High season (July–August): the best temperatures of the year, with 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 of year.
• 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 balance of mild weather, pleasant seas, and reasonable crowds. This is often the period preferred by more experienced sailors.

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

Sailing conditions in Olbia

Sailing in northern Sardinia is known for being easy and works well for all experience levels.

The prevailing wind in summer is the thermal breeze, which picks up in the afternoon and generally stays moderate. In spring and fall, expect the Maestrale (Sardinia's version of the Mistral), a cool, dry wind from the northwest that can blow harder but only for short stretches, bringing clear skies with it. The Scirocco, a warm wind from North Africa, can also show up, generally more humid and less predictable.

The waters around Olbia and the Maddalena archipelago are deep and very clear, with a mostly granite seabed — there are no coral reefs in this area, but you should pay close attention to rocky shallows when approaching some coves. Crossings between the islands are short and mostly done by sight.

Documents required to charter a catamaran without a skipper in Olbia

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

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

Useful information for your catamaran charter in Olbia

What language is spoken in Olbia?

The official language is Italian, but English is widely spoken in tourist areas and among boating 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 US and European cities during the summer season.

Can I sail to Corsica from Olbia?

Yes — this is actually one of the biggest advantages of this base: Corsica, and in particular the natural harbor of Bonifacio, is just a few hours' sail north of the Maddalena archipelago. Many itineraries combine northern Sardinia and southern Corsica into a single week-long cruise. Just be sure to check with your advisor that the boat you're chartering is authorized to sail in French waters.

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

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

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