Yacht charter Portisco

   By Agathe LAMIGEON

February 18, 2022

Reading time: 10 minutes

Summary

1. Practical information for your yacht charter from the port of Portisco
2. What to do in the city of Portisco?
3. Where can I sail from the town of Portisco?
4. The most beautiful anchorages when leaving Portisco
5. What activities can you enjoy in northern Sardinia?
6. What sailing itineraries should you follow?
7. What are the weather conditions?

"The landscapes of northern Sardinia are absolutely magnificent and it was a highly exotic cruise. This multifaceted region has beaches of rare beauty, each more different than the last, with a mixture of rocky landscapes and fine sand. "It's a splendid sailing area , perfect for sailing, with wonderfully well-organized ports," Léa, a Filovent customer who sailed on a Bavaria Cruiser 34, tells me.

Called the"Emerald Coast", north-eastern Sardinia is synonymous with fine sand, turquoise water and wild coves. The small village of Portisco is a strategic point of departure for a heavenly cruise in the natural swimming pool of the Italian archipelago.

Put on your swimsuit, put on your sunscreen and dive into the emerald sea of Sardinia without further delay!

John's family enjoys paddleboarding and soaking up the sun (photo of John)

1. Practical information for your yacht charter from the port of Portisco

What styles of boats are available for charter?

The small village of Portisco is one of the threemain r departure bases in Sardinia, along with Olbia and Cagliari. Less renowned than the others, it remains an ideal location from which to discover the region. 224 of our boats hoist their sails from this base to discover this beautiful region. You will find a large majority of monohulls (68%), but also catamarans (27% of the fleet).

For an idyllic trip to the heart of Italy's top sailing destination, we strongly recommend a sailboat charter.

If you want the opinion of a professional, Antonella Melillo of NSS Charter, one of our charter partners, told me that: "The Lagoon 42 is the boat we recommend because of its shallow draft." Our contact at Cruising Charter, another of our partners, advises instead boarding a Bavaria sailboat for a totally exotic experience.

But above all, make your choice according to your preferences and your budget. It's your vacation, treat yourself!

Average prices according to the season and the size of the boat

The table below gives you an idea of the average prices of the boats. These prices may vary depending on the season, availability, model, age of the boat, etc.

The port of Portisco

The port of Portisco, located in the Gulf of Cugnana, is a beautiful strategic location for discovering Sardinia as it offers easy access to the most delightful anchorages in the region. Particularly well organized and with state-of-the-art infrastructure, the marina is even known for its impeccable environmental management! It has all the amenities that pleasure boaters could want, with the possibility of refueling, water and electricity.

There's nothing easier or faster than a taxi to get you to Portisco fromOlbia airport. The journey, which takes about twenty minutes, will cost you around USD30. And since there's no such thing as small change, it's also possible to take public transport for the modest sum of USD2! You can get on a bus that will drop you off at the port in just under 40 minutes.

As far as prices are concerned, the ports in the north of Sardinia are known for being excessively expensive. To give you an idea, for the location of a 40-foot monohull in high season, you can expect to pay around USD150. We therefore advise you to sail in low season, when prices are more affordable at around USD50. John, a Filovent customer who sailed in August on an Oceanis 37, chose not to moor in ports: "There was no question of spending so much on a berth in a port when anchorage is possible in fabulous places!"

He then gives us a little tip about provisioning at the port:"We had paid for a delivery service, but once we arrived at the marina, we realized that the supermarket was only 100 meters from the boats. So it seems to me that the simplest thing is to go shopping on Saturday morning and take a shopping cart to your boat. What's more, the supermarket is great!"

Our local partners

We have contacted the best local professional boat rental companies to offer you the vacation of your dreams! Our main partners at the Portisco departure point, and also the most popular with our customers, are NSS Charter, Yachting in Sardinia, Kiriacoulis, Cagliari Sailing Charter and Boomerang Charter. They all offer wonderful models from prestigious brands such as Beneteau, Jeanneau and Bavaria.

• NSS Charter was founded in 1998 by a former naval officer with a passion for sailing. Originally from Portisco, with only 7 boats to his name, his fleet has grown considerably and now has around fifty sailboats and catamarans. Highly appreciated by Filovent customers, with 33% of departures from Portisco in 2021, his professionalism has earned him a very good score of 16.06/20. "We were really impressed by the quality of the service from NSS Charter," confides Bernard, a Filovent customer who sailed on an Oceanis 43. "They were great! à our arrival, the boat was already ready, we quickly did the inventory and someone who spoke French was assigned to us in case we had a problem at sea. They are really great!"

• Yachting in Sardinia has been promising quality and competent customer service for over 20 years. Keen to ensure the perfection of their fleet, they have more than twenty sailing boats, motor yachts and catamarans departing from Portisco. Considered the best rental company on the Sardinian coast, our customers give them a respectable score of 15.51/20.

• Kiriacoulis is a Greek rental company that has been constantly striving for organization since 1980, always keeping customer satisfaction as a priority. 29 of their boats are waiting for you at the Portisco base! Our customers give it a reliability rating of 15.33/20. Important information: Kiriacoulis is the only one of our partners to offer a charter service from Sunday to Sunday!

• Cagliari Sailing Charter is the last mentioned, but by no means the least appreciated! It is the darling of our customers, who honor it with a formidable score of 16.37/20. Its five bases, strategically placed around Sardinia, cover all the most wonderful places to discover. For a dream vacation, take the helm of one of its 10 luxurious boats departing from Portisco!

• "I would like to give a special mention to the rental company Boomerang Charter in Portisco marina. They were really friendly and I really appreciated their professionalism and the quality of their services," John told me. "They were so kind and extremely honest from start to finish, and it showed. They were pleasant in the way they handled the deposits, which was very pleasant." Our customers agree with John and give him the superb rating of 17.06/20. For a smooth cruise, you can climb aboard one of their 36 boats departing from Portisco!

It is important to know that the majority of rental companies do not provide the services of a skipper. Don't worry, you can always contact"Captains and Crew", who offer this kind of service. Three of our partners are an exception to the rule: Dream Yacht Charter, Sunsail-Moorings and Kiriacoulis.

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2. What is there to do in the town of Portisco?

The town itself is not conducive to visiting and exploring. Best known for its splendid marina, there is nothing there other than accommodation and a few restaurants. A thousand apologies to history lovers, there is no historic city center to explore or works to contemplate in museums. Nothing is stopping you from hoisting the sails and setting off to board the archipelago! But before setting out in the open sea, stop for a bite to eat at"Ristorante Matt's" or"Aquamarina" and have a drink at"Café del Porto". With an amazing quality/price ratio, believe me, you won't regret it!

And why spend energy running all over the city when you can relax and sunbathe on the fine sand? The surrounding beaches are sublime and displayan admirable play of colors. Similarly, the beaches of Portisco and Rena have very shallow sandy bottoms, which will delight parents who can lie down peacefully while the children swim safely.

"The return to Portisco on the last day was absolutely magical! Not only did we sail past one of the most beautiful yachts in the world, the Flying Fox, but we were also escorted by a group of dolphins all around our sublime Oceanis 43," recounts Bernard, a Filovent customer who sailed at the end of September."This almost fantastical scene made us really regret leaving!"

3. Where can you sail from the town of Portisco?

Once you've had your fill of vitamin D on the beaches of the famous "Emerald Coast" inlet, it's time to set sail for one idyllic adjustment of course and speed after another. From Portisco, there are many possible routes: the Costa Smeralda, the Maddalena archipelago and southern Corsica. "If I had to describe my vacation in one word, I would say"successful." It was the first time I had rented as captain, but also the first time I had taken my whole family with me on a cruise, and everything went really well, it was perfect," said John , who went sailing in August.

The Costa Smeralda

If you're a fan of glitter, you'll love the bling-bling of Porto Cervo, a must-see on the Costa Smeralda. This trendy town, truly considered the capital of the coast, is the haunt of billionaires and the biggest stars on the planet. The aim being to show off, the marina is filled with yachts and sailboats, each more luxurious than the last. To honor its guests, it is the best equipped in all of Sardinia. High prices are required!

After marveling at the extreme luxury of the port, stroll through the two main shopping streets, Sottopiazza and Passeggiata, and snap up some luxury sunglasses to face the region's bright sunshine. In the evening, go party in the city's select clubs. Who knows, you might come face to face with Brad Pitt, cocktail in hand!

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You don't like the glitzy side of things, you find this town superficial and want to discover more authentic corners? We have just what you need! Fall in love with the townof Arzachena and learn about the history of Sardinia and discover archaeological sites. Or opt instead for San Pantaleo and its rural and traditional side, which offers a splendid panorama of the mountains.

Exhausted from sightseeing and shopping? Go relax on one of the sumptuous beaches of the Costa Smeralda. The most famous is the beach of Pevero, spacious with water in sailing trim. Another jewel is a 15-minute drive from Porto Cervo. Fall in love with its green, pink and blue colors, the Arab prince Karim Aga Khan IV named this marvel the Principe beach. If you are looking for something original, the Rena Bianca beach with its white sand and pink reflections will surprise you. This phenomenon, caused by the erosion of the coral close to the shore, contributes to the fact that it has been voted the most beautiful beach on the Costa Smeralda, with a beautiful view over the entire Gulf of Cugnana.

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The Maddalena archipelago

What would northern Sardinia be without the Maddalena archipelago? A true paradise on earth, you will feel as if you are immersed in the tropics as you sail through what has been a marine national park since 1994. Exploring its seven islands is a must. You can see them all in a day's sailing as they are only a few kilometers from each other! "If there is one place you really must see in the north of Sardinia, it is the Maddalena archipelago! There is a multitude of fantastic bays and coves, each one more beautiful than the last", Antonella Melillo of NSS Charter tells me.

"The Maddalena anchorages are all more beautiful than the last! There is a lot of wind in the archipelago, which means that we hardly used the cruise's engine, and that's really very pleasant. When we anchored boats, we were always well sheltered by the islands and not at all bothered by the winds. It was the perfect week's sailing! ", says Bernard, who sailed at the end of September on the side of the boat of an Oceanis 43.

The largest, but also the best known of the "seven sisters", is La Maddalena. It is also the only one of the group to be inhabited and almost all the typical bars, restaurants and shops are to be found there. If you're a water sports enthusiast, you've come to the right place! This spot is perfect for diving and snorkeling. As for land-based activities, I strongly recommend a visit to the Diocesan Museum inside the church of Santa Maria Maddalena. You won't regret it!

Similarly, do as Léa did, who sailed on a Bavaria Cruiser 34, and set off to discover nature on a hike. "We hiked along a small path on thethe island of Maddalena and climbed up to get a magnificent view of the whole archipelago ," she tells me, "It was quite hard climbing over the stones, but it was totally worth it! It was completely deserted as everyone tends to stay on their boat. I advise you to leave your boat and go deep into nature, but beware of protected areas! We were with a skipper who knew the region well and knew exactly where we were allowed to go."

Walking enthusiasts like Léa will enjoy exploring the island of Caprera, which is known for its hiking trails. You will be charmed by the calm of this rocky and wild island which was the place of retreat of Giuseppe Garibaldi, one of the fathers of Italian unification, from 1855 to 1882. Cut into in a peculiar way, it is full of breathtaking coves and charming little beaches that are unique in their kind. The most beautiful of these is Cala Coticcio, so heavenly that it has been nicknamed little Tahiti!

We strongly advise you to board as many small islands as possible to find the one where you will feel most at home. Perhaps it will be Budelli Island, Léa's favorite, with its famous pink beach. No, it's not a montage, the sand really is that sublime color! Go there with a guide, as this wonderful spot is obviously protected.

Southern Corsica

France also has breathtaking landscapes. Make the most of your stay in Northern Sardinia to head for the south of the Isle of Beauty.

Fall in love with the traditional charm of the city of Bonifacio, a must-see in Southern Corsica. After a stroll along the harbor, at the foot of majestic limestone cliffs, put your muscles to the test by climbing Montagne Saint-Roch. Once you reach the Saint-Roch chapel, your efforts are quickly rewarded by the explosion of color of the sea, the city, the ochre walls, the port and the Citadel. You may even be able to catch a glimpse of your point of departure in the open sea! Before setting off for new horizons, stroll through the narrow streets of the Upper Town, steeped in medieval history and offering a breathtaking view of the Mediterranean.

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Climb aboard and cast off towards the Lavezzi Islands, 10 kilometers south of Bonifacio. A true French jewel, this archipelago made up of granite islets is just waiting to be explored. On the program: sunbathing and diving in the crystal-clear waters. "Being anchored in the Lavezzi is exceptional! Especially since when we went there, they were deserted. It's absolutely magnificent how they have been sculpted by time, the waves and the wind. This offers us magical anchorages with beautiful postcard-like color blends," says Thierry, a Filovent customer who sailed on an Oceanis 51.1. For an optimal exploration of the archipelago, Filovent presents the most spectacular corners of the Lavezzi Islands. You can anchor your boat at Cala Lazarina, with its famous pyramid commemorating the shipwreck of the frigate La Sémillante in 1855.

4. The most beautiful anchorages starting from Portisco

"Northern Sardinia is full of sublime coves where anchored boats are very welcome. Some are deserted and it's better than being on top of each other on the beach. The nearest boats are about ten meters away, so it's incredibly calm and relaxing", explains Léa, who sailed on a Bavaria Cruiser 34. The Maddalena archipelago is full of sublime anchorages, most of which shelter you from all winds, and its sandy bottoms make anchoring easy. Most of the anchorages that we are going to recommend to you are part of this marine national park.

The Lagoon of Passo Cecca di Morto

The Lagoon of Passo Cecca di Morto is a shallow passage located between three of the islands of La Maddalena: Budelli, Santa Maria and Razzoli. It is an excellent snorkeling spot because the water is translucent and the seabed is very diverse. "It was very busy, but as the boats were quite far apart, it wasn't a problem", confided Léa, who was sailing a Bavaria Cruiser 34. "It's a delight for the eyes, we had a very special moment at this anchorage. We spent the night there and so had the chance to watch both the sunset and the sunrise," she tells me. "It's really the place to be, it's absolutely fantastic", confides Thierry, who sailed on an Oceanis 51.1.

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Spalmatore di Terra

"The best anchorage on our cruise was Tavolara Island. The contrast in relief is great! Between its huge, very high cliff and the sort of small sandy lagoon, it's really nice for anchored boats", reveals Thierry, who sailed on an Oceanis 51.1. This island is not completely accessible to tourists since it has been home to a NATO military base since 1962.

In the southwest of the island is another surprising anchorage. It is a tiny peninsula called Spalmatore di Terra, made entirely of limestone. Fun fact: it is a self-proclaimed micronation recognized by the Italian king Victor Emmanuel!

If it's the view of the majestic Tavolara rocks that attracts you, Cala Brandinchi is for you! Located on the coast below Olbia, it is a sandy and protected anchorage.

Cala Del Cafaletti

Cala Del Cafaletti on the island of Spargi is John's favorite spot, and he has made many anchorages there! "We never spent the night in port, but always at anchorages. We set off with three boats with friends, we sailed together and in the evening we would meet at the anchorage to admire the magnificent sunsets and havean aperitif together ", he tells me. "Paddle boats had their part to play! They were essential for the children to go from one boat to another in the evening to have fun together. We really came to enjoy the beautiful anchorages, we only sailed between 2 and 3 hours a day."

"My favorite anchorage is the magnificent cove of Cala Del Cefaletti. It's not easy to find and you have to maneuver carefully, but once we were settled in, it was just magical: the surrounding nature and the color of the water were breathtaking!" he admits. "There were very few people and we even went for a short walk along the beach."

Cala Corsara

To the south of the island of Spargi, you can find a paradise-like little cove, Cala Corsara, where anchored boats can safely lie. Its name comes from the fact that it was once a pirate hideout, so you might even find a hidden treasure! Well protected from the mistral, it is perfectly suitable for the night. Go there early, the few buoys installed by the park are quickly taken by storm!

Cala Caprese

Cala Caprese is the perfect place if you have children. Located on the island of Caprera, it is easily accessible and its sand is unparalleled in its softness. "It's a very pleasant beach and the sunrise is magnificent!", Léa tells me, who sailed on a Bavaria Cruiser 34.

Rondinara beach

Shaped like a horseshoe or a turquoise seashell, this beach hidden between Porto-Vecchio and Bonifacio is one of the most famous in Corsica. You will be well protected from all winds in this cove, surrounded by large rocks. "It's a great place to spend the night," admits Léa, who sailed on a Bavaria Cruiser 34.

étant donné que le Nord de la Sardaigne regorge d'encore plus de merveilleux mouillages, nous vous avons rédigé un guide des mouillages de Sardaigne.

5. What activities can you do to enjoy northern Sardinia?

"My morning ritual was a good swim! What a pleasure to wake up and dive into water at the same temperature as the air, around 25ºC," says Bernard, who sailed at the end of September. "We also went for lots of walks on the islands along paths with magnificent views."

"We did a lot of diving and snorkeling. We lazed around on the beautiful beaches near Portisco, ate in restaurants and had drinks on the terrace. There was also a campsite at one point where we had the chance to play volleyball, which was also great fun. Northern Sardinia has a perfect combination of land and sea. We really enjoyed sailing, but also had anchored boats to continue our journey on land and visit some cities, like the hike on the island of La Maddalena," says Léa, a Filovent customer.

"In the evening, we would stop at the anchorage with other friends and havean aperitif together while the children played in the water and went paddleboarding," John, who sailed in August, tells me. "My son loved paddleboarding so much that he wanted one once we got home, even though we don't live on the side of the sea, just to say!"

6. Which sailing itineraries should you follow?

"In 7 days, it is possible to sail well to the Maddalena archipelago, but I would advise more than two weeks for pleasure boaters so that they have time to go to the south of Corsica as well and better enjoy Sardinia", Antonella Melillo of NSS Charter tells me.

Sailing itinerary for a week's trip taken by Bernard - Total distance covered: 79 nautical miles

• Day 1: Portisco / Cala dei Sardi → Caprera / Porto Palma (15 nautical miles)
• Day 2: Caprera / Porto Palma → La Maddalena / Citta L.M. (8 nautical miles)
• Day 3: La Maddalea / Citta L.M. → Cala Santa Maria (7 nautical miles)
• Day 4: Cala Santa Maria → La Maddalena / Cala Spalmore (5 nautical miles)
• Day 5: La Maddalena / Cala Spalmore
• Day 6: La Maddalena / Cala Spalmore → the Lavezzi archipelago → Spargi / Cala Corsara (20 nautical miles)
• Day 7: Spargi / Cala Corsara → Portisco / Cala dei Sardi (24 nautical miles)

One-week sailing itinerary taken by Thierry - Total distance traveled: 149 nautical miles

• Day 1: Portisco -> Tavolara (14 nautical miles)
• Day 2: Tavolara → Cala Brandinchi → Poltu Ottiolu (25 nautical miles)
• Day 3: Poltu Ottiolu > Cala di Volpe > Caprera (49 nautical miles)
• Day 4: Caprera Island → Maddalena Island (8 nautical miles)
• Day 5: Island of La Maddalena > Passo Cecca di Morto > Santa Teresa di Gallura (15 nautical miles)
• Day 6: Santa Teresa di Gallura → Lavezzi → Passo Cecca di Morto (25 nautical miles)
• Day 7: Passo Cecca di Morto → Portisco (25 nautical miles)

One-week sailing itinerary taken by Léa - Total distance traveled: 109 nautical miles

• Day 1: Portisco → Cala Caprera (15 nautical miles)
• Day 2: Cala Caprera → Porto-Vecchio (34 nautical miles)
• Day 3: Porto-Vecchio → Santa Giulia → Playa Rondinara (18 nautical miles)
• Day 4: Playa Rondinara → Budelli and Razolli islands (13 nautical miles)
• Day 5: Budelli and Razolli Islands → La Maddalena → Le Saline (12 nautical miles)
• Day 6: Le Saline → Portisco (17 nautical miles)

The Filovent team has personally put together a pleasant one-week sailing itinerary for you in Sardinia.

7. What are the weather conditions?

Less expensive than Corsica, Sardinia guarantees a complete change of scenery in a movie setting. Its perfect Mediterranean climate makes it pleasant to discover all year round. Summers are hot and dry, perfectly tempered by the refreshing sea breeze.

A victim of its popularity, it has become very touristy and extremely crowded, particularly in July and August. The months of June and September are the best for discovering it peacefully and with more choice of boats!

The archipelago enjoys consistently high temperatures, between 20°C and 30°C, and showers are rare from April to October. Swimming trips are possible all year round! This splendid natural swimming pool stays above 20ºC from June to October, even if it cools down a little in April.

"To take full advantage of Northern Sardinia, I advise future yachtsmen to come and sail during the low season, from the beginning of June to mid-September", recommends Antonella Melillo of NSS Charter. A member of the Cruising Charter staff confirms this: "The Italians have their vacations at the end of July and in August, so I recommend the months of June or September because there are far fewer people and boats, and the weather is always superb!"

Among the Mediterranean winds, the violent Libeccio wind, coming from the west, blows all year round over Sardinia, often exceeding force 4. In summer, it is generally accompanied by mild weather, while in winter, on the other hand, it is accompanied by heavy rainfall. The hottest summer months are spared to a certain extent. Another common wind coming from the North is the Mistral. This dry wind can also blow violently with a force greater than 7 throughout the year.

It is strongly recommended that you are an excellent skipper to be able to navigate the Lavezzi Islands as well as the Maddalena archipelago. This region is very dangerous due to the shallow sea, the numerous shoals and the weak currents.The Venturi effect in the Strait of Bonifacio makes the task even more difficult, even for the best sailors among you. So take precautions and venture wisely into these crystal-clear waters to avoid capsizing.

Acknowledgements

I would like to thank Thierry, Léa, John and Bernard for their testimonials, which have helped to give authenticity to the article. Many thanks also to Antonella and a member of the Cruising Charter staff for their valuable professional advice.