Marine tourism in Sardinia

Whether a long trip or a short break, the emotions offered by the Sardinian coasts, shaped by thousands of years of geological history, don’t change. Watched over by dozens of lighthouses and more than a hundred towers standing out against the promontories, sailing never gets boring. Enchanting cliffs alternate with Caribbean-looking beaches and coves hidden between inlets, while the imposing cliffs are dotted with ravines and islets emerge off the coast. Emotions in the name of sustainability and environmental protection, because sailing the seas of Sardinia means losing yourself in fabulous scenarios and in waters rich in biodiversity, within protected marine parks.

To the south is the oasis of Villasimius. Its enchanting beaches fall within the protected area of Capo Carbonara along with two islands, Serpentara and ‘dei Cavoli’, dominated by a lighthouse used as a museum hall and a wedding venue. Further north, the landscape of the Gulf of Orosei is a tribute to the authenticity of the Island. Sea and mountains celebrate a perfect union, from the Supramonte areas of Baunei and Dorgali, as far as the lighthouse of Capo Comino. Moving up the eastern coast, we come to Tavolara: this is just a taste of the ‘daydream’ yet to come, starring the Costa Smeralda, synonymous with social life in the evenings. In this area, the glamorous marinas of Cannigione, Poltu Quatu, Portisco, Porto Cervo and Porto Rotondo stand out.

The route then leads us to the National Park of the Maddalena Archipelago, including 60 islands and islets with their beauty and delicate balance. History peeps out amidst the nature and adventures, with the Garibaldi Museums in Caprera. Opposite, on the ‘mainland’, the retro atmosphere of the lighthouse of Palau is captivating. Next to it is the protected area of Capo Testa, emblem of the granitic coast of Santa Teresa Gallura. Here, there are ‘moon’ landscapes surrounding the strategically-positioned lighthouse, pointing at the Strait of Bonifacio.

The long beaches in the Sassari area are like an ‘appetiser’ before the park of Asinara, with the lighthouse of Punta Scorno on its northern boundary and the Porto Conte Park, on the Riviera del Corallo.

To the west, you can sail through wild and exhilarating stretches of sea, formed like true nature reserves, so primordial that they don’t seem to have been reached by man. This is the feeling you get when sailing along the Bosa, Costa Verde and Sulcis coastlines. Between cliffs overlooking the sea and sand dunes, you can see the ruins of the mining era that look out at a sea wavering between poetry and ferment. By mooring in Torregrande, you can visit evocative places, the ‘home’ of the Giants of Mont’e Prama, the most important archaeological discovery of the end of the last century in the Mediterranean. Lastly, on the islands of San Pietro and Sant’Antioco, you can combine archaeological discovery and cultural and culinary traditions with the pleasure of picture postcard landscapes, like the painting ‘created’ by the lighthouse of Mangiabarche in Calasetta.

Sardinia is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. It is also a hub for yachting in the Mediterranean. The island’s tourist ports represent an asset capable of keeping the businesses involved active all year round, also thanks to the shipbuilding industry, generating an important economic activity and vivifying the territory. The figures prove it: in almost two thousand kilometres of coast, there are 130 landing places making a total of about twenty thousand berths, almost six thousand for boats over ten metres in length.

The best way to go to sea safely is to count on a network of well-distributed and equipped landing places like that of the island. Whether you drop anchor in ports with little traffic or in five-star docks, it still feels like you’re landing in exotic places. Instead, we find ourselves in the middle of the Mediterranean, sailing through beauty and experiencing the sunrises and sunsets of a thousand and one nights on a boat. Then, behind the ports, there is the other Sardinia, guardian of thousands of years of tradition.

In the tourist ports of Alghero, Cagliari and Olbia, the services are excellent and the moorings are located a stone’s throw from lively historic centres, where you can taste the traditional and innovative flavours of Sardinian cuisine and where you can stay out late and enjoy the clubs and bars along the splendid city coastlines.

Meanwhile, in the ports of Bosa, Castelsardo and Stintino to the north-west, Buggerru, Carloforte and Sant’Antioco to the south-west, Arbatax, Santa Maria Navarrese and Cala Gonone to the east, aside from the modern and functional services, you can still feel the atmosphere of the fishing villages.

If you intend to sail in seas rich in biodiversity, we are on the Island of the marine protected areas. They can be discovered, while respecting the rules each one imposes, by circumnavigating Sardinia, from oasis to oasis, aware of entering unique environments, and setting off from avant-garde marinas with high-quality services. From the port of Villasimius we set sail to visit the marine area of Capo Carbonara; from those of Olbia, Porto Ottiolu (Budoni), Porto San Paolo and San Teodoro to explore the Tavolara-Capo Coda Cavallo Marine Protected Area; from Cala Gavetta to La Maddalena, Palau and Costa Smeralda to visit the Maddalena Archipelago. Santa Teresa Gallura is the departure point for reaching Capo Testa, Stintino for reaching Asinara and Alghero for reaching Porto Conte. You can discover the magic of Sinis by setting off from Torregrande (Oristano). Beyond the perimeter of the protected areas, there are wild stretches, ‘parks’ although not sanctioned by any decree: Costa Verde and Sulcis to the south-west and the Gulf of Orosei to the east.

Environmental sustainability is certified by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) that, in 2023, awarded the Blue Flag not only to 45 Sardinian beaches (in 15 municipalities), but also to eight tourist landing places, witnesses of a development that combines economic returns and protection of the marine ecosystem.

130 landing places

20 thousand berths (6 thousand for boats over 10 metres long)

Blue Flag 2023 tourist ports:

1. Castelsardo - 550 berths
2. Santa Teresa Gallura - 750 berths
3. Cala Gavetta at La Maddalena - 140 moorings
4. Poltu Quatu - 300 berths
5. Porto Cervo - 700 berths
6. Portisco (Olbia) - 600 moorings
7. Santa Maria Navarrese (Baunei) - 375 moorings
8. Capitana (Quartu Sant’Elena) - 480 berths