Sailing South Sardinia: Carloforte to Villasimius
Sailing southern Sardinia gives you two coasts in one week. East of Cagliari lies the Capo Carbonara marine reserve at Villasimius, with clear water, islets and strict zoning. West, the Costa del Sud runs past Chia and Teulada to Sant'Antioco and San Pietro, where Carloforte keeps its Ligurian dialect and tuna tradition. A typical week is a loop from Cagliari: some long passages, short island days and one eye on the maestrale.
Where to charter a yacht for southern Sardinia?
Most people start in Cagliari. It has several city-centre marinas and sits between both ends of the route. If you mainly want San Pietro and the south-west, look at a yacht charter in Carloforte. For other bases around the island, see our Sardinia boat rental page. Charter weeks usually run Saturday to Saturday. To take a boat out bareboat you need a licence the charter company accepts (see boat licence in Italy and the ICC certificate). If you don't have one, hire a skipper or book a crewed yacht. Charter yachts from local bases can be booked on Ship O'Hoi, bareboat or with a skipper.
A 7-day sailing itinerary from Cagliari
The loop covers about 185 nautical miles with two long passages. For a slower week, pick either the east (Villasimius) or the west (San Pietro). All distances are approximate. Plan with up-to-date charts and a pilot book.
Day 1: Cagliari to Villasimius
Approx. 20 nm east across the Golfo degli Angeli. The Marina di Villasimius lies inside the Capo Carbonara marine protected area. The AMP describes it as the largest marina on Sardinia's south-east coast, with about 750 berths for boats up to 25 m. Overnight in the marina, and book in high summer.
Tip: the AMP's outer zone D extends two miles from the coast and has a 20-knot speed limit. Closer in, zones B and C have lower limits (see Rules below).
Day 2: Capo Carbonara marine reserve
Approx. 10-15 nm of day sailing inside the AMP, out to the Isola dei Cavoli and Isola Serpentara and past Punta Molentis. Anchoring in zone C is only allowed in two marked areas, Campulongu and Porto Giunco, and only on sand or pebbles. Both work as lunch or overnight stops in settled weather; otherwise return to the marina.
Tip: download the zoning map from the AMP's site before you go. Zone A areas are marked by buoys, and you may not enter them.
Day 3: Villasimius to Teulada via Chia
Approx. 38 nm west, a long day, so leave early. You pass Cagliari again and follow the coast to Chia, with its watchtower on the headland above the Su Portu cove, then round Capo Spartivento. Stop for a swim off Chia only in settled weather. Overnight in the modern tourist port of Teulada (Porto di Teulada), below the old Torre del Budello watchtower.
Tip: this is the longest leg of the week. Check the forecast before you commit, and know which marinas near Pula and Chia you could divert to.
Day 4: Teulada to Calasetta via Porto Pino
Approx. 32 nm. Leaving Teulada, you pass straight along the Capo Teulada military range, where you may only transit (see Rules). You can't anchor there, and landing is always forbidden. Once round the cape, the Golfo di Palmas opens up with the long beach of Porto Pino. It has shallow water and is backed by the white Is Arenas Biancas dunes. It's a lunch stop in settled weather. Then round Capo Sperone at the southern tip of Sant'Antioco and sail up the island's west coast to Calasetta. Overnight in Calasetta harbour.
Tip: Calasetta was founded by Ligurian coral and tuna fishermen who came from Tabarka in Tunisia.
Day 5: Around San Pietro to Carloforte
Approx. 22 nm around the island of San Pietro. Head south to Le Colonne, the two sea stacks that are Carloforte's symbol, and the La Conca inlet. Then go up the west coast to Capo Sandalo and its 19th-century lighthouse, the westernmost in Italy, and on to the fjord-like Cala Fico, a LIPU bird reserve for Eleonora's falcons. Finish in Carloforte, the island's only town. In a maestrale, skip the west coast and cross the channel directly (approx. 4 nm).
Tip: the old tuna trap (tonnara) at La Punta is still active. Bluefin tuna are caught there in spring, roughly April to June.
Day 6: Carloforte to Teulada
Approx. 34 nm back south-east: down the San Pietro channel, round Capo Sperone and across the Golfo di Palmas to Capo Teulada. Overnight in Porto di Teulada again.
Tip: before you pass Capo Teulada, check the Coast Guard notices for firing exercises. On firing days, the sea area is closed completely.
Day 7: Teulada to Cagliari
Approx. 30 nm round Capo Spartivento and back along the coast to Cagliari. Refuel if your contract requires it and respect the return time in your charter agreement.
| Leg | Distance | Overnight | Highlight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cagliari to Villasimius | approx. 20 nm | Marina di Villasimius | Golfo degli Angeli |
| Capo Carbonara day | approx. 10-15 nm | Porto Giunco / Campulongu anchoring areas or marina | Isola dei Cavoli, Serpentara |
| Villasimius to Teulada | approx. 38 nm | Porto di Teulada | Chia, Capo Spartivento |
| Teulada to Calasetta | approx. 32 nm | Calasetta harbour | Porto Pino, Capo Sperone |
| Around San Pietro | approx. 22 nm | Carloforte | Le Colonne, Capo Sandalo, Cala Fico |
| Carloforte to Teulada | approx. 34 nm | Porto di Teulada | Golfo di Palmas |
| Teulada to Cagliari | approx. 30 nm | Cagliari | Costa del Sud |
Rules and safety in southern Sardinia
Capo Carbonara marine protected area. The AMP around Villasimius has four zones, and the regulation sets the rules for each:
- Zone A: no navigation, no anchoring and no mooring.
- Zone B: sailing yachts and other small craft may navigate at up to 5 knots within 300 m of the coast and up to 10 knots between 300 and 600 m, in displacement mode. Anchoring is allowed only on sand or pebbles.
- Zone C: the same speed limits apply. Yachts up to 40 m may anchor only in the Campulongu and Porto Giunco areas, on sand or pebbles.
- Zone D: the outer belt, where the limit is 20 knots.
Anchoring on posidonia seagrass is not allowed anywhere in the AMP. You may not navigate in bathing areas set by the Coast Guard's ordinances, even where they aren't marked with buoys. You may not discharge bilge water, untreated waste water or rubbish.
Mooring buoys at Capo Carbonara. The AMP's buoy fields are at Campus/Cuccureddus, Campulongu, Punta Molentis and the Isola dei Cavoli, and you need an authorisation from the AMP to use them. A fee applies, based on boat length and length of stay. Under the current rules the buoys are assigned to authorised operators, including rental and charter boats, so ask your charter company whether its yachts are covered. Orange buoys take boats up to 24 m, yellow ones boats up to 15 m, and only one boat may use each buoy. Approach at 2 knots or less. Swimming and anchoring are not allowed inside the buoy fields. Current rules: the AMP's decrees and regulations page.
Capo Teulada military range. A standing ordinance of the Cagliari Coast Guard (no. 132/2021) covers the sea off the range, from the southern tip of Capo Teulada to Punta Pirastu. Because unexploded ordnance may lie on the seabed, anchoring, diving and fishing are permanently banned there. You may pass through, and swim in water at least 5 m deep, but only when no firing exercises are under way. Landing by sea on the range's beaches and cliffs is always forbidden. During exercises, separate ordinances close the sea area completely. West of Capo Teulada, the ordinance of the Sant'Antioco Coast Guard office applies. Check the current notices before every passage.
Wind. The maestrale blows from the north-west (ARPAS Sardinia). On this route, San Pietro's west coast, Capo Sperone and the Golfo di Palmas take it with no shelter. The San Pietro channel, the harbours of Carloforte and Calasetta, and the south-east around Villasimius and Cagliari are the places to wait it out. Use the ARPAS wind maps and the official marine forecast every morning.
Licence. In Italy you can drive a boat without a licence only if the engine is up to 30 kW (40.8 hp) and you stay within 6 nautical miles of the coast. Beyond 6 nm or with a bigger engine, you need a licence. Charter yachts are normally skippered by someone with a licence the company accepts, or you hire a skipper. See boat licence in Italy.
Best time to sail southern Sardinia
The sailing season runs roughly from May to October. July and August bring the most boats, so book marina berths ahead, especially in Villasimius and Carloforte. May, June and September are quieter. Carloforte's tuna season falls in spring (roughly April to June), and the Girotonno tuna festival is usually held around the end of May. Check the official dates each year.
FAQ
Can I anchor anywhere in the Capo Carbonara marine reserve?
No. In zone A you can't anchor at all. In zone B you may anchor only on sand or pebbles. In zone C you may anchor only inside the marked Campulongu and Porto Giunco areas. Never anchor on posidonia.
Is it safe to sail past Capo Teulada?
Yes, when no firing is going on. Transit is allowed, but you may not anchor, dive or fish in the ordinance area, and landing on the range is forbidden. On exercise days the sea area is closed by ordinance, so check the Coast Guard notices first.
How long is the passage from Cagliari to Carloforte?
Around the south coast via Capo Spartivento, Capo Teulada and Capo Sperone it's roughly 60-65 nm, best split with a night in Teulada.
Is southern Sardinia good for a first sailing holiday in Italy?
The Villasimius side is: short hops, a well-equipped marina and clear rules. The western half has longer open passages and is exposed to the maestrale. It suits crews who are comfortable in a fresh breeze, or a week with a skipper.
If you're sailing more of Sardinia, carry on north with our La Maddalena and Costa Smeralda sailing week, or cross to Sicily for the Egadi Islands guide. Before you go, see what to bring on a yacht charter.
