Sardinia and the Amalfi Coast are relatively close to each other, but they are completely different in a number of ways. Choosing the right place to cruise is important. We recommend thorough research before booking your luxury yacht charter, so you can find the best fit for your group and plan the best trip possible.
Sardinia harbors clear water and an untouched rural paradise, with Corsica a short distance away. The Amalfi Coast is iconic for a reason: the dining is unmatched, and the famous cities are worth a visit. Choosing between them depends on personal preference, the length of the charter, and the itinerary.
Why Go to Sardinia on Your Luxury Yacht Charter?
Quiet cruising grounds, pure water. Less glamour, more natural beauty.
- Rural Seclusion and High Class Luxury: Enjoy the untouched waters of the La Maddalena Archipelago and many more isolated, perfect bays. This is the place to find quiet anchorages and enjoy sunsets and swimming, alongside water toy entertainment. Costa Smeralda gives opportunities for beach clubs and incredible dining, balancing the best of both worlds.
- Reach Corsica With Ease: Corsica is a different world, and equally as beautiful. Luckily, it is within reach, and just a short day trip away. Experiencing the beauty of this melting pot of Mediterranean culture is a must.
- Crystal Clear Water: Sardinia’s coastlines are known for their tropical look – because it is just that clear. The clarity has been compared to the Caribbean, and there are few places in Europe where this exists.
- Sardinian Food and Wine: There is nothing quite like the cuisine and wine offered on this island. The food is rustic and seafood-based, and the wines match perfectly. Our expert crews will guide you to the best restaurants in the area.
- Straightforward Entry: Olbia is reachable from most major European cities by flying directly, meaning less transfers, and more time in the water.
Not to be Missed: Corsica
Don’t skip the iconic Bonifacio Strait in the South of Corsica, with its limestone cliffs and epic landscape. Our experienced crews will guide you through the often unpredictable weather, and recommend this side trip as one of the most dramatic views in European yachting.
Why Go to the Amalfi Coast on Your Luxury Yacht Charter?
It’s a showstopper for a reason, but you will be among the crowds.
- Incredible Dining: This coastline has a hard-won reputation for world-class dining. Want dinner with waterfront views and the best seafood anywhere? This is where you need to be. Have a morning coffee in San Remo before embarking, head to lunch at Lo Scoglio in Nerano, and be in Capri for dinner at Da Paolino, under a canopy of lemon trees.
- Iconic Views: Nothing screams postcard like the cliffs of Positano. These are some of the most picturesque waterside views in the world. The historic appeal of the landscape is unmatched, from the Blue Grotto of Capri to Mount Vesuvius and Sorrento.
- Strong Base for Luxury Yachting: Our crews see time and time again that this is a hub for yachting, and the harbors are well-equipped to handle large vessels. This is the center of superyachting in Europe, with a strong and versatile fleet.
- Short Journeys: Everything is within reach with a high powered yacht. The entire coastline is around 30 nautical miles, meaning a changeable itinerary that can take you where you want to go, even when you change your mind.
- The Best of Both Worlds: Indulge in the Michelin dining and get amongst the bustling shoreline, or anchor and watch on, swimming and snorkeling. You make the call.
Not to be missed: Capri
Capri is a must for any charter based in the Amalfi Coast. Towering cliffs and tiny grottos with azure water are an intensely beautiful stopover, and the town itself is known for its Michelin starred dining and waterside views.
N.B. IN BOTH LOCATIONS, we recommend choosing a motoryacht, so that travel is easy and smooth. That way, you’ll get to spend more time snorkelling, dining and paddleboarding. A superyacht is an ideal way to bring larger parties of friends and family together, within an ultimate luxury setting. A sailboat is indeed an option, but it means longer transit times, or a shortened itinerary.
Where Should You Choose?
Depending on your preferences, these are two places that can give you the trip of a lifetime. It is clear that we have seen a shift away from the Amalfi Coast in peak season, given how busy it can be. But this doesn’t mean it isn’t an option.
These two locations are suited to very different charter guests, so making the right choice is important, as expert charter broker John Bouillon explains:
“The Amalfi Coast is all about clifftop views and amazing food. I’ll be honest with you, the water is not that clear, and cruising up and down the coast is pretty busy. Sardinia, however, is beautiful and not overpopulated. The island has nature reserves, quaint anchorages to the north of Olbia, and gives you a lot of flexibility without really going too far, and it’s not so busy.”
In summary, choose The Amalfi Coast if you are looking for an iconic, shorter cruising experience, mixing cultural heritage and Michelin-starred meals with postcard Instagram shots. The Amalfi Coast is all glamour, beauty, and being seen.
Choose Sardinia if you are looking for natural beauty, seclusion, and interesting local food, with more opportunities to have an anchorage to yourself and less traffic around you. Sardinia is all about adventure, rugged beauty, and distinct, regional cuisine.
The Best Time To Travel
This is incredibly important on the Amalfi Coast, as it is one of Europe’s most popular yachting destinations. Reservations for restaurants and anchorages are in very high demand, so our experts recommend booking well in advance or choosing to travel outside of the high season between June and August. May and September are significantly less packed, and would be a sensible option if you are concerned about crowds.
Sardinia peaks in July and August, but it is much less crowded, so planning is not as essential. However, planning your luxury charter outside of the busy summer months can reward you with private anchorage and quiet bays with little to no traffic.
