Blue Ocean Club
8 days · 8 stops

Sardinia's Catalan Coast

The air along Sardinia’s northwest coast carries the scent of wild herbs and the sea, mingling with the faint echo of Catalan voices in Alghero’s fortified old town. Your yacht glides beneath the colossal limestone cliffs of Capo Caccia, a gateway to the silent, protected world of Asinara National Park. This is a journey through a unique cultural landscape, from the vibrant harbour of Alghero to the stark, beautiful remnants of a mining past at Argentiera, discovering a Sardinia that feels entirely distinct and deeply historic.

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  1. DAY 01

    Alghero

    You arrive in Alghero, a city where Italy meets Catalonia. Settle aboard your yacht in the bustling marina before stepping ashore to explore the honey-stoned Centro Storico, enclosed within formidable sea walls. The unique Algherese dialect, a legacy of Catalan conquest, is audible in the chatter from pavement cafés.

    • Walk the complete circuit of the historic defensive sea walls
    • Explore the cobbled lanes and discover the Cattedrale di Santa Maria
    • Browse for red coral jewellery, a local speciality
    • Enjoy an aperitivo in the lively Piazza Civica
    Anchorage
    Porto di Alghero Marina
    Dining
    Ristorante Al Tuguri for its refined take on Catalan-Sardinian cuisine.
  2. DAY 02

    Capo Caccia & Porto Conte

    Cruise west towards the majestic limestone cliffs of Capo Caccia, a towering headland that guards the entrance to the Bay of Porto Conte. The yacht's tender takes you to the base of the cliffs, entering the cool, cavernous expanse of Neptune's Grotto. The scale of the stalactites and stalagmites, reflected in a vast saltwater lake, is immense.

    • Take a tender into the magnificent Grotta di Nettuno
    • For the energetic, climb the 654-step 'Escala del Cabirol'
    • Dive the world-renowned Nereo Cave (for certified divers)
    • Swim and use the water toys in the calm, protected Bay of Porto Conte
    Anchorage
    Anchor in Cala Tramariglio, Porto Conte Bay
    Dining
    Dinner aboard, with the dramatic silhouette of Capo Caccia as your backdrop.
  3. DAY 03

    Stintino & La Pelosa Beach

    Your yacht anchors off La Pelosa, a beach famed for its powder-fine white sand and astonishingly clear, shallow water. The sea shifts through every shade of blue, with views across to an ancient Aragonese watchtower standing sentinel on its own islet. The afternoon is for pure seaside relaxation in one of the Mediterranean's most celebrated settings.

    • Swim in the famously turquoise waters of La Pelosa beach
    • Kayak or paddleboard to the Torre della Pelosa
    • Visit the charming fishing village of Stintino
    • Explore the Museo della Tonnara, dedicated to the local tuna fishing history
    Anchorage
    Anchorage in the Rada di Stintino, offshore from La Pelosa
    Dining
    L'Ancora Porticciolo for impeccably fresh fish by the water's edge.
  4. DAY 04

    Asinara National Park (South)

    Arrive at the southern end of Asinara, Italy's 'Alcatraz', now a serene national park. This island of ghosts and rare wildlife is almost silent, the quiet broken only by birdsong. You may catch your first glimpse of the island's famous miniature white donkeys grazing near the disused prison buildings of Fornelli.

    • Spot the endemic albino donkeys of Asinara
    • Take a guided 4x4 tour to learn the island's unique history
    • Visit the former maximum-security prison branch at Fornelli
    • Snorkel in the crystalline waters of Cala Sabina
    Anchorage
    Mooring buoys at the Campo Boe di Cala Reale
    Dining
    Dinner aboard in the tranquil silence of the national park.
  5. DAY 05

    Asinara National Park (North)

    Cruise to the northern, wilder side of Asinara to explore Cala d'Oliva. This abandoned village, once housing prison staff and their families, has a peculiar, frozen-in-time quality. The stark white buildings stand in contrast to the deep blue of the sea and the green of the surrounding maquis scrub.

    • Explore the poignant abandoned village of Cala d'Oliva
    • Visit the sea turtle rescue centre (Centro Recupero Tartarughe Marine)
    • Hike to the ruins of the Castellaccio fortress for wide-ranging views
    • Swim at the secluded Cala dei Detenuti (Prisoners' Cove)
    Anchorage
    Mooring buoys at the Campo Boe di Cala d'Oliva
    Dining
    A special barbecue prepared by the crew on a secluded beach.
  6. DAY 06

    Castelsardo

    The medieval town of Castelsardo makes a striking first impression, its colourful houses cascading down a steep hill from the dominant Doria Castle. You moor in the port below and ascend through a tangle of narrow lanes. Here, you can still see local women weaving traditional baskets in their doorways.

    • Explore the medieval Castello dei Doria and its museum
    • Visit the Museo dell'Intreccio Mediterraneo (Museum of Mediterranean Weaving)
    • Photograph the nearby Roccia dell'Elefante, a peculiar rock formation
    • Wander the narrow, atmospheric streets of the old town
    Anchorage
    Porto di Castelsardo
    Dining
    Ristorante La Guardiola, enjoying traditional dishes with a view over the Gulf of Asinara.
  7. DAY 07

    Argentiera

    The cruise south reveals a wilder, more rugged coastline, leading to the near-ghost town of Argentiera. This former silver mining village, with its weathered wooden structures and industrial relics, presents a stark and fascinating sight against the beautiful beach. It's a powerful piece of Sardinia's industrial heritage, now a haven for quiet contemplation and swimming.

    • Explore the evocative mining ruins of the Argentiera mine
    • Swim and relax on the expansive, uncrowded beach
    • Paddleboard along the dramatic, mineral-stained coastline
    • Enjoy a final afternoon making full use of the yacht's water toys
    Anchorage
    Anchor in the bay of Cala dell'Argentiera
    Dining
    A farewell dinner aboard, curated by your chef to celebrate the flavours of Sardinia.
  8. DAY 08

    Return to Alghero

    A final, leisurely breakfast is served on deck during the short morning cruise back to Alghero. There is time for one last swim in a quiet cove before the familiar golden ramparts of the city come into view. You arrive back in Porto di Alghero for your disembarkation.

    • Enjoy a final Sardinian breakfast at anchor
    • Take a last refreshing swim in the Mediterranean
    • Shop for last-minute gifts in Alghero's old town
    • Savour a final espresso before bidding farewell to your crew
    Anchorage
    Porto di Alghero Marina
    Dining
    A final breakfast prepared by your private chef.
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