Blue Ocean Club
8 days · 8 stops

The Strait of Bonifacio

The air, thick with the scent of wild myrtle and pine, shifts as you depart Sardinia’s Costa Smeralda. Your yacht glides across the impossibly turquoise waters of the Strait of Bonifacio, a legendary channel separating two distinct island cultures. Ahead, the Corsican coast rises, a fortress of white limestone cliffs crowned by the ancient citadel of Bonifacio. This is a voyage of contrasts, from the polished glamour of Porto Cervo to the raw, wind-sculpted granite of the Lavezzi isles, charting a course through the Mediterranean’s most captivating waters.

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  1. DAY 01

    Olbia & Golfo Aranci

    Upon joining your yacht in Marina di Olbia, a gentle cruise north reveals the character of the Gallura coast. Sun-bleached granite rocks sculpted by the wind slope into clear, calm waters. You drop anchor as the sun dips behind the hills, casting a warm glow over the headland of Capo Figari and filling the air with the scent of the macchia scrub.

    • Explore the historic centre and Romanesque Basilica di San Simplicio in Olbia.
    • Enjoy the yacht’s water toys in the sheltered bay of Cala Moresca.
    • Take the tender for sunset cocktails at the beach club in Cala Sabina.
    • Watch for dolphins off the limestone cliffs of Capo Figari.
    Anchorage
    Cala Sabina
    Dining
    A welcome dinner aboard, curated by your private chef using ingredients from Olbia’s Mercato Civico.
  2. DAY 02

    Porto Cervo, Costa Smeralda

    Arrive in the epicentre of Sardinian glamour, Porto Cervo. The yacht slips past superyachts to its berth in the glittering marina, the heart of a village conceived by the Aga Khan. The afternoon is for observing the vibrant promenade from your sundeck, before stepping ashore into a world of high fashion, fine art, and sophisticated energy.

    • Stroll the Piazzetta del Sottovento for people-watching and designer boutiques.
    • Visit the unique, modernist Stella Maris church overlooking the bay.
    • Enjoy an aperitivo at the legendary Hotel Cala di Volpe.
    • Explore the polished granite architecture of the village.
    Anchorage
    Marina di Porto Cervo
    Dining
    Dinner at Matsuhisa at the Cala di Volpe or Cipriani Porto Cervo for classic Italian elegance.
  3. DAY 03

    Isola Spargi, La Maddalena Archipelago

    Leaving the coast behind, you enter the pristine marine park of the La Maddalena Archipelago. The island of Spargi presents a wilder Sardinia, its coastline a series of exquisite sandy coves separated by wind-hewn granite formations. The water here is startlingly clear, shifting in shade from pale aquamarine to deep sapphire.

    • Swim and snorkel in the protected, turquoise waters of Cala Corsara.
    • Discover the uniquely shaped granite rocks, including the 'Witch's Head'.
    • Tender to the secluded sands of Cala Soraya.
    • Hike inland for panoramic views across the archipelago.
    Anchorage
    Cala Corsara
    Dining
    A relaxed barbecue lunch prepared by the crew on a secluded beach.
  4. DAY 04

    Isola Caprera & La Maddalena Town

    Explore the historic heart of the archipelago. Caprera, connected by a causeway, is a fragrant national park of pine forest and granite, once home to Italian hero Giuseppe Garibaldi. In the afternoon, berth in the bustling main port of La Maddalena Town, its pastel-hued buildings lining a charming 18th-century harbour.

    • Visit the Compendio Garibaldino, Garibaldi's former home and museum.
    • Anchor and swim at the celebrated Cala Coticcio, known as 'Tahiti'.
    • Explore the lively, narrow streets and granite piazzas of La Maddalena town.
    • Shop for local delicacies and coral jewellery.
    Anchorage
    Cala Gavetta, La Maddalena
    Dining
    Dinner at the renowned La Scogliera, set on its own rocky pier, or Trattoria L'Avventura in town.
  5. DAY 05

    Lavezzi Islands, France

    You cross the often-lively Strait of Bonifacio into French waters. The Lavezzi Islands appear as a low-lying cluster of giant, smooth granite boulders, scattered across a turquoise sea. This uninhabited nature reserve feels prehistoric and serene, a paradise for swimming and exploring, with a poignant history marked by two memorial cemeteries.

    • Snorkel or dive amongst the protected marine life in the clear waters.
    • Walk the sandy tracks that weave between the giant granite boulders.
    • Tender to the secluded beach of Cala di u Ghiuncu.
    • Reflect on the island's history at the memorial to the Sémillante shipwreck.
    Anchorage
    Cala Lazarina (weather permitting)
    Dining
    Lunch at anchor, served on board, surrounded by the unique granite seascape.
  6. DAY 06

    Cavallo Island & Sperone

    Today offers a glimpse of discreet luxury and spectacular nature. Cruise past the ultra-exclusive private island of Cavallo, its manicured shores dotted with silent electric golf carts. A short hop takes you to the Corsican mainland and the Bay of Sperone, where a world-class golf course tumbles down towards two of the most beautiful beaches in the Mediterranean.

    • Play a round at the dramatic Spérone Golf Course, with holes along the cliffs.
    • Anchor and swim between the beaches of Grand Sperone and Petit Sperone.
    • Use the stand-up paddleboards to explore the calm Piantarella lagoon.
    • Enjoy an aperitif at the Hôtel & Spa des Pêcheurs on Cavallo island.
    Anchorage
    Anchorage off Plage de Petit Sperone
    Dining
    Lunch at U Sperone restaurant, overlooking the golf course and the strait.
  7. DAY 07

    The Calanques & Bonifacio Port

    The approach to Bonifacio is one of the world's most dramatic maritime arrivals. Your yacht navigates a narrow passage through towering white limestone cliffs, revealing a perfectly concealed, fjord-like natural harbour. The ancient citadel teeters precariously above, a constant, watchful presence over the bustling quayside below.

    • Take a tender tour of the sea caves, including the Grotte du Sdragonato.
    • View the historic King of Aragon's Stairway carved into the cliff face.
    • Anchor for a swim in the secluded cove of Plage de Fazzio.
    • Stroll the vibrant marina, lined with cafes and restaurants.
    Anchorage
    Port de Bonifacio
    Dining
    A farewell dinner at a quayside restaurant like L'Auberge Corse, or ascend to the old town for a meal with a view at Stella d'Oro.
  8. DAY 08

    Bonifacio Old Town

    Awake in the shelter of the harbour for a final Corsican breakfast. Before disembarking, take the time to ascend to the Haute Ville, the medieval citadel perched 70 metres above the sea. Its labyrinth of narrow, shaded alleyways and ancient stone houses offers a final, powerful impression of this island's resilient spirit.

    • Walk the clifftop ramparts for commanding views of Sardinia and the strait.
    • Explore the maze-like streets and hidden courtyards of the old town.
    • Visit the Bastion de l'Étendard for a lesson in the town's military history.
    • Enjoy a final coffee and canistrelli biscuit in a cafe on Place d'Armes.
    Anchorage
    Port de Bonifacio
    Dining
    A final breakfast on board, enjoying the morning light on the limestone cliffs.
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