Photo: Tommy Krombacher ↗THE JOURNEY IN DETAIL
Granite, mistral and white cliffs.
The Strait of Bonifacio between Sardinia and Corsica is one of the windiest corners of the Mediterranean and one of the loveliest: the pink granite of the Maddalena archipelago, the limestone walls of Bonifacio, the lagoons of Lavezzi. We start from Portisco on the Costa Smeralda, cruise the Maddalena national park, cross the strait to Corsica and come back. The legs are short but the wind demands attention.
- Budelli’s pink beach, closed to landing, and the water around it
- Bonifacio: a town perched on a 60-metre cliff
- The lagoons and granite boulders of Lavezzi
- Garibaldi’s house on Caprera
With old friends or new ones
Join a group or arrange a separate departure for your own team. Before travelling, we get to know each other, discuss everyone's experience and find suitable dates. You can also prepare together.
DAY BY DAY
Your daily itinerary.
A provisional itinerary. Weather, group readiness and local conditions may change the order and length of the stages.
- DAY 1 · Handover
Portisco and boat handover
We meet at Portisco marina at 17:00, take over the yacht and arrange the Maddalena park permit. Provisioning and dinner in Portisco.
Overnight: Yacht, Portisco marina - DAY 2 · 15 nautical miles
Portisco to Spargi
Along the Costa Smeralda past Porto Cervo and after 15 miles into the archipelago. A night at anchor in Cala Corsara on Spargi — granite boulders and aquarium-clear water.
Overnight: Yacht, at anchor in Cala Corsara - DAY 3 · 12 nautical miles
Budelli, Razzoli and La Maddalena
A morning in the channel between Budelli and Razzoli with a swim off the pink beach, then eight miles to the town of La Maddalena for the night.
Overnight: Yacht, La Maddalena harbour - DAY 4 · 14 nautical miles
Crossing the strait to Bonifacio
An early start while the wind is lighter for the 14-mile crossing of the Strait of Bonifacio. We enter the narrow inlet beneath the limestone walls, berth in the marina and walk the upper town in the evening.
Overnight: Yacht, Bonifacio marina - DAY 5 · 14 nautical miles
Lavezzi and Santa Manza
Six miles to Lavezzi — granite lagoons, 28 metres of visibility, reserve buoys. We move on to the gulf of Santa Manza for a night at anchor.
Overnight: Yacht, at anchor in Santa Manza - DAY 6 · 16 nautical miles
Back across to Caprera
The strait again, 16 miles to Caprera. A night in Cala Portese and a visit to the house where Garibaldi spent his last 26 years.
Overnight: Yacht, at anchor in Cala Portese - DAY 7 · 18 nautical miles
Caprera to Portisco
The last 18 miles along the Costa Smeralda with lunch at anchor off Liscia Ruja. Refuelling, berthing in Portisco and a farewell dinner.
Overnight: Yacht, Portisco marina - DAY 8 · Check-out
Check-out
Yacht back by 09:00, a 30-minute transfer to Olbia airport.
Overnight: —
Included in the estimated price
Berth in a double cabin on a 40–50 ft sailing yacht
Professional skipper for the whole week
Yacht insurance and the boat’s security deposit
Bed linen, towels, dinghy with outboard
Final cleaning of the yacht
Ivan’s support: preparation, watches, daily debriefs
Transfer between Olbia airport and Portisco marina
Not included in the price
Flights to the meeting point
Personal travel insurance and visas
Personal equipment
Single-room supplements and personal expenses
Kitty: provisioning, marina fees, fuel, water — usually €250–350 per person
Dinners in tavernas ashore
Maddalena national park permit (from €30 per day per yacht)
Berthing in Bonifacio marina
YOUR PREPARATION
Arrive ready for the route.
Previous sailing experience is preferable: the mistral can bring 25–30 knots in the strait, in which case we wait in shelter. Ivan goes through reefing and the park rules with the group in advance.
Prepare with IvanROUTE QUESTIONS
BEFORE WE MEET ON THE TRAIL
What to prepare in advance
- A soft bag rather than a hard suitcase
- Shoes with clean, non-slip soles
- Sun and wind protection, and a light rain layer
- Personal essentials suited to your experience at sea
Once we choose a date, we agree on the equipment list, meeting point and transfer time. Please wait until the programme is confirmed before booking flights.