The 15 Sailing Trips in Italy We Would Book First

1.1-Catamaran tour to the Maddalena Archipelago from Cannigione

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,248 reviews · 8 hours (approx.) · from $119Our pick

Sail from the Arzachena area aboard a catamaran limited to 12 people. Expect clear-water swim stops at Spargi and Porto della Madonna, views of Budelli’s protected Pink Beach, onboard pasta, Sardinian snacks, Vermentino, and friendly crew such as Luca, Barbara, Francesco, and Alessio.

“Luca was a gentlemen and very welcoming. We had US, UK and Germany and were all family by the the end of the tour. No Doubts about this tour, end of!”

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2.Catamaran Sunset Jazz Cruise with Aperitivo

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 1,206 reviews · 1.5 hours · from $94

Spend 90 minutes cruising San Marco Bay, the Giudecca Canal, and the lagoon toward Lido on a roomy catamaran. Andreas and his crew serve Venetian cicchetti and one drink, while a live saxophonist plays jazz, bossa, and soul as Venice slips into sunset.

“This was amazing! We sat at the front and got incredible views with delicious drinks and amazing music. Perfect first night for our honeymoon in Venice!”

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3.Sailboat tour from PALAU to the Maddalena Archipelago.

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 952 reviews · 7 to 8 hours (approx.) · from $107

Set out from Palau at 9:30 a.m. on a sailboat limited to 12 people. Your crew, which may include Giuseppe, Simone, Claudia, or other Sardinia Sailing Tour skippers, serves Sardinian snacks, fish pasta, fruit, Vermentino, and soft drinks while you swim near Spargi and view the protected Pink Beach.

“We had a wonderful day out sailing with Claudia and Simone! The pasta lunch was delicious and they were very kind and accomodating to our group. Highly recommend!”

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4.From Palau or La Maddalena: Archipelago Sailing Ship Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 903 reviews · 7 hours · from $77

Spend seven hours on a vintage motorsailer around La Maddalena Archipelago. Visit Budelli, Santa Maria, and Spargi, see Spiaggia Rosa from the water, swim from the boat, and relax on beaches. Guides speak Italian, English, and French. Bring lunch or buy pasta and drinks onboard.

“It was a little bit chaotic at first because it was very windy but we had so much fun. The crew was amazing, so sweet and reassuring. The beaches were also beautiful. Je recommande chaudement !”

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5.Luxury catamaran from Porto Rafael-Palau to the Maddalena Archipelago

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 751 reviews · 7 to 8 hours (approx.) · from $131

Spend 7 to 8 hours aboard a comfortable catamaran from Punta Sardegna, visiting Spargi, Pink Beach, Porto della Madonna, Razzoli, and Santa Maria. The crew, including captains such as Alberto or Roberto and hosts such as Alex, serves Sardinian food, wine, beer, coffee, and liqueur for a relaxed small-group day at sea.

“My wife and I enjoyed this full day tour. The staff was exceptional and extremely attentive. I truly recommend this experience. Beautiful day at sea, great pictures and memories.”

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6.From Porec: Venice Catamaran Crossing One-Way or Round-Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 638 reviews · from $94

Travel from Poreč to Venice with a short onboard introduction from guides such as Sandra, Dorota, and Žiga. Expect a 3 to 3.5-hour crossing, lagoon views, free time near Piazza San Marco, and optional gondola, lunch, and boat transfers.

“loved the hole day..they do a 110 euros all in for food and transfers and gondola ride ...definitely worth it”

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7.Sailing boat from Santa Teresa di Gallura to the Maddalena Archipelago

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 628 reviews · 7 to 8 hours (approx.) · from $119

Sail from Santa Teresa di Gallura with a small crew such as Carlo, Andrea, Marco, or Lorenzo, then spend 7 to 8 hours among Spargi, Budelli, Razzoli, and Santa Maria. Expect turquoise coves, snorkeling, lunch, drinks, and a flexible route shaped by wind and sea conditions.

“Wonderful day with Ily and Alessandro on their boat. Amazing spots for the swim and delicious food on board, specially cooked by Ily.”

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8.Sailing Cruise to Dia Island with Meal and Water Activities

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 526 reviews · 5 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $96

Join Cretan Sailing Cruises for a 5.5-hour trip from Heraklion to uninhabited Dia Island. Expect a small-group boat, a swim stop in Saint George Bay, snorkeling, SUP, fishing, shrimp linguini, Cretan appetizers, wine, beer, and crew such as Petros, Yannis, or Christina.

“Very nice tour! Dia island was amazing. The sail and the crew were also very friendly and nice. Definitely recommended if you are in Crete!”

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9.Sunset Sailing Aperitif Experience

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 367 reviews · 2 hours · from $65

Join skipper Andrea, sometimes listed as Andreas, for a two-hour sunset sail from Alghero. You’ll cruise toward Maddalenetta, swim or snorkel in clear water, then enjoy Sardinian snacks, wine, beer, soft drinks, and homemade spritz with music as Capo Caccia catches the last light.

“Amazing experience! The trip had everything! A beautiful boat, lovely company, tasty food, free-flowing drinks and even a wedding proposal. Andreas was a wonderful and very funny guide. My mom and I really enjoyed it. We debated at length if the sunset was “too much” but I think it was just enough. Well worth every penny.”

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10.Sailing day trip on Tall Ship Andrea Jensen with Lunch and Wine

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 360 reviews · 7 hours (approx.) · from $169

Join Colin and Rachel aboard the 86-year-old wooden Andrea Jensen for a seven-hour sail from Alghero. Cruise past Capo Caccia, swim and snorkel in a sheltered bay, enjoy a fresh two-course lunch with local wine and beer, then sail back under red sails.

“This was the single best excursion I’ve ever been on, in any country! If you’re in Alghero, you MUST book the day trip on the Andrea Jensen sailboat. Rachel and Colin were expert sailors (they even taught us how to work the lines), and the food and drink provided were too-notch quality. We stopped in a beautiful bay, where some jumped in the sea and others sunbathed in the net at the bow. The entire day was just perfect from start to finish, and it was a fantastic value for the price. Honestly, when we return to Alghero, this will be the first activity we book again. Thank you again…”

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11.Sailing Tour with 4 Stops, Snorkeling and Prosecco

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 341 reviews · from $61Best value

Join Alma, Patrick, Paolo, or Laura for a three-hour sailing trip from Cagliari’s marina to Cala Bernat, Cala Mosca, Cala Fighera, and the Devil’s Saddle. Swim among fish, use the onboard snorkeling gear and floats, hear local stories, and buy Prosecco or soft drinks during the return sail.

“Laura and Paolo were wonderful hosts/sailors. They were very friendly and relaxed. They gave us information about the city and places we sailed past which was really cool. We anchored in two spots and had float devices and goggles for us to use. But if you want a snorkel you need to bring your own. The ladder to get back on the boat is quite narrow and not a lot of stuff to hold on to - myself and my friend both fell off the ladder trying to get back on the boat! The sea was a bit choppy, so accidentally swallowed a fair amount of sea water. Unfortunately myself…”

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12.Tour Sailboat 15 mt. BOARDING FROM LA MADDALENA islands Archipelago

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 306 reviews · 8 hours (approx.) · from $119

Spend about eight hours aboard a 15-meter sailboat from La Maddalena, stopping at Spargi, Budelli’s Pink Beach, Porto Madonna, Razzoli, and Santa Maria. Swim, snorkel, eat Sardinian food, and enjoy wine, beer, Mirto, and a small-group setting with skippers such as Giuseppe, Salvatore, Max, or Danny.

“Max was an incredible skipper! Very knowledgeable, best service with food and drinks. Always made sure everyone on board was happy and getting anything they needed. The weather wasn’t the best but it was still an incredible sail!”

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13.Sailing ship from Porto San Paolo (S.Teodoro-Olbia) to Tavolara, Molara

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 293 reviews · 7 to 8 hours (approx.) · from $119

Spend 7.5 hours aboard a small sailing ship from Porto San Paolo, swimming at Isola Piana, Tavolara, and Molara. The crew, including captains such as Luigi, Alessio, Fabio, and Mateo, serves Sardinian snacks, lunch, Vermentino, beer, coffee, and myrtle liqueur. The group is limited to 14 people.

“Luigi e Livia foram muito atenciosos e prestativos. O passeio é imperdível. Acredito que não podem ter mais que 8 pessoas neste passeio.”

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14.La Maddalena: Full-Day Sailing Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 256 reviews · 7 hours · from $117

Spend seven hours sailing La Maddalena with a professional crew such as Dimitri, Fabio, Eddie, or Enzo. Visit Budelli, Santa Maria, and Spargi, swim and snorkel in clear water, and share a fresh Sardinian lunch with up to 12 participants.

“Amazing day on the water. Great baot, nice crew, small group, good food and the best views all day! I strongly recommend taking this trip.”

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15.Catamaran Tour with Aperitif & Local Food

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 249 reviews · 2.5 hours · from $63

Set out from Cala Ponte Marina on Almarano’s clean, spacious catamaran. Cruise past Lama Monachile, Grotta Palazzese, the Hermit’s Rock, and Cala Port’Alga, then swim and use paddleboards at Cala Corvino while enjoying focaccia, mozzarella, cold cuts, fruit, and drinks.

“Loved it! Best trip ever! Our children loved it and it was such a great experience. Highly recommend!”

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