Sardinia and Corsica - 1 month itinerary?

[merylkatz]

Hello All,

We are a family of 5 (2 adults, a 14 year old daughter and 10 year old boy/girl twins) chartering a Bavaria 44 out of Cagliari (returning to Olbia) for a month beginning 15 July.

We have been reading the cruising and piloting books and are beginning to have a ton of questions.
- what is a good month long itinerary including Sardinia and Corsica?
- Things look crowded, do people try and reserve marina space ahead of time? Or just anchor?
- Or does that depend on where you stop?

We live in San Francisco and sail a lot here. We've chartered in the Caribbean a few times but the Med is new to us for sailing.

Advice is appreciated!

Thank you,
Meryl

[stevenit]

We sailed and lived aboard in Sardinia/Corse for 5 years. Normally Jul/Aug is the crowdy period, but, if you sail on the south part it is affordable and it is the best place, IMHO.
90% of the people sail on the north part and there is crowdy and expensive.
Sardinia and Corse can be done without so many Marina, you can stay all month without going into.
Otherwise, If you like to stop, it is better you reserve a transient.
Prevalent wind is Maestrale (NW), be aware to sailig between Bonifacio straight during Maestrale over 20knts, waves are chopping and rough sailing crossing it (due to the depth in Lion's guld adn the shallow in the passage).
Normally the sailing trip is underclockwise, we sailed up from Cagliari to the eas coast several times and there are a lot of bay and place to anchor.
On the other way, from Cagliari to west is georgeus until Carloforte (San Pietro Island), look well the chart for enetring there.
Be aware the coast near Capo Teulada that is military and no anchor allowed (well marked on any chart).
Fron San Pietro Island up is difficult, against Maestrale and not a lot of place to repair. Much better reach Algero(musto to see) by the other way and stop to Asinara Island (Buoyed, no free anchor).
On the north side, a visit to Arcipelago della Maddalena, except the crowdy priod, must be done. Contact the Maddalena Park for get ticket La Maddalena e le altre isole dell'Arcipelago: Parco Nazionale dell' Arcipelago di La Maddalena.
Corse: Bonifacio is really impressive the entrance, but thecity is nothing special, Ajaccio is really nice and , on the east side, some nice bay are waiting for you :-)

[stevenit]

If you charter from Cagliari sailing Charter, bring my greeting to the owner, Aessandro.

[Xlantic]

Last summer we spent a week in southern Sardinia, on our way from Sicily to Menorca. We anchored every night.

In general the Med is crowded, particularly from mid-July to mid-August, but one can usually find quiet places.

I have found this site very useful for high-level planning of the itinerary:
JimB Sail | Helping Skippers plan European Cruises

[merylkatz]

Thank you both for the information. I really appreciate it.
We are chartering from Caglialri Sailing Charters - I will send your regards to Alesandro, I think I've seen his name somewhere.

We are thinking of heading up the west coast of Sardinia for 1 week
West coast of Corsica 1 week
East coast of Corsica 1 week
Northeast and east Sardinia for 1 week.
In that order. Any thoughts?

We get the boat in Cagliari, we return the boat to Portisco.

Thank you,
Meryl

[merylkatz]

Also thanks for the JimBSail leads, it looks great!

[Darrieus13]

As your time is limited, I strongly suggest you spend more time on West Corsica ,from St Florent to Bonifacio, Lavezzi and South East (porto Vecchio) and forget East coast. Also you may want to shorten Sardinia and stay more in Corsica, though Maddalena is a must. You will love Golf of Porto
and Scandola
As far as mistral (NW) or Libeccio (SW) are less than 20kn you will find anchorages. Wind generally tends to be lower at night. But at this time of the year you will normally be in high pressure and thermal Wind regime.
Welcome in my garden.

Gerard

[stevenit]

Originally Posted by merylkatz

Thank you both for the information. I really appreciate it.
We are chartering from Caglialri Sailing Charters - I will send your regards to Alesandro, I think I've seen his name somewhere.

We are thinking of heading up the west coast of Sardinia for 1 week
West coast of Corsica 1 week
East coast of Corsica 1 week
Northeast and east Sardinia for 1 week.
In that order. Any thoughts?

We get the boat in Cagliari, we return the boat to Portisco.

Thank you,
Meryl

Due to the prevalent wind may I suggest to avoid sail up the wes coast, other than there are no so many sheltered place to recover. After S.pietro Island, it start to be difficult until Alghero area.

East Coast of Corsica is less intereting than west one, that is interesting until Pinarello Gulf, above this, you will find nothing until Bastia. On the west side, insead, Corsica is really nice with georgeus bay and Ajaccio.

One week is enough to reach Caroforte and come back visisting all the nice place (Nora, La tuaredda, Chia, Portopino...)

One week is not really enough to "enjoy" the east coast, but you can do it

Do Bonifacio straigh (look the weather...) and sail up to west Corsica and, if you will have some time remaining, you can visit Maddalena park if it is not so crowd.
Fairy wind!

[merylkatz]

Thank you all for the help and advice.

[stevenit]

Originally Posted by merylkatz

Thank you both for the information. I really appreciate it.
We are chartering from Caglialri Sailing Charters - I will send your regards to Alesandro, I think I've seen his name somewhere.
Meryl

Alessandro is the owner, tell him "regards from Stefano and Monica, X-512 Jonathan Livingston.