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Olbia base: Question & answer with Francesco

A great report on sailing in the North of Sardinia

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Today we meet Francesco, base manager of the Dream Yacht Charter company in Olbia, Sardinia - a base located in the heart of the city just a few minutes from the airport. In this little report, he will share with us the most beautiful gems around the island from a true connoisseur of the island. The base in Olbia is the ideal starting point to reach numerous beautiful bays in the north of Sardinia and the Corse coast.

Cala Corsara, La Maddalena Archipelago in Sardinia

What do you recommend visiting from the Olbia base by boat? 

"Starting from Olbia, the base where we are located, you can go and visit in the immediate vicinity less than 3/4 miles for a first evening departure Cala Moresca, in front of the Golfo Aranci perfect a to spend the first evening, a wonderful place to enjoy some night life with local concerts, festivals and local events especially in the summer season. In front of Golfo Aranci, you will find the island of Tavolara with its ponds just like swimming pools and the beach of Spalmatore with its white sand and practically no rocks in its seabed - ideal for spending a night before sailing north.

If you sail north you will find some of the most famous coves that definitely deserve a mention: Cala di Volpe, La Marinella, the Gulf of Pevero, all located in the northeast coast of Sardinia. Together with these famous ones, one should. not forget the smaller and lesser known but equally beautiful coves, such as Cala Sabina, La Spiaggia del Principe. On the east side of the island of Caprera, a truly special place is Cala Portese, Cala Coticcio (also called the Sardinian Tahiti). Proceeding north of the island, you will find the Rada di Cannigione, with a beautiful port brimming of life in the evenings.

In the northern direction, between the islands of Caprera and La Maddalena you will also find Cala Garibaldi, the Giardinelli, Cala Napoletana and towards the west,  the island of Spargi with its fantastic Cala Corsara, will certainly let you enjoy some magical moments at sunset. And then the three islands with what is locally called the mantle of the Madonna, between the island of Razzoli, Budelli and Santa Maria, a natural swimming pool that you have to see to fully understand its marvel and beauty.

Around the islands the famous Spiaggia Rosa, Cala Santa Maria and Cala Lunga. To the north the islands that are part of Corsica, Lavezzi with its Cala Lazzarina and Cavvalo with the passage of Piantarella - here something that is definitely worth visiting is the Isola Piana with what is probably the largest salt water pool in the world.

Which harbours do you recommend visiting in this area? 

"La Maddalena with its city, its hills going up and down, the wonderful offer of restaurants, bars and entertainment and the excursions to Caprera. Here you'll find the museum dedicated to Garibaldi. 

Bonifacio another gem worth a visit is only 45 miles from Olbia - as you sail there you will know what wonder it really is! 

What are the dominant winds here? 

The predominant wind is that of the third and fourth sector, on average between north-west and north. The areas at risk for sailing in particular are well indicated on the charts especially north of Caprera an area with a dangerous shoal but all are well identified on the charts. 

Watch the full Q&A with Francesco here (you can enable English subtitles by clicking on the Gear Settings icon - at the bottom right of the video - Subtitles, English)

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