May 29 – July 1, 2026
Here we go again! It’s May 26, 2026, and SALU has been safely moored in the Nautilus Marina on the Tiber River near Rome for the past eight months. Now we’re heading to Sardinia and Corsica for the next few weeks until the end of June, and then back to Rome.
Nautilus Marina, Rome
We spend the first two days checking all the systems and cleaning the boat. After the long winter months, the deck is dirty and needs a good scrub. All the checks are successful. The engine starts right up, and all the electronics on board are working perfectly. We’re very happy with SALU.
We also use the rental car we have for the first few days to stock up on food and drinking water. The little Fiat 500 is packed to the brim after our trip to the supermarket. On SALU, the groceries quickly disappear into the many cupboards and storage compartments.
… On the evening of May 27th, Michelle rejoined us. She would be accompanying us for the next two weeks and making the crossing from the Italian mainland to the northeast coast of Sardinia with us. 130 nautical miles means a 24-hour journey, so it was a short sail.
The next day, we did a test sail off the coast of Fiumiccino. Everything went perfectly. So, nothing stood in the way of our sailing weeks.
Rome – Sardinia, Marina Cala dei Sardi
After the obligatory morning coffee on board, we cast off at 9:00 a.m. The weather was overcast, and there was virtually no wind forecast for the crossing. We would start under motor. The watch schedule called for 4-hour watches during the day and 3-hour watches at night. Easy enough for a crew of three.
After exactly 24 + 1 hours, we reached Sardinia. The crossing with only light winds under motor was calm and easy. The full moon is frequently hidden behind clouds, but we have enough light to see the navigation lights of the ferries and cargo ships crossing our path.
Even before sunset, a group of dolphins accompanies us for a while. They clearly enjoy swimming to the left and right of the boat’s bow. They repeatedly turn sideways to keep an eye on us.
Before entering the small marina of Cala dei Sardi, we anchor just next to the port of Porto Rotondo. Only two other boats are anchored in the large bay of Spiaggia Ira. We enjoy our first swim in the Mediterranean Sea off the coast of Sardinia.
When we arrive in the small private harbor of Cala dei Sardi in the afternoon, it’s very busy. It’s Saturday, and the charter base is busy with guests picking up their boats. Things quiet down in the evening, and we enjoy the small jetty and have dinner at the harbor restaurant. The area in front of the dock is a beautifully landscaped garden with flowering bushes.
When we arrive in the small private harbor of Cala dei Sardi in the afternoon, it’s quite busy. It’s Saturday, and the guests are picking up their boats. The next morning, we took our new dinghy to the nearby Portisco harbor. A quick stop at the supermarket and breakfast at the local bar. The bar owner kept apologizing, even for no apparent reason. Everyone we’ve met so far has been incredibly friendly. The season has just started, and we’re already noticing how professionally everything is organized for sailors here.
Cala di Volpe – Golfo Prevero
Distances along the Costa Smeralda are short. After just 4 nautical miles, we anchored for a swim in Cala di Volpe, with its large restaurant at the end of the bay. The water was crystal clear and inviting. Here, too, we shared the space with only a few other boats.
For the night, we decided to head to Golfo Prevero. It, too, is just a few nautical miles away, practically around the corner. We anchored on sand in 5 meters of azure water. A westerly wind was forecast for the night—the first signs of the Mistral. Therefore, we have to get up several times during the night to check on things. We secure the flapping anchor chain with a relief line. This allows us to sleep peacefully for the next few hours.
The next morning, the wind has died down somewhat, and we weigh anchor and head towards
Cannigione
With a wonderful westerly wind, we sail into the deep, narrow bay and find our berth for the night at a private dock. The marina attendant helps us dock with a crosswind and gives us tips for the small town. Dinner at the Osteria del Porto is excellent.
Our next destination is the Maddalena Islands. The weather app predicts Mistral winds with gusts up to 42 knots from the west for the next few days. We therefore decide to seek shelter in the harbor of La Maddalena for two nights.
Maddalena – Isola Caprera, La Maddalena
We stop for swimming and lunch in a large anchor bay on Isola Caprera. The island where the Italian national hero Guiseppe Garibaldi spent his last years is part of the Maddalena National Park. We row the dinghy ashore and take a walk along the coast. There are only a few boats in the large anchor bay of Porto Palma. In the afternoon we are suddenly surrounded by numerous dinghies from the two sailing schools that have their points on the uninhabited island.
In the late afternoon we weigh anchor and motor 5nm to the main town of the archipelago, La Maddalena. We booked a mooring in Cala Mangiavolpe, just a few minutes‘ walk from the beautiful town center. When we arrive it is rush hour. Numerous yachts are waiting to be able to dock in order to weather the strong winds that have been announced for the coming days in a safe harbor. The Marineros is extremely professional and within a few minutes we are safely on the dock.
The town of La Maddalena is bigger than we thought. The typical Italian pedestrian zone parallel to the harbor front is full of nice bars and restaurants. The atmosphere is relaxed and friendly. During the night the wind picked up noticeably and the next morning it blew with gusts of 40 kn from the E.