Sailing Sardinia and Corsica (2 Weeks)
- digressaustralia
- Jul 17
- 8 min read
Before I dive into the daily adventures, I should probably introduce the crew.
For two unforgettable weeks in July 2026, I sailed around the stunning coastlines of Sardinia and southern Corsica with my fiancé, Sean, his parents Bo and Michelle, and their long-time family friend Mel.
Sean and I love travelling together, but this trip was made possible because Bo and Michelle finally turned a lifelong dream into reality. They have always loved sailing, and in May 2026 they took the leap and bought a Leopard catamaran, beginning a new chapter of life. They moved to Europe for a summer of sailing adventures with no return flight booked, choosing to let the journey unfold one destination at a time. Their plan is simple: chase beautiful anchorages, explore new coastlines, and make the most of every day on the water. We were lucky enough to join them for two weeks of that adventure.
Mel, who lives in the same apartment complex as Bo and Michelle back in Perth, came along too. She fit into boat life perfectly, and before long our days settled into an easy rhythm of morning coffees, swims, runs, rides, sailing, card games, sunset dinners and plenty of laughs.
Over the next two weeks we explored hidden beaches, wandered through colourful Italian and French towns, surfed and foiled in crystal-clear water, crossed from Sardinia to Corsica, watched incredible sunsets from the deck of the boat, and created memories that I’ll be talking about for years.
If you’ve ever dreamed of sailing the Mediterranean, I hope this gives you a little glimpse into what life is really like.
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Sailing Sardinia & Corsica – Two Weeks in Paradise
July 2026
Saturday 4 July – Perth → Singapore → Rome
Our adventure began with an early morning flight from Perth to Singapore. Before we’d even left Australia, the trip was off to a great start—we were unexpectedly upgraded on our flight. It felt like a sign that the next two weeks were going to be something special.
Sean, Mel and I landed in Singapore around midday. After dropping our bags at the hotel, we wandered through the streets of Chinatown for a late lunch before escaping the humidity with a swim in the rooftop pool of a hotel we booked.
That evening we found our way to Penny Black to watch the rugby, enjoyed a drink along Boat Quay, and finished with frozen margaritas at Chico Loco in Chinatown before heading back to Singapore Airport for our overnight flight to Rome.
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Sunday 5 July – Arriving in Sardinia
After landing in Rome we caught our connecting flight to Olbia—but not without a little drama. Despite being first in line to board, Air Italia had overbooked the flight and separated us from Mel, forcing Sean and me onto the first flight while she waited for the next one.
Travel tip: Don’t rely too heavily on Air Italia’s seating plans! Always book priority and always pay for seats!
Once in Olbia, everything instantly slowed down. We enjoyed an incredible sushi lunch near the ferris wheel before finally stepping aboard the boat, reuniting with Bo and Michelle.
Our first anchorage was Cala Banana, where we wasted no time getting in the water. We surfed, foiled and settled into life onboard. During the afternoon two local boys, aged 17 and 18, paddled over to admire the boat. It had always been their dream to come aboard one like it, so we invited them on for a look around. It became one of those small moments that reminded us how travel connects people. Now these boys were funny… one was yelling “I’m rich as he stood onboard”. We had a great laugh as Bo spun the two boys on an inflatable SUP on the back of the dingy. You have to admire Bo’s ability to share with everyone good memories, the two unknown teens who spoke Italian are just one example.
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Monday 6 July – Baya del Sol & Liscia di Vacca
The morning started with fresh bread rolls kindly picked up by Bo.
The boys went cycling, Mel headed off for a walk, and I squeezed in an 8.7 km run. Lesson learnt: run before the Sardinian sun has a chance to wake up.
Mel and I spent the morning at Baya del Sol Beach Bar sipping fresh watermelon juice before cooling off with a swim in crystal-clear water.
Later we sailed towards Liscia di Vacca, playing cards and eating lunch as the coastline drifted by. By the time we arrived it was almost siesta time—a tradition we were quickly learning to appreciate.
Dinner was onboard before another evening of surfing, foiling and watching the sun disappear into the Mediterranean.
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Tuesday 7 July – La Maddalena & Palau
I started the morning with a 10 km run around the marina at Poltu Quatu, weaving between some of the most extravagant superyachts I’d ever seen.
We sailed across to Isola di Santo Stefano near La Maddalena. The water was impossibly blue, and an abandoned stone building sitting quietly on the shoreline looked like something from another era.
After lunch onboard, Sean, Michelle and I took turns foiling before sailing into Palau.
That evening we wandered through the markets, enjoyed gelato and somehow managed to leave carrying ceramic tiles for the house Sean and I are building—an unexpected but meaningful souvenir and a tradition we started in Olbia in June/July 2025.
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Wednesday 8 July – Stagnali
Another morning, another 10 km run.
After breakfast and coffee ashore we welcomed more friends onboard before sailing to Spiaggia I Due Mari near Stagnali.
The afternoon was wonderfully simple: swimming, foiling, good conversations.
Dinner was a Thai salad enjoyed while watching one of those Mediterranean sunsets that somehow never gets old.
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Thursday 9 July – La Maddalena
The day began with an early surf before sailing into a beautifully calm bay near Marina di Giardinello.
That evening we moored in La Maddalena. Sean and I headed out for another 10 km run before climbing a small staircase in town for one of our favourite dinners of the trip.
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Friday 10 July – Bonifacio, Corsica
Crossing into Corsica felt exciting. We made it to Bonifacio last year and I could not wait to be back there!
That evening became one of my favourite memories from the entire holiday.
I sat alone on the roof of the boat for a moment while everyone else laughed over cards downstairs.
My surfboard rested beside me. A glass of wine sat in my hand.
The warm breeze drifted across the harbour as boats quietly arrived beneath the towering limestone cliffs—superyachts worth millions, family sailing boats, charter boats filled with tourists. Every single person had their own story that had somehow brought them to this tiny harbour at the edge of Corsica.
Zach Bryan played softly through the speakers while waves gently slapped against the hull.
It made me think of the word sonder—the realisation that every stranger is living a life as vivid and complex as your own.
Only two years earlier Europe had felt like somewhere that existed only in movies and books. Now I was sitting here, living it… again.
I found myself wondering what these cliffs had witnessed over hundreds of years—sailors, merchants, wars, celebrations and countless travellers chasing adventure. What a curious moment.
That night we enjoyed what was easily one of the best dinners of the trip: espresso martinis and incredible steak overlooking Bonifacio.
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Saturday 11 July – Exploring Bonifacio
Bo and Sean headed out cycling while I completed a 12 km run along the marina.
Sean and I spent the afternoon exploring Bonifacio’s steep streets, climbing endless staircases and browsing little artisan shops.
Yes…we bought more tiles for the house.
The afternoon was spent swimming around the boat, installing new cameras onboard and catching up on a little work before dinner along the marina.
Later Sean and I wandered to “A Boire” for a wine before taking the dinghy beneath Bonifacio’s towering cliffs under the evening light.
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Sunday 12 July – Santa Reparata
After coffee we sailed to Spiaggia Santa Reparata.
We managed a quick surf before discovering surfing wasn’t actually permitted there.
Back on land Sean cycled while I ran 8 km in intense heat. There were beach bars scattered along the shoreline that looked perfect for lazy afternoons, but we returned to the boat for homemade pasta and a surprisingly addictive new card game.
Note: You can’t motor in on land or you will be met with 50 Italian women yelling at you. Paddle in. Just trust me.
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Monday 13 July – Budelli & Billionaires Bay
We sailed to Spiaggia dei Cavalieri near Budelli and Cala Santa Maria, one of the most beautiful stretches of water we’d seen. This time around it was a little windy and busy but I know the beauty it is capable from last year’s trip to Sardinia.
Since landing wasn’t permitted, we simply admired it from the boat while eating ravioli we’d bought earlier in the trip.
The afternoon was spent setting up Starlink before sailing into what we like to call “Billionaires Bay” (Poltu Quatu).
The marina looked like an exotic car show—Lamborghinis, BMWs and Range Rovers everywhere.
Two young boys from the yacht Tenacity yelled “67!” as I passed running my laps along the marina. I smiled and waved back, and they absolutely loved it. It just reminded me of the kids at school.
That evening we cooked steaks onboard, that Mel generously treated us too! I poured a glass of red wine and watched another unforgettable sunset.
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Tuesday 14 July – Back to Olbia
We took the dinghy into Poltu Quatu for what had become our favourite morning ritual: coffee and buttery croissants.
Luxury boats and expensive cars surrounded us, but somehow the place still felt relaxed rather than pretentious.
Later we sailed back to Olbia to collect Bo and Michelle’s newest toy—an eFoil—and revisit their favourite sushi restaurant, I know they have been back at least 6 times, the food really is amazing.
Before dinner I attempted a 10 km run in 37°C heat, eventually giving in and buying an Energade from a supermarket.
When I couldn’t figure out how to exit, a kind local showed me I needed to scan my receipt. A few minutes later he rode past on his scooter, smiling and waving. Something random I’ll always remember.
Near the waterfront another man approached me speaking only Italian. The only word I recognised was “per favore.” He seemed thirsty, so I handed him an Energade from my shopping bag. His smile said everything. Sometimes the smallest interactions when travelling stay with you the longest.
Dinner was, once again, unbelievable sushi before wandering Olbia’s streets for gelato.
Sean and I couldn’t resist buying another ceramic tile from the same little shop we’d visited a year earlier.
As we sailed out past the historic Faro di Bocca lighthouse, built in 1887, we anchored near Isola della Bocca for our second-last night onboard.
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Wednesday 15 July – One Last Day
Our final full day began by trying the new eFoil before returning to Olbia for—yes—another visit to our favourite sushi restaurant.
I squeezed in one last 10 km run before packing our bags.
That evening we made piña coladas onboard before heading into town for pizza tucked away down a little laneway.
Sean and I finished the night listening to a violinist perform in the streets before ending up at Mengo’s, sipping picture-perfect margaritas until just after midnight. We talked to travellers from around the world until morning.
A perfect final evening.
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Thursday 16 July – Heading Home
Our alarm went off at 4:00 am. After only an hour of sleep we were up.
Bo dropped us near the airport by dinghy in the early morning darkness.
Even our final journey had one last adventure when fishing line wrapped itself around the outboard motor.
Eventually we said our goodbyes, Bo took us in to shore near the Olbia airport. We found ourself walking on a wall in the water, up some hills, through the streets and finally to the airport.
Two weeks. Hundreds of kilometres sailed. Endless swims, runs, sunsets, pasta, sushi, foiling, surfing and unforgettable conversations.
Sardinia and Corsica weren’t just beautiful—they completely slowed life down.
And as the coastline disappeared behind us, I already know we will be back again soon.
17.July.2026
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