PORTS AND ANCHORAGES: THE BEST AND WORST OF EVERYTHING WE’VE SEEN IN 2025
As every year, the Daydreamer—the our editorial team’s boat—is sailing in the Tyrrhenian Sea and, between one product test and another, is collecting valuable experiences that not only help update our online ports guide, but also deserve to be shared to help boaters avoid unpleasant situations or guide them towards the places where we had a really good time.
Here is our personal ranking, based on our real experience. A list of ports and anchorages we’d love to return to—and others, unfortunately, we’ll try to avoid in the future. This article will remain open and will be constantly updated until the end of our cruise, which will wrap up in late August when the Daydreamer arrives at Marina Porto Antico, where the first nautical test center will also be launched.
Comments from readers sharing their own experiences in ports—whether good or bad—as well as tips on recommended anchorages, are of course welcome in this article and will contribute to the collective knowledge base of recreational boating.
Sardinia: the best and worst ports and anchorages of 2025
THE BEST PORTS AND ANCHORAGES
Marina di Olbia
At Marina di Olbia we had a truly great experience — it’s a little haven where kindness and helpfulness are never overlooked. A far cry from those arrogant and pretentious facilities that take advantage of their strategic location to make life difficult for boaters. And yet, Marina di Olbia is probably the best-positioned marina in the area, just 5 minutes from the airport and 2 minutes from a well-stocked supermarket.
The dockhands are friendly and experienced, providing skilled assistance with both mooring and unmooring, from the quay as well as with support RIBs. The shuttle service is worth mentioning — not only is it free, but it also takes you to the airport, the supermarket, and, when possible, even to the city center. Rates are in line with others in the area, but if you consider the services included, Marina di Olbia probably offers the best value for money in the region.
VHF Channel 9
40° 55,026′ N – 9° 31,456′ E
Olbia Molo Vecchio and Molo Brin
Molo Vecchio and Molo Brin in Olbia are public docks, free of charge and unfortunately increasingly rare. They’re a great option for boarding or disembarking crew members, or for stocking up at the nearby supermarkets. The depth is almost always adequate, ranging between 2.5 and 4 meters, and as expected, there’s no mooring assistance. You’ll need to brief the crew in advance to ensure you can come alongside without issues.
40° 55,280′ N – 9° 30,429′ E
Sintonia Marina – Porto Pozzo
Porto Pozzo is a long and narrow gulf that stretches inland for over a mile and a half. Sheltered from all winds except those from the north, it’s a very safe place to spend long days when the mistral is blowing. At the end of the gulf lies Sintonia Marina, which I personally consider one of the best moorings in northern Sardinia. The staff is always kind and helpful, especially Maika, who always does her best to find a solution to any problem her guests may have.
The marina features several pontoons equipped with water and electricity, as well as a good number of mooring buoys already fitted with lines. As of this year, the marina also has a convenient fuel station. Onshore, there’s a simply beautiful cocktail bar where, in a series of elegant gazebos with sofas, we enjoyed some delicious aperitivo-style dinners. Near the marina, there’s also a very well-stocked supermarket run by the excellent Antonio, offering top-quality products and a boat delivery service — a real added convenience.
VHF Channel 9
41° 11,986′ N – 9° 16,520′ E
Capo Comino Beach – Isola Ruja
When the mistral blows strong, I like to anchor here. Thanks to the orography of the area, wind strength is reduced by 20 to 40%, and the sandy seabed offers excellent holding, with large areas free of Posidonia. You can drop anchor according to your draft, starting from around 2.5 meters, and with 40 or 50 meters of chain in the water, the holding here is very secure.
This paradise does have one drawback: when the mistral stops or slows down, an annoying swell from the NNE can develop, causing the boat to roll. To get around this, I recommend anchoring in the northwestern corner of the bay, where this phenomenon is greatly reduced.
Completing the picture of this “super anchorage” is a Caribbean-like landscape and light blue water throughout the bay. Isola Ruja itself is truly enchanting. On land, there are bars and restaurants that, when the mistral calms down, offer pleasant evenings.
40° 33,073′ N – 9° 47,727′ E
Golfo Aranci and Baia Caddinas
When looking for ports and anchorages, the vast roadstead of Golfo Aranci is one of the best options in this area. Perfectly sheltered from winds from the second and third quadrants, it offers a sandy seabed with excellent holding. Thanks to the large size of the anchoring area, you can sleep peacefully and relaxed here without worrying about being too close to other boats.
40° 69,696′ N – 9° 36,635′ E
THE WORST PORTS AND ANCHORAGES
Port of Santa Teresa di Gallura
This marina, once amazing, has been progressively declining over time. The first sign is obvious — just try calling and you’ll be left on hold for ages, and quite often the line drops. Even the port’s website, right in the middle of peak season, is still “under construction”, which says a lot.
The services at the Port of Santa Teresa di Gallura are few and poor. This year I also had the hull cleaned and painted at the port’s facility — a rather unpleasant experience and a poorly done job: they forgot to install the sacrificial zinc anode on the propeller, the paint is already peeling in flakes after just one month, and the hull surface has an orange peel texture… A real shame, because I had always had good experiences here in the past.
I’ve been coming to this marina for over 20 years, but sadly, I’m now gradually removing it from my routes.
The price-to-quality ratio at the Port of Santa Teresa di Gallura is therefore one of the worst in the area.
VHF Channel 12
41° 14,440′ N – 9° 11,742′ E
Porto Liccia
One of my favorite bays — but strictly out of season. During the summer, this beautiful spot, which I usually rely on for shelter from the mistral, turns into a playground for inconsiderate people who, ignoring all regulations and lacking any common sense, speed around between anchored boats in tenders and jet skis. Then there are the chartered catamarans, packed with people, blasting music from 10 p.m. until they finally pass out, drunk and exhausted.
41° 6,224′ N – 9° 33,970′ E
This article will be updated as we continue sailing north — stay tuned for the next updates.
